How to improve writing score?

Just out of curiosity, what school did you apply for? I never saw a school that has a minimum score requirement for writing. I have seen it for subsection and composite scores.

Just looked at my scores and noticed I received a 5 on the writing section of the PCAT I took in September! How the crap. I have no idea how I did that, but maybe my pointers might work for you.

Basically how I wrote mine out was.

Had a strict introduction, using any information that I knew about the subject. I thought of quotes, things I've read in science and just placed in in there while having a good strong statement of where this essay/writing was going. Also included my reasons for it to flow to the next paragraph.

The next paragraphs included the reason's why. I gave both pro's and con's for the reader could relate to the information. I was not directly specific, but made sure anybody could read my writing and actually understand what I was trying to convince.

Then just had a conclusion paragraph where I stated my statement again in different words, while relating to my reason's why, even giving pro's and cone's. Basically if I didn't fully agree on the material, I went with it on the essay because it was the simplest to write.

I tried not to stress myself out about this. It's not quantity, its quality from what I assume. I had like 3-4 paragraphs for each one, but then again I had time left over for this section!!

I am in Canada and applying to u of t. It's basically my only choice, because I don't have an university English credit.

futureisnear said:

Just looked at my scores and noticed I received a 5 on the writing section of the PCAT I took in September! How the crap. I have no idea how I did that, but maybe my pointers might work for you.

Basically how I wrote mine out was.

Had a strict introduction, using any information that I knew about the subject. I thought of quotes, things I've read in science and just placed in in there while having a good strong statement of where this essay/writing was going. Also included my reasons for it to flow to the next paragraph.

The next paragraphs included the reason's why. I gave both pro's and con's for the reader could relate to the information. I was not directly specific, but made sure anybody could read my writing and actually understand what I was trying to convince.

Then just had a conclusion paragraph where I stated my statement again in different words, while relating to my reason's why, even giving pro's and cone's. Basically if I didn't fully agree on the material, I went with it on the essay because it was the simplest to write.

I tried not to stress myself out about this. It's not quantity, its quality from what I assume. I had like 3-4 paragraphs for each one, but then again I had time left over for this section!!

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Thank you a lot for the advice. I will try to read more science magazines and remember some useful quote.
I just have a few more questions. What did you mean by pros and cons? Did you just analyzed the solution you provided? English is my second language actually, so I am afraid that my poor grammar and lack of "big" words dragged my mark down. Did you use lots of "big " words in your writing?

I didn't use any big words and got a 5. I think the main thing about the essay is to see if you can quickly think of a solution then argue against it and provide another solution.

That is what I did and I think I'm terrible at writing essays and stuff.I did this for both times I took the PCAT and got the same score.

ohssoccer2 said:

I didn't use any big words and got a 5. I think the main thing about the essay is to see if you can quickly think of a solution then argue against it and provide another solution.

That is what I did and I think I'm terrible at writing essays and stuff.I did this for both times I took the PCAT and got the same score.

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5 seems unreachable to me!!!!
I think I did what you said during the test. I had four paragraphs. one intro, then provide a method, and an alternative method, then conclusion.
The biggest problem I am facing right now is that I don't know how to improve.
Do you have any practice passage you wrote for PCAT writing practice? If you don't mind, can you send one to me?

Pharmgo2012 said:

Thank you a lot for the advice. I will try to read more science magazines and remember some useful quote.
I just have a few more questions. What did you mean by pros and cons? Did you just analyzed the solution you provided? English is my second language actually, so I am afraid that my poor grammar and lack of "big" words dragged my mark down. Did you use lots of "big " words in your writing?

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I'm terrible at explaining this, but was looking online and came up with this -

http://www.a2zessays.com/articles/HowToWriteProsConsEssay.html

Basically when I write my essays, especially the ones I typed up off the top of my head, I just made sure it had a pro/con sense of essay, though I made sure not to do a lot of con's, just named one and how the pro was better either way. So I swayed the reader, but I believe this is partially just my own style of writing and how I do my essays.

Well I have a Bachelors in English Literature. So maybe that did put me at an advantage as I was use to cramming essays down my throat and being on my toes to get essays done in a certain amount of time, but I don't believe I put in a lot of large words, just normal words that I could easily have picked up from everyday conversation/reading textbooks. I do remember I mentioned Pasteur in one. Like I said, I mentioned facts in mine even though it might not directly was asked in the question.

Also, if you don't already know - refrain from using the word 'I' and 'you' even if 'you' is used indirectly. And of course write in past tense, never present. This will help make your essay a lot better/stronger in the long run.

And don't worry. 🙂 I think you're really just over worrying some. You will do wonderfully this time around. 🙂 Tell yourself this!! 😍

Just out of curiosity, why do you need a 3.5??
Doesn't U of T require a 3 for the conventions of language?

Pharmgo2012 said:

5 seems unreachable to me!!!!
I think I did what you said during the test. I had four paragraphs. one intro, then provide a method, and an alternative method, then conclusion.
The biggest problem I am facing right now is that I don't know how to improve.
Do you have any practice passage you wrote for PCAT writing practice? If you don't mind, can you send one to me?

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PCAT change the score system, I just did a percentage calculation.
2.5/5, 3/5=5.5/10=3.3/6
So 3.5 seems a reasonable cut-off score

LOL..okay.
Thanks!

Pharmgo2012 said:

PCAT change the score system, I just did a percentage calculation.
2.5/5, 3/5=5.5/10=3.3/6
So 3.5 seems a reasonable cut-off score

Click to expand...