I’ve spent the past five years helping students prepare for the ALP Essay Exam. There isn’t much information about the test online, so I thought I would write a few notes here.  I might revise this post in the future, so stop by again for updates. If you need tutoring for the ALP Essay exam, you can contact me.  My email address is mgoodine@gmail.com

What is the ALP Essay Exam?

The ALP Essay Exam is used by Columbia University to assess the writing skills of students.  It is used to determine if students have the language skills necessary to take classes at the university. Test-takers have 120 minutes to write a standard (four or five paragraph) argumentative essay about a specific topic.  The essay will respond to two short reading passages.

There are sittings of the ALP in the spring and sittings in the fall, I think.

You can read more about it over here.

What Does the ALP Essay Exam Look Like?

You’ll get a question about a serious topic.  Don’t expect something basic and simple like on the TOEFL or IELTS.  Instead, expect something that might actually be studied in a first-year university class.  You might get something about AI, the purpose of jobs, colonizing other planets, standardized testing, self-driving cars… that sort of thing. 

The question might look like this:

Please read the two passages below. The authors have differing opinions about the topic of specialization. Which author do you agree with, and to what extent? In your essay you should support your opinion, and challenge the opinions of the author you disagree with. You have 120 minutes to complete your essay.

The passages should be fairly short.  Maybe just a paragraph or two, excerpted from a longer article.  They will have opposing opinions on the same topic. The author of each one will be credited

If the topic is specialization, they might look like this:

…generalists hold a unique and crucial role in today’s society. While specialists focus on deepening their expertise in a specific domain, generalists possess a wide range of knowledge and skills that allow them to thrive in diverse fields and tackle complex problems. In our rapidly changing world, where information is abundant and boundaries between disciplines are becoming increasingly blurred, generalists offer a valuable perspective. They can connect ideas from different fields and apply their interdisciplinary knowledge to solve intricate challenges. By looking beyond the confines of a single discipline, generalists bring fresh insights and innovative solutions to the table.

…such people possess a breadth of knowledge that allows them to adapt and pivot when faced with unexpected disruptions. In an era of technological advancements and shifting job markets, generalists are better equipped to navigate change and explore new job opportunities. Generalists also excel in fostering collaboration and communication across disciplines. They serve as bridges between specialists, facilitating the exchange of ideas and knowledge. This ability is vital for interdisciplinary projects and breakthrough innovations.

-Caroline Mutuku, “More Power to the Generalists!,” Time Magazine

and:

In today’s complex and specialized world, specialists hold a critical role that cannot be overlooked. While generalists may possess a breadth of knowledge across various fields, it is the specialists who bring deep expertise and a profound understanding of specific subjects. Through their focused dedication, specialists contribute immense value to society and play a pivotal role in driving progress.

Specialization allows individuals to delve deeply into a particular domain, honing their skills, and acquiring specialized knowledge. This depth of expertise enables specialists to tackle intricate problems with a level of mastery that generalists may struggle to achieve. By dedicating their efforts to a specific area, specialists develop a profound understanding of its nuances, complexities, and emerging trends.

…Specialization also fosters a culture of collaboration. It is the language and knowledge that true specialists possess that allows for effective collaboration within a specific field. They can engage in nuanced discussions with each other, exchange advanced ideas, and collectively push the boundaries of knowledge, leading to significant advancements.

-Emily Chong, “Become a Specialist, Everyone,” The New Yorker

As you can see, they aren’t particularly long.

How to Structure the Essay

The structure is fairly easy.  Write an introduction that provides some background on the topic and a clear thesis statement that states your opinion on the topic.  Then write two or three body paragraphs.  Each one should focus on a specific argument in support of your argument or the rebuttal of a specific point in the article you don’t agree with.  Finally, write a conclusion that sums of what you’ve just created.  Aim for 600 or more words in total.  

Sample Paragraphs

I can’t teach you everything here, but I can show you a few sample paragraphs from an essay about the above readings.  Remember, if you want more help you can contact me for tutoring. My email address is mgoodine@gmail.com.

Here’s a sample introduction:

They say that jobs are being transformed at a more rapid pace than ever before in history. The development of AI over the past few years has totally changed the way people think about employment, and how to succeed in the workforce. As a result, both young people and experienced workers struggle with whether to master one specific domain or to become proficient in various fields. Some people, like Caroline Mutuku, believe that the only way to succeed in the modern world is to become a generalist. However, in this essay I will support the argument, which is shared by Emily Chong, that specialists are critical to the modern world.

Note that I began with some background information that introduced the topic in general.  Then I stated the opposite of my thesis.  Then I stated my thesis.

Here’s a body paragraph:

First, specialists have an easier time collaborating with other experts in their field. Chong notes that “they can engage in nuanced discussions with each other, exchange advanced ideas, and collectively push the boundaries of knowledge.” Basically, Chong is saying that when a group of experts come together they can achieve breakthroughs that generalists are incapable of. Consider the world of cinema, where a master film director might collaborate with a master cinematographer and a master screenwriter to produce a film that pushes the boundaries of the art form. If one person with bits of knowledge about all three areas tried to make a film alone, the result wouldn’t be nearly as incredible. This is because, as Chong explains, experts understand “nuances, complexities, and emerging trends.” Chong’s point here is that specialists, due to their years of intense focus, understand even the smallest details of their subject areas. When a group of expert specialists come together there are no knowledge gaps and no missing understanding. They intuitively understand everything that is necessary to succeed at their tasks and can overcome any problems that arise.

Note how I started by stating a clear supporting argument.  Then I blended my ideas with quotations from the article I agreed with.  Check out how I followed each quote with a sort of “template phrase” that integrates it better with the rests of the paragraph (“Chong’s point here is…” and “Basically, Chong is saying that…”)

I’ve shared just one supporting paragraph, but you should probably write two.  The second one can have the same basic structure as the first.

Next, here’s a body paragraph that rebuts the argument I disagree with:

Caroline Mutuku argues that generalists are more likely to succeed in the workplace. She notes that generalists “possess a wide range of knowledge and skills that allow them to thrive in diverse fields.” However, Mutuku overlooks the fact that generalists can thrive only in entry-level positions. While this might be attractive early in their careers, they are likely to stop making progress in their jobs unless they choose to specialize in some specific area later on. Rarely do companies promote generalists to senior positions. Mutuku also claims that generalists are capable of bringing people together. She notes that they “can connect ideas from different fields.” This may have been true when Mutuku originally published her article. Today, however, things are much different. A lot of the bridging between fields is done by AI nowadays, so generalists are less in demand. Only specialists can perform work more capably than a well-trained AI.

This paragraph is structured a little differently, as it isn’t about one of my own supporting ideas.  It is merely a response to the author I disagree with.  Note that, once again, I blended quotes from the author with my own opinions.

Finally, here’s a short conclusion:

In conclusion, I am firmly convinced that it is better to pursue specialization than to be a generalist. This is because specialists can more easily communicate with other specialists and because they are better equipped to deal with global issues. Some may argue that generalists are more likely to succeed in professional settings, but I think that this is only true at entry level positions.

How to Get a Good Score

Easy, right.  Well, getting a truly good score isn’t so easy. Beyond proper structure and paragraphing, the rater also need to see some fairly sophisticated writing techniques.  The list below is drawn from the official ALP website, and a few other sources used in ALP classes at Columbia.

• Parallel Structures
• Given-new information flow
• Inversion and Fronting
• Appositives
• Noun clauses in subject position

Remember that in addition to this advanced stuff, your essay needs to show mastery of basic stuff.  That means basic transitions (therefore, however, in addition) and a mix of all three sentence types (simple, compound, complex).  You also need nearly perfect grammar to get a high score.

Also keep in mind that your essay must also quote from the sources when appropriate.  This is important.  If you don’t use the articles you will get a bad score even if your English is great!

Wrapping Up

Okay, so that’s a broad look at what the ALP test looks like and what you need to do.  For more help, or tutoring, feel free to contact me. To keep up with the latest changes to this test, contact Columbia University.