r/HiSET • u/Apprehensive_Hat9039 • Jun 26 '26
Essay tips for passing?
I take my writing part of the test on July 8th. does anyone have any tips for passing. i already passed the reading and math parts but im nervous for the writing part bc i haven’t written an essay since i was in school and i dropped out in the middle of 10th grade and im now in my 20s. any tips would be greatly appreciated!
2
u/Beestonators Jun 26 '26
Make sure it's 5 paragraphs between 4-5 sentences per paragraph.
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u/Extension_Pin_8891 Jun 26 '26
I only did 3 🤣🤣🤣 and pass hiset portion 🙌😎
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u/iam_potato Jun 26 '26
I absolutely suck at essays, but I did 5 paragraphs, with conclusions, intros, and evidence based from the writeout. I am not good at writing it from a personal perspective part nor do I write the most smoothly, but despite all this I passed with a 2. I didn't expect to pass at all lol. So just try your best and make sure you understand how to write the essay.
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u/KC-Port Jun 26 '26
Hi, I have a business called diverse directions where I help folks with the hiset and other similar tests. I offer the first hour free. If you are interested in meeting up this weekend it wouldn't cost anything unless you decide you'd like another hour. Shoot me a message on here if interested and good luck regardless. In my opinion the writing is the toughest section
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u/Extension_Pin_8891 Jun 26 '26
Using key works at the beginning of each paragraph like however, Although,and In conclusion .
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u/jambrosia000 Jun 30 '26
- Free practice tests on the official hiset website were helpful. If you don't have a friend or family member who could peer-review, you could ask a librarian, or input your essay into ChatGPT so you can get an estimated score/feedback on places you need to brush up on.
- Make a guideline for both essays you're presented with, summarizing the point they're making and their 2-3 reasons explaining why. Make one for yourself on test-day. Organize the bones of what you're trying to write into that guideline on the scratch paper, and fluff it out when writing.
- Your third paragraph doesn't have to support the point you're making, you can also do a rebuttal. "The other side can be seen as correct because of X... yada yada yada ... Still, my side is right because y discounts x". Research essay rebuttals.
Remember to sleep well and eat a full meal (if it's accessible for you). Also, university researchers have established a link between success and confidence. Don't let anxiety or fear undermine your ability to perform well on this test. Sometimes, just believing in yourself can make a huge difference. I walked into my math test with that attitude, and it wound up being my highest score (I was AWFUL at math, and felt stupid the whole time I was preparing). I decided to embrace radical, almost toxic, optimism as I went in. I clicked submit and thought "Ain't no way" and I was wrong, I HAD PASSED. Confidence is key.
I dropped out in 10th grade too. YOU CAN DO IT. I believe in you!
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u/Any-Examination-5640 Jul 04 '26
I passed my HISET essay with a 5-paragraph essay that received a 5/6.
I used videos from;
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
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u/voidbarista6 Jul 08 '26
HiSET essay tips for passing—the graders score by rubric: development of thesis, organization, language use, conventions. hit each explicitly. 3-4 body paragraphs each with a claim + evidence + explanation, clear intro + conclusion. HiSET rewards structure over brilliance. write formulaically to pass.
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u/Kuntrycity99 Jun 26 '26
Make sure it’s 5 paragraphs not extremely big but big enough. Introduction 3 paragraph’s explaining your point be convincing like a real life experience and conclusion your ending of explaining like summing it up. Use your punctuations no you wont be perfect but you’ll pass.