Well, most active and passive basses when you don't use EQ are very similar. After all, the front end of your head is basically an active preamp! An active bass merely moves part of that EQ circuit into the bass where it more convenient to adjust while you are playing.
In the Common Application, it says that the Personal Essay should be at least 250 words, and attached on a separate sheet (presumably, if you're submitting it online, you attach a one-page file).
You have a time limit in which to write the essay. The RLA test allows you 45 minutes, while the Social Studies test allows 25 minutes. The Science test asks you a Short Answer question (basically a mini essay). The GED test sections vary in length and have different numbers of questions.