When answering an essay question you need to stay on task without adding extra jargon that may hurt your score. The P. in PIE stands for proof. Give proof of your answer by quoting someone or cite a fact related to answering the question. Next, the I. Stands for information. Give information, tell what you know if even if it is something you are not familiar with tell what you do know. (You don’t get points taken away, you can only gain points.) The E. stands for example. Give an example of what you are taking about to make it concrete. Even if you come to a question you don’t have a clue about this essay method will keep you on track and can at least earn you a point. It does not matter what order write the P.I.E., but a successful essay should include all components. If you must leave one item out it should be the Proof part. The information and example are the most important components. This is a very basic outline of what the scorers want to see in your essay. The full details and explanation can be found in the CSETT Comprehensive Study System.

(All the test tips and full details are in the RICA, CSET and CBEST Comprehensive Study Systems.)