How to improve Writing Sample

[NinjaMed]

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Have you improved on your writing samples? If so, how did you accomplish this arduous task? In what way did you prepare to raise your score on the writing sample? Please take the time now to post some tips that were helpful to you in improving your score so that others on this forum may benefit.

 

[Bauer24]

I used the Kaplan step method (given in detail in the thick Kaplan book).

1. Pre-write first task (1-2 min on brainstorming meaning, defining terms, giving one example, etc)

2. Pre-write second task (1-2 min on brainstorming contradiction)

3. Pre-write last task (1-2 min on finding fundamental difference between two statements, and use this fundamental difference to form the basis of your answer to the "what determines question"

4. Write essay (20 min, you flesh everything out, add your voice/tone, pull other examples as they flow if needed, develop ideas fully)

5. Proofread for grammar and spelling (3-5 min)

I practiced that for 2-3 days and I ended up with a Q on writing.

 

[NinjaMed]

Does anyone have a sample of an R, S, or T essay that they could post here, or could PM me?

 

[J ROD]

Dont worry so much about the writing!!

 

[NinjaMed]

Dont worry so much about the writing!!

Why not?

Where I am applying, for those who don't get at least a Q or an R will be automatically eliminated.

3.92, 13V, 14P, 15B, (hypothetical) and a P, O, or N will disqualify the application, no exception.

 

[da Vincis World]

Do some practice and then don't worry about it....it really doesn't matter that much.

 

[J ROD]

Why not?

Where I am applying, for those who don't get at least a Q or an R will be automatically eliminated.

3.92, 13V, 14P, 15B, (hypothetical) and a P, O, or N will disqualify the application, no exception.

You must be Canadian!! That is the only place it really matters...

 

[Protactinium]

Yep I'm Canadian and it matters. I didn't study for this section or practice but I managed to get an R with really ****ed up topics...The MOST IMPORTANT thing is to address the tasks, if you don't, you're finished. What I did was this:

First paragraph: define the prompt, explain how it is true and provide a specific example, make sure you tie your example into your argument

Second paragraph: explain when the prompt does not hold true and provide a specific example making sure you connect your example to your argument/analysis

Third paragraph: tie in together when and when it doesn't hold true and why, provide yet another example

Another important thing is pacing yourself. 30 minutes is not a whole lot of time. I did 5 minute outlining/planning, 20 minute writing and 5 minutes proofreading. During the 20 minutes, I was very conscientious.

I frankly thought I failed this section since I couldn't come up with concrete examples for the second and the arguments weren't strong, but I made sure I addressed each of the three tasks properly.

 

[Longshanks]

As above posters said, use the Kaplan Method. Its quick and easy, and even if you get stumped on one essay if you have good writing skills you can pull out a Q. But for the Kaplan Method to give you a Q+, you need good examples.. or at least examples which you can explore in the prompt. Just have some broad ideas or concepts, possibly about topics you enjoy or already know much about that can fit into the usual MCAT prompt of business, politics/sociology, technology, or the "X is more important than Y, when is it not?".

Some examples: historical figures, great depression/FDR, civil rights act of 1964, Apple, etc.. things you know well though, not necessarily these. I had some of these que'd up like a rolodex and just pulled out whatever fit the prompt and it got me a Q or R on my exam dates.