SAT Essay Tips

<p>What should I do to better improve my essay score? I got a 9/12 the last time I took it. I'm told by a lot of people to relate my essay to anything (studies, experiences, etc.). Should I try to write down as much BS as possible (assuming all the grammar is correct, will it improve my score?)? Oh, and does having a creative and unique essay get your numbers up?</p>

<p>Yes BSing will definitely help. That's what I did on pretty much all my essays and got 10s. If you can't think of unique experiences, studies, or events, just make up one. Having a unique essay definitely helps but don't ever write a poem because they won't look at that. The only thing they will care in their mere 2 min. reading of your essay is the quality of your writing.</p>

<p>Most of the prep books have tips for the essays. The best ones IMHO were in Cracking the SAT.</p>

<p>Read this thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/565800-steamedrice-s-essay-scoring-feedback-thread.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/565800-steamedrice-s-essay-scoring-feedback-thread.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It has many examples, scored by steamedrice, and has a ton of tips.</p>

<p>The most important thing is to be completely clear. Eloquence doesn't matter on this test. Simply develop a clear answer to the question, as supported by three body paragraphs/examples. Don;t read into the question, and don't try to write it "AP English" style, where you over-analyze and stuff. I got a 12 freshman year with this strategy.</p>

<p>Mm I don't think it's about clarity as much as it is about length. I got a perfect score in the Writing multiple choice, but a 6 on my essay because it was short (yes, my point was clear). I heard that, if your essay isn't at least two pages long, the scorers will automatically take off two points.</p>

<p>^ The across-the-room test is real</p>

<p>New</a> SAT: Write Long, Badly and Prosper - Los Angeles Times</p>

<p>I got an 11 my first try:</p>

<p>1) come up with good generic examples ahead of time. doesn't matter if they're trite and cliche, just come up with good ones that you can relate to any topic</p>

<p>2) HARD VOCABULARY</p>

<p>3) write as much as you can (I filled up all 2 pages)</p>

<p>4) neat handwriting counts!</p>

<p>Haha, just use really really broad examples.</p>

<p>I ALWAYS use an example of history and literature. with a brief intro and conclusion.</p>