SAT essay technicality?

<p>Hi! I am upset with my low essay score of an 8 on the November SAT. The examples I used include the stem cell research controversy, high school, charity, and the book The Wave. My teachers and tutors have reviewed the essay and claimed that it deserved a 10+. I have VERY messy handwriting, but nothing was illegible. Is it possible that bad penmanship lowered my score? Should I have used different examples?
Thanks in advance :)</p>