| Test Section | Writing sub-test (45 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Task Type | Referral letter, discharge letter, or advice letter |
| Target Grade | Grade B (350-440 score range) |
| Key Assessment Criteria | Purpose, content, conciseness, genre, organisation, language |
OET Writing Tips for Nurses to Score Grade B
Scoring Grade B in OET writing is a critical requirement for nurses seeking to register and work in English-speaking healthcare environments such as the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Dubai. The writing sub-test assesses your ability to communicate effectively in a professional healthcare setting through a letter - typically a referral, discharge, or advice letter. With a structured approach and consistent practice, achieving Grade B is absolutely achievable.
Unlike general English tests, OET writing evaluates profession-specific language and clinical reasoning. Nurses must demonstrate clarity, accuracy, and appropriate tone while selecting relevant case notes. This guide provides proven strategies, real letter examples, and common pitfalls to avoid - all designed to help you reach that coveted Grade B.
Understanding OET Writing Format for Nurses
The OET writing sub-test lasts 45 minutes. You receive a set of case notes and a task prompt. You must write a letter of 180-200 words. The most common task for nurses is a referral letter to another healthcare professional such as a doctor, specialist, or allied health worker. Other tasks include discharge summaries or letters of advice.
You do not need to invent medical information. All necessary details are provided in the case notes. Your job is to select relevant information, organise it logically, and present it in a clear, professional letter format. The letter is assessed on six criteria: purpose, content, conciseness, genre and style, organisation, and language.
Key Assessment Criteria for Grade B
To achieve Grade B, you must demonstrate a strong command of each criterion. Here is what examiners look for:
- Purpose: The reason for writing must be immediately clear in the opening paragraph.
- Content: Include all relevant case notes and exclude irrelevant information.
- Conciseness: Stay within 180-200 words without omitting essential details.
- Genre & Style: Use formal, professional tone appropriate for a healthcare letter.
- Organisation: Structure the letter logically with clear paragraphs.
- Language: Demonstrate accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation with good range of vocabulary.
| Criterion | Grade B Requirement | Common Pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Stated clearly in first sentence | Vague or buried purpose statement |
| Content | All relevant history, medication, treatment included | Missing key clinical information |
| Conciseness | 180-200 words, no redundancy | Exceeding word limit or too brief |
| Language | Few minor errors; no major grammatical mistakes | Verb tense errors or incorrect medical terminology |
Step-by-Step Writing Strategy
Follow this 45-minute plan to maximise your score:
- Minutes 1-5: Read task and case notes. Highlight relevant details.
- Minutes 5-10: Plan letter structure - opening, body, closing.
- Minutes 10-30: Write the letter. Focus on clarity and accuracy.
- Minutes 30-40: Review content and word count. Add or delete as needed.
- Minutes 40-45: Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Common OET Writing Mistakes Nurses Make
Avoid these frequent errors that prevent nurses from achieving Grade B:
- Including irrelevant case notes: Do not copy every detail from the case notes. Select only information that supports the purpose of the letter.
- Incorrect verb tenses: Use past tense for history, present tense for current condition, and future tense for recommendations.
- Missing the purpose statement: Always start with a clear sentence like "I am writing to refer Mrs Smith who requires..."
- Overusing abbreviations: Write terms in full at first use. Example: "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)".
- Poor paragraph organisation: Group related information - patient history, current status, medications, and required action.
- Writing more than 220 words or less than 160 words
- Using informal language like "Hi" or "Thanks"
- Omitting the patient's age, admission date, or key medical history
Sample Referral Letter with Analysis
Task: Refer Mrs. Ellen Parker, 68 years old, to a dietitian for management of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Sample Letter (192 words)
Dear Dietitian,
I am writing to refer Mrs Ellen Parker, a 68-year-old female, for dietary assessment and management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.
Mrs Parker was admitted to the medical ward on 8 May 2026 with uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Her HbA1c is 8.9 per cent. Body mass index is 32. Current medications include Metformin 1000mg twice daily and Gliclazide 80mg once daily. She reports poor adherence to dietary advice and consumes high-sugar foods regularly.
Past medical history includes hypertension managed with Lisinopril 10mg daily. She lives alone with limited mobility due to knee osteoarthritis. No known drug allergies.
I would be grateful if you could assess Mrs Parker's nutritional status, provide a structured meal plan, and offer diabetes education. Please arrange follow-up in two weeks. If you require further information, please contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Johnson, Registered Nurse
Why this letter scores Grade B: Clear purpose in first sentence, logical organisation (admission history, medication, social context, request), correct verb tenses, professional tone, and appropriate length. The nurse selected relevant details only - no extraneous information.
Essential Vocabulary and Phrases for OET Nursing Letters
| Function | Professional Phrases |
|---|---|
| Purpose | I am writing to refer / discharge / advise...; This patient requires... |
| History | The patient was admitted on...; Past medical history includes...; She has a history of... |
| Current status | Currently, the patient is...; Observations show...; The patient presents with... |
| Request action | I would be grateful if you could...; Could you please...; We would appreciate your assessment of... |
| Closing | Please contact me if further information is required.; Thank you for your assistance. |
How Prep27 Helps You Score Grade B
Prep27 provides specialised OET writing preparation for nurses. Our platform includes AI-powered writing evaluation that assesses your letters against official OET criteria. You receive instant feedback on purpose, content, conciseness, grammar, and organisation. This helps you identify specific areas for improvement before exam day.
We also offer library of sample letters for various nursing scenarios - referral to physiotherapist, discharge summary for elderly patient, advice letter for wound care. Practicing with real case notes and receiving detailed corrections accelerates your progress significantly.
Final Week Preparation Tips
In the week before your OET exam, focus on timed practice. Write at least one letter daily under 45-minute conditions. Review each letter against the six assessment criteria. Pay special attention to the language criterion - ask a colleague or use Prep27 AI to check grammar.
Memorise standard opening and closing phrases. Familiarise yourself with common medical abbreviations but use them correctly. Finally, practise reading case notes quickly and highlighting relevant information - this skill alone can save you five minutes during the exam.
Grade B in OET writing is achievable with structured preparation. Focus on clear purpose, select relevant case notes, maintain professional tone, and proofread for language accuracy. Use Prep27's AI evaluation to accelerate your progress and build confidence before exam day. Consistent practice with real nursing scenarios is the most reliable path to success.