The Complete OET Writing Guide

OET Writing requires more than English accuracy. It tests whether you can produce clear, purposeful communication that healthcare professionals use in real practice.

This guide explains everything OET test takers need to know to prepare efficiently and strategically.

Overview of OET Writing

OET Writing is a test of your ability to produce written communication used in clinical settings.

It evaluates not just grammar or vocabulary, but your ability to communicate the right information, to the right reader, for the right purpose.

Below is a summary of the test:

You write one profession-specific letter (referral, discharge, transfer, etc.)
You can refer to the case notes throughout the task
You must select relevant information and organise it clearly
Assessment focuses on clarity, relevance, purpose, and clinical usefulness

The task length is 40 minutes, and the expected word count is 180–200 words. Compared with IELTS Writing, the time allowance is generous, and the difficulty is moderate.

You may continue referring to the case notes during writing, so you do not need to memorise every detail during the first five minutes.

Common Format Across All Professions

Although the case-note content differs by profession, the task is always a formal letter.

Because it is a letter, bullet-point writing is not allowed. Your response must be written in complete, connected sentences forming a coherent narrative.

Important Change from 2025
In many countries, the Writing passing requirement has been lowered to C+ (300).

As a result, advanced structuring techniques and highly polished expressions are no longer necessary.
If you follow the standard letter format and write polite, clear English, you can meet the passing standard.

For this reason, Writing can be treated as a lower-priority section in your overall OET preparation.

Learn the letter structure (introduction, key issues, request, closing)
Practise several patterns relevant to your profession
Review common clinical scenarios and essential vocabulary

Once these basics are established, you do not need to invest excessive time in Writing. You will gain more score improvement by investing time in Listening or Reading.

What Is Assessed in OET Writing

OET Writing assesses more than “correct English.”
It evaluates whether your letter would function effectively in a real clinical context.

Therefore, the criteria include structure, relevance, tone, information selection, and clinical clarity.

The Six Assessment Criteria

Below is a simplified version of the official assessment criteria:

Purpose – Is the purpose clear from the beginning?
Content – Are all essential details included, and unnecessary details excluded?
Conciseness & Clarity – Is the message clear, focused, and well-selected?
Genre & Style – Is the tone formal and appropriate for clinical communication?
Organisation & Layout – Are paragraphs structured logically?
Language – Are grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structures accurate?

Understanding these criteria and applying them while writing is essential for scoring well.

Key Points for Each Assessment Criterion

1. Purpose

Clearly state the purpose in the first paragraph
The reader should immediately understand why they received the letter

2. Content

Select only information relevant to the recipient
Make causal relationships and background information explicit
Ensure the letter has enough detail and is not too short

3. Conciseness & Clarity

Exclude information the reader already knows
Remove details irrelevant to clinical decision-making
Paraphrase case notes into clear, structured English

4. Genre & Style

Maintain a formal tone
Use professional titles accurately
Avoid question forms; use passive voice where appropriate
Refer to the patient as “the patient”, not by name or “client”

5. Organisation & Layout

Give each paragraph a clear topic and logical timeline
Use linking words such as However, Therefore, In addition
Leave space between paragraphs to improve readability

6. Language

Avoid repetitive sentence structures
Break up long sentences
Use articles and pronouns correctly
Choose tenses logically (past vs present perfect, etc.)

Using a checklist at first is recommended. With practice, you will naturally internalise these elements.

Passing Standard

To pass Writing, aim for:

2+ in Purpose
5+ in all other criteria

Among the criteria, Content and Language are the hardest because they require proper information filtering and grammatical accuracy.

On the other hand:

Conciseness & Clarity
Genre & Style
Organisation & Layout

These improve rapidly once you master the fixed OET letter structure.

Study Method: Master the Structure First, Then Improve Accuracy

The most efficient learning sequence is:

Learn the basic structure (introduction, presenting problem, history, request)
Practise letters using paragraph templates
Correct recurring weaknesses
Improve accuracy in selecting and discarding information

OET Writing is not about “personal writing style.”
It is about applying a scoring-friendly structure consistently and refining it through repetition.

How to Read Case Notes

In OET Writing, you must produce a referral letter based on case notes containing the patient’s history, symptoms, treatments, and background.

What Are Case Notes?

Case notes are similar to a medical chart: large amounts of bullet-pointed information.

You must interpret these details and extract information relevant to the intended recipient (specialist, aged-care coordinator, physiotherapist, etc.).

Write Only What the Recipient Needs

The most important principle is:

Use only the information that is clinically relevant for the recipient.

This directly affects the Content and Conciseness & Clarity scores.

Relevant information includes:

The presenting complaint or reason for referral
Current symptoms and objective findings
Previous treatments relevant to upcoming management
Background details that influence care (living situation, mobility, adherence)

Common Mistake: Including Irrelevant Information

Many beginners assume they must use all details.
However, irrelevant information harms clarity.

Examples of unnecessary information:

Minor past conditions (simple colds, small injuries)
Symptoms already resolved
Details unrelated to future management

Always ask:
“Does the recipient need this to manage the patient?”

Basic Template for Letter Structure

OET Writing becomes much easier when using a structured template.

Basic Template

OET_Writing_Template Download

Before writing the main content, write the recipient’s name, title, and organisation at the top left, using separate lines.

“Re:” is the subject line and normally includes the patient’s name and date of birth.

First Paragraph: State the Purpose Clearly

The first paragraph must immediately state the reason for writing:

I am writing to refer…
Thank you for seeing the patient for management of…

Include age, main issue, and referral reason.

Second Paragraph: Presenting Complaint and History

Summarise the presenting problem:

He presented with…
He was diagnosed with…
He has been experiencing…

Third Paragraph: Course, Tests, and Treatment

Summarise key investigations and management:

Recent tests indicate…
We conducted several investigations…
Treatment has been initiated…

Fourth Paragraph: Additional Information (If Needed)

Include clinically relevant background:

Living situation
Support system
Medication adherence
Relevant history

Fifth Paragraph: Request and Future Plan

Politely state what you need:

Please assess…
Your expertise would be appreciated…
I would be grateful for your opinion…

Sixth Paragraph: Closing

End with courteous closing remarks:

If you require further information, please contact me.
Should you need additional details, please let me know.

These templates should be repeated until they become automatic.

Effective Study Methods for OET Writing

OET Writing requires not only English skill but also task-specific execution under time constraints.

Study Method 1: Copying → Output

Because OET Writing follows fixed structures, copying strong sample answers is extremely effective.

Copy entire letters by hand
Internalise vocabulary, tone, and paragraph structure
Analyse why each paragraph exists

Switch to writing your own structured letters and self-editing afterward.

Study Method 2: Using AI for Feedback

AI tools can significantly speed up Writing improvement if you use a strong prompt.

(Your original Japanese instructions preserved faithfully in English.)

Recommended Prompt

Please evaluate my OET Writing response using the official Writing Assessment Criteria.

Score each criterion from 0–6.

Suggest improved wording and explain why.

Identify grammar/vocabulary issues and explain corrections.

Comment on structure and logic.

Include Task Fulfillment based on the case notes.

Here is the case-note link: [insert URL]

Study Method 3: Feedback from OET Specialists

Once your writing becomes stable, professional OET instructors can help you:

Identify your recurring weaknesses
Learn high-value expressions
Improve your strategic approach to the task

However, keep in mind that the passing score is only C+ (300).
You may not need long-term instruction unless your score is consistently below the threshold.

Training Strategies for Higher Scores

Strategy 1: Build a Habit of Self-Review

High-scoring candidates regularly review their own writing.

Ask yourself:

Is the purpose clear in the opening line?
Did I remove irrelevant information?
Are any sentences too long?
Is the vocabulary and tense appropriate?
Is the order logical for the reader?

Strategy 2: “Correction Savings” — Don’t Repeat Mistakes

Track your recurring errors:

Tense mistakes
Word order issues
Unclear purpose
Over-inclusion

Review your list before writing each new letter.

Strategy 3: Improve Through Repetition, Not Perfection

It is better to write multiple letters following the same structure than to perfect one letter.

Write 3–5 letters using different cases
First target: finish in 30 minutes
Later target: finish in 20 minutes
Practise individual paragraphs as needed

Strategy 4: Use Read-Aloud to Identify Weaknesses

Reading your letter aloud immediately reveals:

Awkward phrasing
Overly long sentences
Logical gaps

If it sounds natural when spoken, it will be clear when read.

Conclusion

If you’re preparing for OET, consider exploring our practice resources at OET Bank.

We’re designed not just as mock tests, but as powerful review tools that make it easier to analyze weaknesses and focus on what’s needed to pass.

Explore professional learning materials and courses:
👉 https://oet-bank.com/shop

OET Strategies, Writing