Just about any state exam requires an essay. Writing an essay can be very difficult for some. There are simple steps to help you write an essay. However, the best way to write an essay that will pass the test is to practice, practice, practice. By practical, I mean several things. Not everything worth doing comes easy. This applies as much to education as anything else in life. To enroll in college courses, one must be able to write a decent essay. To write a decent essay, you need to practice. To practice writing, you have to read. Reading and writing depend on each other. To be an effective writer, you also have to write. Reading is the best way to prepare for any topic that might be covered in an essay. You don't know what topic will be covered on a test, so there is no way to "study" it in advance. However, if you read a variety of materials, you will be ready to write on any topic. Read the newspaper, read instruction manuals, read food labels, read clothing labels. Everything that is written on it, READ IT!! This will help you prepare to answer an unfamiliar topic. You don't need to be an expert on any particular topic, but you may need to be somewhat informed about current events and you should be able to understand the expectations of the assigned topic. To become a better writer, you have to practice writing. Writing is not a skill that develops from scratch. It's a skill that takes practice. When you read things, practice taking notes about them. Think about what the author is trying to convey. Create alternative versions. Write your opinion about the article, the manual, the food, the clothes, whatever article you are reading. Write letters to your friends or family. You don't really have to mail them the letters unless you want their input. Practice writing with a pen and pencil. Many essays require a pencil. Practice writing on a computer. Ask someone to review your writing and give you ideas. There are proofreading services that offer discounts to students. We now move on to the actual process of writing an essay..