Hi there,

In answer to your question, no you probably will not hurt yourself. Firstly, and generally, the essays do not count for very much (unless the program asks you for a certain score). In addition, if you stick to 4 paragraphs per essays (5 paragraphs if you can handle it timewise) including an introduction and conclusion paragraph in each you should be fine. Remember that in the issue essay you should show you agree or disagree (somewhere in the introduction) and each Body paragraph should show 1 reason why you agree or disagree along with an explanation and example. In the Argument essay: No opinion! Just show that the argument is flawed and in the 2 or 3 Body/Flaw paragraphs each one shows 1 flaw in the argument followed by an explanation of that flaw and a recommendation of how it can be remedied.

All told if you got a 5.5 the first time, I suggest you practice 2 or 3 essays each and go for it!