No hope, SAT essay

Test Preparation
1

<p>It's even hard to write about this problem. It might seem silly, especially when everything is considered, but I don't know what to do and how to tackle it.
The fear of SAT essay is not a new thing for students who are to take SAT in near future. But I don't have just a fear - it is a chronic panic.</p>

<p>I've never had any problems with writing neither in my mother tongue nor in English. When I was in the USA as an exchange student I was getting constantly the best scores in my English and Journalism classes. Writing tasks have been always easy for me, no matter was it standardized tests such as FCE(First Certificate in English), CAE(Certificate of Advanced English), or practical use such as Olympiads, articles and so on. But when it comes to SAT essay everything is just horrible.
I took SAT 2 times. The score for essay is always the same - 9. Although I know that I can do a little bit better with preparation, things still don't change. I can't even study for essay. I've already improved my score by 300+ points and essay can help me to get my perfect score and, what is more important, boost my spirit.
The problem is that I can't write. Just can't. When the time to write comes I begin to cry because there is nothing in my head. Every word I write is not what I mean. Every sentence is a disaster. Every idea is trivial. I can't understand what is going on, because I don't have this problem with other writing task. Moreover, writing something else is innate for me - I always have millions great ideas, can put them logically and find sophisticated words and phrases.
I'm despondent. It seems unsurmountable. Still, I don't want to give up.
What should I do? How to overcome this fear?</p>

<p>Thank you a lot in advance.</p>

2

<p>I think it’s clear your problem is psychological. Look at the way you describe it:</p>

<p>The problem is that I can’t write. Just can’t. When the time to write comes I begin to cry because there is nothing in my head. Every word I write is not what I mean. Every sentence is a disaster. Every idea is trivial.</p>

<p>Every word? Every sentence? Every idea? These are clearly overstatements. For some reason you have let the SAT task become some fearsome monster with the power to paralyze you. Why is it so important? What is riding on your score?</p>

<p>I’m no psychologist, but it seems you have been conditioned to have a disproportionate reaction specifically to the SAT. There are specialists, educational consultants, who are trained to deal with a problem like this. It may be worth your trouble to spend some time with one. It is possible that your school counselor might be a good place to start.</p>