Impact of Not Finishing Essay?

run1116 · 10-06-2012, 08:00 PM

I took the October 6 SAT, and this was my first one. I took a practice test and finished the essay (I didn't practice much), and so the next time I practiced I skipped the essay (laziness....)

Anyways, how much would not finishing the essay impact me? During the actual SAT today, I completely wrote three paragraphs, and barely started my fourth (I planned on writing five. I thought I had time since the proctor didn't call for 5 minutes, but it turns out she just didn't call it, and time ran out.) Assuming that the portion I wrote was 12-caliber (not that I would have gotten a 12, I just want to see how much it would impact me), how far down the 12 point scale do you think I would be? I ended just a bit over half the way down the second page, about to give my third example.

In any case, I should practice writing the essays under time. However, my handwriting is small so I fit a lot more onto the lines than many people, and I am not the fastest writer.

dodgersmom · 10-06-2012, 10:00 PM

I can't tell you how not finishing the essay will impact your score . . . but if the test administration was non-standard, then you should report that.

If your score was impacted by the proctor not doing her job properly, file a complaint and demand to retake the test. They will likely investigate, and if your complaint seems plausible, you should be permitted to retake the test, at no charge.

Assuming you decide to retake the test, practice writing the essay question. Get questions from old tests, or study guides, or wherever, and figure out how much you can put in each paragraph without running out of time.

I can't begin to tell you how much trouble my very slow handwriting has caused me every time I've ever had to take a handwritten test . . . so I sympathize with you, and wish you the best!

blair961 · 10-06-2012, 10:22 PM

During the May 2012 sitting, I did not finish my last body paragraph and did not have a conclusion paragraph. However, I still had more than 1.5 pages of writing (and two good examples to back up my opinion).

I got a 10 on my essay.

To be honest, I've NEVER finished an essay on a standardized test and I've got scores ranging from 8-10. I do not think it's about finishing your essay that matters too much. I think it's more of what content you presented throughout the entire essay. Essay graders understand that you only had 30 minutes or less on the writing portion (25 minutes for the SAT) and they have only at most 2 minutes to grade your exam. So therefore, not finishing isn't going to impact much, especially if you've written much throughout the time period.

run1116 · 10-07-2012, 12:50 PM

Thanks dodgersmom, but I don't think I'll be filing a complaint. I don't really feel like retaking the test, and the whole process seems a bit much just because she didn't call time at the 5 minute mark. I just need to practice writing the essays, assuming I do retake the SAT. Because I feel good about the rest of the test, I think I will just wait and see what I got on this one, and not risk messing it up.

And blair961, thanks so much! That really boosts my confidence quite a bit. I wasn't expecting more than a 6-8 at best, but now that 10 is possible, I can rest a bit more easily. I still won't bet on getting a 10, but I now know that not finishing will not kill me by dropping me 4-6 points. My writing score might be salvaged!

ssenroF · 10-07-2012, 10:13 PM

The most crucial section of the essay is to have a short beginning, a decent middle and a nice ending, if you do take it again consider writing less in the middle and just try to finish the essay. However as a whole the essay is the least crucial section of the test so I wouldnot worry about it to much.