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Free GAMSAT Example Essays & Essay Topics

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Looking for GAMSAT ® example essays or GAMSAT ® essay topics for Section 2 Written Communication? This page collects free marked Task A and Task B sample essays , theme lists, and tutor feedback so you can see what a medium-standard and high-standard GAMSAT ® Section 2 example essay looks like. Read the annotated samples, download the essay writing guide, then write from a fresh prompt with the GAMSAT ® quote generator and keep full marking strategy on how to prepare for Section 2.

These are GradReady practice samples, not official ACER essays. ACER currently presents each Written Communication task as four statements on a common theme; several practice sets below still use five quotes. Either way, markers reward an original response to the day’s theme — not a memorised script. Regular timed writing beats passive reading of sample essays.

  1. How to use GAMSAT ® example essays
  2. What a good GAMSAT ® essay looks like
  3. GAMSAT ® essay writing tips
  4. GAMSAT ® essay writing guide
  5. GAMSAT ® Section 2 essay topics
  6. GAMSAT ® Section 2 example essays
  7. GAMSAT ® example essay FAQs
  8. Further free GAMSAT ® preparation materials
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The downloadable GAMSAT ® essay writing guide includes writing principles plus extra low, medium, and high marked example essays beyond the two annotated samples on this page.

How to use GAMSAT ® example essays

The job of GAMSAT ® example essays is to show the standard — not to give you a template to reuse on test day. ACER’s Information Booklet and official preparation guidance both warn that pre-prepared or borrowed essays score poorly and that Written Communication responses are plagiarism-checked, including against AI and previously submitted answers. Study the samples, then write your own essay from a new prompt.

  1. Read the prompt set first. Identify the shared theme and a possible thesis before you look at the sample. That is the same skill the exam rewards.
  2. Read the sample essay once for the argument, then again with the tutor feedback beside it. Mark where the response stays on theme, where an example is developed, and where the thesis slips.
  3. Write your own response to a different Task A or Task B prompt from the GAMSAT ® quote generator or from ACER’s Online Written Communication Practice Tests.
  4. Compare one quality at a time — theme fit, thesis, example depth, or organisation — against the marked sample. Fix that weakness in the next essay rather than rewriting everything.

ACER also recommends completing sample essay prompts under simulated test conditions, asking someone else to suggest improvements, and rereading your own essays after a few days. The annotated GAMSAT ® essays below answer “what does a good GAMSAT ® essay look like?” — they are not a substitute for writing.

GAMSAT ® sample essay review checklist

After you read a marked GAMSAT ® essay — or your own draft — score it against the questions ACER says examiners consider. Official wording is on ACER’s preparation page ; the table turns those questions into something you can tick on a sample.

Please move to desktop to view the entire table without additional taps.

Examiner focus
Examiner focus
What to look for in a sample essay
What to look for in a sample essay
Quick self-check on your draft
Quick self-check on your draft
Ideas developed from the prompt
Ideas developed from the prompt
The thesis could only belong to this theme, not any theme.
The thesis could only belong to this theme, not any theme.
Can I name the theme in five words?
Can I name the theme in five words?
How well the issues are explored
How well the issues are explored
Examples are analysed for motives, limits, and consequences — not just named.
Examples are analysed for motives, limits, and consequences — not just named.
Does each body paragraph answer ‘so what?’
Does each body paragraph answer ‘so what?’
Structured, organised writing
Structured, organised writing
One main idea per paragraph; the reader can follow the thinking without rereading.
One main idea per paragraph; the reader can follow the thinking without rereading.
Would a tired marker find the thesis in the first screen?
Would a tired marker find the thesis in the first screen?
Clear, fluent expression
Clear, fluent expression
Sentences are easy to read at speed. Isolated typos matter less than muddled syntax.
Sentences are easy to read at speed. Isolated typos matter less than muddled syntax.
Did I use leftover minutes on unclear sentences, not spelling hunts?
Did I use leftover minutes on unclear sentences, not spelling hunts?
Precise, appropriate language
Precise, appropriate language
Words fit the theme. Jargon and theatrical vocabulary do not replace thinking.
Words fit the theme. Jargon and theatrical vocabulary do not replace thinking.
Could I explain the same idea in simpler words?
Could I explain the same idea in simpler words?

ACER assesses Written Communication on Thought and Content and Organisation and Expression. You do not need a numeric rubric ACER does not publish — you need a repeatable way to compare GAMSAT ® sample essays with your next draft. Keep a one-line log (date, Task A or Task B, theme, top weakness) so reading examples does not become passive highlighting. Fit that review habit into a GAMSAT ® study schedule so Section 2 does not disappear behind science work.

What a good GAMSAT ® essay looks like

Searchers looking for high scoring GAMSAT ® essays usually want a quality band, not a magic word count. ACER assesses Written Communication on the quality of thinking about a topic and the control of language used to develop it. The table below translates the tutor comments on this page — and the extra marked bands in the PDF guide — into a practical comparison.

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Quality
Quality
Weaker / low-standard sample
Weaker / low-standard sample
Medium-standard sample
Medium-standard sample
High-standard sample
High-standard sample
Theme fit
Theme fit
Generic or pre-written; could sit under almost any prompt.
Generic or pre-written; could sit under almost any prompt.
Clearly on the theme, but one example may not defend the thesis.
Clearly on the theme, but one example may not defend the thesis.
Every paragraph develops one original angle on the prompt set.
Every paragraph develops one original angle on the prompt set.
Ideas
Ideas
Theme is ‘good’ or ‘bad’; examples are named, not analysed.
Theme is ‘good’ or ‘bad’; examples are named, not analysed.
Informed examples, but analysis stays at the surface.
Informed examples, but analysis stays at the surface.
Specific contention; examples are pulled apart for motives and consequences.
Specific contention; examples are pulled apart for motives and consequences.
Organisation
Organisation
Paragraphs mix several claims; introduction does not preview the argument.
Paragraphs mix several claims; introduction does not preview the argument.
Clear argumentative shape, with occasional drift.
Clear argumentative shape, with occasional drift.
Cohesive even when the form is flexible; the reader can follow the thinking.
Cohesive even when the form is flexible; the reader can follow the thinking.
On this page
On this page
Extra low-standard marked essays are in the PDF guide.
Extra low-standard marked essays are in the PDF guide.
Task A democracy / power sample below.
Task A democracy / power sample below.
Task B creativity sample below — shorter, but more original.
Task B creativity sample below — shorter, but more original.

Full ACER marking language, examiner questions, and scoring context belong on GAMSAT ® Section 2 . Use this page to see those criteria in actual sample essays.

GAMSAT ® essay qualities

A strong GAMSAT ® essay, no matter what structure you choose, should:

  1. Be strongly related to the theme of the prompts. The GAMSAT ® is a test of reasoning skills: your markers want to see how you think. In order to assess this, they need to see how you have thought about the prompts provided. GAMSAT ® essays that are unrelated give the impression of being ‘pre-written’, and are penalised quite heavily.
  2. Be well-written and well-structured. Sentences should be clear and concise. Paragraphs should only contain one main idea. Introductions and conclusions should summarise the essay, and not include any information that you do not analyse in your body paragraphs.
  3. Be interesting and original. Rather than simply arguing that the theme of the prompts is ‘good’ or ‘bad’, try to come up with something more specific. For example, for a set of prompts about research, rather than arguing that ‘research is good for the development of society’, you could take a more specific approach and argue that ‘research is a male-dominated field that suppresses female voices’.
  4. Include detailed critical analysis. Again, your markers want to see how you think, not ‘what you know’. This means pulling your examples apart in great detail. Ask yourself questions, and answer them in your response. What were the motivations behind it? Was there a driving ideology? What were the consequences? What does this show about human society?

When writing your GAMSAT ® essays, critique the draft against these four points, then against a marked sample at a similar quality band. It is also useful to build a GAMSAT ® essay idea bank so you are not inventing examples from scratch under the timer.

Want more tips on how to ace GAMSAT ® Section 2 after reviewing our GAMSAT ® example essays? Our expert tutors, Nick and Caroline, provide further tips to help improve your essay writing skills in this Free GAMSAT ® Example Essays video guide.

GAMSAT ® Essay Writing Tips

Simply reading GAMSAT ® essay examples is not enough. Writing needs to be done in a structured fashion so you get the most out of each sample and each draft. We recommend that you:

  1. Get feedback on your essays. It is vital that you get your friends, family, tutors and anyone else to read these essays - ask them to provide criticism and suggestions.
  2. Critique your own essays. After every essay you write, read it aloud to yourself and listen to see if it makes sense. Try to mark your own essays - use the list above as a useful guide and the annotated samples below as a quality check.
  3. Start gently. Don’t feel the need to write under time pressure from the word go. It’s more important that you develop and improve your essay writing skills before gradually applying realistic time pressure.
  4. Type your practice essays. Written Communication is typed, and the exam interface has no spell-check, so practise without autocorrect to match test conditions and build typing speed. ACER’s 2026 Information Booklet states that spelling and punctuation errors will not impact scores — leftover minutes are better spent on theme fit and clarity than on hunting typos. You may still use permitted scratch paper or a small whiteboard for planning.
  5. Vary the type of essays that you write. You should make sure you try argumentative, personal reflective essays, fictional creative essays , poetry, and any other medium that can work in the GAMSAT ® exam . The GAMSAT ® exam can throw up unexpected prompts that might be difficult to write in a particular style: it's important to give yourself the flexibility to deal with anything the exam might throw at you.

You can find more detailed GAMSAT ® Section 2 Essay Writing Tips and a Section 2 Reading List on our guide here: How to Prepare for GAMSAT ® Section 2.

Make sure you also sign up for our GAMSAT ® Free Trial to get a wealth of other free GAMSAT ® Resources including a recording of our GAMSAT ® Essay Writing Webinar:

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GAMSAT ® Essay Writing Guide

How do you start writing a GAMSAT essay?

  1. Understand the Theme: Read the quote, identify the main theme, and any other related ideas. Your response needs to engage strongly with this - otherwise your markers cannot reward you.
  2. Brainstorm Ideas: Build a bank of ideas. Look over many essay prompts, and try to come up with three supporting examples that could be used for the theme. If you can’t think of any, do some research - current affairs, history, literature - anything that is relevant.
  3. Create a Thesis: What is your opinion on the theme? Make it clear, concise, and easy to understand.
  4. Choose a Structure: Consider what is most appropriate for the theme and explore your options. You might choose an argumentative response with concrete supporting examples, a more reflective response drawing on your own experience, or a fictional response that allows you to explore emotions and psychology.
  5. Plan Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph needs to support your thesis, and go into detailed critical analysis. Support your thesis by referring back to your central idea at the beginning and end of each paragraph, and throughout your analysis.
  6. Be Clear & Succinct: Write in logical and well-phrased sentences that can be easily understood by a marker who will be reading your essay at a fast pace. Long sentences are not necessarily sophisticated sentences. Think of the great speech-makers. They use concise language. Simple writing is often the most powerful.
  7. Review your Essay: Review what you have written and ensure it makes sense — theme fit, thesis links, and sentences that are hard to follow. ACER’s 2026 Information Booklet states that spelling and punctuation errors will not impact Written Communication scores.

For a further breakdown and more tips visit our guide: How to Prepare for GAMSAT ® Section 2.

Is GAMSAT Section 2 written or typed?

GAMSAT ® Section 2 (Written Communication) is typed, not handwritten. ACER allocates 65 minutes for two writing tasks — about 30 minutes each, including planning. There is no separate reading-only window: you manage planning and writing within that 65 minutes. Practise the samples on this page by typing, then use GAMSAT ® Section 2 for timing, remote-proctoring, and marking-criteria detail.

Many students will be used to completing practice essays by hand, and it is important to tailor your practice to the exam context as closely as possible. Note that on the digital interface of the GAMSAT ® exam , there will be no autocorrect function or 'copy and paste' functions. Thus, it is important that when practising, you disable the autocorrect feature as well as any automated correction functions of your writing software. Programs with a simple interface like Notepad (and similar alternatives available online) are recommended.

How long are the essays in GAMSAT?

Another consideration with regards to Section 2 (Written Communication) preparation is the paragraph/word count you are expected to reach. 400-600 words per essay has typically been used as a rough estimate of what students should aim to achieve under the previous handwritten condition. In contrast, a reasonably fast typist will be able to reach up to 1000 words in a 30-minute essay. Whilst the emphasis should still be on the quality of your writing and ideas, it is still important to keep in mind that you should be aiming for a longer essay than you would under handwritten conditions. The high-standard Task B sample below is much shorter than the medium Task A sample — a useful reminder that quality beats length.

How to Practice for GAMSAT Essay Writing

Below you will find tips to help tailor your preparation to the typed format:

  1. Get into the practice of typing. Whilst many students may be used to texting or typing out their assignments, typing under time pressure is a different skill altogether. The last thing you want is for your typing speed to limit the amount of content you can produce in the exam. Typing your essays under timed conditions will be the best practice in this regard.
  2. Make effective use of planning time. It is much easier to type and edit a plan on the digital interface. Spend the first few minutes of each task naming the theme, choosing a thesis, and sketching topic sentences before you start the full draft.
  3. Practice editing. As with planning, editing essays is much easier on a digital interface than in handwritten conditions. Nonetheless, it is important not to spend large chunks of writing time editing an incomplete essay. Aim to finish a few minutes early so you can check theme fit, thesis links, and sentences that are hard to follow. ACER’s 2026 advice is that spelling and punctuation errors will not impact scores; leftover time is better spent on clarity than on hunting typos. Connecting words (thus, however, therefore, furthermore) can make the relationship between ideas easier to follow.

For more information, check out our GAMSAT ® to Med School Podcast episode which specifically covers GAMSAT ® Section 2 advice and best practices.

GAMSAT ® Essay Structure

ACER does not provide any guidelines in regards to an essay structure, minimum word count, or how long your GAMSAT ® Section 2 essays should be. However, a maxim that holds true even for the GAMSAT ® Exam is 'quality over quantity'.

The quality of what you write is much more important than the quantity and as such, you should focus on what you write about and your expression and organisation of ideas. A basic guideline to your GAMSAT ® essay Structure is:

Note however that this example structure is not necessarily applicable to every type of essay. If you were to write a creative piece, the structure of your GAMSAT ® essay could certainly be more flexible. The main factor to take into account is how to best organise your ideas to ensure that your arguments are conveyed logically and coherently. You can practise using our Free GAMSAT ® Quote Generator which has over 90 Section 2 essay prompts, covering 40+ themes. For Task A versus Task B planning defaults, use the comparison table on GAMSAT ® Section 2.

How many words should a GAMSAT essay be?

As mentioned above, a common piece of advice is to aim for about 400-600 words, but the most important point is to focus on the quality of your essay rather than the quantity. If you can express an idea clearly and effectively in fewer words then do it.

For tips on Section 2 of the GAMSAT ® exam, our study guide contains a 14-page section 2 essay writing guide. Sign up here: GAMSAT ® Free Trial

For general tips and strategies on how you can prepare for the GAMSAT ® Exam, visit our Guide to GAMSAT ® Preparation.

How do you choose a GAMSAT essay style?

There are many GAMSAT ® essay styles to try, and each have their own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. The list below is by no means exhaustive but may help provide you with some ideas and styles to trial. You should aim to test different styles and work out what works for you best. The Task A sample below is argumentative; the Task B sample is a more original, speech-like reflection.

Argumentative Essays

These GAMSAT ® essays follow a basic structure, using an introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You will take a strong central opinion, and introduce it in your introduction. Each body paragraph should contain one supporting example, and detailed critical analysis, in order to defend your argument. These essays:

Personal reflective essays

These GAMSAT ® essays allow you to demonstrate your emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy. These are vital qualities to demonstrate in the entrance exam for medical school. Try to avoid a hybrid of argumentative and personal styles: personal essays that take three short anecdotes and discuss them in an introduction/three body paragraphs/conclusion structure do not usually come across as sincere.

Taking one, strong personal experience that is related to the theme of the prompts, and analysing it in detail, is a great way to start. Show your marker what you felt and why you felt that way - demonstrate your emotional and psychological analytical skills. These essays:

Short stories

Writing short stories is an excellent way of standing out. They allow you to show emotional and psychological insight, but without having the restraint of personal experience.

In a short story, try to stick within your own realm of experience. A short story does not have to be a Hollywood Blockbuster: often the simplest plots are those that are the most sincere, touching, and effective. Remember that the point of these essays is not to write a dramatic story. It is to demonstrate your social, emotional, or psychological reasoning skills to your marker. These essays:

In order to choose a style, it’s important to look at the theme of the prompts, and what they invite. There is no ‘correct’ approach!

GAMSAT ® Section 2 Essay Topics

Section 2 of the GAMSAT ® — also called Section II or Written Communication — consists of two different essays (usually called Task A and Task B), each in response to their own set of stimuli. ACER currently describes each task as four statements on a common theme. Older practice materials — including several GradReady GAMSAT ® essay topics below — still use five quotes. The skill is the same: find the shared theme and write an original response. Task A generally deals with socio-cultural issues; Task B deals with more personal and social issues. Examples of themes include the following:

GAMSAT ® Section 2 Task A Themes:

  1. Freedom
  2. War
  3. Punishment
  4. Science
  5. Technology
  6. Crime
  7. Poverty
  8. Wealth
  9. Humour

GAMSAT ® Section 2 Task B Themes:

  1. Friendship
  2. Love
  3. Beauty
  4. Youth
  5. Ageing
  6. Suffering
  7. Originality
  8. Conformity
  9. Wisdom

GAMSAT ® Section 2 Questions

Theme: Truth

  1. Gossip, as usual, was one-third right and two-thirds wrong. (L.M. Montgomery, Chronicles of Avonlea)
  2. The truth is rarely pure and never simple. (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest)
  3. Truth is a matter of the imagination. (Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness)
  4. You don't destroy what you want to acquire in the future. (Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay)
  5. To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - this is a human offering that can border on miraculous. (Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage)

Theme: Justice

  1. Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just. (Victor Hugo)
  2. I don't want tea, I want justice! (Ally Carter, Uncommon Criminals)
  3. It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one. (Voltaire, Zadig)
  4. Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. (William Penn)
  5. Keep your language. Love its sounds, its modulation, its rhythm. But try to march together with men of different languages, remote from your own, who wish like you for a more just and human world. (Hélder Câmara, Spiral Of Violence)

You can find further essay topics using this free GAMSAT ® Section 2 Essay Quote Generator:

Icon linking to GradReady's free GAMSAT Quote Generator tool for Section 2 essay practice
GAMSAT ® Quote Generator

GAMSAT ® Section 2 Example Essays

Even with all of the above tips and topics, it can be difficult to start writing without an idea of what a GAMSAT ® Essay should look like. That's why we've decided to provide an example essay below with feedback provided by our tutors to help you make a start on your preparation for Section 2 of the GAMSAT ® Exam. Treat each sample as a marked case study: read the comments, then write a fresh essay rather than imitating the wording.

GAMSAT ® Section 2 Task A Example Essay

Task A Example Essay Question

  1. Don’t forget your great guns, which are the most respectable argument for the rights of kings. (Frederick the Great)
  2. The people are that part of the state that does not know what it wants. (G W F Hegel)
  3. Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything. (Joseph Stalin)
  4. Win or lose, we go shopping after the election. (Imelda Marcos)
  5. Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms which have been tried from time to time. (Winston Churchill)

Task A example essay: medium-standard essay

  • The people are lead to believe that their votes decide the power, however the real power resides with those who count the votes. Whether the power is attained by corruption or manipulation, the people have little say even what they try to stage a backlash. Examples of corruption aren’t hard to find, but the frustrating case of Robert Mugabe is a strong example. Constant broken pre-election promises try to manipulate the people even at a staged constituency. Time and again tyrants pop up to demonstrate clearly how compromised the electoral process can sometimes become.
  • The strings of bad decisions made by Robert Mugabe have devastated Zimbabwe, whilst somehow benefiting him and his family. In 200 President Mugabe enacted the removal of white ownership of farmland. His plan was to give the land to the native Zimbabwean’s to make them more successful and therefor give them more of the power. This was an important promise and made him very popular with his countrymen. During the crossover period, Mugabe’s family ended up with 39 farms, with the rest going to un-experienced Zimbabweans. The result was a complete slump in food production and in return a failing economy for Zimbabwe, forcing them to abandon their currency in 2009. Ironically the white farmers had been very effective in their farming and had bolstered the economy. In the 2010 election, despite being generally despised by many Zimbabweans, Robert Mugabe won another term by a giant 60% of the votes. It seems unlikely he would win reelection given the circumstances. Corruption among the voting officials who were under the control of Mugabe is suspected but few are willing to question his authority.
  • It’s partially expected by citizens of democratic countries that pre-election promises are seldom kept. However when a candidate is making promises that would highly benefit you and your community, it’s hard not to jump on their bandwagon. In the 2013 election, the Labor party promised millions to rural communities to fund different community projects which would have provided stimulation for their economy. However since winning the election and releasing the budget, those promises have been revoked in order to cut costs. Resulting in thousands of rural citizens feeling manipulated by false promises made by the Labor party.
  • Most recently in WA, an alleged 1800 people have voted multiple times at different polling stations in the 2013 election. Before this, thousands of votes had believed to have simply vanished so a new election was to be held, but in light of this new information an additional investigation is being held. This is an example of the people trying to take back the power. Although it is illegal, most would not consider it to be any less morally wrong than corruption or manipulation especially on a huge scales such as the examples of Robert Mugabe and the Labor party. Voting is only a human invention, and it can be easily manipulated just like any other human invention.
  • Tactics of politics are harsh. With emotional and physical tries to power, its not a surprise that votes feel the need to use the same tactics in order to win back the power. Examples can be found all over the globe with Zimbabwe and Australia just scratching the surface. In the words of Joseph Stalin – “Those who cast the votes deiced nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.”

Task A Example Essay Correction and Feedback

  • This is a well-written essay and appears to make a sound argument by incorporating some well-informed examples.
  • There is no major flaw with the written expression in this essay. While sentences in some cases can be shortened and written in a more direct manner, this is not a major criticism of the essay. There are, however, multiple small errors: ‘people are lead to believe’ should be ‘people are led to believe’; ‘the people have little say even what they try to stage a backlash’ should be ‘the people have little say even when they try to stage a backlash’, amongst others. Whilst these are small details, it’s important to give your marker a strong impression of the quality of your written expression.
  • The structure of the essay also follows the basic argumentative essay structure. One of the main issues that prevents this essay from receiving a higher mark is that the quote that the writer has selected is not compatible with the second example that they have provided. This example talks about a political party changing its tune after an election. It is not clear how it furthers the argument that the electoral process itself is compromised in some way. In argumentative essays, every supporting example should be defending and strengthening the thesis. Irrelevant examples and analysis is very difficult for a marker to reward. In fact, they can actually weaken, rather than strengthen, an argument, as they distract the reader from the central idea.
  • The content of this essay appears informed. The writer, however, has made a crucial mistake in saying that the Labour party won the 2013 election. It was the Liberal party. If this mistake were made once in the text it could be dismissed as a typographical error under the time pressure; however, it is repeated.
  • This essay could also go to a more sophisticated level of critical analysis. The details of the examples could be teased out to further support the central example. For example, in the third body paragraph, what are the consequences of these votes being ‘lost’? Democracy is being compromised and people’s votes are being silenced: imagine living in a country where voting is compulsory, yet your vote is not counted. Is this a betrayal of the people? How is it an example of the people trying to take back power? Perhaps because they are demanding accountability from their democratic government. Is this, in itself, promising? Namely, whilst voting is open to corruption, in a true democracy, the people have a right to freedom of speech and to transparency of government. Does the true spirit of democracy, then, help to defeat the possible corruption of the voting process?
  • Going into this level of detail would demonstrate stronger reasoning skills. Markers want to see how a candidate thinks, and how deeply they think - not simply ‘what they know’.
  • This essay is quite good, and it has chosen a challenging argument to present. However, it can be improved by a better selection of content that goes directly to the argument that the writer is trying to make.

How to read the Task A essay feedback

Use this GAMSAT ® Task A example essay as a medium-standard case study, not as a model to copy. The writer chose a socio-cultural theme — power, voting, and whether elections actually transfer control — which is the usual Task A territory. The argument is visible, the examples are informed, and the shape is a conventional argumentative essay. That is why it sits in the medium band rather than the low band.

The comments that lift it toward a high scoring GAMSAT ® essay are specific:

A useful drill: cover the sample, write a 30-minute Task A on a different democracy or power prompt, then uncover the feedback and ask whether your examples all defend one thesis. Fresh prompts are on the GAMSAT ® quote generator.

GAMSAT ® Section 2 Task B example essay

Task B example essay question

  1. Creativity is the defeat of habit by originality. (Arthur Koestler)
  2. Create like a god; command like a king; work like a slave. (Constantin Brancusi)
  3. Truth and reality in art do not arise until you no longer understand what you are doing. (Henri Matisse)
  4. You are lost the instant you know what the result will be. (Juan Gris)
  5. An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. (Edwin Land)

Task B Example Essay - High Standard Essay

  • Creation is a power no mortal man should be gifted with. And it’s exactly that. A gift. It can give rise to ugly life forms capable of destruction yet it can also wondrously design and improve our small insignificant lives. A gift not bestowed upon me and perhaps for good reason.
  • The power of creation is given to those who sit on the outskirts of our society, like outcasts and the insane. These poor souls, if poor is the best fitting word, let their minds wander aimlessly and ironically discover and churn out fantastical and absurd ideas. How blissful.
  • Desperation summons creative too. When we are pushed to the extremes and our normal ways fail, new ideas spawn almost spontaneously. When there is no other option but to be creative, we find ourselves stumble upon the new and the amazing.
  • Regardless, there is a very good reason being creative is not easy. It's not for everyone. Chaos would conspire. Creativity is power. Power corrupts the mind. Corruption is fatal. But just for a minute, let's indulge and pretend we possessed the power of creation. What to do? What should I create? I would not create equality amongst equality amongst race or world peace or a cure for aids. That’s not out of the hexagon enough for me. It's not that I do not support world peace or todays real issues, but someone with a smaller capacity for creation can do that. A child. A dying war veteran. I’m going to create something unfathomable. It's my duty, my unspoken agreement to create something for more unimaginable. Good or evil? Black or white? The answers to these questions are never easy.
  • Who knows. Let drugs and hallucinogens do their work there. Because I can’t create anything of such a nature. I’m skin and bone. Not god. Not even a demi-god. I’m not burdened by the gift of creation. But god knows someone is. What a frustration to wait for the day they realize, what a terror to see what follows.

Task B Example Essay Correction and Feedback

  • This essay is challenging and different. The written expression in this essay, whilst simple, is powerful. It can be read as a form of dramatic monologue and the writer has carefully selected each word and sentence length to ensure that the essay is read in a dramatic tone. It resembles speeches by accomplished orators: simple and moving. The purpose of many essays is to convince the reader. It is much easier to convince someone if they can understand it; even easier to convince someone if they are moved by it.
  • The structure of this essay is almost similar to a free verse poem in that there is no real structure; however, there is cohesion between paragraphs. The writer’s ideas on the issue are easy to follow.
  • This essay is considered a high standard mainly because of the content and the original perspective on the theme. The writer reflects upon what creativity is, but in a way that is not often executed by students under strict exam conditions.
  • Each paragraph of the essay covers a different twist on what creativity means. It challenges the reader to consider the writer’s opinions and stands out from other essays. Also note that although this essay is a high standard response, the length of the response is much shorter than the other examples. This is a good demonstration of how quality is more important than quantity.
  • As with every essay, however, there are aspects that could be improved.
  • There are simple errors throughout: these detract from the writer’s otherwise powerful and strong sense of voice.
  • One other important way in which this essay could improve would be to have a stronger central idea. The essay clearly focussed on creativity, and different interpretations of it. However, unifying the essay behind one perspective, such as the danger of creativity, could make this response more effective.

How to read the Task B essay feedback

This GAMSAT ® Task B example essay is the high-standard sample on the page. Task B usually sits on personal and social themes — here, creativity, originality, and the cost of making something new. The response is shorter than the Task A sample and does not use a three-example argumentative frame. That is the point of keeping both GAMSAT ® Section 2 sample essays on one page: a high-standard Written Communication piece can be brief if the thinking is original and the voice is controlled.

When you annotate this sample, notice:

Do not treat the theatrical voice as a recipe. If your practice marks on creative pieces are inconsistent, a clear argumentative Task B is a safer default while you build control. Style choice and marking criteria stay on how to prepare for GAMSAT ® Section 2.

Make sure to also sign up to our GAMSAT ® Free Trial to watch a recording of our GAMSAT ® Essay Writing Workshop! Check out the 10 minute excerpt below:

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GAMSAT ® example essay FAQs

What are GAMSAT example essays?

GAMSAT ® example essays are annotated Section 2 Written Communication samples — usually a Task A and Task B response to a themed prompt set — with tutor comments so you can see what a medium-standard or high-standard essay looks like. Use them to calibrate quality, not as scripts to memorise.

How should I use marked GAMSAT example essays?

Read the prompt set first, then the sample, then the feedback. Note theme fit, thesis clarity, example depth, and organisation. Write your own response to a fresh prompt and compare one weakness at a time. Do not copy phrasing — ACER plagiarism-checks Written Communication, including pre-prepared essays.

Are these official ACER GAMSAT sample essays?

No. These are free GradReady GAMSAT ® example essays and practice prompts. ACER produces the only official GAMSAT ® preparation materials, including sample essay prompts in the e-books and Online Written Communication Practice Tests. Use this page for extra annotated feedback, then benchmark against official materials.

How do you start writing a GAMSAT essay?

Understand the theme: read every statement, identify the main theme and related tensions, then write a clear thesis. Brainstorm two or three supporting examples, choose a structure that fits the theme, and plan topic sentences before drafting. Your response must engage the prompt set — otherwise markers cannot reward it.

How do you choose a GAMSAT essay style?

Common GAMSAT ® essay styles are argumentative essays, personal reflective essays, and short stories. Task A socio-cultural themes often suit an argumentative response; Task B personal and social themes often suit reflection. Test different styles in practice and use the form that lets you develop ideas clearly in 30 minutes.

Do spelling and punctuation affect GAMSAT Section 2 scores?

ACER’s 2026 Information Booklet states that spelling and punctuation errors will not impact Written Communication scores. Markers still assess whether you have written clearly and fluently. Use leftover minutes to check theme fit and unclear sentences rather than hunting typos.

How many quotes or statements are in a GAMSAT Section 2 task?

ACER’s current Information Booklet describes each Written Communication task as four statements on a common theme. Older GradReady practice sets and the annotated samples on this page often use five quotes. Train the same skill either way: find the shared theme and write an original response.

Can I copy the structure of a GAMSAT sample essay?

You can learn a flexible shape — introduction, a few developed paragraphs, conclusion — from GAMSAT ® essay examples , but you should not reuse sentences, stock openings, or a memorised script. ACER’s Information Booklet says an essay is original only when it is written in response to the topics on the test day, and that borrowed or pre-prepared essays can be flagged even if you never saw the original source. Copy the review habit, not the wording.

Do I need to quote every statement in a GAMSAT essay?

No. The statements are a themed prompt, not a comprehension worksheet. You do not have to mention every quote. You do have to show that you understood the shared theme and developed a thoughtful response. ACER also notes that you do not need to agree with the prompts.

How many GAMSAT example essays should I study?

A small set of annotated GAMSAT ® essays used carefully beats a large unread pile. Work through the two marked samples here, then the extra low, medium, and high responses in the essay writing guide. After each sample, write one fresh essay and review it with the checklist above. Official volume for benchmarking comes from ACER’s Online Written Communication Practice Tests ; extra marked analysis also appears in the GradReady GAMSAT ® textbook essay chapter.

What is the difference between the GAMSAT Task A and Task B sample essays?

The Task A sample is a medium-standard argumentative response to a socio-cultural theme (power and elections). The Task B sample is a high-standard, shorter reflective piece on a personal and social theme (creativity). Together they show that GAMSAT ® Written Communication examples are judged on thinking and control of language, not on matching one house style.

Further free GAMSAT ® preparation materials

  1. How to prepare for GAMSAT ® Section 2

    Full Written Communication strategy, ACER marking criteria, and Task A/B timing beyond sample essays.

  2. Free GAMSAT ® quote generator

    Fresh Section 2 essay prompts and themes for timed writing.

  3. Free GAMSAT ® practice questions and tests

    Broader free practice across sections, including MCQs and an online practice test.

  4. How to prepare for GAMSAT ® Section 1

    Humanities reading that supports the ideas you draw on in essays.

  5. Free GAMSAT ® preparation materials

    Broader free library including planners and practice links.

  6. How to study for the GAMSAT ® exam

    Overall preparation strategy across all sections.

  7. Understanding your GAMSAT ® scores

    How Section 2 contributes to overall score and cutoffs.

  8. GAMSAT ® books and textbooks

    Textbook chapter with further marked example essays and an essay-writing guide.

  9. Free GAMSAT ® study schedule

    Put regular essay writing and sample review into a weekly plan.

  10. ACER GAMSAT ® preparation

    Official Written Communication practice tests and examiner questions.

GradReady GAMSAT ® Preparation Courses

Course Key Features Description
GradReady GAMSAT ® Online Courses
Starter Foundational GAMSAT preparation resources An affordable entry point into GAMSAT preparation, providing key foundational resources to help you begin your preparation journey.
Online (Essentials) 8000+ Intelligent MCQ Bank
1200+ page Textbook
8 Online Practice Exams
2 Marked Essays with Personal Feedback
5 Mock Exams
Designed for students who are unable to make our attendance classes, this course gives you the essentials to succeed.
Online (Comprehensive) 8 Marked Essays with Personal Feedback
15 Online Practice Exams
GetClarity: Tutor Assistance when you need it on whatever you need it on
All the features of our Online (Essentials) Course plus more Marked Essays, Practice Exams, and on-demand Tutor Assistance with our GetClarity system
GradReady GAMSAT ® Attendance Courses
Attendance (Comprehensive) 15 Day Course - 75+ hours of Learning
10 Marked Essays with Personal Feedback
GetClarity: Tutor Assistance when you need it on whatever you need it on
5 Mock Exams and Subsequent Review
Complimentary Additional Round of Virtual PBLs
Our most popular course. Includes all the live classes as well as access to our Online (Comprehensive) resources
Attendance (Complete Care) 15 Day Course - 75+ hours of Learning
15 x 1 hour Private Tutoring sessions
5 Mock Exams and Subsequent Review
Complimentary Additional Round of Virtual PBLs
Everything you need to succeed – includes private tutoring sessions in addition to the Attendance (Comprehensive) Package
Attendance (Success Assured) 15 Day Course - 75+ hours of Learning
40 x 1 hour Private Tutoring sessions
Personal GradReady Success Leader
5 Mock Exams and Subsequent Review
2 Complimentary Re-Enrolments (each valid for 1 year)
Complimentary InterviewReady Course Enrolment
Our most comprehensive course - valid for up to 3 years. You will be assigned a personal tutor (GradReady Success Leader) who will be supporting you throughout your journey

To learn more about our GAMSAT ® Preparation courses and compare their different components, view an in depth comparison here: GradReady Course Comparison

If you’re after a single feature, such as our Textbook, or access to our 8000+ Intelligent MCQ Bank, or if you want to customise your preparation, you can do so here: GradReady GAMSAT ® Custom Course.

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To learn more about our courses and compare us to the competition, visit: GradReady GAMSAT ® Preparation Courses