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do want to take at least 10% of the time for this phase, because spending too little time planning is just as dangerous as using too much time: you don't want to create a poor argument or develop new points or perspectives after you've written half of the assignment.

You also need to practice writing full essays because you also need to be comfortable crafting sentences and paragraphs under pressure. While the best essays will have creative or enticing opening statements, it is more import to develop an opening paragraph that sets up the answer to the question posed by the writing prompt (the thesis) and then briefly introduces the supporting arguments that will be discussed in the body of the piece. The reviewer will appreciate creativity, unique perspectives, and a professional introduction, but neglecting to clearly present the basis for your essay in the opening paragraph will significantly hurt your final score.

Focus on starting each paragraph with a major argument from your thesis statement and then expounding on it with at least two pieces of evidence or additional detail. Focus on getting the facts onto paper, and you can improve your transitions and smooth out the flow while proofreading. Check the clock after writing each paragraph, to budget your time better and ensure that you will not run out of time before finishing a complete essay.

Your concluding paragraph can typically be as short as two sentences and still meet all of the requirements, but a weak conclusion can leave your reviewer with a poor final impression, so it is imperative that you give the end of your essay just as much regard as you did to the rest. So, practice restating your thesis and tying in the evidence you provided to make a strong final argument.

Practice proofreading your work. Your biggest concerns should be creating transitions between sections, editing sentences for clarity, and cleaning up major grammatical and spelling errors. Glaring mistakes should be fixed first, and finding minor spelling errors should become your lowest priority. You always need to leave at least 10% of your time for proofreading, because poorly crafted sentences weaken your arguments and create confusion.

While it may seem silly to spend so much time practicing the mechanics of test-taking, developing familiarity with the writing format of a timed essay will allow you to focus on the content of your essay and produce a quality product, even under the pressure of the clock.

Learn more about this author, Jody Barnes.
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