Dos and Don'ts When Taking the OET Writing Sub-test

If you think working in a hospital for years guarantees a high OET writing grade, then you may have another thing coming. The OET writing sub-test is not your average writing exam. You’ll be scored based on:

• how well you accomplished the task;
• how appropriate is the language you used;
• how well you responded to the test’s stimulus;
• how well-structured and coherent is your writing; and
• how well you presented your composition.

So, don’t underestimate the OET writing sub-test. Make the most out of your OET review. Adopt the following dos and don’ts while preparing for and taking the high-stakes exam.

DO

• Practice interpreting case notes

If you’re taking OET classes, you’ll know that the case notes in the writing sub-test are not the most straightforward when it comes to details. They’re usually presented in a mix of phrases, abbreviations, shorthand symbols, and single-word analysis—which is why they can be a bit challenging to understand. So, practice interpreting case notes during your test preparations.

Consider the timeline of the patient’s past diagnoses. Pay attention to the case note’s various categories and sub-headings.

• Structure your letter

It’s critical that your letter is not only grammatically sound, but it should also have a logical development of ideas. Here are some tips to enhance your letter’s structure.

o   State the purpose of the letter and the primary medical concern it addresses in the first paragraph.

o   Gather similar ideas in a single paragraph to enhance clarity and coherence.

o   Use transition words to smoothly initiate the flow of ideas.

•  Use the correct letter format

Remember, you’re writing a formal letter to your patient, so, you can’t just wing it. Use only the standard format of letter correspondence. Learn about the proper ways to write the recipient’s name, position, address, and more. Know how you should start (with respectful salutations) and end (with a closing phrase) your letter.

DON’T                                               

• Scan the instructions and case notes

Read everything carefully. The first five minutes of the exam is reserved specifically for reading through the task and case notes. Don’t waste a single second. Highlight pertinent details (by underlining or encircling them), jot down notes on the margins, and make sure you understand everything before starting your letter.

Also, pay attention to the task. It usually contains the recipient’s identity, work or personal address, and what kind of letter (e.g., discharge, referral, etc.) is appropriate for the situation.

• Include everything in your letter

Most test takers—yes, even those who are attending OETclasses—tend to include every detail in the case notes in their letter. Don’t make the same mistake. Include only what is relevant in your compositions. This could be a bit tricky since some information can be semi-relevant depending on how you perceive them.

Hone your ability to pick out relevant information during your OET training. Consider the task instructions and make sure you don’t exceed the specified word count.

• Forget to proofread your work

Once you’re satisfied with your letter, give it a once-over. Keep an eye out for misspellings, missing punctuations, and other grammatical mistakes. Make sure there are no issues when it comes to:

o   articles (e.g., a, an, the, etc.)

o   singular and plural nouns

o   count and mass nouns

o   subject–verb agreement

o   verb tenses

o   conjunctions and prepositions

Set yourself up for success! Follow these dos and don’ts to boost to reach—and exceed—your OET writing grade goal.

Still have a couple of weeks before your test date? Want to learn more ways to ace the writing sub-test? Consider enrolling in the nearest JRooz Review Center in your area. Click here to find out more about their OET classes.

References:

E2Language. “OET Writing Guide.” Occupational English Test. Accessed April 23, 2018. https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/resources/uploads/2018/01/OET-Writing-Guide-by-E2Language.pdf

Kaia. "OET Writing Sub-Test | All the Tips That You Require to Get a High Score." PTE, OET, IELTS, & TOEFL Study Material and Tips—E2Language Blog. February 14, 2018. Accessed April 23, 2018. https://blog.e2language.com/oet-writing-tips-sub-test/.

"OET Nursing Referral Letter Writing Tips." Linguasoft Edutech Blog. April 07, 2017. Accessed April 23, 2018. https://www.linguasoftech.com/blog/oet-nursing-referral-letter-writing-tips/.

VibeThemes. "15 Tips Must Read OET Writing Test for Nurses." Avigna Learning. September 10, 2016. Accessed April 23, 2018. http://avignalearning.com/15-tips-must-read-oet-writing-test-for-nurses/.

"Writing Test | OET, English Language Test for Healthcare." OET—Occupational English Test. Accessed April 23, 2018. https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/test-information/writing/.