Hey there, healthcare heroes! If you’re a nurse, doctor, pharmacist, or any medical professional dreaming of working in places like the UK, Australia, or Canada, you’re probably eyeing the Occupational English Test (OET). 

As a language coach with 18 years of experience guiding thousands to OET success, I’ve seen the highs of nailing that coveted B grade and the lows of battling tricky modules. 

Platforms like oetpro are my go-to for keeping prep materials fresh, and with 2025’s updates—think overall score reporting starting January 29, faster results (now often within 8-10 business days), and broader acceptance in Canada for specific medical boards—it’s an exciting time to dive in.

OET is unique because it’s built for healthcare professionals, testing your English in real-world medical scenarios such as patient handovers or writing referral letters. Sounds relatable, right? However, here’s the catch: It demands precision, and one module often trips up even the most skilled candidates. 

Spoiler alert: It’s usually Writing. In this article, I’ll break down why Writing is the toughest, share strategies to conquer all four sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), and answer your burning FAQs with practical examples. 

My goal? To make this feel like a friendly chat with actionable tips to ace OET on your first try. Let’s get started!

What Makes Writing the Hardest OET Sub-Test?

After years of analyzing student feedback and 2025 performance data from OET’s official reports, Writing consistently ranks as the most challenging. Why? It’s not just about English—it’s about blending clinical expertise with language skills under a tight 40-minute deadline. 

You’re tasked with crafting a 180-200-word letter (referral, discharge, or transfer) based on case notes, tailored to a specific reader like a GP or specialist.

Here’s why Writing stands out as the toughest, based on my coaching and OETPRO insights:

• Strict Structure and Tone: You need a formal yet empathetic letter with a clear intro, body, and conclusion. Mess up the tone (too casual or overly technical), and you lose points. Example: A nurse I coached wrote, “Patient’s feeling rough,” which bombed for being too informal.

• Clinical Judgment: You must sift through case notes to pick relevant details. For a patient with asthma, prioritize inhaler changes over a minor cough unless it’s critical.

• Accuracy Is Everything: Misspell “salbutamol” or mess up a dosage, and it’s game over. The 2025 scoring places even greater emphasis on clinical clarity

• Cohesion Challenges: The letter must flow logically—this can be particularly tough for non-native speakers who are juggling grammar and medical terms.

• Time Crunch: 5 minutes to read notes, 35 to write and edit. One client, a Filipino doctor, struggled until we drilled timed templates.

Listening comes close for some, with its mix of accents (now more diverse in 2025, including Canadian and Irish), but Writing’s blend of language and medical precision takes the crown. Speaking feels easier for most—it’s like daily patient chats—and Reading, while fast-paced, is less creative. Question for you: Which module scares you most? Jot it down—we’ll tackle it.

Proven Strategies to Ace Each OET Sub-Test in 2025

With OET now fully digital in most centers and an overall score (350-500 for a B grade) complementing individual module scores, preparation is key. The 2025 updates also include new interdisciplinary audios in Listening and culturally sensitive role-plays in Speaking. Here’s how to nail each sub-test, with examples from my students’ journeys and OET practice tips.

Writing Sub-Test: Turning Notes into Gold

• Know the Letter’s Purpose: Is it a referral (urgent specialist action) or discharge (home care instructions)? Example: For a referral about a cardiac patient, state, “I am referring Mr. Jones for urgent cardiology review due to recurrent chest pain.”

• Use a Template: Start with “Dear [Recipient], I am writing to refer/discharge [Patient] regarding [issue].” Body: Medical history, current status, recommendations. Close politely. One nurse jumped from C to B using this.

• Prioritize Key Info: From notes, pick 5-7 points. Example: For a person with diabetes, highlight HbA1c levels, not diet preferences unless specified.

• Polish Clarity and Grammar: Avoid vague terms like “issues”; say “hypertension uncontrolled at 160/100 mmHg.” Use Oetpro’s AI feedback for error correction.

• Time It: Practice 35-minute letters on oetpro. Edit for spelling in the last 2 minutes.

• 2025 Trick: The overall score means a strong Writing can offset a weaker module, but aim for 350+ per section.

Listening Sub-Test: Catching Every Word

• Handle Accents: 2025 audios now feature Canadian and Irish accents alongside British/Australian accents. Listen to podcasts like “The Rounds Table” for variety. A pharmacist client overcame accent struggles this way.

• Smart Note-Taking: Abbreviate (e.g., “HTN” for hypertension). In Part A (consultations), note symptoms such as “SOB, wheezing.”

• Predict Answers: Pre-read questions to focus. Example: If asked about a treatment plan, note “meds: prednisone” during audio.

• Practice with oetpro: Start with simpler dialogues, then tackle complex MDT meetings.

Reading Sub-Test: Speed and Precision

• Master Part A: Skim four texts in 15 minutes. Practice scanning for keywords like “dosage” on oetpro.

• Boost Medical Vocab: Learn terms like “contraindication” vs. “indication.” Read journals like BMJ.

• Infer for Parts B/C: Example: A text on telehealth might imply cost savings—pick answers reflecting that. A dentist I coached aced Part C by practicing inferences.

• 2025 Tip: New topics include digital health—stay informed about these.

Speaking Sub-Test: Your Patient-Facing Superpower

• Role-Play Practice: Simulate explaining insulin use to a patient. Use oetpro role-cards. One physiotherapist excelled by practicing, “I see this is new for you—let’s go over the steps.”

• Empathy and Clarity: Say, “I understand your concern about surgery,” then explain. Avoid jargon.

• Structure Talks: Open, explain, check understanding. Record yourself for fluency.

• 2025 Update: Role-plays now test cultural sensitivity—e.g., addressing dietary preferences respectfully.

Expert Tips to Shine in OET 2025

From my coaching playbook, here’s how to level up:

• Build Medical Vocabulary: Use flashcards for terms like “analgesia.” Oetpro’s term banks are a goldmine.

• Mock Exams: Weekly complete tests under timed conditions. The overall score motivates balanced prep.

• Target Weaknesses: Spend 60% of the time on writing if it’s tough. A feedback increased their writing score from 300 to 360 in a month.

• Get Feedback: oetpro’s AI or a tutor spots tone issues. One student fixed run-on sentences this way.

• Balance Fluency and Accuracy: Speak naturally, write precisely.

• Patient-Centered Focus: Empathy Wins in Speaking and Writing. Practice phrases like “I’m here to help.”

• Study Model Answers: oetpro’s B-grade samples show ideal structure.

• Daily Practice: 1-2 hours, reviewing errors.

• Stay Calm: Take deep breaths on test day. Visualize your B grade.

• Use 2025 Updates: Faster results mean quick retake planning if needed, and overall scores simplify registration.

Your OET Success Story Starts Here

Writing may be the beast, but with oetpro’s 2025 mocks and these strategies, it’s tameable. I’ve seen a Malaysian nurse go from C to B in Writing after six weeks of focused prep, landing her dream job in Melbourne. 

OET isn’t just a test—it’s your ticket to a global career. Practice hard, lean into your medical expertise, and you’ll shine. What’s your next step? Maybe a mock test tonight? Let’s make it happen!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with Answers

Q1. What is the hardest part of OET?
Writing is toughest for most, requiring precise medical communication, structured letters, and clinical judgment under a 40-minute deadline. Example: Misstating a dosage, such as “10 mg” instead of “100 mg,” can significantly impact your score.

Q2. Which part is difficult in the OET exam?
Listening often challenges candidates due to the diverse accents (Australian, British, and now Canadian/Irish in 2025) and the fast-paced nature of medical dialogues. Practice with OETPRO audios to catch key details, such as medication names.

Q3. How to crack OET in the first attempt. Combine daily practice (2 hours), OETpro mocks, and targeted Feedback. Focus on writing templates and listening note-taking. Example: A doctor I coached passed the first attempt by drilling referral letters and accent-heavy audio recordings.

Q4. What is the easiest module in OET?
Speaking is often the easiest, as it mimics daily patient interactions. Role-plays, such as explaining a procedure, feel familiar to professionals. Example: A nurse scored 400 by practicing empathetic phrases.

Q5. Which is the toughest module in OET?
Writing, due to its need for clinical accuracy, formal tone, and tight timing. Example: A client struggled with organizing a discharge letter until we used OETPRO templates.

Q6. Is it easy to get a B grade in OET?
Achievable with 6-8 weeks of focused prep. Use oetpro for realistic practice, targeting 350-440 per module. Example: A pharmacist hit B across all sub-tests by prioritizing Writing and Listening drills.