Strategy
Session
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Topic: Writing
the Essays
Strategy
Used: 5-Minute Outline
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MCAT Writing Sample questions ask you to fulfill three tasks
based on a stimulus. The stimulus may be an opinion, widely
shared belief, a philosophical dictum, or an assertion. One of
the critical traps that many test takers fall into is using the
essay as a platform from which to express their opinions on the
topic. They emote, lecture, or try to convince.
However, that's not what the Writing Sample is asking. The
graders are primarily judging your essays based on whether or not
they fulfill the three tasks asked for in the stimulus. They are
looking for your ability to think critically—not emotionally.
And, they don't really care about your personal opinions on the
topic at hand.
A helpful strategy to avoid this trap is to spend 5 minutes
outlining your essay before you start writing. Ask yourself
questions about the stimulus and think of one or more supporting
examples. This prewriting will help you organize your
thoughts and allow you to see clearly whether or not you are
effectively addressing each task. Then you can move forward with
writing your essay, using your outline as a structural
blueprint.
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