Triumphing over Timed Essay Tests
Tips for writing an essay under time pressure
If you are applying to private middle and high schools, chances are you had to register for an “Online Essay” or sign up for the ISEE/SSAT. As such, your child will have to write a proctored writing sample in 30 minutes. This essay will not be scored; it will be sent directly to the schools to which you applied.
How can you help your child conquer this writing challenge? Here are 5 strategies that have given our students an upper hand.
1) Practice in Advance
Though the essay writing prompt won’t be revealed until test day, it’s always a good idea to have your child do a few practice runs. For the most part, the writing prompts will be fairly straightforward, focusing on topics that all kids are familiar with. In 30-minute chunks, you can have them write about:
An inspirational person
A favorite class
A memorable place
2) Set Up the Space
If you are taking the test on Zoom, make sure that all systems are good to go before the test date. Situate your child in a distraction-free room and use a desktop (rather than an iPad). Test your Wi-Fi, update Zoom, and verify the meeting links. Make sure to log into your essay appointment at least 10 minutes before the start time. Once students receive their prompts, they should always…
3) Organize Ideas First
Abraham Lincoln said it best, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” While 20 minutes for organization is unrealistic, 5 minutes is more than enough time to write out a thesis supported by three bullet points. With an outline as their roadmap, we’ve seen students finish before the allotted time, allowing them to…
4) Edit at the End
We always instruct our students to resist the urge to make corrections while typing. Students should write, unfiltered and uninterrupted, for about 20 minutes, without worrying about correctness until they are done with their final paragraph. One tried-and-tested method for them to catch their errors is to…
5) Read Aloud
When students listen to their own writing, they will catch 80% more errors compared to just scanning the page with their eyes. This is why we ask our students to read their essays aloud in class — they are not only able to self-edit but also get an overall sense of how their writing feels.
One last bonus tip: make sure that your students get a good night’s sleep (take away those devices) and a hearty meal the day before the test. Excellent writing needs rest and fuel.
With the right preparation, practice, and coaching, we’re confident that your children will do well on their timed essay tests. Who knows — maybe they will even find joy in this upcoming writing challenge!