<p>What would you suggest for the SAT writing for a student who has extremely bad handwriting, due to difficulty holding a pencil for an extended period of time? Don't most students use computers when they write papers at home?</p>
<p>I have horrible handwriting (I have a neurological condition where my hand shakes slightly all the time). They seemed to read mine just fine. Perhaps someone else is more informed than I.</p>
<p>Celebrian I think I"m on the same boat as you (fine motor skill thing- handwriting looks like a 1st graders etc.). That takes a little pressure of me to write this thing. At least I don't have to worry about getting a zero because they couldn't read it.</p>
<p>Couldn't read mine after I was done but still got a 12. These people are teachers, they are used to terrible handwriting. That said, if you have a medical reason for your handwriting being particularily difficult to read, you can look into getting extended time (altho I don't know if this would improve your handwriting or make it worse? haha) or other special accomodations. I'd talk to your English teacher, guidance counseler, or call College Board to ask about this. Also practice writing neatly in the mean time.</p>
<p>The Kaplan SAT prep book says neatness is one of the most important factors in getting a high score. How can one be neat with terrible handwriting? It is nearly impossible to get special accommodations. The College Board has very stringent requirements for using a computer on the test. Bad handwriting is not one of them.</p>
<p>^By your post it seemed as if you had a medical reason for your poor handwriting. If you don't, you're right, you won't get special accommodations. Kaplan's is wrong. Most important is that your handwriting is legible, not neat, and that your response is effective. Unfortunately if you have no medical reason for your poor handwriting, you'll just have to practice over the summer. I have real neat handwriting, but in a crush like the SAT, it gets pretty scary. I suggest preparing yourself as best you can for it so that you'll have lots of extra time and/or won't feel panicked and rushed. Also I spend about a minute outlining my essay in my head. Barron's study guide for the AP Lang & Comp exam has summaries of important works of literature that would be useful for use in the SAT essay. Also familiarize yourself with current and historical (hard to do that, I know) events. Don't try to cram too much in to your response. Two detailed controls will be enough to give you a twelve.</p>
<p>So, really, your only option is to write as neat as you can in the time alotted. I can't think of anything else you can do.</p>
<p>I have terrible handwriting... and no medical condition.
I'm certainly not going to be using my essay time to work on handwriting either.
Lets just hope Kaplan is wrong</p>