Importance of OET Writing
The Occupational English Test (OET) is an English language test for healthcare professionals. Employers and regulatory bodies use it to assess your ability to write in English. The OET Writing sub-test assesses your ability to write in English. You will be given a set of case notes and asked to write a letter, report, or document. Your writing will be assessed on six criteria:
Purpose:
Your writing should clearly state the purpose of the task. For example, are you writing to inform the reader of a patient’s condition, to request a consultation, or to give advice?
Content:
Your writing should include all the vital information relevant to the task. Read the case notes carefully and identify the most critical information.
Conciseness and Clarity:
Your writing should be clear and concise. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that the reader may not understand. Use simple language that is easy to follow.
Genre and Style:
Your writing should be appropriate for the genre and style of the document. For example, if you are writing a letter, you should use a formal tone. If you are writing a report, you should use an objective technique.
Organization and Layout:
Your writing should be well-organized and easy to read. Use headings and subheadings to break up your report and make it easier for the reader to follow.
Language:
Your writing should be grammatically correct, with no spelling or punctuation errors. Use a variety of sentence structures to make your essay engaging.
What are the Assessment criteria?
The OET writing test assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English in a healthcare setting. The test is divided into two tasks:
Task 1: The candidate is given a set of notes and asked to write a summary of the information.
Task 2: The candidate is given a case study and asked to write a letter or report.
The assessment criteria for the OET writing test are as follows:
Task Achievement: The candidate’s ability to fulfil the task’s requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion: The candidate can organize their writing logically and use linking words and phrases to connect their ideas.
Grammar: The candidate’s ability to use correct grammar and punctuation.
Vocabulary: The candidate’s ability to use appropriate language.
Clinical Communication: The candidate can communicate effectively in a healthcare setting.
The candidate is scored on a scale of 0 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. The overall OET writing score is calculated by averaging the scores of the two tasks.
Here are some tips for preparing for the OET writing test:
Take practice tests: Many practice tests are available online and in libraries. Taking practice tests will help you familiarise yourself with the format of the test and the types of questions asked.
Get feedback on your writing: Ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read your writing and give feedback on your grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
Practice writing: Find a partner to practice writing with. You can also practice by writing letters or reports on your own.
Get familiar with medical terminology: The OET includes questions about medical terminology. You can find lists of medical terminology online and in libraries.
By following these tips, you can prepare for the OET writing test and improve your chances of success.
Test Format
The OET writing test is divided into two tasks:
Task 1: The candidate is given a set of notes and asked to write a summary of the information.
Task 2: The candidate is given a case study and asked to write a letter or report.
In both tasks, the candidate is given 5 minutes to read the task instructions and case notes. The candidate then has 40 minutes to write their response.
Task 1
In Task 1, the candidate is given a set of notes and asked to write a summary of the information. The notes will contain factual information about a patient or a medical condition. The candidate is not asked to give their opinion or interpretation of the data.
The summary should be written in a clear and concise style. The candidate should use linking words and phrases to connect their ideas. The summary should be at most 150 words long.
Task 2
In Task 2, the candidate is given a case study and asked to write a letter or report. The case study will describe a patient’s medical condition and the treatment provided. The candidate is asked to provide their opinion or interpretation of the information.
The letter or report should be written in a clear and concise style. The candidate should use linking words and phrases to connect their ideas. The letter or report should be 300 words long or less.
Writing good OET Writing Task
Sure, here are some tips on how to plan your writing for OET:
Read the task instructions carefully. Make sure you understand what is being asked of you.
Read the case notes carefully. Make sure you understand the information that is being presented.
Identify the main points of the case notes. What are the key pieces of information that you need to include in your response?
Plan your response. Decide how you are going to organize your ideas.
Write a rough draft of your response. This will help you to get your ideas down on paper and to see how your response will flow.
Revise and edit your response. Make sure your writing is clear, concise, and error-free.
Here is an example of how you might plan your writing for an OET Writing task:
Task instructions:
Write a letter to a doctor requesting a referral for a patient.
Case notes:
The patient is a 70-year-old woman.
The patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
The patient is currently taking medication for her condition.
The patient is experiencing pain in her back and hips.
Main points:
The patient is a 70-year-old woman with osteoporosis.
The patient is currently taking medication for her condition.
The patient is experiencing pain in her back and hips.
Planned response:
Introduction:
Introduce yourself as the patient’s nurse.
State the purpose of your letter: to request a referral for a patient with osteoporosis.
Body paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Provide background information about the patient, including her age, diagnosis, and current medications.
Paragraph 2: Describe the patient’s symptoms, including the pain in her back and hips.
Paragraph 3: Explain why you believe a referral to a specialist is necessary.
Conclusion:
Restate the purpose of your letter.
Thank the doctor for their time and consideration.
This is just an example, and your plan may vary depending on the specific task instructions and case notes. However, following these tips can improve your chances of writing a well-planned and effective OET Writing response.
Tips for getting a good OET score in OET Writing:
Plan your writing carefully:
Ensure you understand the task instructions and the case notes, and that you have a clear plan for how you will organize your ideas.
Use clear and concise language:
Avoid jargon and technical terms that your audience may not understand.
Be specific and provide evidence to support your claim:
Don’t just make general statements; summarise them with facts and figures.
Use linking words and phrases to connect your ideas:
This will help your writing flow smoothly and make it easier for your reader to follow your argument.
Proofread carefully
Ensure your writing is free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:
Practice writing under timed conditions. The OET Writing test is timed, so practising writing under timed conditions is essential to get used to working quickly and efficiently.
Get feedback on your writing. Once you have written a draft of your response, get feedback from a native speaker or someone familiar with the OET Writing test. This feedback can help you to identify areas where your writing can be improved.
Take a practice test. There are several practice tests available online and in book form. A practice test can help you get a feel for the OET Writing test’s format and identify areas where you need to improve.
These tips can improve your chances of getting a good OET score in OET Writing.
Common errors to avoid
Grammatical errors:
Make sure your sentences are grammatically correct. This includes using the proper verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation.
Spelling errors:
Make sure you spell all of the words correctly. This can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with medical terminology.
Punctuation errors:
Make sure you use the correct punctuation marks. This includes commas, periods, semicolons, and colons.
Medical terminology errors:
Make sure you use the correct medical terminology. This can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with the medical field.
Here are some tips on how to improve your writing skills:
Read as much as you can: Reading exposes you to different writing styles and helps you to improve your vocabulary.
Write as often as possible: The more you write, the better you will become at it.
Get feedback on your writing: Ask a friend, family member, or teacher to read and give you feedback.
Take a writing class: Many writing classes are available online and in person. Taking a writing class can help you to improve your writing skills in a structured environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the OET Writing test is a challenging but essential exam part. Following tips and advice in the blog, you can improve your chances of getting a good score. Remember to practice regularly and get feedback from others.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
OET Sample Papers: The OET website offers several sample papers that you can use to practice for the exam. These papers are an excellent way to get a feel for the format of the exam and the types of tasks you will be asked to complete.
OET Sample Papers website
OET Website: The OET website also offers several resources to help you prepare for the exam, including practice tests, tips and advice, and a glossary of terms.
OET website
OET Practice Tests: Various commercial practice tests are available to help you prepare for the OET exam through both online and offline OET coaching. These tests can be an excellent way to get feedback on your writing skills and to identify areas where you need to improve.
