SAT Essay 101, What It Takes to Ace the Test
Each and everyone has gone through the process of writing essays especially during school years. Essay writing is indeed one of those items that you can see in test papers in the classroom and during high-stake or nationwide examinations like the SAT exam. This type of exam, formerly known as Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test, is a set of standardized test for upcoming college students in the United States. Just like any regular test, SAT includes essay writing. This may sound like a piece of cake to those who just love to write or those who have the knack for it. But what about those who do not have their writing muse; would there be a streak of light at the end of the tunnel?
The SAT essay test may really require college hopefuls to up their writing prowess. But with the wave of researches and recommendations given by the scholarly community, students may now spruce their confidence to some notches when writing their SAT essays. And along with the confidence boost, they can also count themselves in on the pack of high-scoring students. So what now, are the secrets that should be unraveled for students to make it to the cut?
According to some experts, acing the SAT essay means learning the means on how to avoid the five-point losing error which includes:
1. Word count with or over 400 words. Studies show that essays with 100 or less words, or the so-called short essays, in the past got 1, which is the lowest possible score. On the other hand, 90% of essays with or more than 400 words got 6, which is the highest possible score.
2. Use of academic examples. Elaborating one’s SAT essay may require citation of examples which encompass the student’s personal experience. However, they shouldn’t stop with personal accounts as essay raters also look at examples coming from literature. In fact, they score higher when essays are placed in academic context. Hence, don’t just settle for essays which are personal or conversational in nature.
3. Use of organized paragraphs. Criteria for grading SAT essays do not just include content but the division of bodies of ideas in paragraphs. Hence, paragraphs must be organized well. Good essays normally start with introductory or opening paragraphs consisting of a sentence or two. It is succeeded by a paragraph that includes elaboration of ideas through examples and detailed explanation. Concluding paragraph offers the ending note which sometimes summarizes the first and second paragraph or persuades people to do an action. Be very clear and concise about your examples though; multiple examples are usually deemed as “weak” by most graders.
4. Explicit and clear points. Good essays are those that can be understood even during initial reading. Hence, beating around the bush and veering away from the topic need to be avoided.
5. Use of prompts. Essays during the SAT exams need to have prompts attached so that students will learn how to follow the prompt.
Having all these in mind, you are guaranteed to be part of those high-ranking students when taking your SAT exam. So if you think that there’s no writing hope in store for you, check out SAT essay programs that are made even more accessible through the internet.