FAST-NU essay writing: how to plan and three model essays

What FAST publishes

On its test pattern page FAST-NU lists essay writing as 15 percent of the test for the BBA and BS programmes in Accounting and Finance, Business Analytics and FinTech. The page does not list topics or a number of words. The model essays below are written for practice, and they show a length that you can finish in the time that you have. Check the notice for your year for the rules.

A simple plan

• Read the topic and write one sentence that says your opinion or your main point.
• Write down three supporting points, each with a reason or an example.
• Open with two or three sentences that introduce the topic and give your main point.
• Write one short paragraph for each supporting point.
• Close with two sentences that repeat the main point in new words.
• Leave two minutes to check spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Model essay 1: The importance of time management

Time is the one resource that every person receives in the same amount each day. A student who plans the day well can do more than one who does not, and this is why time management is a skill worth learning early.

First, planning reduces stress. A student who knows when each task is due does not need to rush at the last minute. Work done in small parts is also done better than work done in one night.

Second, good use of time makes room for rest and for other interests. When study is planned, there is time for sleep, exercise and family. These things keep the mind healthy and help us to learn.

Third, managing time builds habits that matter at work. Employers value people who meet deadlines and use their hours well.

In short, time management gives a student more control, less stress and better results. Anyone can start with a simple list for the next day.

Model essay 2: Online learning has more advantages than disadvantages

Online learning has grown quickly in recent years, and many students now study part of their course on a screen. I believe that its advantages are greater than its disadvantages.

The biggest advantage is access. A student in a small town can follow a lesson from a good teacher in a large city. Recorded lessons can be watched again, which helps students who need more time.

Online learning also saves money and time. Students do not travel every day, and many courses cost less than a place in a classroom.

There are some disadvantages. Students may feel alone, and some find it hard to stay focused at home. Not every family has a good internet connection.

However, these problems can be reduced with a fixed routine, group chats and support from schools. For these reasons I believe that online learning is a useful addition to education.

Model essay 3: Honesty is the best policy

Honesty means telling the truth and doing what is right even when nobody is watching. The saying that honesty is the best policy is true in both personal life and business.

In personal life, honesty builds trust. A friend who tells the truth is a friend that we can rely on. A person who lies may gain something once, but people stop believing that person.

In business, honesty protects the name of a company. A shop that sells good goods at a fair price and keeps its promises gets customers who come back. A company that cheats may earn more for a short time, but it loses its customers and may face legal trouble.

Honesty is not always easy, because the truth can be unpleasant. Even so, the people who tell the truth in difficult moments earn respect.

In conclusion, honesty is the base of trust. A person or a company that is honest will do well in the long run.

What earns marks

• A clear main point at the start and again at the end.
• One idea in each paragraph, with a reason or an example.
• Simple, correct sentences with no spelling mistakes.
• A logical order, with words such as first, second, however and in short that guide the reader.
• An answer that stays on the topic.

Practise on this site

Where this comes from

• FAST-NU, undergraduate admission test pattern page at nu.edu.pk: essay writing is 15 percent of the test for the BBA and BS programmes in Accounting and Finance, Business Analytics and FinTech.
• The essays and the plan are written for this guide. FAST does not publish essay topics.