The OET (Occupational English Test) is essential for healthcare professionals who want to work or study in English-speaking countries. The test includes Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing, and among these, the Writing sub-test is often considered the most challenging.

In the Writing task, candidates must produce a professional letter such as a referral, discharge, or transfer letter based on provided case notes.

To score Grade B or higher, candidates must demonstrate clear, accurate, and professional communication suitable for a medical setting.

Understanding the OET Writing Task

You are given 45 minutes, divided as follows:

Task Requirements

You must write a letter addressed to another healthcare professional such as:

• Nurse

• Specialist

• Social worker

• General practitioner

The letter should be clear, concise, and professionally formatted.

Key Steps for Writing an Effective OET Letter

1. Identify Important Information

• Read case notes carefully in the first 5 minutes.

• Focus only on relevant details.

• Include essential data such as:

  • Patient’s medical condition

  • Reason for the referral or transfer

  • Current symptoms and treatment

  • Expected action from the reader

• Avoid repeating patient ID details unnecessarily.

2. Organize Information Logically

Plan your structure before writing. A good OET letter typically includes:

? Introduction

• Patient details (name, age)

• Presenting problem

• Purpose of the letter

Example:
“This letter is regarding Mr. Jack, a 67-year-old man with uncontrolled diabetes requiring support for management.”

? Body Paragraphs

• Relevant medical history

• Present condition

• Treatment given

• Reason for referral and expected actions

? Closing Statement

• Summary of request

• Any follow-up needed

Use linking words for clarity:

• Therefore

• However

• In addition

• As a result

3. Maintain a Professional Tone

Your tone must be:

• Polite

• Formal

• Clear

• Objective

Avoid:

• Emotional language

• Casual phrases

• Contractions (don’t, can’t, won’t)

• Unnecessary jargon

Use correct medical terminology appropriately.

4. Use Accurate Grammar and Sentence Structure

To achieve Grade B:

• Keep sentences short and precise.

• Use past tense for history, present tense for the current condition, and future tense for recommendations.

• Ensure subject–verb agreement.

• Use articles correctly (a, an, the).

• Avoid long, confusing sentences.

5. Proofread Your Work

Always leave the final 3–5 minutes to:

• Check spelling

• Correct grammar errors

• Ensure the purpose is clear

• Confirm the letter follows a logical sequence

Word Count & Content Control

Stick to 180–200 words.
Avoid adding unnecessary information just to increase word count.
Focus on what the reader needs to know:

• Patient’s current condition

• Relevant history

• Required action

OET Letter Format Guide

A clean and professional format is essential.

Letter Format Structure:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates lose marks due to avoidable errors. Watch out for:

• Missing the main purpose of the letter

• Poor paragraph structure

• Including irrelevant details

• Using contractions

• Overuse of medical jargon

• Long, unclear sentences

• Not proofreading

• Incorrect tone (too casual)

Time Management Strategy

A smart time allocation can significantly improve your performance:

Final Tips to Achieve Grade B in OET Writing

• Practice regularly using official or trusted sample letters.

• Take feedback from experienced OET instructors.

• Focus on clarity over complexity.

• Maintain a professional, medical-focused tone.

• Understand the purpose before writing.

• Improve your grammar and vocabulary steadily.

Remember, the OET letter is more than an exam it reflects your real-world healthcare communication skills. A clear, concise, and well-structured letter shows that you can communicate effectively with other medical professionals.