<p>real importance of it?</p>
<p>do they use it to grasp your basic knowledge of a basic essay? or do they look for on-the-spot creativity? vocab (if the words in your app. essay are harder and maybe you got an iffy verbal score)?
your perspective?
does it really matter much? should i put in a lot of effort?</p>
<p>It tests all of the above, as well as your ability to write an essay timed. Also that there is no way you would have outside help. This is a time where they can see your completely unedited writing. I think it matters quite a bit; certainly you should put a lot of effort into it. Even if it didn't, you should. You never know what will affect their decision.</p>
<p>^ Whoops. :D</p>
<p>ability to write (basic syntax, articulation, essay outline), but what about creativity?</p>
<p>Sure, creativity's a factor. The writing should be interesting, and that comes from creativity. If it's boring, it's not very good.</p>
<p>if you send in 2 scores, do they look at both essays? or just the one test they consider</p>
<p>both probably</p>
<p>Do you think so? I would have thought they wouldn't have the time. I don't know, though.</p>
<p>haha man i did pretty crap on my essay. i based my entire essay on ipseity, and idont even know if i was using it in the right context!
im hoping theyll focus more on the app essays tho.</p>
<p>Creativity, a little, but they're looking for insightful thoughts mainly, and you'll find time to be creative on their essays that they give you.</p>
<p>They do though undderstand that you had only a very small bit of time so they understand that the ssat essay wont be nearly as good as the application ones...</p>
<p>i really wasn't pleased with my essay. i changed my mind right in the middle of my writing and had to cross out a rather large section. but just wondering for when i retest. Do you think they mind when you cross things out?</p>
<p>umm they'll probably understand... I'm assuming you were jsut nervous. Did you write a substantial amount?</p>
<p>yeah i did. i'm sure when they see my essay they'll know how nervous i really was. that might be all they get from it, though.</p>
<p>Well, they know that it's not your fault you couldn't erase it. As long as the essay is readable, it shouldn't count against you.</p>