How should candidates approach reading comprehension tasks in the OET?

Candidates should approach reading comprehension tasks in the OET by skimming for general understanding. This strategy allows them to quickly grasp the main ideas and overall structure of the text, which is particularly important in a time-constrained exam setting. Skimming enables individuals to identify key themes and essential information without getting bogged down by every detail.

Focusing solely on memorizing the text would not be effective, as the OET often requires understanding rather than rote recall of specific wording. Reading every word in detail first can be a time-consuming approach that may leave insufficient time for answering all questions. Lastly, concentrating exclusively on pictures and diagrams ignores much of the valuable contextual information presented in the text, limiting comprehension and critical analysis. Therefore, skimming for general understanding is a more efficient and effective method for handling reading comprehension tasks in the OET.