<p>So I have posted in the test prep form before, but got very few responses so I thought I would post here, since there are so many recent/high scoring test takers that post in this area of CC…
I am getting decent scores on my standardized tests, but they are far below what they should be for where I want to apply (top LACs)…</p>
<p>I took the December ACT and got a 27 (29R, 27E, 27S, 25M, 8 essay) and got a 179 on my PSAT (61M, 59R, 59W). I will be taking the January SAT, the ACT again at some point and probably the June SAT. Realistically I need at least a 2100/30 for where I hope to apply, but would like to be closer to 1 2200/32…</p>
<p>Any advice would be awesome. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Writing is really easy to “fake”, meaning you don’t actually have to be a good writer to get a good score on it. I can’t write for crap but got my writing from a 610 to a 790 by memorizing grammar rules that frequently appear on the SAT and basically breaking the SAT essay down to a science where a 10+ score is guaranteed. All the materials I used can be found in the SAT prep section of this forum.</p>
<p>I agree with yankeesfanatic.
I have never taken the ACT with writing before, and it seems much harder than the SAT. Can’t really help you there. For the writing section on the SAT, really, what you want to do is memorize grammar rules. If you do this, the MC part will rise very high. After that, the essay won’t matter as much, though you probably want a 8 on the essay. </p>
<p>A 10+ score on the essay is pretty easy. I’ll use an example prompt: “Is an idealistic approach less valuable than a practical approach?”
Here is the “formula” that I learned (I ended up getting a 11 on the essay):
First sentence should answer the question. You MUST pick a side.
For example, either:
“An idealistic approach is less valuable than a practical approach.”
OR
“An idealistic approach is more valuable than an practical approach.”
Even when disagreeing with the prompt, you don’t want to sound negative. Don’t use “not”, “no,” etc. </p>
<p>After that, state your examples. You can either say “because” and stick it to the end of your first sentence, or state it in another sentence. You typically want one current event, one historical event, and one literary example. A personal example could work, but it’s the weakest type. Put the examples in the order you will write them in.</p>
<p>Then move on to the body paragraphs. These are easier, in my opinion.
First, you want to use a transition. So like, “as an example,” “For example,” “In the case of.” Then explain why/link back to the thesis.
Here’s an example: As an example, take the title character from Miguel Cervantes’ Don Quixote. Don Quixote is an overly idealistic man who is tricked by the many people he meets, causing him to suffer. </p>
<p>Don’t use hypotheticals such as “If only _____ had done…”
Explain what happens to the character if it’s a book, people involved if it’s a current event/historical event. </p>
<p>The last sentence should sum up everything and link back to the thesis. For example,
“Don Quixote’s plights show that at the end of the day, idealistic thinking is not helpful compared to a more practical approach.”</p>
<p>Then repeat for 2 more paragraphs, of course using different examples.</p>
<p>After the two other paragraphs, you can move to the conclusion.</p>
<p>Restate the thesis.
Then summarize the first two examples. (The reader has just read the last body paragraph).
Write a moral type sentence; for example:
Only by having an idealistic approach can one be successful.</p>
<p>Or something like that. ^^ That one above wasn’t that good.</p>
<p>And then… you’re done!</p>
<p>This may seem to go against what your english teachers tell you, but the truth is that the SAT essay graders have only 2 minutes to read your essay and you want to get as straight to the point as possible. You want to use good vocabulary and stuff but not so much that it makes reading the essay sluggish. Also, you don’t need quotes. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>I hate to bump, but any more advice/suggestions? Also thank you to those who commented.</p>