Couple Questions about the Writing Section

[osumc2014]

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1) Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe theres a upper or lower limit to the number of words allowed to be used in the WS, but does anyone know on average how many words the essays should have? I know it should convey all that I want to on the statement but just wondering if there's a general word limit I'm working at(ie~250 words)/

2) Also, if I am stuck on coming up with an example on a subject, am I allowed to just make one up that is logical without getting points taken off?

Thanks!

 

[not respect]

If you want a higher score you should aim for more than 500 words. For examples I think it would probably be better just to think of something.

 

[futuredoctor10]

Is there a word count on the real thing? Just wondering, if not I guess just know approximately what 500 words is, and try to reach that? [I have never heard this cutoff of sorts, or that you should definitely try to hit 500 words for a better score!]

Also I read in SDN that someone called AAMC and they said hypothetical, madeup examples on the WS section is fine because they do not fact check for accuracy every example a student writes about. The post said that the AAMC rep said as long as your made-up example does not contradict a commonly known fact (ex: JFK is alive) you will be fine.

 

[mcant]

Kaplan told me the following:

1) You're not graded on the quality of your examples, but how well you use them (ie: I related driving on the right side of the road to maintaining order in a country and Kaplan said it was great).

2) Grammar is no big deal so long as it doesn't take away from your overall message.

3) There is no length requirement - don't write for the sake of writing.

4) If you fulfill all the requirements, you automatically score a 4.


I followed these instructions to a "T" (no pun intended) and ended up with an O. So I would throw everything Kaplan tells you out the window (except how to work with the requirements of the essay) and actually write a proper essay. Before the MCAT I had never scored less than an A on any essay.

 

[Enta Habiby]

There is no length requirement for writing an essay. It's more important that your essays follow the directions, are free from spelling and grammatical errors, and make a logical argument. For one of my essays I wrote a short dialogue! = "R" 👍

 

[EricH]

TPR trained us to write a 3 paragraph essay; thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. We were told to use concrete, but relavant examples. Word count was never mentioned...mine were around 500 words. I used a quote in one, as a starter. In addition we were trained to look for the deeper dichotomy in the synthesis paragraph. For example, one of my prompts was regarding a citizen's obligation to go to war for their country, and I argued that the morality was dependent on the nature of the war being offensive vs. defensive.

That was my approach and I got a Q

 

[unsung]

I don't know about those Kaplan rules man... ime, LENGTH MATTERS. Also, GRAMMAR MATTERS. For one thing, one of the graders is going to be the computer program, and if it's not in some way evaluating based on length, grammar, and vocab, then I've got no clue what it is they could be evaluating.

That said, don't just ramble on and on with no point. Definitely have clear points, clear examples, and EXPLAIN how your examples prove your point. If you can do all that AND write in an articulate, long-winded style, then I think you'll do well 😉.

For what it's worth, I followed TPR's TAS framework (thesis, antithesis, synthesis), wrote in my usual verbose style, and I got a T.

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

I followed the Kaplan method & got two Ss on actual MCATs. I tried to be accurate for spelling on words in general; nothing too crazy, but definitely I double checked the spelling of the full essay once. Not sure of my typing speed, but around 60 or so wpm I think. Spent maybe 4 minutes developing ideas, the rest of the time was spent typing and correcting/clarifying ideas.

What I used from the Kaplan essay was the general idea - 3 paragraphs, mine were of similar length, explaining 1) what the idea/phrase meant to me by breaking each word and phrase within the question down 2) counterexample, when the phrase was wrong and 3) tie it together succinctly.

I threw in some funky examples that I was very familiar with, and gave plenty of detail on these examples to make dang sure it was clear why I was using them. Also, I have a broad vocabulary and used it as fully as I posssibly could (managed to fit the words "whet" and "sated" in one essay)