<p>I've studied the countless example posted by collegeboard, and even emulated them on my SAT writing prompt. However, I managed only a measly 9.</p>
<p>What is the secret to a high scoring essay?</p>
<p>Do you use some high level vocabulary? I had like 4 or 5 out of the ordinary words. My essay grader was reading through my paragraphs easily and then comes across this random word that catches her attention. Now I don't know if this actually happened, but if you put like 2 or 3 good vocab words in your intro, you'll get points for that. Make sure you conclude as well.</p>
<p>10 vocab words from an SAT "Hot List" (e.g. quizzical, verbose, gregarious, etc.) + 1 account of a relevant personal experience + an awesome intro paragraph + 2 historical/literary references</p>
<p>.....and use ALL of the space provided! ALL of it! Quantity counts, no matter what they say!</p>
<p>Where can you find this "Hot List"?</p>
<p>yeah, where exactly is this hot list bms2009 - any help would be appreciated</p>
<p>i dont think using vocab = 11/12 on essay
its mostly about your content and depth of your examples.
i mean, if you use vocab appropriately and naturally (not forced), then that's def. a bonus. but don't FORCE in vocab just to use them.
i got a 12 on my essay, and i don't think i used any 'fancy' vocab.</p>
<p>'hot lists' can be any SAT vocab list.
Sparknotes Vocab list is pretty useful (and very long)
you can probably find sat word lists in any prep book.</p>
<p>Well also try and write as much as you possibly can. Some studies have found that the essays that wrote more received higher scores.</p>
<p>For writing the essay though, there are three keys to writing a good essay based on what I can tell from the College Board SAT prep book and a little bit of personal experience...</p>
<p>Length is essential. There is an obvious correlation between essay score and essay length, so writing less and finishing with time to spare is a poor strategy.</p>
<p>Well constructed sentences utilizing effectively placed big vocabulary. The former makes your essay flow and communicate more effectively, obviously making it better. I would recommend studying how the MC fixes sentences in order to get a good idea of how to write as lucidly as possibly. As for the latter, I presume it subconsciously effects the grader in a positive way for your, because advanced vocabulary does not imply quality writing. To clarify, just having large words does not make a good essay. But having them there should help give that illusion to the grader. People are always more inclined to rate you highly if they think you are intelligent.</p>
<p>Finally, examples are integral. You need to support your statements. Don't ever, ever, try to have your argument stand on their own. My friend, who is nearly as smart at me and excellent in formulating arguments, got a 7 on his essay. We were riding back from the testing center together after the test and talking about the essay (not the question, for those CB personnel snooping here) and the examples we used (again, not the implementation, but just what they were). He mentioned he used only one, because he preferred to think his arguments could stand by themselves. I winced, as I had already theorized that examples were necessary, and that the more there were, the better. His score now has only proved what I realized then</p>
<p>As for the literature/history examples, they are a great idea. If you can cite sophisticated literature or obscure but relevant history, you give the same subconscious impression of intelligence to the grader as with big words, with the same beneficial results.</p>
<p>As I said in another thread.</p>
<p>Sushi, while vocab is not necessary, it undeniably helps.</p>
<p>RE: Vocab Hotlist, I got my list from the person I worked with for SAT prep, and I only just realized it was his personal list of words acquired over years of tutoring. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, a friend of mine used the Kaplan SAT Vocab Flashcards Flip-O-Matic and most of the words were the same so I would consider that a really good resource (available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc.)</p>
<p>Hope that helps! :)</p>
<p>i got a 10 and all I did was address the question. You don't have to be a good writer</p>
<p>lol I think the more you concentrate on the question or thesis, the more you get. don't use any vocab that seems to drive the scorer crazy.
CLEAR+TO THE POINT= high grade.</p>
<p>I got a 10 on the May essay. Here's what I did:</p>
<p>1) Write a good introduction. Introduce controversial side, then introduce my side. Then use a sentence to map your examples.</p>
<p>2) 2 body examples. I used personal because I couldn't think of anything else but I wrote 2 pages so...</p>
<p>3) Restate your thesis in conclusion and apply your statement to a larger aspect in life.</p>
<p>4) Make sure you vary your sentences.</p>
<p>5) Use transitions thoughout, pivotal words, use transition when your starting a new paragraph.</p>
<p>6) Try to sprinkle in some impressive vocabulary in the introduction and conclusion as these places are the most noticeable.</p>
<p>7) Make sure you write at least 1.4 of a page, better yet 1.75-2.00.</p>
<p>8) Also, make sure your examples are revelant.</p>
<p>I got a 12 essay, 790 overall and I did not use a single word that a 7th grader wouldn't know. Here are some important tips that I followed:</p>
<p>The graders do NOT want to see that you are putting "vocab" words in your essay for the sake of putting them in, and they can tell when you do it. What they want to see for a 12 is the following:</p>
<p>clear, easy to follow organization including an introduction, 2 examples, and a conclusion</p>
<p>WELL DEVELOPED examples. Throw in a lot of crap about the background of your examples. I used Andrew Carnegie as one, so I said where he was born, what years Carnegie Steel was running, etc. </p>
<p>EVEN IF IT IS FACTUALLY INCORRECT, put in facts or statistics. Don't go overboard, but definitely do some. They can't count you off for being factually incorrect. I have heard a story about a guy who got 11 after writing about Thomas Jefferson's presidency in the 1950s!</p>
<p>MAKE IT LONG. There was a legitimate study done by a professor somewhere (I think at MIT) which showed that he could predict the grade of an essay from ACROSS THE ROOM with remarkable accuracy. The longer the essay, the higher score you will get. It's stupid, but it's the way it works. You want to be writing at 100 mph for 20 solid minutes. </p>
<p>MAKE IT NEAT,
If you write neatly, you will please the readers because they will find it easier to understand your handwriting. They are ****ed and bored and the last thing they want to do is decipher some kind of chicken scratch. </p>
<p>CROSS OUT SOME THINGS. You heard me right! Part of the across the room study showed that if things were crossed out, it shows that you put some time into "editing" it and trying to make it better. The idea is that it's a first draft, so they actually look for scratched out words/lines. (As long as it's done relatively neatly). This will also add to your length. Seriously, do it!</p>
<p>Those are the strategies I used for the test, and I did well on it. One other thing is be prepared with some generic examples and facts beforehand. If you don't remember facts, make some up! Really! You could even make up a foreign book if you are desperate (my buddy did that and got an 11). </p>
<p>I think that historical and literature examples are the best and personal examples are NOT what they are necessarily looking for. I wish you luck, follow those steps and I'm sure you can do well!</p>
<p>screw it. I got a 9 essay and am going to Harvard</p>
<p>hmm, thats good advice</p>
<p>im somewhat conflicted about whether to use 2 examples or 3 examples
some very esteemed test prep companies i.e. test masters and rocketreview recommend 3</p>
<p>From what I've experienced, it's a good idea to stay with the prompt. Re-state it often but differently throughout your essay. You can sometimes find yourself going off on tangents completely unrelated to the topic.</p>
<p>im somewhat conflicted about whether to use 2 examples or 3 examples
some very esteemed test prep companies i.e. test masters and rocketreview recommend 3</p>
<p>the one edge the majority of people who take the SAT miss with their college essays are value, rarity, and individuality of content. When the scorer writes that number down in the box, they haven't taken time to really consider your thoughts outside of what they just read. You need to make sure that you put your heart and soul into the essay with authenticity; otherwise, expect an average score.</p>
<p>*SAT essays, not college essays.</p>
<p>bump (10 char)</p>