Almost every state exam requires an essay. Writing an essay can be very difficult for some. There are simple steps to help with essay writing. However, the best way to write an essay that passes the test is to practice, practice, practice. By practice I mean several things. Anything worth having doesn't come easy. This applies to education as much as anything else in life. To enroll in college courses, you need to be able to write a decent essay. To write a decent essay, you need to practice. To practice writing you need to read. Reading and writing depend on each other. To be an effective writer, you also have to write. Reading is the best way to be prepared for any topic that might be covered in an essay. You don't know what topic will be given on a test, so there is no way to "study" it in advance. However, if you read a variety of materials, you will be prepared to write on virtually any topic. Read the newspaper, read instruction manuals, read food labels, read clothing labels. Everything written above, READ IT!! This will help you prepare to respond to an unfamiliar topic. You don't need to be an expert on a given topic, but you may need to be somewhat knowledgeable about current events and be able to understand the expectations of your assigned topic. To become a better writer, you need to practice writing. Writing is not a skill that develops out of thin air. It's a skill that takes practice. When you read things, practice taking notes on them. Think about what the author is trying to convey. Create alternate versions. Write your opinion on the article, the manual, the food, the clothing, whatever article you are reading. Write letters to your friends or family. You don't need to send them letters unless you want input from them. Practice writing with pen and pencil. Many essays require pencil. Practice typing on a computer. Have someone look at your writing and give you ideas. There are proofreading services that offer discounts to students. Now let's move on to the actual process of writing an essay.