Tips on how to pass an essay for a standardized test
For most undergraduate programs at US universities, high school students will be required to take a standard test such as the SAT or ACT. This exam will most likely include a timed essay; it rarely takes more than thirty minutes. Consider these tips for writing a passing essay for your next standardized entrance exam.
Do some practice trials. All the essays have practically the same format, even the standardized ones. They usually have about five paragraphs. Your thesis should be preceded by a couple of introductory sentences. Then there are a couple of paragraphs that support your thesis and give examples from your reading. Finally, the last paragraph brings it all together and should round out your essay on a strong final point. By the time you finish high school, you should have written many essays that follow this format. However, to be more prepared, you should try to write some practice essays and have a teacher or tutor review it with you. Pay attention to the creation time limit of the piece to make it more realistic.
Review the instructions carefully. Your nerves may be bothering you during the exam, but you have to try to relax. Review the instructions for the essay carefully. Note that there is a difference between the words ‘discuss’, ‘state’, ‘review’, ‘list’, ‘compare’ and ‘explain’. All of these words tell you to take a slightly different approach to writing your essay. Write down some tips first. That way you won’t forget to include the important points in your essay for sure.
Remember your basics. Whatever you do, don’t panic. You know the basic outline for an approved essay, now all you need to do is follow it. As you’ve probably been told many times in your high school English class, a good passing essay is made up of three main factors: a definitive point of view, that it’s supported by examples, and that it’s written in proper English. That’s all. Knowing these facts, you’ll probably write a great essay on your next standardized test. If you really want to do it right, follow these tips too.
Give a quick summary of the essay. Every minute counts when you only have 30 minutes to write your essay. Organize your time wisely and take a minute or so to write a short essay plan. Give the main idea of each paragraph using 5 jot notes. You will then have an overview of your essay, which will allow you to write without stopping to ponder the next point. Make sure your essay adheres exactly to the instructions so that you get a passing grade.
Don’t write in the first person. A formal essay should not be written using the “I”. Unless your topic is about something in your life or about yourself, avoid using the word ‘I’ at all costs. This will make the tone of your essay much more professional.
There is no need to impress. Passing this essay isn’t really about impressing your professor with your big, fancy words, but about putting as much information as you can into each paragraph. Keep in mind that you are writing to inform people, not to impress them.
Check your work. It is still necessary to review your work for common errors before submitting it, although you will have little time. Sure, it won’t be your best essay because you only had half an hour to write it. Therefore, reformulating the work is not important. Check all spelling and grammar, follow the instructions carefully, and then submit your essay for the next standardized test.