The two Praxis Core writing essays — how to nail both

Two essays. Two different skills. One test.

The Praxis Core Writing test (5723) trips up more candidates than the Reading or Math sections — and the most common reason is this: people prepare for “the essay” as if it’s one thing. It isn’t.

The Writing test runs for 100 minutes and is divided into two sections. The first 40 minutes cover a selected-response section (editing, usage, sentence correction). Then comes the essay section: two essays, each with a 30-minute time limit, each requiring a fundamentally different approach.

Understanding the difference between these two essay types — and practicing both — is the single most important thing you can do to prepare for this test.

Section 1: Selected-response (40 minutes)

Before you get to the essays, you’ll work through 40 selected-response questions in 40 minutes. These cover:

• Usage: Grammar, mechanics, and standard English conventions
• Sentence correction: Identifying and improving errors in sentences
• Revision-in-context: Improving a piece of writing as a whole — structure, transitions, clarity
• Research skills: Evaluating sources, citations, and research processes

This section tests your eye for good writing, not your ability to produce it. Many candidates find it more manageable than the essays, but it still demands solid grammar knowledge and the ability to work at pace.

Essay 1: The argumentative essay (30 minutes)

The first essay presents you with a claim or issue and asks you to take a position and defend it. This is the one most people picture when they think “essay test” — and it does rely on familiar essay-writing instincts.

What you’re being asked to do

State your position clearly. Support it with logical reasoning and relevant examples. Acknowledge and counter the opposing view. Write with structure: introduction, developed body paragraphs, conclusion.

What good looks like

• A clear, specific thesis in your first paragraph — not a vague restatement of the prompt
• Body paragraphs that each make one point, with a concrete example or explanation
• A brief acknowledgment of the counterargument, then a response to it — this signals critical thinking
• A conclusion that ties back to your thesis, not just a summary of your paragraphs

The 30-minute reality

You won’t write a masterpiece in 30 minutes, and you’re not expected to. A clear three-to-four paragraph structure with solid reasoning will score better than an ambitious but unfinished longer piece. Plan for 3–5 minutes, write for 22–24 minutes, leave 2–3 minutes to reread.

Essay 2: The source-based informative/explanatory essay (30 minutes)

This is where many candidates lose points — because this essay requires a completely different mindset from the first one.

What you’re being asked to do

You’re given a set of sources (typically two or three short passages) and asked to write an informative or explanatory essay that synthesizes information from those sources. You are not being asked for your opinion. You are not arguing a position. You are conveying and connecting information that comes from the provided texts.

Why candidates lose marks here

• Defaulting to argument: Writing “I believe…” or expressing personal views when the task asks you to inform
• Ignoring the sources: Writing from general knowledge instead of drawing on the provided passages
• Paraphrasing only one source: The essay expects you to bring multiple sources together, not summarize each one separately

What good looks like

• An introduction that sets up the topic and signals what the essay will explain
• Body paragraphs that weave together information from multiple sources — attributing ideas clearly but without long direct quotes
• A neutral, informative tone throughout — no opinions, no advocacy
• A conclusion that synthesizes the key ideas without introducing new material

Scoring: what the raters are looking for

Both essays are scored by human raters. They’re assessing:

• Development: Are your ideas well-supported and logically developed?
• Organization: Is there a clear structure?
• Language use: Is your grammar, word choice, and sentence structure appropriate and varied?
• Purpose: Are you actually doing what the prompt asked — arguing vs. informing?

That last point matters more than most people realize. A technically well-written argumentative essay in response to Essay 2 will not score well, because it missed the task.

Practice both — separately

The most effective preparation strategy is to treat these as two distinct skills. Practice timed argumentative writing under pressure until you have a reliable structure. Then practice source-based writing separately, training yourself to synthesize rather than argue.

It feels like extra work. It is. It’s also the difference between a confident pass and a second attempt.

Start with your diagnostic

Knowing which essay type is your weakness saves you from over-preparing the one you’re already good at. SN Academy’s free diagnostic test helps you identify where your Writing preparation needs to go — so your 30 minutes of practice time targets the right skills.

Get your free diagnostic at /us/.

— The people of SN Academy