OET WRITING BY PROFESSION · PHARMACISTS
OET Writing for pharmacists: the letter task explained
Most OET Writing advice online is generic, or written for nurses. The OET Pharmacy Writing subtest asks pharmacists for a specific kind of letter, built around the situations pharmacists already handle at work.
This page sets out what that letter task involves, what the six published Writing criteria reward, and how to practise it with feedback rather than guesswork.
THE LETTER TASK
The Writing subtest gives 45 minutes to write a letter from case notes, commonly to a GP or hospital prescriber about a medication review, an interaction, or an adherence concern, or a transfer letter to another pharmacy service. The marking rewards a clear reason for writing and the discipline to include only what that prescriber needs in order to act.
WHAT THE SIX CRITERIA REWARD
WHO ACCEPTS IT
OET Pharmacy is accepted by regulators including the GPhC (UK) and the Pharmacy Board of Australia via AHPRA. Requirements and minimum grades differ by country and can change, so always verify against your regulator's current published requirements before booking.
See the exact current requirement
LAST REVIEWED 9 AUGUST 2026
COMMON QUESTIONS
What does the OET Writing subtest involve for pharmacists?
The Writing subtest gives 45 minutes to write a letter from case notes, commonly to a GP or hospital prescriber about a medication review, an interaction, or an adherence concern, or a transfer letter to another pharmacy service. The marking rewards a clear reason for writing and the discipline to include only what that prescriber needs in order to act.
How long is the OET Writing subtest?
45 minutes in total: 5 minutes to read the case notes and the task, then 40 minutes to write the letter.
Which criteria does OET Writing mark?
Six published criteria: Purpose, Content, Conciseness and Clarity, Genre and Style, Organisation and Layout, Language.
Which regulators accept OET Pharmacy?
OET Pharmacy is accepted by regulators including the GPhC (UK) and the Pharmacy Board of Australia via AHPRA. Requirements and minimum grades differ by country and can change, so always verify against your regulator's current published requirements before booking.
Independent preparation service. Not affiliated with, or endorsed by, OET or Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment. Practice feedback is based on published OET criteria and is not an official evaluation. Regulator requirements change: confirm current rules with the regulator directly.
OET for pharmacists · OET Speaking for pharmacists · OET Writing for all twelve professions