<p>the writing section:
indeed using SAT words can help, but sometimes they distract the reader. i know it’s a well-established theory that using big words can help you. however, if your thesis is convoluted with crazy words, and the reader has only 1-2 minutes to read your essay, you would have just shot yourself in the foot. use them as gravy, but don’t make it the meat of your essay. i’ve learned that the main things essay graders are looking for - and they even explicitly state so on college board, are stance and focus. if you can find a stance and your entire essay is focused on it, i guarantee a 10 at the least. add a little critical thinking and you surely have a 11/12 essay.</p>
<p>as for the amount of examples, make sure you develop them. recently, most of the 12’s i’ve seen (including myself), use only one or two concentrated examples. </p>
<p>write with clear prose, focus on your stance and develop it. again, most 12 essays i’ve seen speak with an almost direct, and concise voice. big words will impress, but graders will feel iffy about giving you a 12 if they can’t understand the meat of what you’re saying. all conditions aside, this was a great guide and will be of great help to future test takers.</p>