A family's preference may be relevant to a letter, but it should not silently become the professional plan. Each statement needs a clear owner and status.
The first case in Score Band A in OET Writing – Podiatry Edition includes a parent's preference alongside assessment findings and recommendations. This guide practises keeping those categories distinct.
Name the person expressing the preference
Use “requested,” “would prefer” or “expressed interest in” when that is what the notes describe. Do not substitute “requires” unless the task supplies that conclusion.
Original learning example
Notes: Parent asks for daily sessions; tutor recommends an initial weekly review.
Accurate: “The parent requested daily sessions. The tutor recommended an initial weekly review.”
Misleading: “Daily sessions have been recommended.”
Keep assessment and preference separate
The person's concern may explain why an assessment was requested. It does not replace the outcome of that assessment.
Identify the source of each statement
“The family would prefer an evening appointment” states a preference. “The coordinator confirmed an evening appointment” states an arrangement. The first does not prove the second.
Check the closing request
When you summarise the next step, return to the task. Ensure the closing asks for the action actually requested, rather than the most memorable preference in the notes.
For practice, mark each relevant sentence as preference, finding or recommendation. Then combine the information without blurring those boundaries. The reader should know both what the family wants and what the documented plan says.
Explore OET Writing for Podiatrists — Course 1 to see the course outline, current availability and enrolment options. Use the worked exercise above to identify a skill you would like to practise next.
Your next step
OET Writing for Podiatrists — Course 1
Explore the complete course outline and related practice topics.
Source: OET POD WR 001.epub, Jobins Training. Examples labelled original or illustrative were written for this article. Independent exam preparation; no affiliation with or endorsement by the examining body. Practice does not predict an official score.
