10 profession-specific mistake clinics · 2026 update

OET Writing Mistakes by Profession

Each clinic targets one criterion that costs candidates in that profession the most marks. Wrong vs right examples, criterion mapping, pre-submission self-check.

Nurse

Tone mistakes that drop your Genre & Style score

Targets the Genre & Style criterion

Read the clinic →

Nurse

Information selection errors (what to leave out)

Targets the Content criterion

Read the clinic →

Nurse

Purpose statement failures in the first sentence

Targets the Purpose criterion

Read the clinic →

Nurse

Wordy, padded nursing letters

Targets the Conciseness & Clarity criterion

Read the clinic →

Nurse

Paragraphing and sequencing in nursing letters

Targets the Organisation & Layout criterion

Read the clinic →

Doctor (GP)

Referral letter mistakes that tank Purpose score

Targets the Purpose criterion

Read the clinic →

Doctor (GP)

Over-detailed letters: Conciseness failures

Targets the Conciseness & Clarity criterion

Read the clinic →

Doctor (GP)

Content selection: what to leave out

Targets the Content criterion

Read the clinic →

Doctor (GP)

Register and tone fixes for doctor letters

Targets the Genre & Style criterion

Read the clinic →

Doctor (GP)

SOAP habits that cost doctor letters marks

Targets the Organisation & Layout criterion

Read the clinic →

Pharmacist

Advice letter mistakes pharmacists make

Targets the Genre & Style criterion

Read the clinic →

Pharmacist

Purpose statement failures in pharmacy letters

Targets the Purpose criterion

Read the clinic →

Pharmacist

Choosing what pharmacy readers actually need

Targets the Content criterion

Read the clinic →

Pharmacist

Where pharmacy letters get wordy

Targets the Conciseness & Clarity criterion

Read the clinic →

Physiotherapist

Discharge letter pitfalls

Targets the Content criterion

Read the clinic →

Physiotherapist

Purpose statement failures in physio letters

Targets the Purpose criterion

Read the clinic →

Physiotherapist

Content selection: function over raw figures

Targets the Content criterion

Read the clinic →

Physiotherapist

Where physio letters get padded

Targets the Conciseness & Clarity criterion

Read the clinic →

Physiotherapist

Where physio letters drift out of register

Targets the Genre & Style criterion

Read the clinic →

Dentist

Padded dental referral letters

Targets the Conciseness & Clarity criterion

Read the clinic →

Dentist

Specialist referral errors

Targets the Purpose criterion

Read the clinic →

Radiographer

Reporting style mistakes

Targets the Genre & Style criterion

Read the clinic →

Occupational Therapist

Organisation & Layout issues

Targets the Organisation & Layout criterion

Read the clinic →

Speech Pathologist

Genre mismatches in OET letters

Targets the Genre & Style criterion

Read the clinic →

Want a real examiner to spot YOUR mistakes?

Dr Mariam marks your letter against all 6 OET criteria, profession-specific, with rewrite suggestions.

See OET Writing Correction packs →