A forum to discuss the ACT and forms of preparation for taking the test.
Last ACT, I got a 6 on the writing. I'm retaking the test to try to get my writing score up to an 8-9. How should I prepare?
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ACT , ACT Writing
Because ACT Writing is optional, many students are unsure whether they need to add the extra 40 minutes to the test. However, there's a simple answer to whether you should take the ACT with writing or without writing: it depends on whether the colleges you want to apply to require a writing score.
This guide will walk you through how the ACT writing section got started, how to determine whether you should take the ACT with or without Writing, and some other considerations you may want to keep in mind.
Since 2005, students have had the choice between two different versions of the ACT: the ACT and the ACT with Writing. The writing test is an optional 40-minute essay task that students can elect to take at the end of the multiple choice test.
ACT, Inc. added the Writing section in response to the 2005 SAT overhaul, which added a Writing section that included both grammar multiple-choice questions and an essay. The addition of the writing task to the ACT was meant to keep the two tests equivalent and easily comparable. Nonetheless, the SAT's essay was required and the ACT's was optional .
This discrepancy between how the two tests incorporated their essay portions caused a fair amount of confusion for students and colleges. Ultimately, each college set its own policy about the two tests' Writing sections : some simply ignored SAT Writing scores and didn't require the ACT Writing, others considered SAT Writing but didn't require Writing with the ACT, and a third group considered SAT Writing and required the Writing with the ACT.
To complicate the situation further, the SAT's essay has now been discontinued . This caused many schools to change their policy about ACT Writing as well. Very few schools now require ACT Writing. Nonetheless, the basic facts remain the same: whether you take the ACT with or without Writing depends on whether the schools you're applying to require it.
With the trend of more schools becoming test optional (especially as a result of the coronavirus pandemic), more and more schools were already not requiring SAT or ACT Writing. When the SAT ended its essay, nearly all schools that required or recommended ACT Writing changed their policies.
Currently, most schools either don't look at your ACT Writing scores at all, or they'll consider them, but they won't have a large impact on your application (and not doing ACT Writing won't hurt your application). Check out our updated list of the schools that require or recommend ACT Writing for the most up-to-date information.
You can also look up schools' most up-to-date standardized testing policies on their individual websites: just search for "[school name] ACT writing requirement" online.
Although whether the schools you're interested in require you to submit the ACT with Writing should be the primary factor in your decision about which version of the test to take, there are a couple of other pros and cons worth taking into account.
Even if a school doesn't require the test, a high score on the ACT Writing may give your application a slight boost , since it serves as an indication of strong writing and analysis abilities. This is basically just a way of providing some extra information and will generally have only a minor benefit (similar to submitting both ACT and SAT scores ).
The main circumstances in which it would be worth submitting the ACT with Writing even if it isn't required would be if you're applying to especially competitive schools or schools that recommend the Writing section .
Also be aware that some schools simply won't look at your Writing score, even if you send it. Make sure to read each school's policy carefully so you know what's worth spending time on.
So far I've focused on reasons you would want to take the Writing section, but there are also some costs associated with doing so.
There is an extra fee ($25) to take the writing portion of the test.
If you take the Writing section you will need to study for the Writing section, which means investing extra hours into ACT prep .
However, ACT Writing is relatively straightforward once you know how it works, so even just a few hours of prep (say, reading through the rubric and some examples and trying a practice essay ) can be very helpful.
Both of these costs are relatively minor and neither should prevent you from applying to schools that do require ACT Writing . If the added fee is a serious issue, you may qualify for a fee waiver , which covers the writing section as well as the general registration.
Let's go through each possible situation you might be in and whether you should take the ACT Writing.
If even one of the schools you want to apply to requires the ACT with Writing...
...take the ACT with Writing. You won't be able to get in without it, so it's worth the slightly higher fee and extra time commitment.
...skip taking the ACT with Writing. If schools won't even consider it, it's just a waste of time and money.
...only take the ACT with Writing if your application shows major weaknesses in English language skills.
...take the ACT with Writing, unless the cost and stress profoundly outweigh the potential benefit of more information for colleges.
...take the ACT with Writing. It will save you from having to retake the test if you realize you need to submit ACT Writing scores later.
No matter what your situation, make sure to double check whether the schools you're applying to require you to submit ACT Writing scores . There's nothing worse than thinking you're completely finished with standardized testing, only to realize that you have to take the test all over again.
Just realized you need to take ACT Writing ? Check out our complete guide to the new Enhanced Writing test and tips on how to get a 12 on the essay .
If you're more focused on other sections of the test , check out our ultimate prep guides for ACT Reading , English , Math , and Science .
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Alex is an experienced tutor and writer. Over the past five years, she has worked with almost a hundred students and written about pop culture for a wide range of publications. She graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT.
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With that being said, this is my quick tip/strategy to help you get a 12 on writing. The ACT writing consists of three differing viewpoints on a certain issue/topic. I knew that the essay was 40 mins long and luckily, in my IB English 11 class, we did 8 in class essays which were around 40 mins long and so I was used to writing fast for ...
We reject each perspective and get philosophical with the prompt, of course while using selective word choice and vocabulary. Step 1 - Make the thesis and plan the essay. Your thesis, as we should reject the perspectives in favor of our, totally distinct alternative.
Hello! I'm taking the act on December 10, and I really need some help with the essay portion. I've been studying for the mc mostly and completely…
Planning. Time: 8-10 minutes. #1: Decide on your thesis, choosing one of the three sides. You can try to form your own, fourth perspective, but since you have to compare your perspective with at least one other perspective, you might as well argue for one of given perspectives and save some time for writing.
Stage 1: Planning. Time: 8-10 minutes. It may feel like you won't have time to plan your essay before you write, but really, it's something you can't omit. Trust us. Organizing your thoughts as you write will cost you way more time than if you take the time to plan out your essay before you begin writing.
ACT Essay Outline. The 5-paragraph structure might seem boring, but it is a good way to keep your points organized when writing an essay. For the ACT essay, you'll need an introduction, two to three body paragraphs (at least one paragraph for each perspective), and a conclusion.You should state your thesis in your introduction and conclusion (using different words in your conclusion so that ...
Understanding the prompt is the first step toward crafting a successful ACT essay. The ACT writing test propels you to analyze and create an argument around a complex issue. To do this effectively, you need to decipher what the essay question is asking of you. When you receive the ACT essay prompt, it is essential to take the time to carefully ...
Writing Sample Essays. Write a unified, coherent essay about the increasing presence of intelligent machines. In your essay, be sure to: clearly state your own perspective on the issue and analyze the relationship between your perspective and at least one other perspective. develop and support your ideas with reasoning and examples.
The ACT essay, also known as the Writing section, is an optional 40-minute test that students can take after the multiple-choice sections. The essay task presents an issue often relevant to high school students and asks examinees to write a persuasive essay that takes a clear stance on that issue, while also addressing and evaluating three ...
For anyone looking for essay advice on how to improve your score: First thing you should do is make a rough outline on the given cardstock page; draft your thesis and come up with a minimum of two points that you can strongly argue; coming up with two strong points with evidence is much better than three or four weak points you cannot heavily ...
Here's how you can do it: 1. Use less obvious examples in your ACT essay. On the first new essay, a lot of students wrote about the civil rights movement. It was an obvious example that a lot of students had studied, and it was certainly the first thing that jumped to my mind as well. Now, technically, graders are not supposed to be punishing ...
Step 4: Put It All Together. Now that you have your ideas in order, here's a blueprint for how to organize the ACT essay. This blueprint works no matter what your prompt is. Introduction. Start with a topic sentence the restates the central issue. Clearly state your position on the issue. Body Paragraph (1)
Here are a few more factors to consider: 1. Your School or State Requires It. Some colleges, highs schools, and states require the ACT writing test. Check this early on to avoid surprises. 2. You Want Your Application to Stand Out. A strong writing score can make your application more competitive.
Part II: The Difference Between a 10 and a 12. If we asked the ACT what the difference is between a 10 and a 12 ACT essay, they would direct us to their scoring criteria (replicated in the table below) that describes the difference between the 5 and 6 essay scores in each domain. As you may already know, a total domain score of 12 comes from ...
The ACT Essay is an optional, 40-minute section of the ACT, which tests your ability to craft an organized, well-articulated analytical essay on a given topi...
Understanding the Prompt: The first step in writing a top-notch ACT essay is to carefully read and understand the prompt. Take the time to analyze the prompt, identify the key points, and determine the perspective you want to take. Make sure to address all parts of the prompt in your essay to demonstrate your understanding of the topic.
whats the general consensus on this sub as to how you should approach the essay honestly im not even gonna prepare i just needa know what works.
The ACT writing test is a 40-minute essay test that measures your writing skills. The test consists of one writing prompt that will describe a complex issue and present three different perspectives on that issue. It is a paper-and-pencil test. You will write your essay in pencil (no mechanical pencils or ink pens) on the lined pages of an ...
Each ACT essay is scored by two different graders on a scale of 1-6 across four different domains, for a total score out of 12 in each domain. These domain scores are then averaged into a total score out of 12. NOTE: The ACT Writing Test from September 2015-June 2016 had a slightly different scoring scale; instead of averaging all the domain ...
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This means you can read and score essays anytime and from any personal workstation with an Internet connection. Writing Test essays are scored at intervals throughout the year. Compensation will be performance based. Scorers can realize $12/hour or more based on a combination of performance indicators, including quality and rate.
Last ACT, I got a 6 on the writing. I'm retaking the test to try to get my writing score up to an 8-9. How should I prepare?
How to Start Writing a Law School Essay. To get started on a personal statement, brainstorm your best stories and don't stunt the writing process. Gabriel Kuris Aug. 5, 2024.
Extra Study Time. If you take the Writing section you will need to study for the Writing section, which means investing extra hours into ACT prep. However, ACT Writing is relatively straightforward once you know how it works, so even just a few hours of prep (say, reading through the rubric and some examples and trying a practice essay) can be ...