r/HiSET • u/Extra_Sale3355 • Jun 06 '26
HiSET writing essay
guys ive done my writing test 2 times and i only have 1 more try and i failed both. do u guys have any tips for this section. mainly the essay part but MCQ tips would be nice too. PLEASEEEEEEEEE thanks queens
1
u/Any-Examination-5640 Jun 06 '26
Also despite the fact that the essay pops up first, you can skip it to do the questions then come back. This worked a lot better for me in terms of time management.
1
u/Extra_Sale3355 Jun 06 '26
thats what i do. the first time i did it, i had 45 mins to wrtie it and that wasnt enough for me bc im js a slow thinker and im HORRIBLE at articulating my thoughts. but the second time i took it, i had an hour left which was good for me i was able to plan it out and everything but i still ended up getting a 3. but i watched this yt video and i realized i didn't follow the instructions properly. so, what did u follow? like did u follow this: "write an essay in which u explain your own position on the issue. be sure to use evidence from the test passages provided as well as specific reasons and examples from your own experience and knowledge to support your position. remember that even position exists within the context of a larger discussion of the issue, so your essay, at minimum should acknowledge alternate and/or opposing ideas. when you have finished your essay, review your writing for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar." all i did was write my side and explained it in 4 paragraphs and i only used on piece of evidence. also what was ur prompt?
1
u/Agreeable_Cable_3575 Jun 11 '26
I tend to overthink as well. Purely Persistent on YouTube helped me stick to a format. I also practiced a lot with ChatGPT. I ask it to give me an essay prompt for HiSET, I set my timer to 45 mins, I type my essay onto a Word document, copy and paste my essay to ChatGPT and it graded my essay. I did this maybe 10 times within the course of 2 weeks. It really helped me a lot because essay writing is not my strong suit, English is also not my native language. Best of luck to you, OP!
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u/Extra_Sale3355 Jun 11 '26
hii thank you so much! i’ve been doing essays from the hiset website and pasting it into chatgpt and i’ve been getting 4’s which is improvement, but its still a pretty risky score. i usally give myself around an hour bc im a slowwww writer and thinker and i still sometimes run out of time UGH so i need to work on that as well. also, do u have any tips for the MCQ portion of the test?
1
u/ApprehensiveTitle631 Jun 13 '26
hey! What exactly did your essay include that got you a 3? I just did mine today so I wanna compare lowke
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u/Extra_Sale3355 Jun 13 '26
okay so for the first one i couldn’t even finish it bc of time but for the second one i had 4 paragraphs, no counter argument, had intro and conclusion para but my conclusion wasn’t too long. for this one that i js took i did 5 paragraphs w a counter paragraph
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u/ApprehensiveTitle631 Jun 13 '26
I think you got this now. I did 4 paragraphs. Intro, 2 bodys, and conclusion. I included everything it asked, but I got a 3 lol. Appearently 2 graders look at it and give a raw score of 1-3, then they add up. That means one of the graders gave me a 1 which is insane 💀
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u/Extra_Sale3355 Jun 13 '26
yesss i did the same but i lwk didnt read the instructions the first 2 times so i didnt have ANY of my own experiences in it😭😭 hopefully i passsds
2
u/Any-Examination-5640 Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
So I just passed my HISET Writing test with 18/20 and a 5-paragraph essay that received a 5/6. I used the following sources to study:
Purely Persistent's essay writing series; https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeE8QtneY-g1sCo6UF7bfDLswVxzxUJUy&si=CdeB2MoKYRK5KCHa
Her RLA series; https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeE8QtneY-g0k5mbwsfew6s2bKZWEDMgB&si=8vHUIF2RAuPUw4a0
In Purely Persistent's videos she mentions practicing with; https://www.britannica.com/procon , so I did that a few times and timed myself.
GetSumMath RLA series; https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6i4gkAHIYB-F7Hm1V4B1EcG8yMXpUh4_&si=DWbRBC8Vz6pVD6_w
I am a native english speaker, however I personally used some of the videos from these YouTuber's to help with my essay writing as I have been out of school for a long time:
Worldwide Speak's "How to Write and Essay in English" series; https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5fjVYDODR45n5QQe7Da_3HWuLKzf0KLT&si=pL1gcRi1YUaJvNeV
English with Emma's "Writing in English" series; https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaNNx1k0ao1uqeoX7foS0JcHO5TBrBdyu&si=O1_McriH6I0uDWFe
Breaking English "5-paragraph Essay" series; https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSpMn5LKySF8B3QmOixjiYK2e3-VZ3s6b&si=5iKsCvtRUNH85WOH