OET Writing Criteria

OET B = 350-440
IELTS 7-7.5
2/3 for Purpose
5/7 for all other criteria

Pro Tip

This is how you’re scored

by the examiners called
‘criteria’. It’s important!

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 OET Scoring

1. Purpose 0-3

2. Content 0-7

3. Conciseness & Clarity 0-7

4. Genre & Style 0-7

5. Organisation & Layout 0-7

6. Language 0-7

Pro Tip

You’re scored from 0-7 on

everything except Purpose
which is 0-3.

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 Letter Structure
- Sample letter -
Date

Address
Pro Tip

This is the ultimate letter

Dear / Re: structure! Use it on test day!

Purpose

Purpose
Expanded

Letter
Other
Body paragraph

Request

Sign off

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 1. Purpose
- Sample letter -

Pro Tip

Purpose includes these two

parts.

Purpose
statement

Purpose
Expanded

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 1A) The purpose of your letter is
immediately apparent
Mr Chien requires your professional assistance for his
ongoing difficulties with mobility following recent surgery.

1B) The purpose of your letter is

sufficiently expanded

Mr Chien requires your professional assistance for his ongoing

difficulties with mobility following recent surgery.

Mr Chien was admitted to St Andrews Hospital two days ago

with swelling and fluid build-up in his right knee, the result of a
total knee replacement which he underwent on 6/8/2020 due to
osteoarthritis. The resulting pain and swelling have severely
limited his mobility. Consequently, his self-care activities have
been significantly compromised.

Pro Tip
Expand your purpose
statement with relevant
details of the main medical
issue.

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 2. Content

2A) The content of your letter is

appropriate to your intended reader
Writing Task: Using the information given in the case notes, write a
referral letter to Ms Loretta Pasquale, who is a physiotherapist at
Templestowe District Medical Clinic, 43 Anderson Street,
Templestowe, regarding Mr Chien’s rehabilitation.

Pro Tip

Put yourself in the shoes of the reader. Only choose

case notes and write what will be relevant for the
reader.

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 - Sample letter -

Physio

Physio

Physio

Physio

Request

Pro Tip
2B) The content of your letter addresses
what is needed to continue care (key
information is included; no important
details missing)

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2C) The content of your letter
accurately represents the case notes

Correct interpretation of case notes

Discharge plan:
Pro Tip

• Patient discharged home w. family assistance. Make sure you interpret the
case notes correctly! So read
• Regular diet as tolerated
carefully during the reading
• Needs acute, comprehensive rehabilitation time and always refer back to
• Patient has front-wheel walker the case notes.

Mr Chien’s family will accompany him to his nursing home.

Please note that he is not tolerating his regular diet. In addition
to some rehabilitation, he also requires a front-wheel walker.

(mis)interpretation
Pro Tip

These are tiny grammar

● Mr Chien has osteoarthritis. changes that affect the
● Mr Chien had osteoarthritis. meaning completely. Make
● Mr Chien has had osteoarthritis. sure you read and write
precisely!

● Mr Chien has a lump in his leg.

● Mr Chien has lumps in his leg.
● Mr Chien has a lumpy leg.

● Mr Chien had knee pain so he underwent a TKR.

● Mr Chien had a TKR and is now experiencing pain.

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3. Conciseness and Clarity

3A) The length of your letter is

appropriate to the case and reader
(no irrelevant information included; no relevant
information excluded)
Letter body should be approximately 180-200 words

3B) You summarised information effectively

Medical background:
• Osteoarthritis
• Right knee: progressive, severe pain – total knee replacement (TKR)
(10.08.20)
• Severe difficulty w. mobility (right lower extremity)
• Glandular fever (2014)
Clarity is key!
• History of shingles

Mr Chien was admitted to St Andrews Hospital two days ago with swelling
and fluid build-up in his right knee, the result of a total knee replacement
which he underwent on 10/8/2020 due to osteoarthritis. The resulting pain
and swelling have severely limited his mobility.

3C) You clearly presented information

During Mr Chien’s time in care, the swelling was successfully treated by use of ice packs and
painkillers, and it was noted the incision site had healed well. His mobility was supervised, and
he was given the use of a front-wheel walker to assist in this. He still experiences a limited
range of motion, managing less than 100 metres when mobilising with his front-wheel walker.

Mr Chien is now medically stable and ready for discharge with the assistance of his family who
will supervise his self-care activities, including bathing, grooming and lower-body dressing.

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4. Genre and Style

4A) Your writing is clinical and factual

Social background:
• Accountant
• Alcohol – 2-3 units socially
• Non-smoker
• Enjoys watching soccer, walking dog
You might be interested to know that Mr Chien was an accountant.
While he drinks quite heavily, which is a major concern, luckily he
doesn’t smoke.
Keep opinions to yourself.

4B) Your writing is appropriate to the

reader’s discipline and knowledge
Dear physiotherapist,
Below is a very technical description of Mr Chien’s psychological status
and needs.
Don’t get too technical and
always maintain respect.
Dear Specialist,
Let me tell you what’s what… Firstly, do this… Secondly, I think you
should do that…

4C) You used technical terms, abbreviations and

polite language appropriately for the reader
Pro Tip

Hello Doc, Universal abbreviations

Universal = okay.are
Local = not okay…
okay, but if you’re unsure
How are you? It’s been a long time since we chatted. write the whole word.
How’s your family?
Tone = formal
Well, it looks like Mr Chien is at it again, the silly duffer…
Keep the tone formal.

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 5. Organisation & Layout

5A) Organisation is appropriate,

logical, clear

5B) Key information highlighted

5C) Subsections well organised

5D) Letter is well laid out

Date - Sample letter -

Address

Dear / Re:

Purpose

Purpose
Expanded

Pro Tip

Never memorise a template.

Other
If you do, you will fail. Always paragraph
write flexibly on test day but
keep this structure in mind.

Request

Sign off

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 6. Language

6A) Your overall language use

makes meaning CLEAR

6B) Your vocabulary is PRECISE

6C) Your grammar is ACCURATE

● Mr Chien has osteoarthritis.

● Mr Chien had osteoarthritis.
● Mr Chien has had osteoarthritis.

● Mrs Smith has a lump in her breast.

● Mrs Smith has lumps in her breast.
● Mrs Smith has a lumpy breast.

6D) Your sentence structures are

Pro Tip ACCURATE
Try your best to be accurate
and precise.
6E) Your spelling is ACCURATE

6F) Your punctuation is ACCURATE

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