The SAT process is a very intricate and detailed one. The writing portion usually scares students with obscure facts, troubling questions, and even misleading vocabulary. In reality, however, the writing portion of the SAT standardized test only measures students' ability to make stuff up. For example, students often make up stories such as a death in the family, a rare illness, etc. These stories add to their story as well as entertain, even though most of these "facts" are not true. Anne Ruggles Gere states, "Graders don't have time to look up facts or to check if an uncommon words actually exist..."(11)
Although graders only spend a limited amount of time grading essays, I believe that there is room for graders to see students' writing ability. Graders, on average, spend about two minutes looking over an essay. Within those two minutes, students really need to surprise and intrigue the reader, or else they will receive a mediocre grade. In order for graders to see full writing potential, students should go into the test room determined to write an interesting story, without any thought of factual evidence or correct words. Students should be taught this method in schools so there is no panic or confusion while taking the SAT.
I think I'm ready for the SAT next year. I am a very strong writer, and my ability to make stuff up in record time is quite astounding. I feel that I would be more comfortable with more practice and instruction set forth by my school. Other than needing additional help with the SAT preparation process, I feel that my classmates and I are ready to take the writing portion of the SAT.
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