OET Writing Guide
Task types, scoring criteria, and strategies to excel in the writing section.
Writing Overview
The Occupational English Test (OET) assesses English communication skills specifically for 12 healthcare professions including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dentistry, and veterinary science. Accepted by regulators in Australia, UK, UAE, Singapore, and more.
Writing Tasks
Referral Letter
Write to a specialist requesting assessment/management.
Tips for this task
- ✓Opening: 'I am writing to refer...' + name + age + presenting complaint
- ✓Body: relevant history, examination findings, investigations, current management
- ✓Closing: specific request ('I would be grateful for your assessment and management recommendations.')
- ✓Never copy notes verbatim — paraphrase all content
High-Score Strategies
- 1.Use official OET preparation books and sample materials from oet.com.
- 2.Practice writing referral letters from case notes daily — this is the highest-stakes task.
- 3.For Speaking: record yourself in roleplay scenarios and review for empathy, clarity, and register.
- 4.Build medical English vocabulary systematically: body systems, procedures, symptoms, medication classes.
- 5.Reading: practice skimming and scanning techniques — the 60-minute reading test rewards efficient navigation.
- 6.Listening: use medical podcasts and lectures to get accustomed to clinical English at natural speed.