Length of Writing Sample

[obgyny]

---

Members do not see this ad.

does anybody know how long each writing sample has to be? (like 500, 1000 words??)

 

[EndSong]

It's probably closer to around 1000 to 1500. Depends on how well you address the three tasks.

 

[OwnageMobile]

I wrote about 2 pages but TPR told us that 3 was what we should shoot for. I got a P.

 

[maple_us]

was that 2 paragraphs or pages

 

[QofQuimica]

There is no length limit. Focus your efforts on completing the three tasks and making your essay unified, and don't worry about the length of the essay. It's better to have a short essay that follows instructions than a long essay that is nothing but digressions.

 

[Peterock]

I wrote about 2 pages but TPR told us that 3 was what we should shoot for. I got a P.

I agree with QofQ, follow the directions first and foremost and make sure your writing follows the prompt. Depending on teh size of your writing, you should try to write at least 1.75+pages according to TPR, but anything over 2.25+pages is good. The longer the essay, the higher the score, this is true for the SAT, MCAT, LSAT, etc.

 

[Valency]

i have a quick question, can't seem to find the answer on this board: are we supposed to double-space the essays? or is it single-space only? thanx

 

[Peterock]

i have a quick question, can't seem to find the answer on this board: are we supposed to double-space the essays? or is it single-space only? thanx

Just write legibly. I have the handwriting of a 5-year-old and while it would help me to write double spaced... I write far too much to do that and it looks rather cheesy when you do.

 

[Lindyhopper]

. . . The longer the essay, the higher the score, this is true for the SAT, MCAT, LSAT, etc.

Although, I don't have any first hand knowledge about how these things are graded, I remember an article from few months ago when the essay was added to the SAT. They interviewed an MIT prof, who analysized the grading. He concluded that length & grade were so highly correlated
that "they might as well grade them by weight."
Now I think one must address the tasks, but . .

 

[hillbelly]

If you address the tasks, length will undoubtedly take care of itself. Once you have strong arguments, your problem will most likely be learning how to be succinct in your demonstration.

 

[lorelei]

Like Q says - focus on addressing the tasks. For one thing, everyone's handwriting is so different that it's impossible to judge by pages. Address the tasks in three decent-length paragraphs and you'll be fine.

Anecdotally, I got an R and wrote about two pages for each - I have average or slightly smaller handwriting, I think.

 

[obgyny]

Like Q says - focus on addressing the tasks. For one thing, everyone's handwriting is so different that it's impossible to judge by pages. Address the tasks in three decent-length paragraphs and you'll be fine.

Anecdotally, I got an R and wrote about two pages for each - I have average or slightly smaller handwriting, I think.

thanks. what do P and R stand for?