For all those who are trying to find answers as to why they failed this year in essay. For those who passed essay in earlier attempts, but couldn't go through this time. And also for those who got ridiculously less scores.

There can be a couple factors behind that:

1- There is huge difference between the nature of essay topics in 2013 compared to earlier papers. The essay in past years were more descriptive, narrative and/or problem-solution type. However, this year more argumentative, compare-contrast essays appeared. Candidates might have dealt with them as if they were doing cause-effect/problem-solution essay.
2- Command of English Language does not ensure passing/getting good marks in essay. People with excellent command in English can falter while doing Essay. Essay writing is an art!!! and not everybody knows it, even not me!
3- Candidates who had passed Essay paper in earlier attempts but failed this year is because of the difference of topics. Can anyone say that they did equally well both of the times?
4- Irrelevance can be yet another factor that is major problem for most of the candidates!

These are the conclusions I have drawn. May not necessarily be true of each and every case.:))

I think, in essay paper, the examiners examine the overall mindset of a person and his/her abilities in terms of analysis, the fertility of one's mind and her/his outlook on and of the prevalent problems/issues. It's not something which concern going after an easy topic but is concerned about the overall makeup of a personality, I suppose.