The Occupational English Test (OET) Writing sub-test remains a pivotal element for healthcare professionals seeking to demonstrate their English proficiency in professional settings. 

As of September 2025, with the introduction of a new overall score for the entire OET from January 29, 2025, the Writing part continues to play a crucial role in achieving balanced results. 

This sub-test evaluates the ability to produce clear, concise, and profession-specific letters, such as referrals, discharges, transfers, or advice notes, under timed conditions. 

It emphasizes real-world communication skills essential for roles in nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and other allied health fields. Success hinges on mastering six assessment criteria: Purpose, Content, Concise & Clear, Genre & Style, Organization & Layout, and Language, all scored on a 0-7 band scale.

In 2025, while the core format remains unchanged, updates like expanded test dates (now including mid-week options like Wednesdays and Thursdays) and revised acceptance policies in countries such as Australia—effective August 7, 2025, with new minimum score requirements for visas—have heightened the need for targeted preparation. 

For instance, Australia's Department of Home Affairs now allows certain exemptions or adjusted thresholds for OET scores in immigration processes, making high Writing performance even more vital for career mobility. 

This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step strategy to excel in the OET Writing sub-test, drawing on the latest guidelines to help candidates navigate challenges like time management, content selection, and linguistic accuracy. 

By focusing on structured planning, regular practice, and feedback, professionals can aim for scores that meet or exceed regulatory demands, such as the typical B grade (equivalent to 350-440 numerically) required by bodies like the UK's Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Australia's Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Detailed Explanation of the OET Writing Sub-test

The OET Writing sub-test is tailored to simulate authentic workplace communication, ensuring that healthcare professionals can convey critical information effectively to colleagues, patients, or other stakeholders. 

Unlike general English tests, it uses profession-specific scenarios, meaning a nurse might write a discharge summary, while a doctor could draft a referral letter. This relevance makes it a practical assessment of language skills in high-stakes environments where miscommunication could impact patient safety.

In 2025, the sub-test maintains its 45-minute duration, divided into 5 minutes for reading and analyzing case notes and 40 minutes for writing. Candidates receive stimulus materials, typically case notes outlining a patient's history, treatment, and needs, and must produce a letter of 180-220 words (though 180-200 is ideal for conciseness). 

The word count ensures brevity without sacrificing essential details. With no significant format changes this year, the emphasis remains on producing a response that aligns with professional standards, but the new overall OET score—calculated across all sub-tests—means Writing weaknesses can affect holistic results, prompting candidates to integrate preparation with other sections.

The test is available in both paper-based and computer-delivered formats, with the latter offering faster result turnaround (within 10-12 business days). For professionals in fields such as physiotherapy or radiography, tasks reflect discipline-specific jargon and scenarios, thereby reinforcing the test's applicability. 

Preparation resources, such as those found on oetpro.com, often include updated mock tests that incorporate 2025's nuanced scoring, helping users familiarize themselves with the evolving expectations.

Structure of the OET Writing Sub-test

Understanding the structure is the first step in cracking this sub-test. It begins with a prompt that specifies the role (e.g., "You are a registered nurse"), the recipient (e.g., a general practitioner or community health service), and the purpose (e.g., referral for ongoing care). 

Case notes provide bullet-pointed or paragraph-form information on the patient's demographics, medical history, current status, treatments, and recommendations.

Time allocation is strict: Use the initial 5 minutes to scan notes, identify key themes (e.g., chronology of events, urgent concerns), and outline the letter. The remaining 40 minutes involve drafting, revising, and proofreading. A logical structure typically includes:

• Heading and Salutation: Date, recipient's address, "Dear [Name/Title]", and reference line (e.g., "Re: Patient Name, Age").

• Introduction: State the purpose immediately (e.g., "I am writing to discharge Mr. XYZ following treatment for...").

• Body Paragraphs: Detail history, current condition, interventions, and plans, grouped thematically.

• Conclusion: Summarize recommendations and offer contact for queries.

• Sign-off: "Yours sincerely," followed by name and position.

This format ensures readability, a key factor in scoring. In 2025, with the expansion of digital testing, candidates should practice typing to match the computer-based environment, where tools like word count features aid precision.

Example OET Writing Task

To illustrate, consider a 2025-style task for a nurse:

Time Allocation: 5 minutes reading, 40 minutes writing.

Task Scenario: You are a nurse at Riverside Hospital. Your patient, Mrs. Elena Rodriguez (72 years old), is ready for discharge after managing pneumonia. Write a discharge letter to her community nurse, Ms. Laura Kim.

Case Notes (Summarized):

• Patient: Elena Rodriguez, 72, widow living with daughter.

• Admission: 7 days ago with shortness of breath and fever; diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia.

• Treatment: IV antibiotics, oxygen therapy; improved lung function.

• Current Status: Stable, oxygen-independent, mild fatigue.

• Medications: Oral antibiotics for five more days, inhaler as needed.

• Follow-up: Home visit for monitoring, vaccination advice.

• Concerns: Risk of relapse due to age; family support available, but monitor adherence.

Sample Response (190 words):

September 9, 2025

Ms. Laura Kim

Community Nursing Service

45 Health Lane

Riverside, RS 12345

Dear Ms. Kim,

Re: Elena Rodriguez, 72 years old

I am writing to inform you of Mrs. Elena Rodriguez's discharge from Riverside Hospital following successful treatment for community-acquired pneumonia. She was admitted 7 days ago, presenting with shortness of breath and fever, and responded well to IV antibiotics and supplemental oxygen.

Currently, Mrs. Rodriguez is stable, oxygen-independent, with only mild fatigue. She has been prescribed oral antibiotics for an additional 5 days and an inhaler for symptomatic relief. Enclosed are details of her medication regimen and recent vital signs.

To support her recovery, please arrange home visits to monitor respiratory function and ensure medication adherence. Given her age, we recommend advising on pneumonia vaccination and watching for signs of relapse. Her daughter provides daily support, but additional community resources may be beneficial.

Please get in touch with me if you require further details or have concerns about her ongoing care.

Yours sincerely,

Jane Doe

Registered Nurse, Riverside Hospital

This example highlights immediate purpose, relevant content, and logical flow, aligning with 2025's emphasis on clarity for telehealth-integrated care.

Assessment Criteria

As per the latest 2025 guidelines, all six criteria are scored from 0-7, with 7 indicating exceptional performance. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Purpose (Band 0-7): Assesses if the letter's intent is evident from the start and expanded appropriately. Band 7: Immediately apparent, well-developed (e.g., restated in conclusion). Band 3: Partially transparent but requires effort to identify. Key: Introduce purpose early to avoid ambiguity.

2. Content (Band 0-7): Evaluates inclusion of all essential, accurate information for the reader to continue care. Band 7: Comprehensive, no omissions or inaccuracies. Band 1: Missing key details, hindering action. Tip: Prioritize reader needs, like urgent follow-ups.

3. Concise & Clarity (Band 0-7): Measures summarization effectiveness without irrelevancies. Band 7: Optimal length, clear presentation. Band 3: Some redundancy affects flow. Focus: Eliminate fluff, use bullet points if appropriate.

4. Genre & Style (Band 0-7): Checks for clinical, formal tone suitable for the audience. Band 7: Polite, factual, with judicious technical terms. Band 1: Inappropriate register strains the reader. Avoid: Slang or over-abbreviation without context.

5. Organization & Layout (Band 0-7): Reviews logical structure and highlights key info. Band 7: Well-paragraphed, easy navigation. Band 3: Illogical flow. Use: Thematic grouping (e.g., history then recommendations).

6. Language (Band 0-7): Covers grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation. Band 7: Accurate, no interference with meaning. Band 1: Errors cause strain. Practice: Complex sentences without mistakes.

These criteria ensure a holistic evaluation, with the 2025 overall score integrating Writing for a more nuanced profile.

Tips for Success in the OET Writing Sub-test

Cracking the Writing sub-test requires strategic habits:

1. Thorough Task Analysis: In the 5-minute reading, categorize notes (e.g., past vs. present issues) and identify the reader's role to tailor content.

2. Practical Planning: Spend 2-3 minutes outlining paragraphs to ensure balance.

3. Clarity and Brevity: Use active voice, precise terms; aim for 180-200 words.

4. Formal Formatting: Always include salutations, references, and proofread for layout.

5. Purpose-Driven Writing: Reinforce intent throughout.

6. Time Management: Practice timed sessions; reserve 5 minutes for edits.

7. Regular Practice: Use mocks from oetpro.com to simulate 2025 scenarios, incorporating new visa thresholds.

8. Seek Feedback: Analyze errors in grammar or organization via expert reviews.

These tips, combined with the flexible dates of 2025, allow for consistent preparation.

Common Challenges and Strategies to Overcome Them

Challenges abound, but solutions exist:

1. Unclear Purpose: Overcome by explicit opening statements.

2. Grammar/Syntax Issues: Build through daily exercises; use checkers.

3. Vocabulary Gaps: Study medical synonyms; avoid repetition.

4. Disorganization: Plan thematically; use transitions.

5. Task Neglect: Read prompts carefully.

6. Time Pressure: Timed drills build speed.

7. Info Overload: Highlight essentials during reading.

In 2025, with NMC's updated clubbing rules (combining scores from tests within 12 months), addressing weaknesses prevents resits. Mastering OET Writing in 2025 requires dedication, which can yield global opportunities.

Summary

1. 45-minute sub-test for profession-specific letters.

2. Scored on six 0-7 criteria.

3. Focus on planning, relevance.

4. Challenges: Grammar, time; overcome via practice.

5. Feedback essential.