SAT II Writning Essay Please Help

<p>I'm taking the test in 2 days and i suck at writing essays. Im ok on the MC. For starters i cant right very vast (legibly), even if i were to write constantly i wouldnt be able to do more than 400 words. I also make stupid mistakes because i have to rush to write anything. Sometimes i just blank on what to write. </p>

<p>Heres a sample essay i wrote,
"Money cannot buy happiness."</p>

<p>Money is something which is prized in society. It is thought money gives power and happiness. I know from experience the latter is not true.
One summer I decided that I wanted, needed, lots of money and cool gadgets. I would not be happy until I had enough money to buy a new bike, TV, and computer. So, I got a job at a local grocery store. I soon found it would take me far too long to accumulate the amount of money I desired. I decided to get another job at a retail store.
Between my two jobs I worked 10 hour days 6 days a week. For the first two weeks of working, I relished in the amount of money I was making. I bought a new TV to reward myself.
The third week of was not so fun. I did not mind the work, but missed such pleasantries as going to the movies with my friends. I also hardly saw my family anymore, as my parents worked night shifts. I continued working another two weeks before I finally quit.
I was not happy with my money. Sure I had my new TV a new bike, but I lost what was truly dear to me; my family and friends. I learnt money cannot buy happiness. </p>

<p>I realize all the mistakes made, but dont seem to be able to avoid them with the time limit. Someone please give me some advice. Feel free to comment on and grade the essay.</p>

<p>I'm not going to grade your essay, but I can pass on a couple tips my AP English teacher told me:
1) don't screw around w/ gimmicks, catching the readers attention (do this but not in a long, roundabout way), or a long intro.. In a short essay such as this it's not needed and you don't have time for it
2) use clear, concrete examples
3) don't write too broadly, be specific. Instead of 'From the dawn of time, man has been looking out for his interests and has evolved w/ the idea of survival of the fittest in his mind' (I'm not a writer so my examples may suck..sorry) use 'My neighbor Tom is selfish, and he wouldn't walk five feet to save my life' or something (once again..not a writer..i'm shooting for an 8 on the essay.
4) plan before you write w/ a brief outline or something like that. unplanned essays tend to ramble on and have irrevelant information.
5) the essays are more about content than structure. Grammar mistakes will be held against you when they interefere w/ your message but forgetting a comma after an intro. adv. clause isn't going to drop your score.</p>