<p>Have any of you actively tried to "game" it, so to speak?</p>
<p>I mean, have any of you actually tested out the claim that using a plethora (a club favorite, apparently) of big words and writing a really long essay will garner the essay-writer a high score?</p>
<p>If so, how did you end up doing?</p>
<p>My niece increased her essay score by 4 points by doing just that. She prepared a one-size fits all essay with lots of 10-dollar words. She, her essay tutor, and her English teacher father all agreed the resulting essay was pure gobbledy-gook.</p>
<p>You want to make a good first impression on the essay graders, because they won’t be reading it for any longer than 2 minutes. Some graders like big words; others don’t. What’s most important is that you use the words correctly. Focus on that, rather than memorizing obscure words.</p>
<p>It might be prudent to mention here that your SAT essay is part of your score report, which means colleges can see it. Many colleges even consider the SAT essay in the application process (if only to confirm that the application essay was written by the same person).</p>
<p>I wrote a solid essay with no frilly vocab and scored a 10. I think trying to fluff yourself up is reprehensible… but obviously it’s going to happen. Just my 2c.</p>