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Ever felt that rush of panic when the exam clock starts and you're staring at a blank page? You're not alone. But here's a simple truth: the students who pause before they write often score higher than those who dive straight in. Welcome to the 60-second outline method—a tiny habit that transforms exam anxiety into exam control.
Pause and Plan
When that invigilator says 'begin', resist the urge to write immediately. Instead, take one full minute to breathe and map your answer. This isn't wasted time—it's an investment. A quick plan keeps you calm, organised, and laser-focused on what examiners actually reward: a clear argument backed by the right points, not just scattered facts thrown onto the page.
Read the question twice. Underline the action words like 'compare', 'analyse', 'evaluate', or 'argue'. These words tell you exactly what your examiner wants to see. Understanding the question properly is half the battle.
Write Your Thesis
Now, write one single sentence that captures your main argument. This is your thesis—the compass for your entire essay. It doesn't need to be fancy or perfect. It just needs to be clear. This sentence is what everything else will support.
Your thesis is your commitment. It tells the examiner, 'Here's my position, and I'm about to prove it.' Without this anchor, essays drift. With it, you're in control from the first word to the last.
List Your Points
Under your thesis, jot down three bullet points. These are your main supporting arguments or evidence. Next to each bullet, add a quick reminder—a fact, a case study, an example, or a key concept you'll expand on. This takes 30 seconds, maximum.
Here's a pro tip: add a rough time allocation next to your outline. Something like: intro (1-2 mins), body point 1 (8 mins), body point 2 (8 mins), body point 3 (8 mins), conclusion (2 mins). Now you have both a content map and a time budget. No more running out of time before your final point.
Write with Confidence
With your outline sitting beside you, start writing. You'll notice something magical: the words flow faster. You don't freeze mid-paragraph wondering what comes next. You don't waste time second-guessing your structure. Your tiny outline is like rails for a train—it keeps you moving forward, on track, and at speed.
Examiners don't just want data dumps. They want to see that you can select relevant information, organise it logically, and construct a coherent argument. Your 60-second outline proves you can do all three. It's the difference between a scattered answer and a strategic one.
Next time you practice an essay question, force yourself to sketch this outline first. At first, it might feel awkward. But after a few attempts, it becomes automatic. On exam day, you'll be the calm, confident student with a plan—not the one frantically scribbling and hoping for the best.
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