<p>I got an 8 on my essay the first time I took the SAT, so I practiced rigorously to improve it. As an AP English Language student, I was trained to write three factual body paragraph with a lot of evidence, a refutation, and a thesis that takes an unorthodox approach or side. As you can imagine, I barely managed to do even that; I wrote two body paragraphs, a short refutation, and a one-sentence conclusion. After learning that the SAT essay doesn't have to even close to that level, I took a more simple approach. </p>
<p>This time, I made sure that my thesis specifically agreed with the task question. I used three examples (though lightly fabricated) that involved a world leader, my sister, and myself. I also made sure to use topic sentences and relate back to the thesis at the end of each body paragraph. I did not write a refutation and made sure to end my essay with a "zingy" concluding sentence. I also proofread for grammatical errors. I know this is sorta vague, but given this info, could I have received a coveted 12 this time? </p>
<p>Not sure about a 12 as they reserve 12’s for the best writings and probably look for examples in which you display you have a broad understanding of literature, history and other topics, not as much for personal experiences. You will probably get at least a 10 though, good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks! I was told in my Kaplan course that they disregard the strength and credibility of the examples and only look at how they’re developed. Was that just inaccurate? </p>
<p>No problem! and hmm I’m not really sure I’m not really an expert, but I assume your claims have to have some sort of credibility otherwise people could just make things up willy-nilly. Also a stronger and more credible example would help prove you had a more vast knowledge, thus increasing your score. Can’t be positive though</p>
<p>@RumbleTin I totally see what you’re saying. I’m more than happy with something above a 10 though! Thanks! </p>
<p>No problem. Im sure you did great on it and got at least a 10!</p>
<p>The credibility will not be checked, but if you’re talking about general flying unicorn who came here from mars and won the Civil War for the north, the reader might catch on. If you were reasonable in your fabrication then you should be fine. </p>
<p>As far as the score… no one can actually tell you without reading your essay. Even then, it might be a tad off. Use this to help you garner an idea of how you did: <a href=“Understanding SAT Scores – SAT Suite | College Board”>The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board;
<p>@elvisthepup don’t know how i haven’t seen that link! I’m definitely starting to feel better about it, thank you!! </p>
<p>@elvisthepup I believe the quality of my writing was slightly above the quality of the score 5 example, but also slightly below the essay with a score of 6. However I did not finish and was near the end of my second body paragraph and did not get to finish or conclude my essay. Is it still possible I could get a 10 or will they look down on my writing for not finishing?</p>
<p>They will definitely score you down for not finishing, because they look for the general structure as well as the development of your examples.</p>
<p>How far down though?</p>
<p>It depends on how developed and organized your essay is regardless of finishing. No one can tell you exactly how far down without reading the essay. You’d be the best grader, for you’ve seen your paper. They aren’t going to grade you down for finishing unless it’s impacted development and organization…which it probably did.</p>
<p>My advice would have been to use at least one book or literary example as that really establishes that you know your stuff. 12’s are really hard to get.</p>
<p>@elvisthepup i do not believe it affected the organization of my essay, but yes the final development of my last point was not fully made as I could not explain why this factor was relevant. You could tell what the point was going to be, but I could not explicitly state it unfortunately</p>
<p>I got a 12 a couple of times, and I am not a super great writer. I took some advice I saw on CC one time. Either 3 or 5 paragraphs, TAKE A SIDE, 4 SAT level vocab words per paragraph, and a strong example to support your argument. I recommend using a book of sorts (know the author’s name). Your argument does not even really have to make sense as long as you can support it, and it has some push behind it.</p>
<p>My tip is to use only 2 examples from literature/history and to explain them thoroughly. Don’t use 3 examples because you either won’t have time/space or you won’t be able to explain them very thoroughly.</p>
<p>If you only have one minute left to do a conclusion, then just write anything down. Even “my examples prove that I am right” kind of conclusion will give you some points and is better than not having a conclusion at all.</p>
<p>Food for thought: </p>
<p>I was reading an interesting post about where the CR passages came from, but the following part of the post struck me as far as realizing the scores on the essay component are never perfect: </p>
<p>“The prompt that morning asked if an idealistic approach was less valuable than a practical one. I wrote what I thought they wanted: an essay about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. I’d never written a timed essay on a standardized test before, but Catherine’s son Chris had been espousing some ridiculous rule about using Martin Luther King, Jr. in every essay, no matter what the topic was. The one time he actually did this (on his third outing), he scored an 11. The theory took on new meaning after his mother, Catherine, scored a 10 (prompt: Rules versus Freedom) when she took the SAT. Catherine has a Ph.D. and teaches college freshman composition; she grades five-paragraph essays for a living. Plus the College Board has used passages from her books in the Critical Reading section. She told me she’d written her essay on law and economics (in South America, no less), citing Hernando De Sotot’s book The Mystery of Capitalism. And she scored a 10.”</p>
<p>So, no guarantees on the ‘12’, but definitely be happy with a ‘10’ if you get it. </p>
<p>Report back here with your score, if you can. </p>
<p>hey, are you all waiting for the writing results of the April 12 ACT? has anyone received theirs yet ?</p>
<p>Nope, waiting for the May SAT</p>