"I look at the outline first and foremost. There are three possible types of outlines
1) relevant, to the point
2) twisted, convoluted and confusing
3) incomprehensible due to poor English
The last two outline-producing varieties of candidates are half-failed in my mind when I reach the end of their outlines.

Then I look for the thesis statements and again there can be three types of them
1) coherent and relevant
2) irrelevant
3) incomprehensible

For the third variety, their thesis statement marks the end of their stories. I skim through the pages of their sheets in next few seconds just to find out more blunders and finally award them marks in 0-20 range.

For the second type of thesis statements, if the outline is irrelevant too, I give a read to their introductory and concluding paragraphs, and just a fleeting glance to the material they've written in the body. If they used correct English, I award them marks just for doing that.

If the thesis is irrelevant but the outline was relevant, I give them a fighting chance. I read the introductory paragraph, if it conveys some sense as a whole, I continue. If the essay is coherent and strong till the end, and my eyes don't find mistakes while turning the pages, this type of candidate can make through.

For the candidates who have relevant outlines and thesis statements, they are already half-passed when I reach the end of their introductory paragraphs. I skim through their essays just to check if they have written the same stuff as their outline inside or if they have digressed and gone beyond the scope of the title. If they haven't done that to an unforgiving extent, they are clear.

Some candidates produce very good outlines and introductory paragraphs. Once I have decided to pass them, I read whole of their essays just to decide how much they deserve above 40. But this is a very rare variety."

I have quoted a person who used to be an examiner for FPSC. I hope this can answer your questions, Aik Admi.

And brother Xing Lee, they don't need to read the whole essay just to ascertain this. The guy I quoted above also said that he could know whether a candidate knew proper English just by reading five or six of his sentences. Lol

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