OET Writing sub-test

In OET Writing you write a letter, usually a referral, discharge or transfer letter, using a patient's case notes. The task matches your profession.

Step by step

1. Open Writing and choose a task.
2. Read the intro: You are about to start the Writing test. Click Next.
3. Reading time (5 minutes). Read the case notes and the task. You can't type or highlight yet. Click Start writing now to skip the rest of the reading time.
4. Writing time (40 minutes). The timer starts on its own. Use the highlighter on the case notes, and write your letter in the answer box (the Write to details and Dear … are laid out for you).
5. Click Finish Test (top right) and confirm Submit your letter? You can't return to the test afterwards.

Your result

Your letter is assessed against the OET criteria, usually in under a minute. The report has:

• Overall Score (0–500) and Grade
• Overall Analysis: Overall Feedback, Strengths and Additional Feedback
• Detailed Feedback on each criterion:
  • Purpose: is the reason for writing clear from the start?
  • Content: did you choose the right case notes for the reader?
  • Conciseness & Clarity
  • Genre & Style: professional tone for a healthcare reader
  • Organisation & Layout
  • Language: grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation
• Model Answer: a model letter for the same task. Yours doesn't need to match it. Use it to compare structure, content and tone.
• Your Letter: your answer next to the task and case notes

Tips

• State the purpose in the first paragraph (for example, "I am writing to refer Mr Smith, who…").
• Include only the case notes the reader needs. Leave out the rest.
• Aim for about 180–200 words in the body of the letter.