4/8/12 Doctors:SSO: Dos & Don'ts
◄ Jump to... ►
OETOnline ► Doctors:SSO ► Resources ► Dos & Don'ts
Dos & Don’ts
Below are a list of simple points to remember on the day of your exam.
Do
Summarise all the information from the case
notes into sections such as: treatment given
and obvious trends, medication, medical
history. This will be both easier to write and
read as well as avoiding repition
Try to write somewhere between 180 and
200 words for the body of the letter. This is
the requirement of OET and the assessors
are quite strict in this area.
Omit information which is not directly
relevant to your task. This is a big trap for
many candidates in that they try to write
down all the information from the task
sheet. This does not reflect reality.
Expand on all acronyms. For example OPG
should be written as orthopantamogram, BP
as blood pressure and PR as pulse rate & hx
as history
Provide a simple clear summary of the
condition so that a lay person could
understand
Spend time reading the case notes and
grouping information which are related such
as medication, persistant high blood
pressure etc etc
Use synonyms so that you can express the
file:///D:/English/MY OET/OET ONLINE/WRITING/Lessons/Dos & Don'ts.htm
1/2
Don’t
Follow a strict chronological order as your
letter may become too long, difficult to read
and will not focus on the main problem and
related factors.
Write over 220 words as it will effect your
overall result. You being tested on your
ability to write a clear concise letter, not a
long letter.
Don’t write under 160 words as there may
not be sufficient language to get a B grade.
Try to put all the information from the case
notes into the letter. Your letter will be too
long and also poorly organised and difficult
to read
Overuse acronyms. You are being tested on
you ability to expand on case notes so make
sure you do.
Use too much medical jargon. Remember it
is a test of English not Latin!
Start writing without planning your letter.
You should allow 15 minutes reading case
notes and planning the letter.
Copy directly from the case notes without
 4/8/12 Doctors:SSO: Dos & Don'ts
information from the case notes in different any changes. You are expected to put the
ways information into your own words.
Allow 5 minutes at the end of the test to Submit the letter without checking for basic
proof read your work and fix up any mistakes mistakes such as grammar/spelling.

Last modified: Sunday, 5 July 2009, 05:55 AM

HOME | ABOUT US | COURSES | CONTACT US

© Copyright 2009 OETOnline - ABN 14 530 302 168 | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use
Brisbane website design by All Media Solutions

You are logged in as Ibrahim Ali (Logout)

file:///D:/English/MY OET/OET ONLINE/WRITING/Lessons/Dos & Don'ts.htm 2/2