<p>of course there is a big difference between SAT grading and AP grading. i didn't say that they were the same. i was just making a comparison that just as we prepare to write a good USH DBQ you have to prepare to write the SAT essay too.</p>
<p>I didn't know we had to prepare like that. Damn for not discovering CC before college admissions. Or is that a good thing?</p>
<p>I received horrible essay scores on my ACT and SAT which I could not improve after several retakes (with multiple 36s/800s on CR and missing no actual multiple-choice writing questions). I imagine the problem -- and make no mistake, it is a problem -- is that they require anecdotal evidence rather than real justification. A thorough rational analysis invoking logical fallacies and looking at consequences to defend or rebuke a claim is seemingly worthless, while "my grandmother doesn't like x so I don't think we should have x" gets you a gold star. 3 gold stars gets you a 12 provided that your introduction and conclusion are passable.</p>
<p>AKittka-- that's exactly the problem. this essay should, theoretically, test essay-writing ability, not the ability to "find and learn" a prescribed formula.</p>
<p>S received a 12 on the essay by giving up on writing a compelling sophisticated argument and dumbing down to the less advanced essay structure the SAT rewards. He used 5 paragraph form and filled two solid pages. Complex sentence structure and elevated vocabulary may also have helped, but maybe not. He also learned the kind of examples they like and those they don't. For instance, they do not care about the accuracy of your examples (you can say Scarlett O'hara appeared in "Steetcar Named Desire" and they cannot ding you for that mistake. But do use good solid examples (even those which are made up) that support your claim, and make the claim sufficiently flexible to allow your essay to appear less black & white.</p>
<p>Like anything related to standardized tests, it is possible to learn the style that gains the highest marks. But not everyone can perform this calculated backflip under timed conditions every time. Practice essays can help.</p>
<p>adamonkey2 is totally right. the first paragraph can make or break your essay. then, they skim [ i doubt they even do THAT], pick a number between 2 and 12, and BAM, there go your Ivy League hopes.</p>
<p>You could seriously do what Pimeson did [ I'm assuming that Lindsay Lohan had nothing to do with the prompt.... I wrote about Amy Winehouse in a practice essay with a prompt about if wealth really means you're successful or something like that XD ]</p>
<p>you can write a well thought out intro and conclusion, and then swear about your ex in the middle and probably land a 5, a 4 if the reader actually gives a d*mn....[ XP are we allowed to swear here? maybe i should reread * cough * the rules] </p>
<p>i took the SAT in june as a 7th grader and got a 10 on the essay. i wasn't surprised because thats what i usually get when i practice. i consider myself a very good writer and have won a couple of awards for my writing. so maybe the scoring isn't exactly arbitary, but its not like anyone actually reads your essay.</p>
<p>From what I've gathered over the past few years, english-class essays don't work on the SAT. <em>sigh</em> On practice SAT prompts we did in class, my teacher gave me 6's [equiv to an 11 or 12 on the SAT] on every one...on the actual SAT, I got an 8 - two 4's.
I think the difference between single and double-digit essay scores is how well you focus on something. Most of us do the classic 5-paragraph 3-point essay, and from what everyone on here has said, it's just not working well.
Everyone else who's done an essay on a focused topic like a celeb example or something seems to be getting 10+'s.</p>
<p>wish CB would tell us their grading secrets :x</p>
<p>in the blue book, the sample essays that get 6/6 focus on one detail (The Great Depression, a personal experience, etc.) and expound on it for 2-3 body paragraphs. I think they want to see detail and in depth analysis rather than a brief description of 2 or 3 different supporting details, which is what most people seem to do</p>
<p>
I was told to use historical examples, good modern culture examples, or very good personal examples. AND most of all write 5 paragraphs. As much as my english teacher hates the dreaded 3-pronger thesis....it can work magic too. I just wrote a basic 5 paragraph essay with 3 historical examples/evidence and i got a 12 on my essay.
</p>
<p>Not necessarily true. I wrote a FOUR paragraph essay with a well-developed introduction and two strong body paragraphs (multiple examples but focused around two common themes), and then a one-sentence conclusion because I ran out of time. I got an 11. (8th grade SAT, which I wish I could keep; have only taken the PSAT in HS, and it doesn't have an essay portion, so....)</p>
<p>so it should just be one examble with a detailed analysis? cause i usually struggle to come up with 3, make good paragraphs out of them, and rush through my conclusion...not a good idea.</p>
<p>but sometimes you can't think of a PERFECT example and if you can't, its hard to write such a good analysis on it....isn't it easier sometimes to write a little about each example? i know the rule is "write a lot about a little, not a little about a lot," but it can be tough in 25 min.</p>
<p>kafka - saying the writing SAT essay doesn't test "essay-writing ability" (vague and general term really) is just subjective. </p>
<p>And the fact that some of you guys think the essay readers don't read your entire essay is a joke. You paid to take the test. The essay graders are being paid to evaluate each essay. This is the collegeboard. When has it ever thrown out random or inaccurate scores on a whim? The essay graders follow a strict rubric and if the essay graders give the essay a score off by one a third reader reads the essay. </p>
<p>mocking the collegeboard for it's "non-profit" status is also ridiculous. just because it's "non-profit" doesn't mean it can't make profits. How is it supposed to pay employees then? I agree that some fees are unnecessary, but that's life. Really, do you think collegeboard is trying to ruin all of your lives? It's not collegeboard's fault that you're not happy with your scores or your essay score for that matter. hell, I'm not even happy with all of my scores, but I'm not going to blame somebody else for them. </p>
<p>if you answer the prompt in depth, which requires writing a lot, and support your thesis then you will get a good score. Just like school... you learn how a teacher grades essays and what he/she looks for and you adjust. Do the same for the SAT essay. it can be done. and just because your English teacher gave you an A+ on your last essay doesn't mean you deserve a 12. </p>
<p>every time i see the title of this thread it just ... makes me mad lol.</p>