Essay Section on the PCAT

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sashagrl259

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What are some of the essay prompts on the PCAT?

Does the essay section get it's own score or is it combined with another section?

What does a good essay consist of?
 
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No one can tell you the prompts because you are not allowed to repeat any of the questions on the PCAT. They consist of some sort of social problem that you are to offer a solution for.

The essay gets its own score that is not included in the composite. You get scored on two things that I can't remember right now, but its probably on the Harcourt website or somewhere on here.

Any PCAT review book has basically what they are looking for. Mostly you just want to follow the directions exactly and really practice to do something in 30 minutes. Thinking and writing in 30 minutes is hard without practice.
 
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IMO, the writing prompts were somehow related to current events or persistent problems facing society. Be socially aware of what is going on around you. Watch the evening news once in a while. If you think a particular situation poses a problem to the community try thinking about how you would solve the problem. Also, ask yourself how you would support your solutions (name at least 3). You can do this anytime...while driving, walking the dog, etc. You may also choose to practice writing down an essay but my main point is this little exercise will help improve your critical thinking skills.
🙂
 
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Ethyl Methyl said:
IMO, the writing prompts were somehow related to current events or persistent problems facing society. Be socially aware of what is going on around you. Watch the evening news once in a while. If you think a particular situation poses a problem to the community try thinking about how you would solve the problem. Also, ask yourself how you would support your solutions (name at least 3). You can do this anytime...while driving, walking the dog, etc. You may also choose to practice writing down an essay but my main point is this little exercise will help improve your critical thinking skills.
🙂
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Exactly. You don't need to know the prompts of the past (besides that it's disallowed to repeat any intellectual material that is property of the PCAT). It is more important to have a technique which could help you answer any prompt. You're going about it the wrong way if it is not the critical thinking that is your main concern. Only that could keep you proactive and able to tackle any future assignment, rather than only reactive to the past.
 
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