How the essay is scored
Pearson scores the essay on content, development and structure, form (length), general linguistic range, grammar, vocabulary and spelling. If it's off-topic or under 120 or over 380 words, it scores zero on everything.
A 20-minute plan
| Minutes | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0–3 | Read the prompt twice. Decide your position. Note two reasons and an example for each. |
| 3–17 | Write four paragraphs (below). |
| 17–20 | Check word count, spelling consistency, subject–verb agreement and full stops. |
A four-paragraph structure
- Introduction (40–50 words): rephrase the topic and state your position clearly.
- Body paragraph 1 (70–80 words): first reason, explanation, example.
- Body paragraph 2 (70–80 words): second reason, or the other side and why you still disagree.
- Conclusion (30–40 words): restate your position in new words.
That lands you around 230–260 words, safely inside the range.
Practise now
Choose a topic, set a 20-minute timer and write your essay in the box. The counter shows if you're in the safe range.
- Some people believe that university education should be free for everyone. Others think students should pay for their own studies. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Working from home has become common in many industries. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
- Governments should spend more on public transport than on building new roads. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Social media has done more harm than good to the way people communicate. Discuss.
Tips that make a difference
- Answer the actual question. "Discuss both views" needs both views. "To what extent" needs a clear position.
- Show range, but stay accurate. Use a few complex sentences (Although…, which…), but a correct simple sentence beats a broken complex one.
- Pick one spelling style. Australian or American are both fine, but don't mix them.
- Don't memorise a whole essay template. Pearson checks that responses are original and relevant.