<p>how does the scoring system with the English section and the essay work? is it easier/harder to do better on the English with or without the essay? and if I've already scored a 12 on the SAT essay, is it necessary to take the ACT essay? do colleges always count the higher score?</p>
<p>The essay is a part of your complete score - an essay score from the SAT and a non-essay score from the ACT have nothing to do with each other.</p>
<p>The essay (writing portion) is required by some universities (a lot of the top ones), so I would recommend playing it safe and just taking it, in case you decide later you want to apply to one that requires.</p>
<p>The scoring system is that the essay has no effect on your composite score. You get the essay score after the final composite score. It is factored into your English score after you get your composite, and can change it by a maximum of 2 points.</p>
<p>For example, I got a 35 English score, and with Math, Science, and Reading, My composite was a 31. I then got an 11 on the essay, which lowered my English score to a 34, but did not change my composite (I don’t think it would have even if it was recalculated with a 34, but the fact remains that it doesn’t effect your composite).</p>
<p>Anyway, considering you got a 12 on the SAT essay, you’ll probably have no problem with the ACT essay.</p>
<p>Yes. Colleges will almost never take an ACT score without the essay score.</p>
<p>It depends on the individual school. Some require it, others do not.</p>