What is the Proctored Writing Sample, and why do U.S. private schools require it?

The Proctored Writing Sample is a timed, supervised online essay that gives U.S. private schools a raw, unfiltered look at how your child writes under real-world conditions—no parent input, spellcheckers, or second drafts. It’s typically administered via Zoom and lasts 30 minutes, with prompts that test your child’s ability to organize thoughts, express ideas, and write persuasively on the spot. It’s often used by competitive schools such as The Nueva School and Castilleja, and is usually facilitated through platforms like Test Innovators.

For Swiss students in academic programs like the Matura, IB, or bilingual curricula, this format may feel unfamiliar. After all, it’s a different challenge than essays developed over weeks with teacher feedback. But that’s exactly the point. U.S. schools use it to level the playing field and assess how students really think and communicate. A strong performance here can reinforce your child’s writing ability and significantly boost their application, especially if it supports what they’ve shown in personal statements and recommendations.