Essay length

Jamieakamusekid · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:11 pm Post subject: Essay length

Hi everyone,

I have been reading up a lot on the GAMSAT but can't seem to find any information on the length of each essay. Is there any kind of limit the markers are looking for or are there no restrictions? (within reason).

Just curious, thanks!

129west81st · Regular Joined: 15 Oct 2009 Posts: 27

From what I have gathered, there are no restrictions but obviously time is the enemy. The key is quality over quantity, so three paragraphs of concise structured argument will score better than three pages of scrambled thoughts.

prepgenie · Grizzled Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 113

rhiansung14 · Rookie Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 2

I think there is no standard length of essay on GAMSAT. Unless, you are given a limit or minimum length on your essay, then you should follow that rule. No matter how short or how long your essay is, what matters most is the content.

prepgenie · Grizzled Joined: 08 Dec 2008 Posts: 113

Hi,

Yes, as the others have been saying, quality of content matters way more than quantity, so instead of focusing on the length, it would be better to pay some more attention to what you write and how you write. the thoughts should be organized and well reproduced. Well, that does not mean that you can get away with a teeny weeny essay, so its best to practice and learn to balance between length and style.

All the best!

Cool

eisoj · Regular Joined: 27 Jul 2010 Posts: 14

i have a copy of some Des O'neill sample essays, they're short. Only a few paragraphs. I'd estimate 500 words tops.

selke01 · Regular Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 20

I did pretty well in the essay section (got a 7 Cool

and my essays were less than a page long. Each essay had 5 paragraphs: intro, body, body, body, conclusion.

PM me if you want me to send you a sample of the essay I wrote for gamsat

hideandseek · Regular Joined: 19 Dec 2010 Posts: 21

There are no word limits, but don't waffle on because that won't win any marks in regards to a "thoughtful prose". Best to keep it short, interesting and punchy but well supported (I feel the latter is the key!)

You can risk going to short, I think one page of handwriting is cutting it really too fine. You need a developed intro, 2-3 paragraphs in between and a conclusion. Each will have a couple of sentences - i don't know how that can fit into one page unless your handwriting is really small and close together. That being said, everyone is different, its not about being short or long but about quality. Maybe look at doing a preparation course if you are unsure. Mine were probably always 2 pgs to 2 and a quarter handwritten...which is about 3/4 of a typed page. However, 30 minutes isn't long! In there you won't be worrying about length at all - you'll be stressing on what examples you'll use to support your ideas and then whether you'll have it written on the paper in time.

The pages in the gamsat booklet themselves aren't like a regular foolscap page where there might be 25 lines to a page or so. The lines have probably a height of over 1 cm to 1.5cms. I think from memory there are 3-4 lined pages (can anyone else clarify - March was a long time ago!!). MAKE SURE THAT YOU ONLY WRITE ON LINED PAGES!!!
There is a blank page at the front of the book for your notes and ideas (you dont have to give any notes - they're not marked), make sure that when you start writing your essay it is on the lined pages.

There is one booklet per essay in the test, and like I said, only a couple of pages to fit your essay on. You aren't allowed extra booklets.

ashtool · Regular Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Sydney CBD

the booklet provided for writing is, from memory, 8 pages.

i filled up 4 pages for each essay last year. i got 80/100 for section II, but did hopelessly in the other two sections...

Wink

Liladoll · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:57 am Post subject:

Same, I sat it last year and filled both booklets just to last page. My practice essays take up about 3 pages refill paper if that helps (but my writing is big and scrawly). I don't think they necesarily have to be long, provided you cover the points completely.