What Score Do You Need for OET Writing?

If you are preparing for OET Writing as part of your NMC registration application, one of the first questions you will have is: what score do you actually need?

The answer is straightforward, but understanding what it means in practice takes a little more unpacking. This post covers the OET Writing score required for NMC registration, how OET Writing is graded, and what you can do if you need to improve your result.

OET Writing Score Required for NMC Registration

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires a minimum grade of B in every sub-test of OET, including Writing. This applies to both nurses and midwives applying for registration in the UK.

In numerical terms, a grade B in OET Writing corresponds to a score of 350 on OET’s 0–500 scale. You must reach this threshold in the Writing sub-test as well as in Reading, Listening, and Speaking.

There is no overall composite score requirement. Each sub-test is assessed independently, so a strong performance in Speaking will not compensate for a score below 350 in Writing.

How OET Writing Is Scored

OET Writing involves completing a referral letter, discharge summary, or similar healthcare communication task based on case notes provided in the exam. Your response is assessed by trained OET assessors across five criteria:

• Overall task fulfilment – did you address the purpose and audience of the letter?
• Appropriateness of language – is your register and tone professional and appropriate for the clinical context?
• Comprehension of stimulus – did you correctly interpret the case notes?
• Layout and organisation – is your letter logically structured and easy to follow?
• Language – accuracy of grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation

Each criterion is scored on a scale, and the scores are combined to give your overall Writing grade. Assessors use healthcare-specific marking criteria, which is why generic IELTS or academic writing preparation is rarely sufficient for OET.

OET vs IELTS: Which Score Do You Need for the NMC?

The NMC accepts both OET and IELTS as evidence of English language proficiency. For IELTS, the requirement is a minimum of 7.0 in each of the four skills, with an overall score of 7.0 or above.

Many internationally trained nurses find OET Writing easier to prepare for than IELTS Academic Writing because the task is rooted in clinical practice. You are not writing academic essays or describing graphs. You are writing a patient referral letter, which is something you already do as part of your professional role.

If you are deciding between OET and IELTS, read our full guide: OET vs IELTS for NMC Registration: Which Should International Nurses Choose?

What Happens If You Score Below 350 in OET Writing?

If your Writing score falls below 350, you will not meet the NMC language requirement and cannot progress with your registration on that result. You will need to resit the Writing sub-test.

You can resit individual OET sub-tests rather than retaking the full exam. This means if you passed Reading, Listening, and Speaking but fell short on Writing, you only need to resit Writing. Results are valid for two years from the test date.

Common reasons candidates score below B in OET Writing include:

• Failing to match the letter format to the specified audience (e.g. writing to a GP rather than a specialist)
• Including irrelevant information from the case notes
• Omitting critical clinical details that the recipient needs
• Using informal language or inappropriate register
• Poor organisation, making the letter difficult to follow quickly

How to Prepare for OET Writing

The most effective preparation focuses on structured practice with feedback. Simply writing letters is not enough if you do not know how to evaluate them against the OET marking criteria.

At Functify Learning, our OET Writing Course for Nurses is taught by a qualified OET educator and includes Practice Educator Reviews, so your written work is assessed against actual OET criteria before you sit the exam. All materials are specific to nursing contexts and reflect the format used in real OET Writing tasks.

For nurses applying via the NMC, it also helps to understand the wider registration process. Our guide to OET for NMC Registration covers what the NMC expects, how OET fits into the overall application, and what to do once you have your results.

Key Points to Remember

The OET Writing score you need for NMC registration is a minimum grade B, which equals 350 on the 0–500 scale. Each sub-test is scored independently, so you must achieve this in Writing alongside the other three components. If you do not reach 350, you can resit Writing on its own without repeating the full exam.

Targeted preparation with qualified feedback gives you the best chance of reaching grade B at your first attempt. If you are ready to start, explore the OET Writing Course and book your place today.