SAT Reflection

So we did the practice SAT the other day and can I just say that I would rather take the other 3 hours of the test than write the essay. I cannot understand how I am supposed to write a well formed essay in 25 minutes I mean how good is an essay written in 25 minutes really going to be. Since it usually takes around that time to think of an idea to write about. And that is what we are most heavily graded on, our ideas. When I write these essays I always feel like I don't have anything to say about whatever topic I'm writing about.

I also hate how the 6 scores only go to the essays that introduce a new and brilliant idea. These essays don't actually answer the question posed in the beginning they just talk around them. Mr. Watson said that all of the 6 essays demonstrate the complexity of the question and the complexity of life. The thing is I could write a really awesome essay that shows complexity and examines the question from every angle, but it would take me maybe and hour and a half. Or on the other hand, I could pick a side and go with a one-sided opinion. This might not be as strong an essay, but I would finish it in the 25 minute time limit. The problem I see is condensing all of that complexity and squishing it into a 3 paragraph essay that can be written before the test is over.

The other thing I struggle with is finding examples to fit the essay topic. Mr. Watson told us to pull examples from what you are reading at the moment or something you are very familiar with. However sometimes the essay topic has absolutely nothing to do with the book you are reading or what you are learning in Social Studies. Then what do you do? Use a personal experience as an example? I always feel like personal examples are weaker like it says you don't ever read so you can't use an example from a book. I suppose you just have to mold what you know to fit the question.

I guess I just don't see why such a small section counts for so much of your overall score. You get like two hours for your math and verbal sections each and yet only 25 minutes to write this essay. I honestly wasn't even able to write this response in 25 minutes. O well I guess practice makes perfect, or at least gets you better.

"What is most original in a man's nature is often that which is most desperate." Leonard Cohen