Tips for the SAT essay that worked for me

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>So somehow on the March SAT I managed to score a 12 on the essay, which is surprising considering how my highest score previously was a 7. I looked at the differences between my two tests and found myself echoing a lot of the advice given here on CC. Hopefully this will help solidify any doubts about what to do.</p>

<p>Read lots and lots of well written English prose. What you read affects how you write and the eloquence with which you write with. If an essay uses all the right words in all the right places it will most likely score well. A higher vocabulary is also preferable since it lends a more urbane tone to your essay. </p>

<p>Find a special reference/source that is well known yet uncommonly used. In my essay, I used the examples of John Locke, Fyodor Dosteovky's Crime and Punishment, and the rise and fall of the Third Reich to argue my thesis on judging human nature. If you are well read and educated, your essay will reflect it. </p>

<p>Write concisely with sophisticated links between sentences. Remember to develop examples thoroughly and connect back to your overarching thesis. Organization is crucial when trying to impress the readers. </p>

<p>Plan and write quickly. On my last essay, I filled up every inch of space with writing. That's not to say, however, that you should ramble endlessly to beef up your paper. Write with purpose and thought; the key is to have the ability to develop strong points quickly and support them well.</p>

<p>These are just a few things that worked for me. Not everybody is alike, and these may not work for everyone. Hopefully some of these hints will benefit the Writing scores of my SAT peers. Good luck and happy test-taking!</p>

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<p>I also used something close to this and went from an 8 to a 10.</p>

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<p>Question-- I was wondering how long you spent describing each example. How do you know if you described it well enough or not?</p>

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<p>I spent about a 1/3-1/2 page per example. Usually each example should have , on minimum, a statement analyzing it and another connecting it to the thesis and explaining “so what?” Another thing you could do is predict what could happen based on the analysis you just did, in effect taking your example development a step further by fully developing your point.</p>

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<p>thanks. I think this will really help. ^^</p>

<p>i usually have no problems getting examples, but am always like: (on the practice tests that CB has) so…can I stop talking about this particular example now? (or) I-I think I wrote too little…</p>

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<p>Sometimes, life is about luck.
My first SAT, I got an 8.
The 2nd SAT, I got a 10.
I didn’t do anything different, I used a 5 paragraph structure.
Just provide good evidence IMO and you’re fine
and flow.</p>