Section II - Essay query test B

[andyx]

Being a complete idiot, I only just realised today (by reading through old posts) that a different style is expected in the two different parts of the essay section.

Writing test A seems to be a "normal" factual based essay, where you take a quote, discuss both sides of the argument, and then summarise by coming down on one side or the other. It seems ok (ish) if so.

Writing test B is the bit that scares me. This is the "personal" one. Does this mean it should be a non-factual, all about experiences essay, like the personal statement of the UCAS form? Has anyone got any hints on the structure of this one?

Lots of threads also suggest you have your essay plan made out before you even sit the exam. Could anyone say what the common topics are then please?

Thank you for reading this far (and thanks millions for any help, I'm really starting to panic, and that's even before we discuss the science section of the exam - and I'm supposedly a scientist...)

[ciderfinder]

Andyx,

The part B essay is not too disimilar to the 'classic' one you mention. The main difference is that it requires a more personal response. You should make an argument then extend that argument/idea with the next couple of paragraphs then conclude. You will be covering topics like religion, abortion, ethics, equality, the family or cynicism. These are just examples they could be anything. You only get five minutes perusal time for the second section btw.

[andyx]

Thanks very much Ciderfinder! It still scares me a bit though... I'm not so good with the open-ended nature of it. The practice essay I tried was about friends and friendship (and loosely family), and found it wasn't really something I could argue about, so it ended up being a loose waffly comment which I wasn't proud of.

Thanks for the help. Good luck if you're sitting GAMSAT btw!

[Foweyked]

Andyx

I totally understand how you're feeling! I just took my practice exam the other day, and completely panicked on the second essay.

The problem i have, and the by the sounds of it we're both having is that the more personal themes of essay 2 to are hard if not impossible to create a "standard" essay for. I've been using the model of: Find theme, figure out 2 sides of the argument, pick one side, choose some examples to back it up with, conclude.
But i've found with the second essay that the theme often doesn't have a two sided argument! It's easy to find an argument for the benefits of technology, or the taxation system, but for the more personal themes i'm having issues! For example: Humor/ laughter, Friends/Famiy etc. I'm struggling to know where to being when responding to these types of themes.

Has anyone out there got a formula or structure they use that works for both essays??!