<p>When you approach a writing question, what do you do? Do you have a set process of attacking each question. Like, do you circle the subject, or anyother process things you do.</p>
<p>I’m not an 800 writer, but I got a 720 on writing with a 9 on essay…which isn’t bad. If I got a 12 on the essay I’d have a 790 writing :/</p>
<p>Anyway, sentence revision questions are my strongest point so I’ll give you tips on those:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Read the sentence carefully, especially the underlined part. If you find an error, immidately cross out choice A. Don’t even read it again. Identify the error (probably the hardest part, some sentences you know are just wrong but you don’t know exactly what the error is; however be careful not to make up your own errors in a correct sentence) If choice A is correct and seems to fit in well, circle it and scan the others for mistakes, eliminating eac as you find one. If you come up with 2 circles after going through B-E, skip to step 4.</p></li>
<li><p>Scan choices B-E. If you see the error repeated in one of the choices, cross it off immidately. There will almost always be at least one choice that repeats the original error.</p></li>
<li><p>You should have only 2-3 choices left to read now. Check these for any errors, should you find an error cross that choice off. While reading these 2-3 choices, if you find one that is 100% gramatically correct and fits in perfectly, circle it. This is 90% of the time the right answer. However, you still need to read all the remaining choices to make sure that you’ve found the correct answer. </p></li>
<li><p>Check to see which choice “fits in” better. The only times anyone should have trouble with sentence revision is when they come down to two circled choices which are BOTH gramatically correct. If this happens, go over both choices, scanning for an error again. If both are gramatically correct, AND fit in with the sentence, check to make sure one of them does not alter the meaning of the original sentence, or introduce odd information. One MUST fit better than the other. The reason is because the sat writing is objective, only one answer is right and ALL the others are wrong. If two answers were right, that question would be considered ambiguous. SAT tests are reviewed for ambiguity before release, so it is highly unlikely that two choices can both work. Remember this. It makes the difference between getting 5 wrong on the writing section or 10.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Since this post is still so long already, here’s an example from my SAT book:</p>
<p>(…) denotes undelined phrase</p>
<p>Linguistic reserach often requires fieldwork (where they) can study and record the spoken dialects of a reigon.</p>
<p>A. where they
B. though which they
C. and the linguist
D. during which the linguist
E. which they</p>
<p>Step 1: You should cross out choice A immidiately. The pronoun “they” is incorrect because it referrs to an illlogical subject.</p>
<p>Step 2: Choices B and E repeat the problem. Cross both off.</p>
<p>Step 3: You are now to decide between choices C and D. Check both for errors.</p>
<p>It isn’t so clear here. Choice C is actually gramatically correct. Choice D is correct as well.</p>
<p>Step 4: Check to see which fits in better. Choice C creates an awkward phrase: “…often requires fieldwork and the linguist can study and record the spoken dialects…”</p>
<p>Choice D clearly fits in better: …“often requires fieldwork during which the linguist can study and record the spoken dialects…” It sucessfully links the clauses together and runs more smoothly.</p>
<p>Therefore, the answer is D. This is the process I use for attacking each question. It can take 10 seconds or even a minute for me to get the correct answer. I usually end up with a minute to spare by the end of the writing section though.</p>
<p>This is a long post already, if you need some good practice questions, just drop me a message or ask on the board.</p>
<p>too bad the 800 on writing doesn’t count for some schools.</p>
<p>I wish CR didn’t count, it’s so simple yet the hardest part for me…I can’t break 700.</p>
<p>The sentence completions aren’t too hard, but it is quite a task to get EVERY sentence completion right. Out of the 19 on the test, I usually miss 3-4.</p>
<p>The passages can be a pain. CR just wears you down.</p>
<p>It’s usually the most interesting, though, when it comes to doing a lot of practice. Math and writing just get tiresome!</p>
<p>Well I got 780 w/11 essay on W and what I did before was memorize the grammar rules. The lovely thing about the writing section is that it’s not as difficult as CR to improve for most people–you just have to know the fundamentals. I would recommend grabbing a grammar book and studying, especially focusing on the most common errors people tend to make w/grammar.</p>
<p>i disagree, math can be very “enjoyable” gasp…!</p>
<p>I do love math, but SAT math gets on my nerves. I find it HORRIBLY annoying when I don’t consistently get 800s on practice sections, when I KNOW that I can.</p>
<p>pyscho…
care to share links or book titles that provide the rules?
thanks.!</p>
<p>i scored a 800 in writing and a 780 in CR, maybe cuz i took english AP, idk</p>
<p>I used SparkNotes for some grammar rules. Just go to their SAT prep section and look up the grammar rules–they even give you the most common errors. I’ve heard that any general grammar rule book would do, though. I bought Barron’s writing workbook too. :)</p>
<p>Well, I got 760 1 1/2 years ago and am currently scoring 800s on practice tests. I just read the question & choices, write down what “feels right”, and move on. It usually doesn’t take more than a few seconds. But I guess it’s not to useful to advise you to read tons of books now…</p>
<p>In my opinion, the essay matter much more than the multiple choice questions. Getting a 10+ on the essay allows for more mistakes (careless or not) in the multiple choice section so one can get a 800.</p>
<p>indeed. according to the april SAT curve, i got a 10 essay and 2 raw points off the MC, ending up with an 780. finish up all the writing sections in collegeboard’s blue book and you’ll be golden.</p>
<p>A great book for grammar and writing in general is A Writer’s Reference: Fifth Edition by Diana Hacker.</p>
<p>I got an 800 on writing by getting all of the MC questions right and getting a 10 on the essay. My advice is memorize all of the grammar rules especially subject verb agreement and placement of participial phrases. Also, I have noticed that often the shortest answer is the correct one. This is not always the case but if you have no idea, it can be a new way to look at the question.</p>
<p>its all about practice. all of the writing sections have teh same type of errors. You just gotta get used to them.</p>
<p>Practice. Seriously though, writing is the easiest section to improve and achieve an 800. The biggest tip is to be familiar with the type of errors and how to fix them.</p>