OET Writing Guide
Review & Proofread Your OET Letter Before You Submit
The last four minutes of the writing task are the cheapest marks on the test — and the most commonly thrown away. A quick, ordered check catches the errors that move your band before you ever hand the letter over.
In short
- Keep the last 3–4 minutes for checking; don't write to the final second.
- Check purpose and content first — they carry more marks than grammar.
- Then sweep for articles, verb tense, spelling and word count — your repeated errors first.
Check in order of marks, not order of reading
Most candidates re-read top to bottom and fix commas. That spends your scarce minutes on the lowest-value errors. Instead, check the criteria in order of how much they're worth — purpose and content before language.
| Order | Check | Ask yourself |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purpose | Is the request stated explicitly in the first lines? |
| 2 | Content | Only relevant case notes? Nothing critical missing or invented? |
| 3 | Word count | Roughly 180–200 words? Cut padding if well over. |
| 4 | Grammar | Articles (a/an/the), verb tense consistent, agreement correct? |
| 5 | Layout | Salutation, paragraphs, and closing all present? |
Hunt your own repeat errors first
Everyone has a personal shortlist — for many candidates it's articles and prepositions. If you know yours (and feedback is how you find out), scan specifically for those before anything else. You'll catch more in two minutes than a general re-read finds in five.
One practical trick: read the letter once for meaning (does it do its job?) and once for mechanics (grammar and spelling). Trying to do both at once is why errors slip through. For the full marking picture, see the six criteria and the letter-writing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I spend checking my OET letter?
What should I check first when proofreading an OET letter?
What are the most common last-minute OET writing errors?
Related OET Writing guides
Continue your preparation with these related resources.
OET Scoring Criteria →
How the 6 criteria are assessed and where most candidates lose marks.
Grade B Sample Letters →
20 worked sample letters by profession × scenario with line-by-line annotations.
Mistake Clinics by Profession →
10 profession-specific mistake clinics — wrong vs right examples per criterion.
Grade A vs B vs C Compared →
Three letters from the same case notes at three bands — what moves you up one.
OET Writing Correction
Find the errors you can't see yourself
The errors you miss when proofreading are the ones you don't know you make. Dr Mariam's OET writing team marks your letter against all 6 criteria and hands you your personal repeat-error list.
5-Letter Pack — From $35