Pre for PCAT essay?

[clampjia]

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I'm taking PCAT 1st time in Jan, 2009 and I have no idea how to start preaparing essay sections...I read that there are 2 problem solving essays and one is not marked if I understand correctly??

What kind of topics would they give on the essay part and how should i prepare for it?? Are the topic more related to current issues and something easy to take about even if I have no idea about the topic? I don't really read newspaper or watch news that much...><

I'm really bad at English...and really scared for the verbal and essay parts. Any help would be great!😍

 

[AngelaCL]

Don't worry about the essays - I've never heard of a school that cares about them. I always just tried to have an intro paragraph, maybe 3 paragraphs in the body covering various points, and a quick wrap-up paragraph. Double check for spelling and grammar and you'll be fine.

 

[xsmail321]

Does anybody know how long the PCAT essay is. I saw on the barrons that you have 30 minutes per essay. do you know how this works? how much space? do you get scrap!?

 

[thephoenician88]

you get about 4 pages with lines on them. no scrap paper. you have 30 mins to read the line, think about it, and write your solution or w/e.

 

[Scikotic]

Actually you do get a page for creating an outline or what have you...I utilized an outline and found it helpful actually (surprisingly)... then 4 pages with lines on them, for mine (October 08) we had 30min and it was the easiest section of the entire test, and I hate writing/reading. Just write, write, write, and try to use your knowledge from school/readings if you can. You should complete about 2 pages.

Overall it's only 5 points of your total composite, and I havent heard of anyone getting less than a 3 on it, as long as you write something legible with proper english/grammer (for example a sentence ends with a period, etc. duh) you will be fine... focus on the other sections honestly, not essay. Hope this helps, I will be retaking in Jan. 09 woohoo!

 

[nonzerosum]

how long should the essays be to receive a good grade? What would be considered too long and will they deduct marks for "inappropriate" length?

thanks