You CAN prepare ahead of time for the SAT essay. Here's how:

• Since college is an academic institution, they're impressed by READERS. At least ONE of the examples in your essay ought to come from a book.

• Yes, a real, whole BOOK that you actually read since Grade 9.

• Try to recall a few of the books you've read. Get the title right. Learn how to spell the author's name. Recall the main characters. Talking about "that guy in Moby Dick" isn't going to win you any points.

• Make sure that you talk about the book - not the movie.

• Use "standard" books - nothing too strange or freaky.

ONCE YOU GET THE QUESTION

• The best way to spend your 25 minutes is

5 minutes PLANNING

15 minutes WRITING

5 minutes PROOFREADING

• The actual question is always preceeded by a quote, something expressing an opinion. Read and understand this.

• Figure out exactly what the prompt is asking you.

• What will MOST people answer?

• What is the OPPOSITE point of view? You don't have to ADOPT it, just recognize that it exists.

• What position will YOU take? (This is your introduction.)

• Give one reason (with example) for your position. (Paragraph two)

• Give ANOTHER reason for your opinion (Make sure it's different, not just restating reason #1). This is paragraph #3.

• Does the opposite point of view have any merit? Discuss it and refute it. Paragraph #4.

• Conclude and sum-up. Paragraph 5.

• You MUST write AT LEAST 1 and 1/2 pages. NO essay of one page or less EVER gets a score higher than 4 out of 6. In the SAT world, more IS better.

• Save the last 5 minutes to proofread your essay carefully.

REAL SAT ESSAY QUESTIONS