How to I effectively plan my time for writing an essay in an exam?

The key to this starts with initially taking the time to carefully read and dissect the question you are given, then writing an effective plan rather than rushing into writing, even if you feel like you have to given the time pressure. For example, if you are answering a question on an unseen text that you have seen for the first time in the exam, first read the question and work out exactly the points they are looking for you to answer. If they are asking about how the author conveys a specific theme within the text, read the text through a few times noting down each time how this theme is represented. Then form a structured plan to your points, making sure you include an intro and a conclusion with all the points linked together nicely (structuring your essay properly is something we can look at further in another session). It is vital you don't rush this part of the process, as an effective plan is the only way you will be able to form a coherent answer that shows you understand what the examiners are looking for.When it comes to writing the essay, your carefully thought out plan should now come into its own! If you have prepared the essay well you shouldn't find it too hard to write it based on the elements and themes you have identified within the text. Referring back to your plan will help you make sure you both keep the essay in a good structure and that you know how far you are through it based on the time left in the exam, so it really is vital you make an effective one. That being said, don't be afraid to add in extra elements if they come to you while you are writing it, as long as you don't deviate from the plan too much. Moving quickly from point to point as outlined in your plan should ensure that you finish the essay in the time set. For specific time frames, if it is a two hour long exam with two essay questions, try to spend around 20 minutes planning each essay and the remaining 40 minutes of each hour writing each essay.