What should a candidate do if they run out of time during the OET writing task?

Selecting to prioritize completing the most critical sections to convey the essential message is the optimal strategy if a candidate runs out of time during the OET writing task. This approach ensures that even if the response is incomplete, the most important information is communicated effectively. This is particularly relevant in a test where the ability to convey key messages and demonstrate appropriate language skills is evaluated.

Focusing on the critical sections allows the candidate to maintain clarity and relevance in their writing, which is crucial for the assessment. By ensuring that the essential message is presented, the candidate can maximize their chances of achieving a better score, as examiners focus on the ability to convey important information and follow a logical structure, even in limited time.

In contrast, other approaches, such as submitting incomplete work, do not maximize the potential score since they fail to demonstrate the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively. Similarly, focusing purely on editing or writing hastily to finish can compromise the quality and clarity of the content, which are both important components of the evaluation criteria for the OET writing task.