Study Prof

Yes, you read right.  You can actually love essay tests.  For most of us, essay tests rank right up there with colonoscopies and tax audits, but read on, and you’ll find out why essay tests are actually the best kind!

Please don’t jeer or throw things, but I’ve always preferred essay tests.  I think it goes back to my freshman year in high school when Coach Davis, my history teacher, gave us an essay question that was something like, “What factors contributed to the victor’s triumph in the 1858 senate race between Abraham Lincoln and Steven Douglas?”

My first thought on reading this question was, “Kuhhrap!  That Lincoln guy sounds real familiar, but who was Douglas?  Was I even here that day?” My ignorance was so complete that I didn’t even know who won the election, much less why.  (And you wonder why study skills are a concern of mine.)  However, by carefully wording my sentences–The victor, by mustering more of the popular vote and speaking to the people in terms they found compelling, was able to clinch an otherwise very loseable race–and avoiding the gaping holes in my knowledge, I was able to get full credit!  “Kewwwl,” thought I.  From then on essays were my friends.

Obviously, such patent BSing is not always effective, nor–fortunately–is it usually necessary.  But in general, essay questions don’t pin you down as much as multiple choice or short answer type questions.  Perfect knowledge of the topic is not vital! Essays free you up to show what you know and artfully avoid the holes in your knowledge (while implying that you don’t have any such holes).  Bonus: Most of us are already experts at this type of … errr … artful response.  Think about how you might answer such a commonplace question as “How do you like my new haircut?”  You know how to answer without revealing what you really think.  So love those essays!  They provide you with some oft-needed wiggle room.

You can also get better at acing your essays by following a few easy-to-use techniques that will save you time and keep you from giving away points.  Here’s how …Please log in or sign up to read the rest of this content. Find out more.

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