<p>My highest grade on the sat was in the writing. I got a 650 with a 12 on the essay for the sat.</p>
<p>600 math, 560 reading.............It seems like no one cares about the writing.</p>
<p>Whats your thoughts?</p>
<p>I would also like to know. My best score was writing also :(</p>
<p>Unfortunately, doing well on the SAT writing portions won’t do much good for you. The only time it would really make a considerable difference would be if someone applying with great scores in reading and math did terrible on the writing section and got a very low essay score. This would not be considered “officially” by the colleges, per-se, because the majority of colleges just look at the combined Math+Reading. It would however, likely raise some eyebrows and could bar you from getting into some highly competitive schools.</p>
<p>That being said, I’m kind of the same as you with test taking. After taking the SAT and having my writing section be my highest score, I realized that it was unfair to not have my knack for writing factored into what colleges will be seeing on my standardized test, so I switched to the ACT. The ACT has four sections (english, math, reading, and science, and an optional essay) whose individual scores are added together and divided by four to get an overall composite score. Lucky for people like us, if you choose the ACT as the test you send into colleges, they consider your composite score above everything else. They will probably be looking at each section separately but, unlike the SAT, the ACT’s overall score is the big number that colleges see. So, instead of having your good writing scores neglected, they are factored into the overall equation and make you look even better!</p>
<p>So my advice: take the ACT!! The writing section is even easier, in my opinion, than the SAT…and colleges actually consider it.</p>
<p>qcassidy, I don’t know where you got the impression that most colleges don’t consider writing, but that assertion is patently untrue. At virtually all the top colleges and most national universities, the writing section and overall score (out of 2400, not 1600) are considered, not just the math and critical reading. If you don’t want to take my word for it, check out the websites for any colleges you’re considering. Unless they happen to be test-optional (or one of a few technical universities primarily concerned with math), they will most likely consider writing as part of the whole SAT score, not just a separate, less important part.</p>
<p>Well, I am taking the ACT and never looked at it that way about it bringing up my other scores. Good point and I hope I did really well last Saturday on the writing section.</p>
<p>But…If you look at the websites at larger universities,they might look at the whole xxxx out of 2400. But…they are very specific about the reading/math scores. Writing is a talent and I got a 12 out of 12. My SAT tutor said he has only seen a handful of 12’s. I just hope someone notices it.</p>
<p>Right. As I said, all sections will definitely be looked at, but the number that schools (in most cases) are going to be placing the most emphasis on is your Math+Critical Reading. You’re right in saying that this is not always the case in some very good schools, namely the top liberal arts schools in the nation that are going to place a greater value on creativity, if you will. I’m just saying that if this person wants to look as attractive as they can to the MOST colleges, I think the ACT is their best choice.</p>
<p>so its bad if writing is your best score? I have an 800 on writing, but a 790 on critical reading and only a 700 on math. </p>
<p>Is this distribution of scores really bad, because my CR and M is only 1490?</p>
<p>No, that’s not a “really bad” score distribution. Your 2290 is an exceptional score no matter the distribution- that is, unless you love math/science and want to apply to a top-notch technical school like Caltech or MIT. And it’s definitely not bad if writing is your best score; considering your scores, I’m guessing you will apply to at least several top schools that consider the SAT as a whole, which definitely will help you. And “only 1490” is not bad either.</p>
<p>Yea, but Cornell is my second choice school, and it doesn’t consider writing, and the program I would apply to is a pre med program, so is the 700 bad? I’m taking math II, and will probably get a mid 700 on that, though?</p>
<p>So back to the original reply, the act writing score doesnt come into play for the composite score on the ACT. Interesting, its just a stand alone number for someone to look at if they choose to. It’s an interesting concept how this “writing” is taking second fiddle to reading/math. Isn’t it equally important for a person to be able to express their ideas as well as read others ideas?</p>
<p>Just being a devil’s advocate…</p>
<p>As Dudewheresmycar said if you are applying to a top college or university they are going to want to see a wiriting score that is consistent with the critcal reading and math. So many students look the same on paper that it could be the determining factor in the admissions decision.</p>
<p>you are talking about the essay on the ACT. The writing SECTION is weighed just as heavily as any other section on the ACT by colleges because the composite is the big number. This is not always true on the SAT.</p>
<p>No, I’m speaking of the SAT. The composite score out of 2400 AND individual section scores are what is considered by the top universities- not just the individual Math and Critical Reading sections alone. Also, according to the ACT website, the writing section does not affect the composite score. It just is noted as an extra section. Here’s the pertinent link: [ACT</a> Writing Test : Scores](<a href=“ACT Test Preparation | Test Prep Resources | ACT”>ACT Test Preparation | Test Prep Resources | ACT)</p>