@LucieTheLakie – your point is why the College Board revamped the now “optional” essay section. Starting with the March 2016 test, accuracy and critical thinking are now primary components of the grading rubric. Note that many universities are still requiring students to submit that writing score, so it’s really only optional for kids who are 100% sure that none of their target schools require it. The College Board representative who spoke to the parents of Juniors at my son’s school this fall also warned against test prep companies who claimed to have special insight into the new SAT (specifically, she said that any company that says that is “lying” – they only have access to the same practice tests available on the College Board and Khan Academy sites; CB only has provided information to Khan, which is free).