The written submission has to go in at the time of entry. There is a wide choice of topic, and candidates are advised to choose the one which relates most closely to their own experience.

Many young teachers choose to show how they would introduce a new piece to a student. This can relate to any piece - probably one that they are studying themselves - maybe one of the Grade 6 pieces that they are learning for the exam, in which case the essay can relate to the lessons that they are receiving at the time. It must be a piece they like.