OET Writing Samples: Free Model Letters by Profession
Here is every free OET Writing sample on this site, sorted by profession and letter type, each with case notes, a model answer and marking notes. Use them to see what a strong letter looks like, then write your own under the 45-minute limit and compare.
OET Writing samples by profession
Pick your own profession: OET Writing is profession-specific.
| Profession | Sample letter | Letter type |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine (doctors) | OET Writing sample for doctors | Referral |
| Medicine (doctors) | Medicine discharge letter sample | Discharge, hospital to GP |
| Nursing | OET Writing sample for nurses | Discharge |
| Nursing | OET nursing discharge letter guide | Discharge, step by step |
| Nursing | Nursing referral letter sample | Referral to a specialist nurse |
| Nursing | Nursing transfer letter sample | Transfer, hospital to care home |
| Pharmacy | OET Writing sample for pharmacists | Letter to a GP |
| Physiotherapy | OET Writing sample for physiotherapists | Discharge |
| Occupational Therapy | OET Writing sample for occupational therapists | Referral |
For the other professions, OET publishes official samples, listed in our free OET sample tests page.
Which letter types come up in OET Writing?
OET describes the task as a document such as a referral, a letter of advice, a transfer or a discharge. The format is the same, but the reader and the purpose change what you select from the notes.
Referral
Asks another professional to take over or assess. Open with the request. See referral letter structure.
Discharge
Hands care back after an admission: what happened, current status and what the reader must do next.
Transfer
Moves a patient between settings, so current care needs matter more than history.
Choosing the type
Physiotherapists often mix these up: see referral vs discharge.
How to use a sample letter
Reading a model answer feels useful, but the improvement comes from comparing it with a letter you wrote yourself.
- Write first. Cover the model answer and write your own letter from the case notes under the 45-minute limit.
- Compare the selection. Mark what the model kept and left out, and ask why each detail matters to this reader.
- Compare the opening and closing. Does your first paragraph state the purpose immediately? Does your closing say exactly what you want the reader to do?
- Fix one thing. Pick the biggest gap and rewrite only that part. Then try a new case the next day.
- Get it marked. You cannot reliably find your own errors. OET writing correction shows you what costs you marks.
More method is in our OET Writing tips.
What earns marks in OET Writing?
OET marks your letter against six criteria, and each one asks a different question:
| Criterion | The question it asks |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Can the reader see straight away why you are writing? |
| Content | Did you include what this reader needs, and report it accurately? |
| Conciseness and Clarity | Did you leave out what the reader does not need, and say the rest clearly? |
| Genre and Style | Is the tone right for a professional letter to this reader? |
| Organisation and Layout | Is the information grouped and ordered logically? |
| Language | Is the grammar, spelling and punctuation accurate? |
The criteria names are from OET results and scoring; the questions are our plain-English summary.
Official OET Writing samples
OET publishes free sample tests for all 12 professions, including Writing tasks with sample responses, in paper and computer formats. Our OET sample tests page links to each one. Always practise with official samples as well as ours, because they show you the real layout.
OET Writing samples: FAQ
Where can I find OET Writing samples with answers?
This page lists every free model letter on our site, each with case notes and a model answer. OET also publishes official sample tests for all 12 professions.
Are there OET Writing samples for doctors?
Yes. We have a Medicine referral letter and a Medicine discharge letter, both with model answers and marking notes.
Are there OET Writing samples for nurses?
Yes. We have nursing discharge, referral and transfer letter samples, each with a model answer and marking notes.
How long is the OET Writing test?
The Writing sub-test takes 45 minutes, and you write one letter on a matter specific to your profession.
Should I memorise OET sample letters?
No. Assessors mark how well your letter meets this reader's needs from these case notes. Use samples to learn selection and structure, then practise on new cases.
See your own letter marked
A model answer shows you the target. Personal correction shows you the gap between your letter and that target.