How is the Proctored Writing Sample different from regular school essays?

You know those school essays where students have a week to write, revise, peer-review, and decorate the margins with flair pens? This isn’t that. The Proctored Writing Sample is a cold start, high-stakes, one-shot piece of writing—usually done in 30 minutes, often over Zoom, and always under pressure.

The goal? See how well your student writes in real time without Google, Grammarly, or a parent leaning in with grammar tips. Schools want to evaluate authentic voice, structure, and the ability to think critically fast. In a city like Los Angeles, where admissions are hypercompetitive and personal statements are practically co-authored by literary consultants, this writing sample is one of the only chances a school has to hear from the student, unfiltered.

So no, it’s not just “another essay.” It’s a stress test for writing—and we help students walk in ready to impress, not panic.