Question for Those who Nailed the Writing Sample (R,S) on the Real MCAT

[thomasfx10]

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I know many people say the writing sample is not that important, however my VR scores are not outstanding so with that said ...

I have heard conflicting lengths and the number of paragraphs. So I want to know from the peeps that actually nailed the writing section ...

For those that made R or S ... Did you stick with only 3 paragraphs? What was your approx. word count? 500?

For three paragraphs ?? ...

P1: Restate or rephrase the statement ... Give Example

P2: Counter example

P3: Close

Thanks

 

[SeminoleVesicle]

I got an R the first time I took it, and I hadn't even practiced a writing sample prior to attempting. I just heard in my TPR course that...

P1: When is the prompt true?
P2: When is the prompt not true?
P3: How can you tell?

I used the exact phrasing of the prompt in the first sentences of the first two paragraphs. I feel like if my argument had of made more sense, I would have gotten a T. I didn't really plan out a strategy, and more went at it. I think they really want to see that you can nail the form.

 

[thomasfx10]

Thanks for the post ... Congrats on getting into medical school!

 

[SN2ed]

Something to keep in mind, a good WS score will in no way make up for a low VR score.

 

[thomasfx10]

Something to keep in mind, a good WS score will in no way make up for a low VR score.

I know but it could not hurt if I am borderline

 

[SN2ed]

I know but it could not hurt if I am borderline

It does because it draws resources away from your actual problem (VR) without making up for it.

 

[kehlsh]

I know but it could not hurt if I am borderline

why don't u turn that time worrying about WS into actual time doing something to improve VR? 😕

 

[golgiapparatus88]

I got an R. I wrote a buttload and gave a lot of examples. The more the merrier. Try to keep the essay on track and don't make it to convoluted with extra crap. I think my first essay was 3 paragraphs and the second was 4 paragraphs but I don't really remember. On my last practice test AAMC 11, I did the essays to get a feel of the real thing.

FYI, my writing on the essay was better than what I just wrote.

 

[thomasfx10]

why don't u turn that time worrying about WS into actual time doing something to improve VR? 😕

I tried ... I have yet to break 10 ... I have done a lot of practice exams as well ... EK 101, PR, Kaplan ... etc .. I am now about a week out until the real deal ...

 

[raltima07]

I just answered the prompt - nothing special.

 

[touky]

.

 

[Silverfalcon]

I got S as well and followed EK method of using three paragraphs. My examples were narrow in scope but extremely detailed. To be honest, no one cares about Writing (except you are Canadian, but let's not go there for now), and that includes those reading it.

You should write it as to answer the prompts, throw in a lot of details, and make it clear what you believe. Then, it should be pretty easy to do well.

 

[MDminded]

I got a S. I wrote A LOT (granted I type 110 wpm, so I can fit in a lot). My instructor tried to help guide me, because even though I wrote a lot, I used to start swaying off topic and make it a 3-page paper rather than a short essay.

I typically wrote 4-5 paragraphs though. One paragraph to explain terms, another to explain when the statement is TRUE (not required, but I do it so I can make my conclusion stronger), another to explain when false, and conclusion.

I also gave examples that I had from experience and knew a good amount about. I.E. The Apple industry, Lady Gaga, etc.

I took 3-5 minutes to plan, and then I went at it and wrote and wrote and wrote. And I took time to go back and PROOFREAD. Maybe 2 minutes at minimum.

If you need help with structure or examples and stuff, PM me and I can help you some.

Good luck!

 

[flatearth22]

I have to sing the A-B-C song every time just to compare a P to an R or a M to an O and find out which one is better....

Non-Canadian Adcoms don't care about the writing section because they get to see your writing first hand via the personal statement and secondary essays.

Seriously....don't even worry about this section!

 

[salim271]

I think for the whole CBT, the writing is the only portion that I'm happy has to be done on a computer. I've always felt I've typed faster than written.

 

[angleslam08]

I got an S, and I did the opposite of this. I used the TPR method of three short and sweet paragraphs.
1: Thesis. When the statement is true. 1 example.
2: Antithesis. When the statement is false. 1 example.
3: Synthesis. Clear criteria for when the statement is true and when it is false.
I only included one example per paragraph for the first and second paragraphs for a total of two examples. The key is to pick two examples that clearly contrast so you can come up with clear criteria for when the statement is true and when the statement is not true.

Also, the added benefit of this method is that you can write each in 15 minutes and take the other 15 minutes to rest (leave the prompt open and sit there relaxing.)

This X 100.

Just be rigid with your logic and structure so there's no room for misinterpretation. Even make up examples if you can support it as
if true. WS is very easy if your logic is good and focused.

 

[ridethecliche]

I got an S and I didn't follow anyone's formula.

I just made arguments through the essay weighing the pros and con's of the different aspects of the prompt.

One essay was 8 Paras the other was 5 or 6.

Just flesh it out as you go. I never really practiced for the writing section...

 

[nuitsansetoiles]

I got an S, writing about 3-4 solid paragraphs on each essay.

Here was my general organization:
P1: Introduction (What does the prompt mean? Introduce the two opposing ideas briefly.)
P2: An example where I agree with the prompt and why
P3: An example where I disagree with the prompt and why
P4: Conclusion (How do you reconcile the two?)

I also spent ~5 minutes before I started writing to make a brief outline of my essay (basically just list the two examples and a couple of main points about each).

By the way, I barely spent any time preparing for this section. I was planning on just winging it after I practiced writing two essays a couple days before the test. So, you can do it!

 

[NickNaylor]

I would use a separate fourth paragraph as an intro if you can, but I think the standard three paragraph format is fine.

 

[ridethecliche]

Content>Layout.

Just separate ideas into paragraphs.

This is not rocket science. This section is a 1 hr break DURING the exam. Don't sweat it.

 

[whatsupdoc49]

This is not helpful, but I just wanted to say that I used the same method as touky's, wrote some DAMN good essays, and got a freaking M! I am an English major with a concentration in writing and therefore write upwards of two to three papers a week. I rarely earn below and A on my papers, and I was proud of my MCAT essays. I was convinced I received someone else's score for a couple days.

Does anyone know exactly how the essays are graded? I know there is a human and a computer grader, and that the essays are scored numerically and then the score is converted to the letter grade, but does anyone know anything more than that?

 

[thumbz]

I got a T, wrote 5 paragraph essays. These are like the position papers us Canadians had to write in highschool, and I'm sure you guys have experience with them too.

Intro - lay out what the other 3 paragraphs will say and state your thesis
2. Why I agree with one example
3. Why I agree further, with another, totally different example.
4. An example showing the weakness of my argument, but then explain how you can improve your argument to circumvent this. It's like being in a debate.
5. Conclusion. Restate what you just wrote, end with a general, unifying statement for your paper.

Throw in some ; and : and you'll be golden. Don't use contractions (Do not use contractions =P)