Sub-test

General information Writing

Time allocation
40 minutes. An extra 5 minutes is allowed as reading time.

Test format and procedure

The Writing sub-test is specific to each profession.

This sub-test requires candidates to write a letter of referral, transfer or advice based on case notes which are
provided. The case notes relate to a typical situation in each profession.

Candidates are required to write approximately 180-200 words in the body of the text.

Assessment procedure
In the OET, the piece of writing is assessed by qualified, experienced English assessors who have been trained in
OET assessment procedures. The assessment is based on the following criteria:

s OVERALLTASKFULlLMENT
s APPROPRIATENESSOFLANGUAGE
s COMPREHENSIONOFSTIMULUS
s LINGUISTICFEATURESGRAMMARANDCOHESION
s PRESENTATIONFEATURESSPELLINGPRESENTATIONLAYOUT 
4HE7RITINGSUB TESTSCRIPTSAREASSESSEDIN-ELBOURNE!LLSCRIPTSAREDOUBLEMARKED

The sample materials

The sample materials consist of:

s SAMPLEWRITINGTASKSCOVERINGHEALTHPROFESSIONAREAS
s ASAMPLEANSWERFOREACHTASKFROMPAGE 

Using the materials

s !LLOWENOUGHTIMEMINUTES TODOTHESAMPLEWRITINGSUB TESTINONESITTING4HISWILLGIVEANINDICATIONOF
the requirements of the OET.
s 3ETATIMERORALARMCLOCKFORMINUTESORASKSOMEONETOACTASATIMER
s #ANDIDATESSHOULDSELECTTHETASKRELEVANTTOTHEIRPROFESSION
s /NCOMPLETIONOFTHELETTERCHECKYOURWORK
s 2EADTHESAMPLEANSWERPROVIDEDTOESTABLISHIFITCONTAINSADDITIONALPOINTSORINFORMATION
s .OTETHATSOMEANSWERSPROVIDEDHEREDONOTMEETTHETASKREQUIREMENTOF WORDS

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 1

 /%4n3!-0,%

WRITING SUB-TEST – DENTISTRY

Writing Test – Dentistry

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.
(Assume today’s date is 5 February 1997.)

Patient -S2OSIE"UCK
7 Horseshoe Drive
Newtown
0H
"ORNON

Reason for Presenting 0AINASSOCIATEDWITHFRONTTOOTH

Unable to bite on the tooth.
Increasing pain; pain control tablets ineffective.

Dental History 2ADIOGRAPHSX RAYS

Previous Dental Experience - Fillings
3CALEANDCLEANREGULARLY
2OOTCANALlLLING
- Crowns
- Wisdom teeth extraction

Medical History "ADREACTIONTOLOCALANAESTHETICPROBABLYDUETOADRENALINEINANAESTHETIC

- Allergic to penicillin
5SEDTOSMOKECIGARETTESGAVEUPYEARSAGO

Family and Social History "ORNIN.EWTOWN-ARRIED4WOBROTHERSYOUNGERBROTHERRECENTLY

diagnosed with cancer. He has just finished chemotherapy treatment.
Two children, the oldest having trouble at school.
2EGULARLYATTENDSDENTALCLINICFORROUTINECARE!TTENDSWITHCHILDREN

Examination 
!LLTEETHPRESENTEXCEPTWISDOMTEETH
-/$AMALGAMSIN
-/AMALGAMIN
$/AMALGAMIN
Occlusal amalgam in 14
#OMPOSITERESINlLLINGIN
#ARIOUSLESIONIN
Much supraginginal calculus on most teeth
3UBGINGINALCALCULUSAROUNDMOSTTEETH
Worn biting surfaces on most teeth

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 2

 WRITING SUB-TEST – DENTISTRY /%4n3!-0,%

Treatment Record

01.07.1995 2ADIOGRAPHS/RALHYGIENEINSTRUCTION4REATMENTPLANFORMULATED

14.07.1995 Gross scaling of teeth. Further oral hygiene instruction.

!MALGAMlLLINGS

21.07.1995 &INESCALINGOFTEETH0ARTICULARLYSUBGINGINALCALCULUS#ONTINUEHYGIENEINSTRUCTION
!MALGAMlLLING#OMPOSITERESINlLLING
AMPOULESOFML,IGNOCAINE

28.07.1995 Commence root canal treatment on 11. Caries removed on 11.

Temporary filling.
ML,IGNOCAINE0RESCRIPTIONFORERYTHROMYCINMG

12.08.1995 Complete root filling 11. Temporary filling.

ML,IGNOCAINE

19.10.1995 0OSTCROWNINSERTEDON'LASSIONOMERCEMENTUSED
&INESCALE2EINFORCEORALHYGIENE

15.05.1996 2OUTINEDENTALEXAMINATION3CALEANDCLEAN

20.12.1996 2OUTINEDENTALEXAMINATION3CALEANDCLEAN
#OMPOSITERESINlLLING

05.02.1997 0RESENTSWITHPAINONANDAROUNDPOSTCROWNON2ADIOGRAPHTAKEN
0ROBINGINDICATESDEEPPOCKETONMESIALSURFACEOFTOOTH
Tooth sensitive to pressure.

2EFERTOGUMSPECIALISTFORTREATMENTOFGUMABSCESSAROUNDTOOTH

Writing Task
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral to the specialist, Dr Perry Dontal,
10 Carpenter St, Newtown, requesting confirmation of diagnosis and treatment.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 3

 WRITING SUB-TEST – DIETETICS /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Dietetics

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the following task which follows.
(Assume today’s date is 25 January 1997.)

Patient History *AMES-ANNWASREFERREDBY$R3MITHFORADVICEONALOWFATDIETFOR

inflammation of the gall bladder due to gallstones.
Will possibly have surgery for this problem in the future.

Case Notes
25.1.97 Mr James Mann
50 years old

Past Medical History 2ECENTACUTEATTACKOFCHOLECYSTITIS

No previous history of gallstones

Social History 7ORKSONAFACTORYLINE

3EDENTARY
Married
No children at home

Weight History 7TKG

Ht = 178cm
"-)OVERWEIGHT
!CCEPTABLEWEIGHTRANGEFORHEIGHT KG

Subjective Information 0ATIENTHAPPYTOMAKECHANGESnDOESNOTWANTTOEXPERIENCEFURTHERPAIN

Diet History "REAKFAST "OWLOFCORNmAKESANDFULLCREAMMILK

Tea
Morning Tea: 1 jam doughnut, tea
,UNCHFROMCANTEENATWORK 
Meat pie and tomato sauce; mashed potato or chips; mashed
PUMPKINBEANSCOLDMEATSALADVEGETABLESSLICESWHITE
BREADANDBUTTERmAVOUREDMILK
Afternoon tea: Tea
!FTERWORK CANSOFBEERSMALLPACKETPEANUTSORCRISPS
%VENINGMEALMEATORlSHORCHICKENFRIEDORGRILLED POTATOMIXED
vegetables; ice cream and fruit salad; tea
3UPPER .ONE

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 4

 WRITING SUB-TEST – DIETETICS /%4n3!-0,%

Dietary Problems %XCESSFAT nWHOLEMILK

– fried foods
– pastry
– peanuts
– ice cream
Excess energy

Education Given – Healthy eating

n(OWTOREDUCEFATINTAKETOAPPROXGDAY
– Encouraged to aim for healthy weight range in order to:
I REDUCESURGICALRISK
II REDUCERISKOFDEVELOPINGOTHERCONDITIONSEGDIABETESHIGHBLOOD
pressure, heart disease
– Encouraged to increase exercise
n2EVIEWINWEEKS

Writing Task
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter to the referring doctor, Dr J Smith, 765 Main
Road, Newtown, informing him of your management of the patient.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 5

 WRITING SUB-TEST – MEDICINE /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Medicine

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.

(Assume today’s date is 30 April 1997.)

Patient History -R$EREK2OMANOISAPATIENTINYOUR'ENERAL0RACTICE

20.3.97

Subjective:  YEAR OLDINSURANCECLERKWANTSCHECK UP

3MOKESPKTCIGARETTESPERDAY
High blood pressure in past
No regular exercise
Father died aged 48 of acute myocardial infarction
Married, one child
No medications or allergies

Objective: "00REGULAR
/VERWEIGHT(TnCM7TnKG
Cardiovascular and respiratory examination normal
Urinalysis normal

Plan: !DVISEREWEIGHTLOSSSMOKINGCESSATION

2EVIEW"0INMONTH

8.4.97

Subjective: 3TILLSMOKINGNOINCREASEINEXERCISE

Objective: "0

Assessment: Hypertension

Plan: #OMMENCENIFEDIPINECALCIUMCHANNELBLOCKER
20mg daily
#HECKBLOODGLUCOSESERUMCHOLESTEROL
#HOLESTEROLMMOL,

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 6

 WRITING SUB-TEST – MEDICINE /%4n3!-0,%

23.4.97

Subjective: Mild burning epigastric pain, radiating retrosternally

/CCURSAFTEREATINGANDWALKING

Objective: "0
Abdominal and cardiovascular exam otherwise normal

Assessment: ? Gastric reflux

Non-compliance with anti-hypertensive medication

Plan: !DD-YLANTAMLQID
Increase nifedipine to 20mg twice daily

30.4.97

Subjective: Crushing retrosternal chest pain, sweaty, mild dyspnoea

/NSETWHILEWALKINGPRESENTFORABOUTONEHOUR

Objective: "00INOBVIOUSDISTRESS
Few crepitations at lung bases
ECG – inferior acute myocardial infarction

Assessment: Acute myocardial infarction

Plan: Oxygen given

Anginine given sublingually
Morphine 2.5mg given IV stat
Maxolon 10mg given IV stat

You decide to call an ambulance and send this man to the Emergency Department, at Newtown City Hospital.

Writing Task
5SINGTHEINFORMATIONINTHECASENOTESWRITEALETTEROFREFERRALTOTHE2EGISTRARINTHE%MERGENCY
Department of Newtown City Hospital, Main Road, Newtown.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 7

 WRITING SUB-TEST – NURSING /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Nursing

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.

(Assume today’s date is 10 April 1997.)

Patient History Maria Ortiz is a seven-day-old baby. Her mother has been discharged
from the maternity hospital.
"ABY -ARIA/RTIZDAYSOLD

Social History -OTHER 6IOLETTA/RTIZ-RS

$/" 
(USBAND *OSEYEARS
/CCUPATION SECURITYGUARDNIGHTSHIFT
/THERCHILDREN 3AMYEARSCURRENTLYNOTATTENDINGSCHOOL
4ERESAYEARS
!CCOMMODATION 4WO BEDROOMmATRENTED

Nursing Notes Normal birth

"REASTFED
-OTHERANXIOUSABOUTCOPINGWITHCHILDREN
"ABYSLEEPYRELUCTANTTOFEED
"ABYSWEIGHT "IRTHnG
$ISCHARGEnG
&ATHERUNABLETOASSISTWITHCHILDRENNIGHTWORK
Mother very tired
.OCAR MINUTEWALKTOSHOPS
Discharged from hospital 10 !PRIL

Writing Task
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral to the maternal and child health nurse
WHOWILLPROVIDEFOLLOW UPCAREINTHISCASE-S*OSIE(EXT-ATERNALAND#HILD(EALTH#ENTRE
%LM'ROVE/LDMEADOWS

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 8

 WRITING SUB-TEST – OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Occupational Therapy

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.

(Assume today’s date is 15 May 1997.)

The patient is to be discharged from City Hospital to a rehabilitation centre today.

Name: *ILLIAN-AY*ACKSON-RS

DOB: 

Occupation: ,IBRARIANUNABLETOWORKFORYEARS

Social: -ARRIEDSUPPORTIVEHUSBANDBANKMANAGER

No children

Diagnosis: EXACERBATIONOFMULTIPLESCLEROSIS

Past History: -3FORYEARSGRADUALDETERIORATIONOVERTHISTIME

Admitted to Hospital: 

8.5.97 Initial Assessment

Communication/Presentation -OTIVATEDOPTIMISTICSPEECHATAXIADYSARTHRIA

Accommodation  STOREYHOUSESTEPSATFRONTSTEPSATBACK

Upstairs bathroom and toilet

Physical Status Mobility: manual wheelchair

Upper limb status: ® dominant; mild upper limb ataxia
,OWERLIMBSTATUSSEVERESPASTICITYUNABLETOWALK

9.5.97 Personal Activities of Daily Living

Difficulties BRINGINGFOODTOMOUTHCUTTINGFOODALLTRANSFERSUNABLETOSTAND 

DRESSINGCONTROLLEDMOVEMENTSMANAGINGPERMANENTINDWELLING
urinary catheter; sexual activity; using telephone

10.5.97

Domestic/Community ADL #OOKINGCLEANINGLAUNDRYSHOPPINGnHUSBANDDOINGTHESEFORTHE

last 12 months?; home help required.

Driving/Transport 5NABLETODRIVEHOUSEBOUNDDIFlCULTYTRANSFERRINGINOUTOFCAR

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 9

 WRITING SUB-TEST – OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY /%4n3!-0,%

Recreation Gets bored, depressed; unable to continue previous hobbies,

interests; few social contacts

Support Services None previously; ? home help or attendant care required

Other Therapy 3PEECH4HERAPY0HYSIOTHERAPY

Assistive Devices Currently in Use None on admission

11.5.97
Treatment 3ESSIONONPERSONAL!$,nEATINGANDDRESSING
0ROVIDEDADAPTEDCUTLERYPLATEGUARD
Modification of clothing begun
Motivated but progress slow and laborious
,ABILE

Patient Requirements Home assessment; recommendation on modifications re wheelchair

access
Assistive devices
)NTERVENTIONINCONJUNCTIONWITH0HYSIOTHERAPYIETRANSFERS
Alternative to writing: ? computer
Modification to telephone

12.5.97 Continued with eating and dressing: some assistance still required

15.5.97 For discharge to rehab centre today

Modification of underclothes complete; able to dress in a T-shirt
independently, requires assistance with lower limb dressing
Able to feed self using weighted cutlery; discharged with this
equipment

Writing Task
5SINGTHEINFORMATIONINTHECASENOTESWRITEALETTEROFREFERRALTO-S$OROTHY2OSS/CCUPATIONAL
Therapy Department, City Rehabilitation Centre, Marks Street, Newtown.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 10

 WRITING SUB-TEST – PHARMACY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Pharmacy

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.

Patient Mrs Charlton, in her late sixties, is a regular customer of yours. Her neighbour brings in
a prescription for you to dispense. You recognise that the medication is for treatment of
HYPERTENSION!CCORDINGTOYOURRECORDS-RS#HARLTONISNOTCURRENTLYTAKINGANYMEDICATION
ANDHASNOTPREVIOUSLYTAKENTHISORANYOTHERANTI HYPERTENSIVEMEDICATION

Prescription Dr B Goodrich
234 High Street
Crystal Creek
Ph: 8802 9743
Mrs V Charlton
16 White Street
Crystal Creek

Drug X 5mg
30 tabs
Sig: 1 mane pc

Prescribing information for Drug X

Actions: Anti-hypertensive with a 24-hour action.

Indications As a primary measure in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension and as an adjunct
for use: to other anti-hypertensive agents in the treatment of severe hypertension.

Contra- Known sensitivity to the drug or others of its class. Drug X should not be used for patients
indications: with severe renal disease or complete renal shutdown or in patients with severe liver disease
ANDORIMPENDINGHEPATICCOMA

Precautions: All patients should be observed for clinical signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance including
hyponatraemia. These include thirst, dryness of the mouth, lethargy and drowsiness. With
INTENSIVEORPROLONGEDTHERAPYITISIMPORTANTTOGUARDAGAINSTHYPOCHLORAEMICALKALOSISAND
HYPOKALAEMIA

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 11

 WRITING SUB-TEST – PHARMACY /%4n3!-0,%

Adverse – Gastrointestinal: anorexia, gastric irritation, nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhoea,

reactions: constipation, jaundice, pancreatitis.
n #.3DIZZINESSVERTIGOPARAESTHESIASHEADACHEXANTHOPSIA
– Cardiovascular: orthostatic hypotension.
– Haemotological: leucopoenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anaemia.
n (YPERSENSITIVITYDERMATOLOGICAL PURPURAPHOTOSENSITIVITYRASHURTICARIAVASCULITIS
n /THERHYPERGLYCAEMIAGLUCOSURIAHYPERURICEMIAMUSCLESPASMWEAKNESS
restlessness.
– Impotence has been observed with some drugs in the group when used in high doses.

Interaction: The following have been reported:

– Alcohol & barbiturates: orthostatic hypotension may occur or be aggravated;
– Digitalis: increase digitalis toxicity;
n 'ANGLIONICANDPERIPHERALADRENERGICBLOCKINGDRUGSPOTENTIATIONOFEFFECT
– Insulin: diabetic control may be altered;
n ,ITHIUMLITHIUMTOXICITYINCREASED
n -USCLERELAXANTSNEUROMUSCULARBLOCKINCREASED
– Noradrenaline: decreased arterial responsiveness;
– Oral antidiabetic agents: reduced effectiveness;
n 0HENOTHIAZINESSHOCK

Overdosage: Symptoms:3YMPTOMSINCLUDEELECTROLYTEIMBALANCEANDSIGNSOFPOTASSIUMDElCIENCY
SUCHASCONFUSIONDIZZINESSMUSCULARWEAKNESSANDGASTROINTESTINALDISTURBANCES
Treatment: General supportive measures, including replacement of fluids and
electrolytes are indicated.

Use in 0REGNANCY#ATEGORY#
pregnancy and Drug X should be used with caution by pregnant women and by nursing mothers since
lactation: drugs in the group cross the placental barrier and appear in cord blood. Use may result
in foetal or neonatal jaundice, bone marrow depression and thrombocytopenia, altered
carbohydrate metabolism. In newborn infants of mothers showing decreased glucose
tolerance, and other adverse reactions which have occurred in the adult: when the drug
is used in pregnant women, the potential benefits of the drug should be weighed against
the possible hazards to the foetus.
Australian categorisation definition:
Category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have cause or may be
suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human foetus or neonate without causing
malformations. These effects may be reversible.

Dosage and Administered orally

Administration: Adults: Usual dose: 2.5 to 10mg once daily. To maintain an oedema-free state or
as adjunct in the management of hypertension, 2.5 to 5mg once daily. Usual optimum
daily dose: 5mg, maximum effective single dose is 10mg. Administer after food to
minimise gastrointestinal side effects. Monitor for dizziness after initial dosage.

In the treatment of hypertension, Drug X may be either employed alone or concurrently

with other anti-hypertensive with lower dosage of the component drugs and few or less
severe side effects.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 12

 WRITING SUB-TEST – PHARMACY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Task
5SINGTHEDRUGINFORMATIONPROVIDEDWRITEALETTERTO-RS#HARLTONSUMMARISINGADVICEONHOWTOTAKE
her medication, what side effects to be aware of and how to cope with them.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 13

 WRITING SUB-TEST – PHYSIOTHERAPY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Physiotherapy

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.
(Assume today’s date is 6 January 1997.)

The male patient is to be discharged today from the orthopaedic ward to a rehabilitation centre where he will
attend as an outpatient.

Patient history 3URNAME "ROWNING

'IVEN.AMES *OHN,OUIS
"IRTHDATE 
Occupation: Credit manager
3OCIAL ,IVESWITHHISWIFECHILDRENHAVEMOVEDOUT
$IAGNOSIS %LECTIVETOTALKNEEREPLACEMENTON
8 RAY2EPORT  ,TOTALKNEEREPLACEMENTPOSITIONAPPEARSSATISFACTORY

Past history ,KNEETROUBLEFORMANYYEARSnOSTEOARTHRITISINSTABILITYINTERMITTENTLOCKINGPAINFUL

MOSTOFTHETIMEUSESAWALKINGSTICK

7ASAGOODSOCCERPLAYER9EARSOFKNEEPAIN,2
+EENSPORTSMANINTHEPAST0REVIOUSLYINDEPENDENT

17.12.96 2ESTINGINBEDWITHA:IMMERKNEESPLINT

Treatment Deep breathing and coughing exercises

"EDEXERCISESSTATICQUADSSTRAIGHT LEGRAISEFOOTANDANKLE

Plan Continue bed exercises, mobilise when able, aim for home

18.12.96 Complaining of pain

Treatment Continue bed exercises

0OORSTATICQUADRICEPSCONTRACTIONnUNABLETOLIFTLEG

Plan 4OCOMMENCEAMBULATINGON

20.12.96 0AINDECREASED

Treatment "EDEXERCISESASPREVIOUSLYnSTILLNOTABLETOSTRAIGHTLEGRAISE
Quad exercises ++
#OMMENCEACTIVEKNEEmEXIONŽ
#OMMENCEPARTIALWEIGHTBEARINGWITHCRUTCHESAND:IMMERSPLINTnWALKEDMETRES
with difficulty

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 14

WRITING SUB-TEST – PHYSIOTHERAPY /%4n3!-0,%

24.12.96 No change in range of motion or quads strength

#ONTINUEBEDEXERCISESANDWALKING
Encourage ++

4.1.97 No change; for manipulation under anaesthetic tomorrow

6.1.97 Having intensive physiotherapy

+NEEmEXIONŽ
1UADSLAGnŽ
7ALKINGINDEPENDENTLYBETWEENCRUTCHES
2EFERTOREHABILITATIONCENTREFOROUTPATIENTPHYSIOTHERAPY
2EVIEWINOUTPATIENTCLINIC

Writing Task
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral to Ms Barbara Blunt, Physiotherapy
Department, City Rehabilitation Centre, Bond Street, Newtown.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 15

 WRITING SUB-TEST – PODIATRY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Podiatry

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.
(Assume today’s date is 2 July 2001.)

Patient history Name: Mrs Emily-Jane Smith

Date of birth: 27.08.1930

Social history 7IDOWHUSBANDDIEDlVEYEARSAGO

Planning to move across town to live with unmarried daughter

Medical history Healthy

Recently diagnosed as a non-insulin diabetic i.e., diabetes is being controlled by a
combination of diet and medication

21.1.2001 Visit to podiatrist as recommended by doctor

Reason for visit To check feet due to current medical condition

No problem

2.7.2001 Visit to podiatrist

Patient reported painless swelling on dorsum of right foot

Diagnosis Ganglion

Treatment Nil at this time

Recommendation To visit podiatrist for check-up every three months: to monitor ganglion,
possible side effects of diabetes

Writing Task
Mrs Smith plans to move to live with her unmarried daughter in Oldmeadows in one month’s time.
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral to Ms Joanne Smythe, Podiatrist,
4 River Arcade, Oldmeadows.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 16

 WRITING SUB-TEST – RADIOGRAPHY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Radiography

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the letter, the X-ray reports and the patient log below, then complete the writing task which
follows. (Assume today’s date is 24 July 1997.)

$*3MITH
-EDICAL3UPERINTENDENT
City Hospital
3TATION3TREET
Greywalls

*ULY

$EAR$R3MITH

I am writing to complain about the treatment my son received from a radiographer at your hospital last
3ATURDAY

-YSON4IMISSIXYEARSOLDAND)TOOKHIMTOYOURCASUALTYSECTIONAFTERHEHADFALLENOFFASWINGATTHE

LOCALPLAYGROUNDANDHURTHISARM"YTHETIME)GOT4IMTOYOURCASUALTYSECTIONHISELBOWHADPUFFEDUP
LIKEABALLOONANDWASVERYSORE(ECOULDNOTMOVEHISARMANDHEWASSCREAMINGWITHPAIN

7HENWECAMEINTOTHECASUALTYSECTIONTHENURSEATTHEFRONTDESKSAW4IMSARMANDCALLEDADOCTOR
This was very helpful as your casualty section was very busy and Tim could have been waiting for hours
TOSEEADOCTOR7HENTHEDOCTORSAW4IMHESAIDTHATTHEELBOWWASBROKENANDOUTOFJOINTANDHE
WOULDNEEDAN8 RAYPICTURETAKENBEFORETHEELBOWCOULDBESTRAIGHTENEDANDPUTBACKINPLACE

7ETHENWAITEDFROMPMTOPMBEFORE4IMWASTAKENTOTHE8 RAYSECTION4HECASUALTYSISTER
TRIEDTOCONTACTTHERADIOGRAPHERTHREETIMES(OWEVERHEWOULDNOTANSWERHISPAGER"YTHISTIMETHE
pain in the arm had become worse, spreading down the arm into the fingers. When Tim arrived at the
8 RAYSECTIONHEWASTAKENSTRAIGHTINTOTHE8 RAYROOMBYTHERADIOGRAPHER)FOUNDTHERADIOGRAPHER
VERYRUDEANDHISHANDLINGOF4IMWASVERYROUGH"ECAUSEOFALLTHEPAIN4IMWASlNDINGITDIFlCULTTO
KEEPHISARMSTILL!FTERTHESECOND8 RAYTHERADIOGRAPHERBECAMEANNOYEDWITH4IMANDSAID@9OU
MUSTCO OPERATEANDKEEPYOURARMSTILLOTHERWISEYOUAREWASTINGTIMEANDlLMS7ITHTHATHEPUT
SOMEVERYHEAVYBAGSON4IMSARMANDTHENTOOKANOTHERTWO8 RAYS!LLTHISMADE4IMSCREAMEVEN
more with pain.

7HEN)GOTBACKTOCASUALTYTHEDOCTORIMMEDIATELYCALLEDINASPECIALISTTOSEE4IM4HESPECIALISTTOOK
Tim to the operating room where he put some wires in to hold the bones together.

Tim has now left hospital, but he was very frightened when he had to have his arm X-rayed the second
TIMEBEFOREDISCHARGE4HANKFULLYTHISRADIOGRAPHERWASMOREPATIENTANDKIND

My family has always used your hospital, and this is the first time I have met any rudeness from a
member of your staff. Also, I have never had to wait such a long time for an X-ray before, especially with
SOMEONEINPAIN-YOTHERSON2OGERBROKEHISARMWHENHEWASTHREEANDTHEREWASNOWAITINGFOR
his X-ray to be done.

I am bringing this to your attention so that you may investigate the matter.

With regards

*OHN2OBERTS

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 17

 WRITING SUB-TEST – RADIOGRAPHY /%4n3!-0,%

X-ray report
0ATIENT 4IM2OBERTS
2EGION 2IGHTELBOW
-2. 
$ATE *ULY

There is a comminuted fracture involving the lower end of the humerus. The proximal humerus is displaced
ANTERIORLYBYMMWITHTHEDISTALFRAGMENTBEINGDISPLACEDSUPERIORLYANDTILTEDDEGREESDORSALLY/N
THELATERALTHEREISWIDENINGOFTHEPROXIMALRADIO ULNARJOINT/NTHE!0THEFRAGMENTSAREINANATOMICAL
alignment. There is widening of the joint between the head of the radius and the capitulum.

Conclusion:!COMMINUTEDFRACTUREOFTHELOWERENDOFTHEHUMERUSWITHMARKEDANGULATIONAND
displacement occurring at the fracture site. Damage to the radial artery and entrapment of the radial nerve
would have to be considered. A subluxation of the proximal radio-ulnar joint is present.
$R+3NOWGRASS
3TAFF2ADIOLOGIST

X-ray report
0ATIENT 4IM2OBERTS
2EGION 2IGHTELBOW
-2. 
$ATE *ULY

There is a 5mm displacement of the fragments with no overlapping. There is 20 degrees posterior tilting of
the distal fragments. There is less widening of the radio-ulnar joint, consistent with a minor subluxation or a
resolving haematoma. Two metallic pins are noted in the lower end of the humerus.
$R00HILLIPS
3TAFF2ADIOLOGIST

Patient log
$ATE3ATURDAY
Time %XAMINATION0ATIENT.AME7ARD#OMMENTS Notification & Time
4.00 -OBILECHEST5RGENT+)..%!2*$APOSTCARDIACSURGERY 0AGER
,EFTPNEUMOTHORAX
4.10 -OBILECHEST5RGENT2/7,%3,$ARE POSITIONINGOFSUBCLAVIAN 0AGER
catheter
4.25 -OBILECHEST5RGENT(/""3TWIN.EONATE)#5POSTINSERTION 0AGER
of chest tube
4.45 7RIST3-94(%7#ASUALTY 0HONE
# mid radius
4.55 -OBILECHEST5RGENT+)..%!2*$A 0AGER
0OSTINSERTIONOFCHESTTUBE
5.00 End of shift
2ADIOGRAPHERFORNEWSHIFT*EFF+ HASNOTARRIVED
5.10 ,EFTLEG2!6%.0#ASUALTYnSOCCERINJURY None
5.15 2IGHTSHOULDER29!.*#ASUALTY 0HONE
# clavicle

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 18

 WRITING SUB-TEST – RADIOGRAPHY /%4n3!-0,%

5.20 Jeff late for next shift 0AGER

!RRIVING
5.25 #HEST&),-%2/"B
2OUTINEPRE OP
 -OBILECHEST9/5.',!DULT)#5 0AGER
Myocardial infarct
5.40 Mobile abdomen. XIA Y Adult ICU 0HONE
Insertion of NG tube
5.55 2IGHTANKLE(/7!2$0#ASUALTY None
# tibia
 2IGHTELBOW2/"%2434#ASUALTY 0AGER
# humerus
 2ADIOGRAPHER*EFF ARRIVESTOTAKEOVERSHIFT

Writing Task
9OUARETHERADIOGRAPHERINVOLVEDIN8 RAYINGTHISPATIENT$R3MITHHASRECEIVEDTHELETTEROF
COMPLAINTANDHASREQUESTEDYOUTOWRITETOHIMWITHANEXPLANATIONOFTHEEVENTS

5SINGTHEINFORMATIONPROVIDEDWRITEALETTERTO$R3MITHEXPLAININGYOURACTIONS

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 19

 WRITING SUB-TEST – SPEECH PATHOLOGY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Speech Pathology

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.

(Assume today’s date is 1 July 1997.)

9OUAREWORKINGINACOMMUNITYHOSPITALANDHAVERECEIVEDAMEDICALREFERRALFROMANAFlLIATEDNURSINGHOME
to re-assess a patient with severe, long-standing swallowing difficulties.

Dysphagia Bedside Assessment

.AME (ELEN7ALSH-S
$/" 
Aetiology: Motor vehicle accident
.OSIGNIlCANT,/#
3PINALINJURYAT#LEVELWITHDISLOCATIONOF#
Aphonia
Dysphagia. G.T. in situ
/NSET 
0HYSICAL 1UADRAPARESISAFFECTING,2SIDEARMSLEGS
/CCUPATION "ANKCLERKPREVIOUSLY

Assessment Results
Alert, co-operative
Hist. of recur. chest infections
head control, needs posturing
/RALSTAGE 2WEAKINVOLMOVTSOFTONG
,IPSCHEEKSJAW30n.!$
Drool – sev +++
Pharyn stage V.F. palsy
.OEFFVCOUGHnVOLORINVOL
.OVELOPHELEN
No gag
3PONSWOBSERVEDBUTINFREQ
$ELAYINITNOFVOLSW
LARYNELEVN
!SPNRISK
ASSTRESULTSEVIMPAIRMENTS,-.SIGNS#.DAMAGE#.)88AND8))
.),-/54(

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 20

 WRITING SUB-TEST – SPEECH PATHOLOGY /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Task
Using the information in the assessment summary, write a letter to the referring doctor, Dr A Street,
"AYSIDE.URSING(OME"AY#ITY'IVEYOURASSESSMENTOFTHEPATIENTSSWALLOWINGSKILLSWITHA
RECOMMENDATIONABOUTTHEPATIENTSORALEATINGSTATUS

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 21

 WRITING SUB-TEST – VETERINARY SCIENCE /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Test – Veterinary Science

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.

(Assume today’s date is 3 January 1997.)

Date: 

Time of Presentation: 10pm

Owner: Mrs Dee

Animal: @&RU &RUA YEAR OLDFEMALE4ERRIERCROSS

KG

History 6OMITINGANDDIARRHOEAFORDAYS.OAPPETITE.OWVERYWEAK

Clinical Findings 4EMP#

10% dehydration estimated
Demeanour lethargic and depressed
'ENERALISEDMUSCLEWEAKNESS
7EAKPULSE
"RADYCARDIABPM

Other Procedures #LINICAL0ATHOLOGY

!SOSTIX"5.MGDL0#640MGDL'LUCOSEMGDL
%#' VERYSMALL0WAVES
TALLSPIKED4WAVES
PROLONGED02INTERVAL

Diagnosis 4ENTATIVEDIAGNOSISHYPOADRENOCORTICISM!DDISONSDISEASE
DDx: acute pancreatitis; renal failure. gastroenteritis

Treatment 0RE TREATMENTBLOODSAMPLESCOLLECTEDFORLABANALYSISTOMORROW

IV indwelling catheter placed
'IVENLITREISOTONICSALINE$/#!DESOXYCORTICOSTERONEACETATE MG)-
0REDNISOLONE3ODIUM3UCCINATE)6

!DVISEDOWNEROFNEEDFORFURTHERHOSPITALISATIONANDMONITORINGATOWNVETS
Original blood sample to be analysed to confirm diagnosis.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 22

 WRITING SUB-TEST – VETERINARY SCIENCE /%4n3!-0,%

Writing Task
9OUAREAVETATANAFTER HOURSCLINICANDYOUAREREFERRINGTHECLIENTBACKTOTHEIROWNVETTHENEXT
morning. Write a letter of referral to Dr Black at Suburbia Veterinary Practice, Suburbia.

In your answer:

s %XPANDTHERELEVANTCASENOTESINTOCOMPLETESENTENCES

s $Onot use note form.

s 5SECORRECTLETTERFORMAT

The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words.

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 23

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Dentistry – Letter of Referral

Dr Perry Dontal 5 February 1997

10 Carpenter Street
Newtown

Dear Dr Dontal

Re: Ms Rosie Buck

Ms Buck presented at my surgery today, 5/2/97, complaining of pain on and around the upper right central
incisor. This tooth has a post crown which was constructed on 19/10/95. Until now the tooth has been non-
symptomatic.

My radiograph indicated that the tooth is now split, and I believe that the cause of the pain is an infection in
the gum.

Please note that Ms Buck is allergic to penicillin. Also, the last time I gave her a local anaesthetic (Lignocaine)
she had a reaction, which I suspect is a sensitivity to adrenaline.

Please would you examine the gum around the tooth and treat appropriately. I have enclosed the radiograph
of the tooth.

Thank you for seeing Ms Buck for me.

Yours sincerely

Dentist

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 24

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Dietetics – Patient Report

Dr J Smith 25 January 1997

765 Main Road
Newtown

Dear Dr Smith

Re: Mr James Mann

Thank you for referring your patient Mr James Mann for advice on a low fat diet for cholecystitis.

I first saw the patient today, when he weighed 90 kg.

As Mr Mann is 178cm tall, this gives him a BMI of 28 which is classified as overweight.

Patient’s usual diet is quite high in fat and energy and he also leads a sedentary lifestyle which has contributed
to his being overweight. However, he basically has a regular eating pattern and is happy to make changes to
his diet.

I have advised Mr Mann on a balanced diet with an emphasis on lowering fat intake to approx 50g/day and I
have also advised him to increase his activity in order to allow gradual weight reduction to approximately 79kg
which will give him a BMI of 25.

I will be reviewing Mr Mann in two weeks’ time.

In the meantime should you require any further information about this patient please do not hesitate to contact
me.

Yours sincerely

Dietitian

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 25

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Medicine – Letter of Referral

The Registrar 30 April 1997

Emergency Department
Newtown City Hospital
Main Road
Newtown

Dear Doctor

Re: Mr Derek Romano

I am writing to refer Mr Romano, a patient of mine to you. Mr Romano is 46 years old and is an insurance
clerk. He is married with one child, and is suffering from his first episode of ischaemic (or cardiac) chest
pain. The patient first attended me six months ago. His risk factors include: hypertension, smoking (one
packet per day), obesity, strong family history (father died of an acute myocardial infarction aged 48) and
hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol = 6.4mmol/L). He has no known allergies.

After persistently elevated blood pressure readings around 150/100, patient was commenced on nifedipine
and this was recently increased to 20mg twice daily. He also uses Mylanta for reflux oesophagitis.
A cardiovascular examination on 23.4.97 was normal.

Today, Mr Romano presented following a minimum of one hour of crushing, retrosternal chest pain. He felt
nauseated and sweaty with mild dyspnoea. Examination revealed a distressed and anxious man with a
pulse of 64 (sinus rhythm) and blood pressure of 160/100. Crepitations were noted on chest auscultation.
Electrocardiography revealed changes consistent with an inferior myocardial infarction.

Oxygen was given and one Anginine sublingually followed by morphine 2.5mg intravenously. His pain has
now settled but I consider he requires admission for stabilisation. I will telephone later to check on his
condition.

Yours sincerely

Doctor

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 26

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Nursing – Letter of Referral

Ms Josie Hext 10 April 1997

Maternal and Child Health Centre
133 Elm Grove
Oldmeadows

Dear Ms Hext

Re: Mrs Violetta Ortiz

I am writing to refer Mrs Violetta Ortiz and her baby, Maria, to you. Mrs Ortiz is being discharged today from
our hospital after seven days. The baby is progressing quite well, but has only gained a small amount of
weight. Her birth weight was 3010g, and on discharge it was 3020g.

The baby is breast fed, but sleepy and reluctant to feed, and Mrs Ortiz is anxious about managing her three
children. She has a boy, Sam, who is five years and not yet at school, and a three-year-old girl, Teresa, as well
as the new baby. Mrs Ortiz receives little assistance from her husband, Jose, who works at night. The family
lives in a two-bedroom rented flat.

Should you require any further information regarding Mrs Ortiz please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Charge Nurse

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 27

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Occupational Therapy – Letter of Referral

Ms Dorothy Ross 15 May 1997

Occupational Therapy Department
City Rehabilitation Centre
Marks Street
Newtown

Dear Ms Ross

Re: Ms Jillian May Jackson

I am writing to refer Ms Jillian May Jackson to you. Ms Jackson, a 38-year-old married woman with a five-year
history of multiple sclerosis, was admitted to City Hospital on 06/05/1997 with a one-week history of rapid
deterioration in function.

Her husband, Mr Jackson, a bank manager, is very supportive. They have no children.

Patient’s problems were identified as: lower limb spasticity requiring a wheelchair for mobility; upper limb
ataxia; loss of bladder control, requiring a permanent indwelling catheter.

Specifically, Ms Jackson demonstrated difficulty in eating, dressing, writing and communication, toileting,
transfers, grooming and sexual activity. She has not undertaken domestic chores for the last 12 months.
Transport and recreation are also areas of difficulty. A home visit is essential. At discharge on 15/05/1997, Ms
Jackson was eating independently with supplied adaptive cutlery and dressing her upper body with adapted
clothing. Assistance was required with lower-limb dressing and other personal tasks due to difficulty within
transfers and co-ordinated movement.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you require any further information about this patient.

Yours sincerely

Occupational Therapist

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 28

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Pharmacy – Letter of Advice

Browns Pharmacy
29 Ferguson Street
Crystal Creek

Mrs V Charlton
16 White Street
Crystal Creek

Dear Mrs Charlton

Dr Goodrich has prescribed Drug X to bring your raised blood pressure under control.

You will need to take one tablet each morning after breakfast. It is important to take the tablets after food so
as to prevent stomach upsets.

You may find that this medicine causes dizziness, especially when you stand up quickly. Take extra care to
move slowly from lying to sitting or sitting to standing positions, especially when you first start taking these
tablets. This effect can be worsened by alcohol.

In addition, report any skin reaction, such as a rash, itch or sun sensitivity to your doctor, and see your doctor
if you experience unusual thirst, dryness of the mouth, lethargy or drowsiness.

Do not stop taking the tablets without consulting your doctor.

Please feel free to contact me should you require any further information.

Yours sincerely

Pharmacist

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 29

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Physiotherapy – Letter of Referral

Ms Barbara Blunt 6 January, 1997

Physiotherapy Department
City Rehabilitation Centre
Bond Street
Newtown

Dear Ms Blunt

Thank you for agreeing to take over the physiotherapy management of Mr John Browning.

Mr Browning, a 57-year-old credit manager, was admitted to hospital for an elective left total knee replacement
on 16 December 1996, following many years of chronic pain. He has a past history of osteoarthritis, instability
and intermittent locking of the left knee following a career as a soccer player. He lives with his wife and was
previously independent but walked with a walking stick.

Post-operatively the X-ray report showed a good position.

Mr Browning commenced walking with crutches and a Zimmer splint, partial weight bearing on 20 December,
but he had persistently poor quadriceps strength and difficulty gaining knee flexion. A manipulation under
anaesthetic was performed on 5 January and he now has 60 degrees knee flexion and a quadriceps lag of 10
degrees. He walks independently with crutches.

Mr Browning has an appointment with the specialist on 6 February 1997.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information about this patient.

Yours sincerely

Physiotherapist

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 30

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Podiatry – Letter of Referral

2 July 2001

Ms Joanne Smythe
4 River Arcade
Oldmeadows

Dear Ms Smythe

I am writing to refer Mrs Emily-Jane Smith, a patient of mine, to you.

Mrs Smith is a 70-year-old widow who has recently been diagnosed as a non-insulin dependent diabetic.
Her diabetes is currently being controlled by a combination of diet and medication.

On her doctor’s recommendation, the patient first visited my rooms on 21 January for me to check her
feet. At this time there were no problems.

Then on 2 July the patient visited me again for her six-monthly check-up. During this visit patient reported
a painless swelling on the dorsum of her right foot, which I diagnosed as a ganglion. At this time, although
no treatment was given I recommended that Mrs Smith visit a podiatrist every three months for the
monitoring of this condition and any other side effects resulting from her diabetes.

The reason for this referral is that Mrs Smith intends to move house in a month’s time, to live with her
daughter in Oldmeadows.

Should you require any further information about Mrs Smith’s condition please do not hesitate to
contact me.

Yours sincerely

Podiatrist

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 31

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Radiography – Response to a Letter of Complaint

24 July 1997

Dear Dr Smith

I am responding to your request for an explanation concerning Mr Roberts’ letter of complaint. In addition, for
your information, I have included a copy of a portion of the patient log for Saturday, 20 July.

In the letter from Mr Roberts there is a statement that his son was kept waiting in Casualty from 4.30pm to
6.00pm because the casualty sister was unable to contact me on the pager. As you can see from the log,
the pager was working. I received only one page from Casualty at 5.50pm for the patient. When I have had to
X-ray Casualty patients prior to Tim, Casualty either contacted me by phone or sent the patient around to the
X-ray department. I cannot explain why the other two pages from Casualty were not received by me.

Mr Roberts states that I was rude and handled Tim roughly. The day was very busy, and this, combined with
the next radiographer appearing late for the next shift, may have combined to make me appear rude. Because
Tim was in so much pain, I attempted to X-ray his arm without any immobilisation. However, because he was
moving so much, I eventually had to use sandbags to keep his arm still. I did place the sandbags carefully
because it was obvious that Tim had a ‘nasty’ fracture and I did not wish to worsen his condition. I did ask Tim
to keep his arm still and explained that the X-ray would be finished more quickly if he kept still.

I hope this information is helpful in your investigation of this patient’s father’s complaint.

Yours sincerely

Radiographer

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 32

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Speech Pathology – Letter of Assessment

1 July 1997

Dr A Street
Bayside Nursing Home
Bay City

Dear Dr Street

Re: Ms Helen Walsh

Thank you for your referral for dysphagia assessment of your patient Ms Helen Walsh. Oral-motor evaluation
indicated significant lower motor neuron impairments involving cranial nerves IX, X, XII. The oral stage of the
patient’s swallowing was mildly impaired, particularly due to reduced tongue mobility and control. Pharyngeal
stage of swallowing was severely impaired: no gag reflex, no voluntary or involuntary cough, patient unable to
cope with her saliva, infrequent spontaneous swallowing and markedly decayed swallow reflex with minimal
laryngeal elevation. Assessment results indicated severely impaired protective mechanisms to cope with any
oral intake, and hence she is at great risk of aspiration pneumonia.

It is highly advisable to maintain Ms Helen Walsh nil orally and to continue gastrostomy feeding. Ms Walsh
appears to exhibit a very poor prognosis for return to oral feeding.

If you require any further information or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Speech Pathologist

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 33

 ANSWERS – WRITING SUB-TEST OET – SAMPLE

Veterinary Science – Letter of Referral

Dr Black 3 January 1997

Suburbia Veterinary Practice
Suburbia

Dear Dr Black

Mrs Dee’s dog, ‘Fru-Fru’, was presented here at 10pm last evening, with a history of inappetence, vomiting
and diarrhoea for the last three days and with weakness tonight.

Clinical examination revealed depression, lethargy, generalised muscle weakness, a normal temperature, a
very weak pulse and a braducardia (HR 80bpm). I estimated 10% dehydration.

Available blood tests were performed confirming dehydration, and revealing a uraemia and mild
hypoglycaemia. An ECG demonstrated small P waves, tall spiked T waves and a prolonged PR interval.

A tentative diagnosis includes acute pancreatitis, renal failure and gastroenteritis.

Given the history, ECG changes and the severity of the clinical signs, I elected to begin treatment for Addison’s
disease. Base-line blood samples were taken for you to submit to the laboratory.

The dog was admitted, had an IV catheter placed and was given 1 litre of 0.9% isotonic saline. 2mg DOCA
was given by IM injection and 200mg Prednisolone Sodium Succinate given IV.

The owner is aware that her dog needs further hospitalisation and monitoring with you. I have indicated that
you will discuss the long-term treatment options with her.

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Veterinarian

OET – CANDIDATE INFORMATION & SAMPLE MATERIALS 34