SAT Part 2

Yesterday I detailed my son's SAT scores. Today, I want to discuss the essay portion of the test. Here are some helpful tips we found in our preparation:

1. The directions are always the same. Spend time getting familiar with those before test day so you don't even have to reread them on the test day. You only get 25 minutes total for the essay.
2. Read the prompt and in five minutes quickly decide to agree or disagree and come up with 2-3 examples to backup your opinion. If you can only think of 2 examples discuss them thoroughly. Examples from history or literature are better than personal examples.
3. The essay should be 4-5 paragraphs in length. An introductory thesis paragraph agreeing or disagreeing with the statement. Then your examples to back up your opinion in 2-3 paragraphs. And, finally your conclusion or restatement of your thesis.
4. Spend 15 minutes writing the essay.
5. Take the remaining 5 minutes to proofread your essay for errors.
6. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE under TIMED test conditions. I can't emphasize this enough. 25 minutes might sound like a long time. It's not. Your chances of scoring a 5 or 6 on the essay will increase dramatically if you practice writing essays to prompts while timing yourself.

Sean received a 4 (on a scale 1-6) on his essay. He didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the SAT so prep time was short (as explained in previous posts). Sean didn't really practice the essay under timed conditions and he should have. He simply ran out of time. He had good content (I think he would have scored a 5 on content), but he didn't get to the proofreading step at all. Because he was writing fast (feeling the time crunch), he left out many words. And, he didn't get to write his last phrase at all.

What does a score of 4 mean? According to the College Board site

An essay in this category is competent, demonstrating adequate mastery, although it will have lapses in quality. A typical essay:

develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas
exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary
demonstrates some variety in sentence structure
has some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

The College Board site also describes qualities a 5 and 6 essay should have. Check it out at the link above.

Okay--I know I promised I'd publish Sean's essay today. But, this is getting long. You're just going to have to come back tomorrow. In the meantime, why not check out my website for SAT and other related information. Go to the SiteSearchpage to locate all the SAT related information on the site.

Until we meet in the teachers' lounge again,

Linda Wakefield Kelley

www.Christian-Parenting-Source.com