<p>Pls bear with me, as I am sure the answer to this question is readily available, I just can’t find it… or maybe I am just too lazy. :)</p>
<p>The psat is now 3 parts? math, verbal, and “writing”? Is the wriiting component of the psat test still a multiple choice test? How does that work? ie, “Choose the properly written sentence?” passage??</p>
<p>I understand the new SAT will include a third part that will be a writing test that will include an actual written essay. Any idea how that will work? On a given test date do you think they will have 10 essay topics distributed randomly? Any reason the kids with good memories wont go into the test with 5 pre-written essays stored in their memory banks?</p>
<p>The PSAT has always been 3 parts. Writing is still multiple-choice, no essay to write.<br>
The new SAT will have an essay, but I have no idea how that will work.
I think going into the test with some clearly formed ideas on what to write for several generic topics is a great idea.</p>
<p>I believe the essay on the new SAT will be like the current SAT II writing essay, in which case you get 20 minutes and maybe a page and a half of paper (no more) to write. If it is, the questions will be something along the lines of “All clouds have silver lining (or some similar cliche). Support, refute, or qualify this statement using examples from literature, history, personal experience, etc.” There are several potential sources of examples (they list about six in the question), but I think history and one or two others (literature? current events?) are informally favored, and it definitely helps to come prepared, as you will want to spend all of your time writing rather than thinking, outlining, etc. Based on my experience, come with maybe two or three essays (even one will do if need be) memorized on test day, practice with the writing space in “20 Real SAT II’s” (other prep books, at least Princeton Review, don’t have the same amount of space), and whatever the quote, adjust your previously memorized essay to fit the question (this will become easier with a few practice topics). Grading works on a 1 to 6 scale, and you are graded by two readers, so your score on this portion ranges from 2 to 12, then is scaled to the usual 200-800. If the two graders differ by more than 2 points, a third reader resolves the dispute (I don’t know exactly how this works). Also, if you memorize more than one essay, try to make them each from different subject areas (such as one history, one current events, one literature, and so on). Two topics that I know worked well enough using the preceding method (both went toward SAT II 800s) are FDR/New Deal and Napoleon, both of which were recently studied in history at the time these students took the SAT II. I don’t remember the questions in either case, but I do remember making a mental note that they were in no way directly related to either person or even history in general, so again, the memorized essay can be adapted to fit nearly any quote (although a backup essay for something unusual wouldn’t hurt). Sorry for wasting space if the new SAT essay doesn’t work like this, but the above still applies to the SAT II Writing regardless.</p>