OET WRITING BY PROFESSION · SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS
OET Writing for speech pathologists: the letter task explained
Most OET Writing advice online is generic, or written for nurses. The OET Speech pathology Writing subtest asks speech pathologists for a specific kind of letter, built around the situations speech pathologists 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 is a 45 minute letter from case notes, typically to a GP, ward team, or community service summarising an assessment, swallowing recommendations, or a therapy plan and referral. The marking rewards precision and selection: recommendations the reader can act on, without the full assessment transcript.
WHAT THE SIX CRITERIA REWARD
WHO ACCEPTS IT
OET Speech Pathology is accepted in contexts including Speech Pathology Australia's certification requirements and the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association. Routes differ by country and can change, so confirm the current requirements with the body you are applying to before booking.
See the exact current requirement
LAST REVIEWED 9 AUGUST 2026
COMMON QUESTIONS
What does the OET Writing subtest involve for speech pathologists?
The Writing subtest is a 45 minute letter from case notes, typically to a GP, ward team, or community service summarising an assessment, swallowing recommendations, or a therapy plan and referral. The marking rewards precision and selection: recommendations the reader can act on, without the full assessment transcript.
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 Speech pathology?
OET Speech Pathology is accepted in contexts including Speech Pathology Australia's certification requirements and the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association. Routes differ by country and can change, so confirm the current requirements with the body you are applying to 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.
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