The USAT Part II has 2 essays in 40 minutes: an argument essay worth 15 marks and a narrative (story) essay worth 10 marks. For each one you pick 1 topic out of 3. You can write in English or Urdu. Below are real style topics and a simple plan for both.
USAT essay topics (HEC style)
These are the kind of topics HEC gives. We use them on our free essay practice page.
Argument essay topics
- Are standardized tests effective?
- Can we reduce poverty in Pakistan?
- Does technology limit creativity?
Narrative essay topics
- A time when you experienced something truly frightening.
- The novel that touched me the most.
- A day at the amusement park.
More topics to practice: Should mobile phones be allowed in schools? Is online learning as good as classroom learning? A day I will never forget. My first day at college.
How to write the argument essay (15 marks)
Use this simple 5 paragraph plan:
- Opening: say your opinion clearly in 2 or 3 lines.
- Reason 1 with an example.
- Reason 2 with an example.
- The other side: say what people who disagree think, in 2 lines, and why you still hold your view.
- Conclusion: repeat your opinion in new words.
Here is how an opening can look for "Are standardized tests effective?":
"Many students think one test cannot show what they really know, while others believe tests are the fairest way to compare students. Both views have some truth, but in my opinion standardized tests are effective because they judge every student by the same rules."
See how it states the opinion in the first lines? Examiners like that. Pakistani examples also help, like the fact that the same USAT paper is given in every city, which is fair for students from small towns.
How to write the narrative essay (10 marks)
- Write about one moment, not your whole life.
- Say what you saw, heard and felt.
- Have a beginning, a middle (the main moment) and an end (what you learned).
- Write in the first person: "I", "my", "we".
Time plan for 40 minutes
| Task | Time |
|---|---|
| Pick topics and make a quick plan for both | 3 minutes |
| Argument essay | 22 minutes |
| Narrative essay | 13 minutes |
| Check spelling and grammar | 2 minutes |
Mistakes that lose marks
- Not giving a clear opinion in the argument essay.
- Writing a story about many days instead of one moment.
- Spending too long on the first essay and rushing the second.
- Spelling mistakes in simple words. Use words you are sure about.
On Tayar Karo you can write a USAT essay and get instant AI feedback for free. It is only for practice, not your real score, but it shows you where you lose marks.
Common questions
How many essays are in the USAT?
2 essays in 40 minutes. One argument essay (15 marks) and one narrative essay (10 marks). You choose 1 topic out of 3 for each.
Can I write the USAT essay in Urdu?
Yes. HEC allows both essays in English or Urdu.
How long should a USAT essay be?
There is no fixed word count. With 40 minutes for both, about 250 to 300 words for the argument essay and 150 to 200 words for the story is realistic.
What topics come in the USAT essay?
Typical argument topics are "Are standardized tests effective?", "Can we reduce poverty in Pakistan?" and "Does technology limit creativity?" for the argument essay.