Most candidates preparing for the OET Writing sub-test make the same mistake: they practise the same letter type over and over, review only their grammar, and call it a day. That approach feels productive, but it leaves serious gaps that show up on exam day.
Effective OET writing prep is not about volume — it is about variety, realism, and targeted feedback. Here are three tips that will make your practice sessions count.
1. Practice All Four Letter Types, Not Just Referrals
Referral letters are the most common task on the OET, so most candidates practise them almost exclusively. The problem is that the exam can give you any of the four letter types: referral, transfer, discharge, or advice. If you have only ever written referrals, an unfamiliar type will throw you off when it matters most.
Each letter type has a different purpose, a different recipient, and a different tone:
- A referral letter asks a specialist to assess or treat a patient — the focus is on current symptoms and the reason for referral.
- A transfer letter hands a patient over to another facility — it emphasises functional status and ongoing needs.
- A discharge letter summarises a hospital stay for a GP — it focuses on treatment received and follow-up instructions.
- An advice letter explains a condition directly to a patient or carer — it requires plain, non-technical language.
Writing a discharge letter the same way you write a referral will cost you marks, even if your grammar is perfect. The assessor is checking whether you understand what the recipient needs to know.
Aim to practise each letter type at least 3-4 times before your exam. If you want a detailed breakdown of how each type works, our guide to the 4 OET letter types for doctors covers the structure and strategy for all four.
2. Simulate Real Exam Conditions
Practising without time pressure is like training for a sprint by walking. On the real OET, you have 45 minutes to read unfamiliar case notes, select the relevant information, and produce a complete letter. If you have never done that under timed conditions, you will struggle with pacing.
Here is how to make your practice sessions realistic:
- Set a timer for 45 minutes. Do not pause it. Do not go back and restart.
- Use fresh case notes every time. Re-using the same material teaches you to recall answers, not to process new information. The real test will always give you a scenario you have not seen before.
- Spend the first 5-8 minutes reading. Resist the urge to start writing immediately. Identify the recipient, the purpose of the letter, and the 4-5 most relevant points from the case notes before you pick up your pen.
Familiarity with the format matters far more than memorising specific cases. The candidates who score a Grade B are the ones who can walk into any scenario and know exactly how to respond — because they have practised the process, not just the content.
3. Get Feedback on Register and Relevance, Not Just Grammar
Grammar matters on the OET, and you should absolutely work on it. But many candidates treat grammar as the only thing worth reviewing, and that is a mistake. The OET Writing sub-test also marks you on content (did you select the right information?) and language (is your tone appropriate for the recipient?).
Consider two common errors that grammar-focused review will never catch:
- Including irrelevant details. If you dump every piece of information from the case notes into your letter, you will lose marks for conciseness and clarity — even if every sentence is grammatically correct.
- Wrong register for the recipient. A letter to a specialist should use formal clinical language. A letter to a patient should avoid jargon entirely. Writing “the patient was commenced on metformin 500mg BD” to a patient’s family member is a register mismatch that will lower your score.
When you review a practice letter, ask these three questions:
- Did I include only the details the recipient needs to act on?
- Is my tone appropriate for who I am writing to?
- Did I transform the case notes into proper sentences, or did I just copy bullet points?
If you can, practise with a study partner or teacher who can give you feedback on these points — not just on spelling and verb tenses. For grammar-specific guidance, our post on 5 grammar rules every doctor must know for OET covers the patterns that matter most. And if you want to strengthen your clinical vocabulary, our list of 50 high-scoring OET writing phrases is a good place to start.
Final Thought
The OET Writing sub-test rewards candidates who prepare strategically, not just frequently. Practise all four letter types, write under real exam conditions, and get feedback that goes beyond grammar. Do those three things consistently, and you will walk into the exam knowing you are ready.