OET Writing Content Selection: Sorting Relevant vs Irrelevant Case Notes

In the OET Writing sub-test, you are given a set of clinical case notes and asked to write a letter. One of the most common reasons candidates fail to reach a Grade B is poor content selection. Many candidates assume that the more case notes they copy into their letter, the higher their score.

The opposite is true. Including irrelevant details clutters the letter and direct readers away from the urgent clinical message, costing you marks under Conciseness & Clarity.

This guide outlines how to select the right content for your OET letters.

Step 1: Analyze the Recipient

Before reading the case notes, look at the writing task at the very bottom. You must determine:

1. Who is the recipient? (e.g., a cardiologist, a school nurse, a community physiotherapist).
2. What is their role in relation to the patient?
3. What action are you asking them to take?

The recipient’s specialty is your filter. A cardiologist cares about blood pressure, ECGs, chest pain, and cardiac meds. They do not need to know about a patient’s occupational therapy exercises or dietary preferences. A community nurse needs wound care instructions and mobility status; they do not need complex biochemical details.

Step 2: Categorize the Case Notes

Once you know the recipient’s role, read through the case notes and label each point:

1. Essential (Must Include)

Details that directly relate to the reason for referral or the immediate care plan.

• Example: Active symptoms, recent test results confirming the diagnosis, medications that must be reviewed or changed, and drug allergies.

2. Secondary (Include conditionally)

Background details that provide necessary context but are not the primary focus.

• Example: Well-controlled chronic conditions that could interact with new treatments, or lifestyle factors like smoking if referring for cardiovascular issues.

3. Irrelevant (Must Omit)

Information that has no impact on the recipient’s care plan.

• Example: Historical resolved conditions, family history that doesn’t impact treatment, social details like hobbies, and routine administrative notes.

Content Selection Example

Consider this case note excerpt for a patient referred to a Colorectal Surgeon for suspected bowel cancer:

Grouping by Relevance, Not Chronology

A common mistake is copying the case notes in the order they appear on the exam paper. This often results in a letter that jumps back and forth in time, confusing the reader.

Instead, group the selected information logically:

• State the primary clinical concern first.
• Follow with supporting evidence (symptoms and tests).
• Add relevant history and active medications.
• Conclude with a clear request.

By systematically filtering the case notes through the lens of the recipient, you will write a concise, professional letter that satisfies the OET scoring criteria.