READ all the directions and questions first! Note the number of questions, the points for each question, the range of difficulty and the time available. Write any answers that come to your mind immediately. Write down any other key information that you don't want to forget.

ANALYZE the test question and divide it into its main parts and sub-parts. From the parts, you should quickly make an outline of what you will write about.

Read the instructional words included in the question carefully. For example, "Compare and contrast the culture of your country with the culture of a different country." If the DIRECTIONS say to compare and contrast, then your answer must be a comparison essay.

Make an OUTLINE, as a "map" to answer the essay question. If you don't have time to finish the whole test, this outline may give you some points. More importantly, the outline helps you to stay focused.

Make your answer as SPECIFIC as possible. If you know the answer, write only what you are asked. Avoid generalities and always try to give specific examples.

Use part of the test question sentence in your test answer at the beginning of the paragraph. This tells the reader that you are answering this part of the essay here. This will earn you points. Include a topic statement at the beginning and a conclusion paragraph at the end.

REVIEW your answers. Your essay is written in a hurry and with a deadline but it is scored under much more relaxed conditions. Give yourself enough time at the end of the test to check for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, omitted words, incorrect dates and so on. This is when you will be glad you wrote in pencil or erasable ink.

Source: http://cybertip.net/R/A18.htm

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