Writing Sample Prep for Students Applying to LA’s Top Private Schools

The Proctored Writing Sample is possibly the most overlooked hero of the private school application. It’s not an essay contest or a spelling bee, and no, ChatGPT can’t help your child during it (sorry, not allowed). It’s a timed writing task administered online or in person, designed to test how well students think, organize, and write under pressure.

And in LA, where schools like Harvard-Westlake, Marlborough, and Brentwood aren’t exactly handing out acceptance letters like free tote bags, this piece of writing can tip the scales.

Many top schools use this sample to see the real, unedited voice of the student, not the polished version written with five rounds of parent edits and a thesaurus. Schools want to know: Can your child write clearly? Stay focused? Communicate an idea without melting into a puddle of commas and clichés? That’s why we treat this sample seriously. And yes, so should you.

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.

Top-tier private schools either require a Proctored Writing Sample or collect timed writing through interviews or campus visits. Harvard-Westlake, Brentwood, Marlborough, Archer School for Girls, and Windward School are just a few that want to see how your child writes in the moment.

Some schools use platforms like Test Innovators to host the sample. Others go old-school and ask for a writing exercise during a visit or interview day—surprise! Regardless of how it’s delivered, what they’re really testing is writing fluency, clarity, and composure under time limits.

That’s where we come in. We prep students for every format: typed, timed, and even the “you’ll write this in-person while we watch you” scenario. Basically, if a school wants to see how your child writes when the clock is ticking, we’ll make sure they’re ready.

Most kids freeze when the screen says, “You have 30 minutes remaining.” That’s where we shine. At Cardinal Education, we don’t just review grammar rules and teach paragraph structure (though yes, we do that too). We show Los Angeles students how to think fast, write smart, and sound like their best, most compelling selves—even under pressure.

Our tutors are pros at breaking down prompts, organizing ideas on the fly, and building writing habits that stick. We simulate real-time writing sessions, provide detailed feedback, and use scoring rubrics that mirror what private school admissions readers actually use. Plus, we know how to tailor writing prep for students from schools like Crossroads, Windward, Oakwood, and more, so we meet your child where they are.

The result? No deer-in-the-headlights moment on test day. Just calm, clear writing that makes a real impression.