One of the most difficult parts of the CAHSEE exam, according to students, is the written section. With multiple choice questions, regardless of how hard the question is, you will still always have the correct answer in front of you. The written section, however, requires you to rely on a wide array of knowledge to produce a textual answer to a provided topic.
The first step is to organize your thoughts carefully. Take a few minutes to think about what the exam is asking for with regards to the subject or topic of the passage. Get a general idea in your head of the direction you want your response to take.
Write a brief outline breaking down key sections of the writing assignment. Make sure to note any key points you need to cover. Use the outline to create the framework for the writing assignment, with each key point being the central idea for each paragraph. Make sure each key point ties into the overall theme.
Once you have finished, take the time you have remaining to review your work. Take the time to proofread the submission at least twice. The first proofreading should be focused strictly on punctuation, ensuring you have followed all of the rules correctly. This will also allow you to focus on the more technical points of the assignment and take a step back from the verbal aspect.
The second proofreading should be done to ensure the submission makes sense and has the proper flow to it. Take note of sentence structure and meaning to ensure the submission is conveying the ideas that you wanted to get across. By taking the time to check the punctuation first, the passage will seem slightly fresher when you re-read it for clarity.
Above all, make sure your writing is neat and easy to read.
