What kinds of prompts should my child expect on the writing sample?

Writing sample prompts are like surprise guests at a dinner party—you never know who’s showing up. One day it’s a personal reflection, the next it’s a current events question or a wild creative story setup. That’s why we prep Seattle students for every prompt type: personal experience, ethical dilemmas, global issues, and fictional narratives.

We run drills that cover a variety of structures, so your child isn’t thrown off when the topic veers from social media to secret powers. The good news? Every prompt gives students a chance to show their thinking, voice, and composure. The better news? With the right training, they can respond with clarity and confidence no matter what lands in front of them.

At Cardinal Education, we don’t just practice writing—we practice writing like it counts. Because when you only get one shot at impressing admissions officers, you don’t want to be brainstorming when you should be typing.