The Explain Section Does Not Have to Be the Longest

Everyone assumes the first points are short and the explanation is long. Look at a real high-scoring answer and that is simply not what happens.

September 7, 20263 min read

A Part 2 prompt always carries several bullet points, the points in the task. Your job is to cover them.

Look at a real answer

For a prompt about a healthy habit, the transcript of a strong answer breaks down like this:

What the habit is. About three sentences. It is yoga, how they started, why they liked it.

The benefits. This is the longest section: more energetic, more focused during the day, positive impact on my mood, manage stress better, change the mindset for the day. Then another effect with two more.

Why they want to keep it. Very short: simple, inexpensive, highly rewarding. Three adjectives.

The surprise

Almost everyone is taught that the opening points (what, how) are short and the explanation must be long.

In this answer that is simply not the case. The reason for keeping the habit fits into three adjectives.

The real principle

What matters is that the answer is balanced. Where you have plenty to say, say it. Where you have less, keep it short.

No rule requires the explanation to be the longest part. What is required is that you do explain, that you extend beyond the bare point, not what proportion of the answer it occupies.

How to use this

Take your own recorded answer and ask:

  • Did I explain, or did I only list?
  • Which point did I underdo?
  • Which point did I overdo?
  • If I rebalanced it, what would I cut?