SAT is a maths and an English based MCQ exam. Students can also choose to opt for the essay, even though it is not mandatory anymore. While the choice to take the SAT essay or not is completely up to you, there are many pros to taking it.
Here are five tips to ace your SAT essay:
1. Study sample essay and past SAT essay prompts
Consider reviewing sample SAT Essay prompts to better understand what will be required of you to earn high scores in each of the scoring areas. Examine the author’s use of supporting details, logic, and persuasive techniques as you read each of the sample passages and the related comments. Going through these examples should help you in creating your approach to the SAT Essay.
2. Practice helps you prepare
Set aside 50 minutes to complete the sample SAT essay prompts as you would on the actual test day. You can identify potential areas for improvement in your reading, analytical, and writing skills by comparing your response to the examples of student responses given at different score levels. Think of collaborating with a friend, your parents, or a teacher for more unbiased input.
3. Start with an outline
After attentively reading the passage and the related prompt, take a moment to quickly organise your thoughts into a basic framework. When the information is still fresh in your mind, plan out your strategy for an introduction, body, and conclusion to make sure your argument is sound throughout. An outline also aids in the planning of your writing by providing a clear sense of direction as you move from one idea to the next.
4. Start strong, build strong, end strong
Having a strong introduction hooks the reader. Make sure that each aspect in the body of your essay comes back to the strong thesis statement you presented in the introduction and the SAT Essay prompt. Don’t just restate what you’ve written in the conclusion. Think about how you may, for instance, contextualise what you’ve written or offer a memorable insight based on the analysis you’ve presented.
5. Proofread for grammatical errors
Save about 5 minutes to proofread your essay. Check for the flow of your essay. Make sure you correct any grammatical or punctuation errors in these last five minutes.
Prepare for SAT with Rostrum Education:
At Rostrum Education we highly recommend our students to opt for the SAT essay. We help you prepare for the essay while providing you with the main SAT coaching. Our essay experts guide you through the steps and training required to score well on the essay. Contact us for a free session today!
