Tag writing section

Do I need the SAT Essay or ACT Writing?

The essay portion of the SAT and the Writing section of the ACT are both optional.  According to the Prep Scholar blog (as of May 2019), only 28 colleges require the SAT Essay although a number of other schools recommend it.  Just a note – ALL of the University of California System schools require the SAT Essay.   However, odds are that if you are applying to colleges outside of California it’s unlikely that they require the essay.   

There are additional schools that recommend submitting the SAT Essay or the ACT Writing – and some schools do use this part of the test for placement purposes or other consideration.  Therefore, it’s important to check with each school regarding their standardized test policies.  You don’t want to find yourself shut out of applying to a school, or being considered for a scholarship that requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing.  But if you do your research, you may save yourself time and money by skipping the SAT Essay or the ACT Writing.  

Take Action
Update your testing schedule in GuidedPath. 

If one of your colleges requires or recommends the SAT Essay or ACT Writing, be sure to register for that optional section of the test.  Read up on the SAT Essay or ACT Writing so that you are prepared for this additional section. 

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Should I fear the writing section of the ACT or SAT?

Edge Tip:

The essay portion of the SAT is not to be feared, nor, does it need to receive an inordinate attention in the preparation process.  It only counts for 25% of the score on the SAT Writing.  The bulk of the score is in multiple choice questions.  These questions cover improving sentences, improving paragraphs and identifying sentence errors. It accounts for 75% of the writing score. The essay is a first draft, written in 25 minutes.

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Your Edge

Update your testing schedule in Edge.

Watch a quick video on how to do this! 

When you register for the ACT, register for the writing section.  Set a task in GuidedPath Edge to study for the writing sections of your tests, with an emphasis on the multiple choice questions.  Plan to finish all your tests by December at the latest.

tasks in edge

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