Thought I was a strong writer, SAT essay flipped that on its head. What gives?

Test Preparation
2

<p>You appear to be a strong writer and I encourage you to explore this site. </p>

<p>Most likely, you will be told three things:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>You need to fill both pages. Your essay is comparatively short. **<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1350742-length-sat-essay-versus-score.html[/url][/B]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1350742-length-sat-essay-versus-score.html**&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
<li><p>You should use a five paragraph format. **<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html[/url][/B]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html**&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
<li><p>While your examples are not cliche, they could be more inventive. You should have three solid examples. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Here are other resources which you have probably seen: **<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html[/url][/B]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html**&lt;/a&gt; and **<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html[/url][/B]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html**&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>By the way, I scored an 8 my first time with a well written essay similar to yours. My second essay was vague, but it filled every line. That scored a 12.</p>