<p>Some sources, like Sparknotes, say you should always use three essays. However, if you look at the two examples that got 6's in the collegeboard sat official book, you'll see that they mostly focus on one really developed essay.
Is it easier to get a 12 with three examples, or one really developed example</p>
<p>depends depends…
if you knew the example really well, and could use it as a full support for the thesis then go for it
on the other hand, if you don’t then use 3 different examples
both of them can get a 12 as long as it is clear, concise and lack of cliched/overused examples (hitler, obama etc.)
i got a 12 for 3 examples so it really depends</p>
<p>I’ve taken the SAT three times. First two times, I used a single, well-developed personal example and got an 8 both times. This October, I used three examples (2 literary, 1 misc.) and got a 12. I’d stick with the three non-personal examples and covering both pages formula if you want a twelve. :)</p>
<p>yeah one example seems to be hard to develop fully.</p>
<p>After practicing for the SAT essay, I realized that the best fit for me was to use 2 examples. I couldn’t go as indepth as I wanted to with 3 examples, and using 1 example is hard to develop into a 2 page essay while avoiding redundancy.</p>
<p>I got a 12 on my essay, but I did use unconventional examples (that may have helped)</p>
<p>I agree with Jakeus. I actually used personal examples the first time, historical the second, but always just two examples. I felt that whenever I tried three on a practice the essay would end up too choppy and lacking the necessary detail. Two essays worked best for me. I got an 11 on my second essay - and I found the three-example rule did not work for me at all.
And one example = probably a bad idea. The SAT rewards formulaic efficiency, not uniqueness.</p>
<p>Each of the three times that I took the SAT, I used 2 examples and got an 8.</p>
<p>The graders will view one well-developed example as superior to three. This demonstrates strong reasoning and critical thinking. Also, transition can be a problem and a failure to handle that properly will cause you to lose points. For the Oct test, I used the character of Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye and received a 12. Also, I argued for the point of view that was opposite the one most will take and I am sure the graders appreciated a break in the monotony from the agreement that humor is a a beneficial way to better a situation.</p>
<p>^ =O wha</p>
<p>i used two for an 11.</p>
<p>important factors (in order of importance):</p>
<ol>
<li>length</li>
<li>thesis</li>
<li>example elaboration and connection to thesis</li>
</ol>
<p>i used 2 examples, but i elaborated on them so much that i reached 2 pages. one reader gave me a 6, and another (grumpy) reader gave me a 5. i’m happy.</p>
<p>yeah I got a 9 on 1st sat. What’s up with the people who give you lower scores. SEriously.</p>
<p>I used ZERO examples and made the entire essay on ONE EXPERIENCE I had and got an 11/12. ;)</p>
<p>^that would be an example, good sir</p>
<p>OP: No. The quantity of examples is irrelevant. If you write an extremely abstract paper with a sufficiently florid style, you can still get a 12. It’s about the quality of your writing, not your choice of structure.</p>
<p>i read its easier to get 12 w/ three examples tho.</p>
<p>What are non-personal examples? Examples from my home and myself or my friends are not good for the essay?</p>
<p>CollegeKid: It’s easier to get a 12 if you’re a good writer. The structure you use is irrelevant. It so happens that more sophisticated writers tend to flesh out examples more, and will often actually rely on fewer examples (that’s why you hear so many anecdotal stories about people using only one example and getting 12’s). I actually think that 3 examples screams “5 Paragraph Essay” which does not show much sophistication. You really should just decide what the best points you can make are an craft a nice essay that shows off how good of a writer you are.</p>
<p>is there a formula to getting a double digit essay? practically all the test prep companies claim there is a formula. i.e. first write the bold thesis, then the three examples explain a little… They say you should have prepared/ memorized facts about the examples beforehand so you know dates and such.</p>
<p>don’t bother worrying about developing your 3 points, worry about length. My brother made up his whole essay and beat me, I used legit examples.</p>
<p>Just fill up the pages</p>
<p>The prep companies tell you that there’s a formula so that you will feel like they’re helping you on the essay. If they told you the truth, you’d feel ripped off.</p>