To score a 12 on the essay...

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>I'm taking the SATs at the end of (not even! ;_;) this month, and I still haven't had anyone score my essays yet. Here are a few questions I have.</p>

<ol>
<li>How can I accurately score my own essays?</li>
<li>The "preferred" structure I've learned is supporting one side with 3 examples , but I find that I have a hard time brainstorming all 3 examples to fit one question with enough detail. Is limiting my essay to only 2 examples (4 paragraphs) more risky? What about going in depth on one example?</li>
<li>How do you handle the time limit?</li>
</ol>

2

<p>^
If you believe the MIT study, just look at the length</p>

3

<p>nah. i got a 12 with a 1-example essay (1 body).</p>

4

<p>What’s the MIT study?</p>

5

<p>longer essay = higher score.</p>

<p>random gibberish + hard words + 2 pgs = 12</p>

6

<p>Handle time limit = write fast.</p>

7

<p>More elaboration on 1 or 2 examples is better than not enough elaboration on 3. </p>

<p>Length+Solid examples+Explicit Thesis+Consistently ramming a connection between examples and thesis down readers’ throats+hard words=12. I hope I didn’t leave anything out. Do note that your examples don’t have to be innately connected (though it helps). As long as you make a strong connection (no matter how stupid) between example and thesis, you’re fine.</p>

<p>To beat the time limit, have a pre-packaged opening (mine is a “Ever since man created/started society/civilization” spiel) and determine your thesis within 30 seconds (simple yes or no). Write your first paragraph and figure out your examples while writing. Don’t stop until you fill all two pages.</p>