This is a guest blog post by TeachStreet writer and tutor Leah Kaminsky. Hey guys! Quick pop quiz. Should your college essay: a) Be a checklist of accomplishments b) Repeatedly state why you are a good applicant for any college c) Discuss activities that you think look good, but you’re not so excited...

Added to the GRE in 2002 the analytical writing portion demands that test takers be able to do more than choose correct answers they must also be able to articulate your own ideas and arguments in a coherent way. The analytical writing section has two separately timed short essays. “Present Your Perspective...

Even though the graduate school essay is relatively short in comparison to other papers in college, it is often the most frustrating and difficult item in an application. I asked my friend Maran, a test prep consultant, to weigh in on the issue with some pointers she doles out to her students. The essays...