how is the essay scored on the sat

SAT Essay Scores Explained

On january 19th, 2021, college board announced that they will no longer administer the sat subject tests in the u.s. and that the essay would be retired. read our blog post  to understand what this means in the near term and what the college board has in store for students down the road., our articles on subject tests and the sat essay will remain on our site for reference purposes as colleges and students transition to a revised testing landscape..

Why are there no percentiles for the essay on an SAT score report?

No percentiles or norms are provided in student reports. Even colleges do not receive any summary statistics. Given Compass’ concerns about the inaccuracy of essay scoring and the notable failures of the ACT on that front, the de-emphasis of norms would seem to be a good thing. The problem is that 10% of colleges are sticking with the SAT Essay as an admission requirement . While those colleges will not receive score distribution reports from the College Board, it is not difficult for them to construct their own statistics—officially or unofficially—based on thousands of applicants. Colleges can determine a “good score,” but students cannot. This asymmetry of information is harmful to students, as they are left to speculate how well they have performed and how their scores will be interpreted. Through our analysis, Compass hopes to provide students and parents more context for evaluating SAT Essay scores.

How has scoring changed? Is it still part of a student’s Total Score?

On the old SAT, the essay was a required component of the Writing section and made up approximately one-third of a student’s 200–800 score. The essay score itself was simply the sum (2–12) of two readers’ 1–6 scores. Readers were expected to grade holistically and not to focus on individual components of the writing. The SAT essay came under a great deal of criticism for being too loosely structured. Factual accuracy was not required; it was not that difficult to make pre-fabricated material fit the prompt; many colleges found the 2–12 essay scores of little use; and the conflation of the essay and “Writing” was, in some cases, blocking the use of the SAT Writing score—which included grammar and usage—entirely.

With the 2016 overhaul of the SAT came an attempt to make the essay more academically defensible while also making it optional (as the ACT essay had long been). The essay score is not a part of the 400–1600 score. Instead, a student opting to take the SAT Essay receives 2–8 scores in three dimensions: reading, analysis, and writing. No equating or fancy lookup table is involved. The scores are simply the sum of two readers’ 1–4 ratings in each dimension. There is no official totaling or averaging of scores, although colleges may choose to do so.

Readers avoid extremes

What is almost universally true about grading of standardized test essays is that readers gravitate to the middle of the scale. The default instinct is to nudge a score above or below a perceived cutoff or midpoint rather than to evenly distribute scores. When the only options are 1, 2, 3, or 4, the consequence is predictable—readers give out a lot of 2s and 3s and very few 1s and 4s. In fact, our analysis shows that 80% of all reader scores are 2s or 3s. This, in turn, means that most of the dimension scores (the sum of the two readers) range from 4 to 6. Analysis scores are outliers. A third of readers give essays a 1 in Analysis. Below is the distribution of reader scores across all dimensions.

What is a good SAT Essay score?

By combining multiple data sources—including extensive College Board scoring information—Compass has estimated the mean and mode (most common) essay scores for students at various score levels. We also found that the reading and writing dimensions were similar, while analysis scores lagged by a point across all sub-groups. These figures should not be viewed as cutoffs for “good” scores. The loose correlation of essay score to Total Score and the high standard deviation of essay scores means that students at all levels see wide variation of scores. The average essay-taking student scores a 1,080 on the SAT and receives just under a 5/4/5.

College Board recently released essay results for the class of 2017, so score distributions are now available. From these, percentiles can also be calculated. We provide these figures with mixed feelings. On the one hand, percentile scores on such an imperfect measure can be highly misleading. On the other hand, we feel that students should understand the full workings of essay scores.

The role of luck

What is frustrating to many students on the SAT and ACT is that they can score 98th percentile in most areas and then get a “middling” score on the essay. This result is actually quite predictable. Whereas math and verbal scores are the result of dozens of objective questions, the essay is a single question graded subjectively. To replace statistical concepts with a colloquial one—far more “luck” is involved than on the multiple-choice sections. What text is used in the essay stimulus? How well will the student respond to the style and subject matter? Which of the hundreds of readers were assigned to grade the student’s essay? What other essays has the reader recently scored?

Even good writers run into the unpredictability involved and the fact that essay readers give so few high scores. A 5 means that the Readers A and B gave the essay a 2 and a 3, respectively. Which reader was “right?” If the essay had encountered two readers like Reader A, it would have received a 4. If the essay had been given two readers like Reader B, it would have received a 6. That swing makes a large difference if we judge scores exclusively by percentiles, but essay scores are simply too blurry to make such cut-and-dry distinctions. More than 80% of students receive one of three scores—4, 5, or 6 on the reading and writing dimensions and 3, 4, or 5 on analysis.

What do colleges expect?

It’s unlikely that many colleges will release a breakdown of essay scores for admitted students—especially since so few are requiring it. What we know from experience with the ACT , though, is that even at the most competitive schools in the country, the 25th–75th percentile scores of admitted students were 8–10 on the ACT’s old 2–12 score range. We expect that things will play out similarly for the SAT and that most students admitted to highly selective colleges will have domain scores in the 5–7 range (possibly closer to 4–6 for analysis). It’s even less likely for students to average a high score across all three areas than it is to obtain a single high mark. We estimate that only a fraction of a percent of students will average an 8—for example [8/8/8, 7/8/8, 8/7/8, or 8,8,7].

Update as of October 2017. The University of California system has published the 25th–75th percentile ranges for enrolled students. It has chosen to work with total scores. The highest ranges—including those at UCLA and Berkeley—are 17–20. Those scores are inline with our estimates above.

How will colleges use the domain scores?

Colleges have been given no guidance by College Board on how to use essay scores for admission. Will they sum the scores? Will they average them? Will they value certain areas over others? Chances are that if you are worrying too much about those questions, then you are likely losing sight of the bigger picture. We know of no cases where admission committees will make formulaic use of essay scores. The scores are a very small, very error-prone part of a student’s testing portfolio.

How low is too low?

Are 3s and 4s, then, low enough that an otherwise high-scoring student should retest? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. In general, it is a mistake to retest solely to improve an essay score unless a student is confident that the SAT Total Score can be maintained or improved. A student with a 1340 PSAT and 1280 SAT may feel that it is worthwhile to bring up low essay scores because she has previously shown that she can do better on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing and Math, as well. A student with a 1400 PSAT and 1540 SAT should think long and hard before committing to a retest. Admission results from the class of 2017 may give us some added insight into the use of SAT Essay scores.

Will colleges continue to require the SAT Essay?

For the class of 2017, Compass has prepared a list of the SAT Essay and ACT Writing policies for 360 of the top colleges . Several of the largest and most prestigious public university systems—California, Michigan, and Texas, for example, still require the essay, and a number of highly competitive private colleges do the same—for example, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford.

The number of excellent colleges not requiring the SAT Essay, though, is long and getting longer. Compass expects even more colleges to drop the essay requirement for the classes of 2018 and 2019. Policies are typically finalized in late spring or during the summer.

Should I skip the essay entirely?

A common question regarding SAT scores is whether the whole mess can be avoided by skipping the essay. After all, if only about 10% of colleges are requiring the section, is it really that important? Despite serious misgivings about the test and the ways scores are interpreted, Compass still recommends that most students take the essay unless they are certain that they will not be applying to any of the colleges requiring or recommending it. Nationally, about 70% of students choose to take the essay on at least one SAT administration. When looking at higher scoring segments, that quickly rises to 85–90%. Almost all Compass students take the SAT Essay at least once to insure that they do not miss out on educational opportunities.

Should I prepare for the SAT Essay?

Most Compass students decide to do some preparation for the essay, because taking any part of a test “cold” can be an unpleasant experience, and students want to avoid feeling like a retake is necessary. In addition to practicing exercises and tests, most students can perform well enough on the SAT Essay after 1–2 hours of tutoring. Students taking a Compass practice SAT will also receive a scored essay. Students interested in essay writing tips for the SAT can refer to Compass blog posts on the difference between the ACT and SAT tasks  and the use of first person on the essays .

Will I be able to see my essay?

Yes. ACT makes it difficult to obtain a copy of your Writing essay, but College Board includes it as part of your online report.

Will colleges have access to my essay? Even if they don’t require it?

Yes, colleges are provided with student essays. We know of very few circumstances where SAT Essay reading is regularly conducted. Colleges that do not require the SAT Essay fall into the “consider” and “do not consider” camps. Schools do not always list this policy on their website or in their application materials, so it is hard to have a comprehensive list. We recommend contacting colleges for more information. In general, the essay will have little to no impact at colleges that do not require or recommend it.

Is the SAT Essay a reason to take the ACT instead?

Almost all colleges that require the SAT Essay require Writing for ACT-takers. The essays are very different on the two tests, but neither can be said to be universally “easier” or “harder.” Compass recommends that the primary sections of the tests determine your planning. Compass’ content experts have also written a piece on how to attack the ACT essay .

Key links in this post:

ACT and SAT essay requirements ACT Writing scores explained Comparing ACT and SAT essay tasks The use of first person in ACT and SAT essays Understanding the “audience and purpose” of the ACT essay Compass proctored practice testing for the ACT, SAT, and Subject Tests

About Art Sawyer

Art graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, where he was the top-ranked liberal arts student in his class. Art pioneered the one-on-one approach to test prep in California in 1989 and co-founded Compass Education Group in 2004 in order to bring the best ideas and tutors into students' homes and computers. Although he has attained perfect scores on all flavors of the SAT and ACT, he is routinely beaten in backgammon.

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Hi! I’m a high school junior who took the October and November SATs. I got a 1500 on October and then retook it to get a 1590 in November. I’m very happy with my score, but my essays are troubling me. I got a 6-4-6 in October and thought I would improve in November, but I got a 6-3-6. I really cannot improve my actual SAT score, but I don’t understand the essay. I’ve always been a good writer and have consistently been praised for it in English class and outside of class. Is this essay score indicative of my writing skill? And will this essay hurt my chances at Ivy League and other top tier schools? None of the schools I plan on applying to require it, but, since I have to submit it, will it hurt my chances? Thank you so much.

Maya, The essay is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Honestly, a 6-4-6 is a fine score and will not hurt your chances for admission. It’s something of an odd writing task, so I wouldn’t worry that it doesn’t match your writing skills elsewhere.

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., 5 sat essay tips for a great score.

Thinking about tackling the SAT Essay? Here's what you need to know: you'll be asked to read a text (typically a speech or editorial of some sort) and discuss how the author effectively builds an argument. This might be a familiar task if you’ve done it in school, but if not, don’t worry. The format is straightforward, and with some practice, you can learn how to write a great SAT essay.

What is the SAT essay?

The SAT essay is optional and costs an additional fee of $17.00. Currently, only 25 colleges and universities require the SAT essay. You can find a searchable list of school requirements for the essay here . If there is any chance that you might apply to one of those schools, you should sign up for the essay. If you are not sure where you will apply, you should strongly consider signing up for the essay. Your essay score will appear on every score report you send to colleges, regardless of whether or not the school requires an essay. 

Here are 5 tips for writing a killer SAT essay, should you decide to add on that section:

1. Stay Objective

The thing to remember here is that ETS (the company that writes the test) is not asking you for your opinion on a topic or a text. So be sure to maintain formal style and an objective tone. Tip: Avoid “I” and “you.

2. Keep It Tidy

Handwriting is becoming a lost art. Unfortunately, this is one occasion where your skill with a pencil matters. Graders read tons of essays each day. If they cannot decipher your script, they will lower your score. Do yourself a favor and write legibly.

3. (Indented) Paragraphs Are Your Friend

Remember the basic essay structure you learned in school: introductory paragraph, body paragraphs and a conclusion? The SAT essay graders love it! Your introduction should describe the text and paraphrase the argument being made, as well as introduce the specific elements of the passage and argument that you will discuss in the essay. Your conclusion should restate the goal of the passage/argument and sum up the points you made.

Read More: SAT Tips and Strategies

4. For Example…

Use your body paragraphs to back up your thesis statement by citing specific examples. Use short, relevant quotes from the text to support your points.

5. Don't Worry About the Exact Terms for Things

Blanking on terminology? When describing how the author builds his or her argument, “appeal to the emotions” is fine instead of specifically referencing “pathos.” And “comparison of two things” can be used instead of referring to a metaphor. If you do know the official terms, though, feel free to use them!

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How Does the Essay Affect Your SAT Score?

Although the SAT essay is going to be optional before long (when the test changes in 2016), as of right now it’s a must. So, love it or hate it, your essay will influence your SAT score, and the admissions offices at the colleges you’ll apply to will see that score. So let’s answer one key question: how much does the SAT essay actually count for?

The Numbers

First, the essay is scored according to its own grading system. There will be two readers—real people, not a Scantron machine!—who read and judge your writing, each assigning a mark of zero to six. Zero is the worst (in case that wasn’t totally obvious), but it’s only used for the absolutely ungradable essays. If you write on a completely different topic than what’s assigned, for example, you will get a zero. That means no memorizing a fantastic essay ahead of time! You have to write on the topic they give you. You’d also get a zero if you wrote in another language, say, or simply put no clear thoughts on paper.

A six, on the other hand, is reserved for long, structured essays that are full of clear, concrete ideas, high-level vocabulary, and correct grammar. There’s a bit more to it, but that’s the gist.

After each reader goes through and marks your essay, the two scores will be added to give you a score of 0–12 (if you actually wrote anything remotely relevant, that’s 2–12).

Then that score, in turn, is added to the raw score from the Writing multiple-choice questions, since the essay is just a part of the Writing Section. The multiple-choice sections count for more points, altogether.

Then, once they have the raw total of your essay score and your multiple-choice score added up, they convert that score into the scaled, 200–800 score.

The Importance of the Essay

The scaled score is a little bit hard to explain—how it’s calculated, I mean—and it’s not worth really getting stuck talking about. All that matters is the zero to twelve score ends up affecting how many hundreds are in that scaled score. And I did say that the multiple-choice counts for more than the essay, but that doesn’t mean the essay isn’t important.

In truth, the SAT essay score counts for around 30% your total writing score—in the ballpark of 200 points, altogether. It’s not the only thing, but it’s a significant piece of the puzzle.

And what about those who say the essay doesn’t matter? Simply put, they’re usually wrong . Most schools were really skeptical of the Writing Section when this version of the SAT first debuted it back in 2005. And sure, some are still not totally signed on, but for the most part it does factor into your admissions. And 99% of the time, you’ll have no idea how much that lady who works in the admissions office cares about your Writing score—you’ll just have to trust that a high score is better than a low one.

And for that high score, you need to put some energy into preparing to write your essay!

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What is a Good Score on the SAT Essay?

by Christian | Dec 24, 2017 | SAT Prep | 0 comments

Get a higher SAT Essay score - fast - with our instant-download complete course.

Are you getting ready to take the SAT test and wondering “what is a good SAT essay score?” Well, you’re in exactly the right place to study the SAT Essay with a perfect-scoring veteran SAT tutor! Let’s get into it…

What is a Good SAT Essay Score?

So, this article is chock-full of useful info, but let’s get the original question out of the way first. What is a good SAT Essay score?

Well. you have to understand the SAT Essay scoring system to fully understand the question (more details on that below). But for now, let’s just say a pretty “good” SAT Essay score is anything above about a 19 (out of a maximum of 24 points).

Now let me be clear - an 19 would be on the lowest-possible end for what I’d consider basically a “good” SAT Essay score. That’s definitely not a  great SAT Essay score. But it does put you somewhere around the top 20% of students.

If you can get above 22 out of 24,  now you’re looking at an excellent SAT essay score. Of course, shooting for a perfect 24 on your essay is the ideal goal!

But wait a second - let’s back up a bit. What exactly  is the SAT Essay, anyway?

What is the SAT Essay?

Ok, so now you have some idea what a good SAT Essay score is. But what  is the SAT Essay?

Good question. Well, the SAT Essay is an “optional” 50-minute writing assignment , given at the end of the SAT test. Each SAT Essay assignment includes a unique reading passage. But, although the reading passage will change for each test, the prompt and essay task itself is always the same.

In essence, you must provide a “ rhetorical analysis ” of the reading passage. Instead of  responding to the author’s arguments, you are meant to  analyze those arguments and judge their effectiveness at convincing the author’s audience.

You’ll be graded in three key areas:

• Reading (Do you demonstrate an understanding of the passage?)
• Analysis (Do you successfully complete the analytical task you’ve been given?)
• Writing (Is your own essay well-written on every level?)

Now’s not the right time to get into deep strategies or rules for better SAT Essay scores. Luckily, we’ve produced an entire SAT Essay course that will teach you everything you need to know - fast. Click here to get access to download the course from anywhere in the world.

How is Your SAT Essay Scored?

So, how will your SAT Essay be scored? Well, it’s actually kind of interesting, and it’s important to know if you want a great score.

The SAT Essay is the  only section of the test that is graded by humans (that’s also why there’s a small additional charge to register for the SAT Essay).

Each of the two essay graders will quickly read your essay. They’ll follow a specific grading rubric to give you a subscore in each of the three subcategories: Reading, Analysis, and Writing.

These subscores range from a “1” at the lowest to a “4” at the top. With three subscores, that means each grader can give you anywhere from a “3” to a “12” at the highest. Both graders will give you their own set of subscores, which puts your final score between a “6” at the very lowest, and a “24” for a perfect SAT Essay.

There’s a lot more you need to know about the SAT Essay to excel, but this should at least give you an idea how your writing will be graded.

What is an Average SAT Essay Score?

How about if you’re a student who’s not looking for a  great SAT Essay score, but just an “average” score? What is an average SAT Essay score, anyway?

Well, there will always be a little bit of flex from test to test, but the typical “average” SAT Essay score is a 14 out of 24. Mathematically, the average “should” be a 15 out of 24, which is right in the middle. But, in real life, the overall average actually comes out at 14.

Where does that missing point disappear to? It turns out that many high schoolers struggle with the “Analysis” subscore of the SAT Essay. Probably that’s because they don’t prepare enough for this very specific writing assignment. Then, on test day, the “average” student doesn’t know  exactly what they must do for the Analysis subscore and they lose points. Make sure that’s not you!

What is a Bad SAT Essay Score?

This brings us to a question that’s not exactly fun: “What is a bad SAT Essay score?”

Personally, I dislike negativity - even the worst SAT Essay score is simply a chance to study, practice, and improve!

Still, it’s definitely possible to get a “bad” SAT Essay score. Since you’re using this score as part of your competition to get accepted into college , a bad SAT Essay score is simply any score that keeps you out of your favorite college.

Therefore, we definitely don’t want to be down in the bottom half of SAT Essay scores (a 15 or below).

Even worse would be dropping to a 12 or below. That means you’re only getting “2’s” on your subscores from both graders - definitely not where you want your score to be if you’re looking seriously at most decent colleges (at least the ones that require SAT Essay scores).

Wait up a second - did I just say “the colleges that require SAT Essay scores”? Does that mean that  not all students need to take the SAT Essay? Read on to find out…

Is the SAT Essay Section Required?

So, considering that the SAT Essay will add some extra stress, time, and work to your testing day, is the essay even considered a mandatory section of the SAT test?

Well, the truth is that the SAT Essay is an “optional” section. You can select to register for the test with or without the essay section. It’s an easy choice during the official SAT registration process. There’s a small additional fee to take the SAT test with the Essay, but as a pro tutor it’s something I consider important for most students.

While it’s true that not every student needs to take the SAT Essay, it’s usually better to be safe than sorry. After all, if you realize later that you  did need an SAT Essay score for your college applications, you’ll have to take the  entire SAT test again, just for a single chance at the essay at the end of the test!

This leads right into the next question about the SAT Essay….

Does Your SAT Essay Score Even Matter?

Now, here’s the million-dollar question: does your SAT Essay score even matter, in the big scheme of things?

Well, I wish I could give you a short answer to that. But the truth is, it depends on your priorities in life .

If you’re applying to Harvard for a Creative Writing degree, then a bad SAT Essay score is really going to hurt your chances.

But, if you’re applying to one of the many schools that does  not look at your SAT Essay score, then of course your essay scores won’t matter a single bit - even if they’re perfect.

Most students will fall somewhere in-between. For example, some of the colleges you apply to will “require” you to submit some SAT Essay scores, but they won’t  really look to hard at your essay scores.

In other words, many colleges do consider your SAT Essay, but few schools put a tremendous weight on the significance of your Essay score.

Your SAT Essay score tends to matter more and more for each of the points below:

• Applying to “elite” colleges and universities.
• Applying for writing or literary degrees.
• Applying to many schools that require an SAT Essay score.

How Do You Get a Good Score on Your SAT Essay?

First things first - to cut to the chase for a much higher score on your SAT essay, click here and get our complete SAT Essay course . It’s our premier course on the SAT and ACT Essay from a perfect-scoring veteran tutor, and it’s available for instant download anywhere in the world.

Here are the keys to a higher SAT Essay score:

• Knowing of the SAT essay scoring system.
• Using a clear and dependable essay-writing strategy.
• Writing multiple practice SAT essays on different prompts.
• Focusing hard and using every available minute on test day.

Each of these bullet points (and much more) are covered in deep strategic detail in our SAT Essay course . So get it today - it will help, trust me. Best of all, the course is covered with a 100% money-back guarantee, so you really can’t go wrong.

If you’re looking for more free info on the SAT Essay, start with this article . Our free blog articles won’t be quite as well-organized or thorough as our complete essay course, but we’ve still published plenty of useful info to keep you busy!

Get Higher SAT Essay Scores Today!

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We encourage applicants to enter any available test scores in the QuestBridge National College Match application. Students who do not have standardized test scores can still be selected as Finalists if the rest of their application is strong; however, they should ensure they meet the standardized testing requirements for each college partner they're interested in. 

QuestBridge accepts unofficial test scores! Applicants or school counselors can submit these documents. 

Test requirements will be updated in fall 2024. 

2023 test requirements.

Amherst College

• Amherst is test-optional. The test-optional policy applies to all applicants - domestic and international - applying for first-year admission. At their own discretion, students may choose to submit SAT/ACT test scores for consideration in the application review process. Amherst will not consider SAT Subject Tests. You can learn more about Amherst’s test-optional policy here .  

Barnard College

• Barnard has extended their temporary test-optional policy for incoming students starting in Fall 2024. To learn more about Barnard's test-optional policy, please view their website .

Boston College

• BC has adopted a test-optional policy for first-year applicants during the 2023-2024 admission cycle. 

Boston University

• BU is a test-optional institution. Read more about BU's Test Optional Policy to decide your test plan.

Bowdoin College

• Bowdoin is a test-optional college. Read more about Bowdoin's Test Optional Policy to decide your test plan.

Brown University

Brown is test-optional for the 2023-24 application cycle. If this describes your situation, please know that your application will not be disadvantaged in the admission process, and will receive full consideration by Brown's admission committee.

If you do have scores you would like to share, you may request official scores from the College Board and/or ACT. Do not use the rush reporting service.

California Institute of Technology

• Caltech has implemented a five-year Moratorium on requirement and consideration of SAT and/or ACT test scores. The Caltech Undergraduate Admissions Office will not be accepting or reviewing any standardized test submitted.

Carleton College

• Carleton has adopted a test-optional policy for first-year applicants applying for admission for entry in Fall 2024. This policy means results of the SAT or the ACT are not required, but you may still submit them. 

Case Western Reserve University

• Case Western Reserve University is a test-optional institution. Students will have the ability to indicate whether they would like CWRU to consider their standardized test scores when completing the CWRU Questbridge Supplement.

Claremont McKenna College

• CMC offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about CMC’s test-optional policy .

Colby College

• As a test-optional institution, you may choose whether or not to submit your test scores with your application to Colby.

Colgate University

• Colgate University will offer Fall 2023 applicants the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Colgate’s test-optional policy .

College of the Holy Cross

• Holy Cross has been test-optional since 2005. Applicants may indicate their preferred testing policy on the QuestBridge Supplement and may also update their testing preference and/or submit additional test scores via the applicant portal.

Colorado College

• Colorado College is a test-optional college. Please review CC's test-optional policy to determine your test plan.

Columbia University

• For 2022-2023, Columbia offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. 

Dartmouth College

• Dartmouth College is test-optional for applicants to the Class of 2028 .

Davidson College

• Davidson is test-optional for the SAT or the ACT. Learn more about Davidson’s test-optional policy .

Denison University

• Denison has practiced test-optional admission since 2008. No student is at a disadvantage by not submitting scores. Students who choose to have their scores considered may self-report them through their Denison applicant portal.

Duke University

• ACT, writing exam optional; OR
• SAT, with essay component optional

Emory University

• Emory University is test-optional, meaning students can apply without submitting their SAT or ACT score(s) in the 2023-2024 academic year. Learn more about Emory’s test-optional policy .

Grinnell College

• Grinnell is test-optional for students applying for admission in 2023-2024. Learn more about Grinnell's test-optional policy .

Hamilton College

• Hamilton offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Hamilton’s test-optional policy . 

Haverford College

• Haverford College offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Haverford’s test-optional policy .

Johns Hopkins University

• Hopkins is test-optional for applicants through 2026. You will be able to self-report scores on your QuestBridge application. Your Hopkins supplemental form will allow you to indicate your test-optional status for their review process.

Macalester College

• Macalester has a Test-Optional admissions policy. This includes ACT, SAT, SAT II, AP, and IB. There will be no penalty for students who choose not to submit test scores in the selection process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• MIT requires either the SAT or the ACT from all first-year applicants. They do not require the ACT writing section or the SAT optional essay.

Middlebury College

Middlebury is currently test-optional. You do not have to submit standardized test scores with your application. A lack of scores will not factor into your application review. If you would like your standardized testing to be considered, you can submit either the SAT or the ACT. Learn more about Middlebury's test-optional policy .

Northwestern University

• Northwestern offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores.

Oberlin College

• Oberlin College is test-optional for the 2023-2024 application year. 

Pomona College

• Pomona College has adopted a test-optional policy for students applying for first-year and transfer admission through Fall 2024. Under this policy, SAT or ACT scores are not required to apply but students may choose to self-report them on their applications. Learn more about Pomona's test-optional policy .

Princeton University

• For the 2023-24 application period, Princeton will review applications with or without test scores, leaving the decision in the hands of the applicant. Learn more about Princeton's standardized testing policy . 

Rice University

• Rice will allow first-year applicants to undergraduate, degree-seeking programs for the 2023-2024 application cycle to submit SAT or ACT test scores, if they choose. Students who are unable to submit tests, or prefer not to submit test scores, will be given full consideration in the admission selection process. Learn more about Rice's 2023-2024 testing policy . 

Scripps College

• Scripps offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Scripps’ test-optional policy .

Smith College

• Smith College has been test-optional since 2009 and remains test-optional today. The submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional for all applicants.

Stanford University

• For the 2023-24 application period, Stanford will review applications with or without test scores, leaving the decision in the hands of the applicant. Visit Stanford's Standardized Testing page for more information.

Swarthmore College

• Swarthmore offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Swarthmore’s test-optional policy .

Tufts University

• Tufts University offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Tufts’ test-optional policy .

University of Chicago

• UChicago offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores.

University of Notre Dame

• For the 2023-2024 application cycle, Notre Dame offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores.

University of Pennsylvania

• Penn offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Penn's test-optional policy .

University of Southern California

• For the 2023-2024 application cycle, USC offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about USC’s test-optional policy .

University of Virginia

• In response to COVID-19, UVA will not require applicants to submit the SAT/ACT for the 2023-24 application cycle. Students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be disadvantaged in any way. Students who wish to include testing as part of their application may continue to do so. Students who choose to submit testing may choose to take either the ACT or the SAT.

Vanderbilt University

• Vanderbilt offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Vanderbilt’s test-optional policy .

Vassar College

• Vassar does not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. Vassar will use the superscore for the SAT or ACT. If a student submits both the SAT and ACT, Vassar will use the higher of the two scores to evaluate the application.

Washington and Lee University

• W&L offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about W&L’s test-optional policy .

Washington University in St. Louis

• WashU offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about WashU’s admission requirements .

Wellesley College

• Students applying for entry in the fall of 2024 have the option to apply without consideration of SAT or ACT scores. 

Wesleyan College

• Wesleyan is entirely test-optional and does not require the submission of standardized tests in the admissions process. You should submit the combination of test results you feel best represents your academic achievement and potential. This can range from a full set of SATs and SAT Subject Tests, an ACT, and AP exam scores, to a combination of results from different evaluations, or no test results at all. Learn more about Wesleyan's test-optional policy .

Williams College

• Williams offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. 

Yale University

• Yale offers students the option to apply without consideration of their SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about Yale’s test-optional policy .

Submitting your scores

All applicants should submit unofficial test score reports to your QuestBridge application. Either the applicant or the school counselor can upload these documents.

If you are selected as a Finalist, check the school application requirements to see if you must request that the College Board and/or the ACT send official score reports to the colleges you are ranking, or to the college partners you are applying to for Regular Decision. If you are applying to any schools that are test-optional, you will be able to submit a request directly to the school to indicate whether or not you would like to have your test scores reviewed.

Typically the August or September test dates in your senior year are the latest dates in which QuestBridge can receive test scores to evaluate you for the National College Match. Finalists may submit scores taken from later fall dates directly to the college for consideration. In order to be considered by colleges for the Match, tests must be taken by October at the latest. Check the Application Requirements pages for the schools you are interested in to make sure the last acceptable test dates are not earlier.

Non-native English speakers should visit the Application Requirements page for each college partner they are interested in for details on additional required testing such as TOEFL or IELTS.

ACT/SAT Scores: Importance and strategies for success

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - College admissions can be a confusing landscape, particularly when it comes to standardized testing. Are the ACT and SAT still important? The answer, according to Shaan Patel, founder of PREPexpert.com , is yes.

Resurgence of Standardized Testing:

A recent trend in college admissions has seen many universities reinstate ACT and SAT testing requirements. This applies not only to top-tier schools but also to public universities in states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida. Even at test-optional schools, research suggests that students with strong scores have a significant advantage in the admissions process, with acceptance rates sometimes two to three times higher, according to Patel.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities:

Beyond admissions, strong ACT/SAT scores can be a gateway to significant financial aid. Billions of dollars in scholarships are awarded based on grades and test scores. Students who choose not to take the tests may be automatically ineligible for this scholarship money.

Strategies for Success:

Patel, who himself scored a perfect SAT, emphasizes the importance of preparation. Here are some key strategies he recommends:

• Practice Tests:  Don’t walk into the test day unprepared. Taking practice tests builds stamina and familiarity with the format, reducing test anxiety.
• Focus on Specific Strategies:  Familiarize yourself with common test-maker tricks. For example, in the ACT reading section, avoid answer choices that use extreme words like “always” or “never.” In writing, steer clear of the passive voice by avoiding the word “being.”
• Official Resources:  Utilize official resources from the test providers. The College Board (SAT) and ACT Inc. offer free practice questions online, which are the most reliable way to prepare for the actual exams. The SAT has also recently undergone a digital format change, so it’s crucial to use the official Blue Book application to get accustomed to the new interface.

Timeline and Resources

Patel said ideally, students should begin preparing for the ACT/SAT 6 to 12 weeks before their test date. Summer break presents a valuable opportunity for focused studying. Resources like PREPexpert.com offer online prep courses at various price points, including free options, to help students achieve their testing goals.

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• SI SWIMSUIT
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• Husky Legends

With Career Blunted at UW, Calmese Will Join Cougars

Dan raley | 11 hours ago.

Nate Calemese couldn't wait to get out of Montlake after seeing his basketball career take two steps back at the University of Washington, going from Southland Conference Freshman of the Year to deep on Mike Hopkins' bench.

On Friday, the wiry 6-foot-2, 165-pound guard with the floppy hair who hails from Gilbert, Arizona, turned his attention 275 miles east, revealing he will play next season for Washington State.

Calmese was one of the more curious developments for Hopkins' final UW team before the coach was fired.

At Lamar, he was a free-wheeling 17.7-point scorer, with 15 games of 20 points or more, topped by a 32-point outburst.

For the Huskies, Calmese appeared in only 16 games for a 17-15 team that could have used more offense, averaging just 4.1 points and 10.9 minutes played per game. He reached double-digits just three times, with a. high game of 15 at Arizona.

"My main goal is just to play," Calmese said before the UW headed to the Pac-12 tournament. "As you can see, it didn't really work out here. So at the end of the day, I really want to play and produce my talents on the court."

NEWS: Washington transfer guard Nate Calmese has committed to Washington State, his agent @DanielPoneman tells @On3sports . https://t.co/WjpxjLI1Og pic.twitter.com/iUrEjZGdv3 — Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 24, 2024

He will join a WSU team getting left behind to rebuild the Pac-12 into a new conference and answering to new coach David Riley, who takes over after three seasons as the Eastern Washington basketball leader.

Calmese is certainly capable of carrying a big offensive load for the Cougars. During the 2022-23 season for Lamar, he took 421 shots and made 202. He played 975 minutes, an average of 31.5 per game.

By the time he gets to Pullman, he should be well rested and ready to resume launching long jumpers. Yet it's unclear, with schedules not released, whether he will get a chance to play against the Huskies.

For the latest UW football and basketball news, go to si.com/college/washington

Dan Raley has worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, as well as for MSN.com and Boeing, the latter as a global aerospace writer. His sportswriting career spans four decades and he's covered University of Washington football and basketball during much of that time. In a working capacity, he's been to the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the MLB playoffs, the Masters, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and countless Final Fours and bowl games.

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The SAT Writing Section (Essay): Here’s What You Need to Know

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The SAT recently revamped itself to more accurately test what students learn in school. The new version is less deliberately tricky and confusing, but it’s still a challenging, exhausting test. Let’s say you’ve taken both the ACT and the SAT and you perform better on the SAT. Now that you’ve chosen it as your go-to test, how do you get through the essay portion, especially if you hate writing?

Fun fact: the SAT has plenty of new practice tests , which include essays. For the purposes of this post, I’ll be working from this practice essay , so it might be useful to have it open as you read. We’ll go through what’s expected, what scoring looks like, and how to go about writing the best essay you can.

Understand What You’re Being Asked to Do

The new SAT no longer asks you to make up ideas and references from scratch (which, honestly, is probably for the best). Instead, it provides you with an essay and asks you to analyze it, much in the same vein as an in-class analytical or an AP English Language essay.

The Assignment

The assignment reads as follows. At the top you’ll see a generic introduction for what to look for as you read:

As you read the passage below, consider how (the author of the passage) uses:

• evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.
• reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.
• stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

Then, at the bottom, the instructions get specific. For this essay, they read like this:

Write an essay in which you explain how Bobby Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience that the US government must continue to invest in NASA. In your essay, analyze how Braun uses one or more of the features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage. Your essay should not explain whether you agree with Braun’s claims, but rather explain how Braun builds an argument to persuade his audience.

What does this mean? Essentially, as you read, pick out the techniques the author uses to make his or her point, then write a detailed essay that covers a couple of the main ones. Brush up on your knowledge of literary terms and devices well in advance of writing the SAT essay. You don’t have to know them all, but know the most commonly used ones really well (tone, diction, imagery, simile/metaphor, allusion, rhetorical question, anecdote, and symbolism, to name a few) so you can rely on those. In an argumentative essay, like this one, an author will always use tone, diction (choice of words), and some kind of persuasion technique (Logos? Pathos? Ethos? Anecdote? etc.).

How is the essay scored? Two testers will read your essay and will provide a score of 1-4 on three different benchmarks: reading, analysis, and writing.

Did the writer understand the content? Did they quickly summarize the argument/point and then move quickly into their interpretation of it? Did they paraphrase and directly quote?

Did the writer not only identify the right literary terms/devices but assess their uses effectively? In other words, did the writer understand why the author used those devices and say so? Did the analysis integrate into the rest of the essay?

Is there a strong thesis, body paragraphs for each device, and a quick conclusion? (More on organization below.) Is the writing “strong,” i.e., sentence variety, no unnecessary words or repetition, strong words, and sophisticated reasoning?

The testers’ scores are then added together for an aggregate final score. So, a top score would be 8/8/8.

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Final Thoughts

Unless you’re being given extra time, you have exactly 50 minutes to complete the essay. This sounds like a lot (and it’s more than it used to be), but don’t be fooled. You’ll use the time.

Students with special accommodations might be able to take the test on a computer, but otherwise it’s a written test. Your test booklet will be scanned into a computer. If you make a mistake, don’t erase your work, because it causes smudges and can make it hard for the tester to read. Simply cross out and rewrite. The testers are trained not to read crossed-out material. If you’ve been told your handwriting is impossible to read, write a little more slowly than you might otherwise. Choose the style that’s more legible for you: print or cursive. When you write practice tests, give it to someone and ask if they can read it.

You’ll take the SAT essay last, after every other section has been completed. So you’ll be exhausted. There’s no way around that, unfortunately, beyond bringing snacks and water on test day and walking around during breaks to take the focus off your brain for a couple minutes. Practice is key; you’ll want to be able to read an essay quickly, pull out devices, and write a straightforward essay with a minimum of confusion and anxiety. Only practice and memorization of the right information will get you there.

As you prepare to take the SAT, take a look at some example essays that scored highly. It won’t be the same subject matter, but the structure and language will be aspects you can emulate.

Read with the Assignment in Mind

Imagine that your proctor has told you to turn to the essay section. You already know the basic assignment, so you can actually skip the top introduction and dive right in to the essay. Don’t get bogged down with unfamiliar words or the most complex sentences. You don’t need to absorb every single word of the essay. Read to find devices you can use. Circle them and ID them as you go. Don’t be picky right away—just observe and note what you see.

Go ahead and skim the bottom instructions, but even then the first sentence is the only really important one. In this case, the gist is: how does Braun persuade his audience to invest in NASA? Then, go back to the devices you found, and pick out the three strongest and/or most used devices to structure your essay. Can’t find three? Remember, an author always uses tone (point of view) and diction (word choice) so those are two easy ones if you’re stuck.

The process of reading and pulling out devices should take no more than eight minutes.

Make a Quick Outline

I know this one sound counterintuitive, given what I said about time limits, but bear with me. Just starting to write without a clear path is hugely problematic for timed essays. Even the best writers make a mental note of their general direction. Without planning, you might change directions mid-essay, forget your thesis and end up arguing something else, or wander off completely without realizing it.

The outline can be short and sweet. For example, with this practice essay, it could look like this:

Intro: Braun argues that continuing to invest in space tech and research keeps us competitive in the world economy. Devices: logos, imagery, allusion

Body 1: Logos (logic): paragraph 3, 5, 7

Body 2: Imagery: paragraph 4, 6

Body 3: Allusion: paragraph 8

Don’t even bother to include your conclusion in your outline. It’s pretty much the same content as your intro. Also, remember that you don’t need to tackle every aspect or device in the essay. Highlight where your devices are, then focus your analysis to those sections. In the outline above, I’ve structured the devices so that you’re going through the essay in almost chronological fashion. You don’t have to do this, but it makes the essay-writing a bit easier.

The process of outlining should take no more than two minutes.

Write Quickly but Methodically

Don’t waste a lot of breath with a big, drawn out introduction. State the argument of the author in one sentence, then your thesis, which should be a list of the three devices you plan to use. Keep it simple and easy, then move on.

For each body paragraph, make a quick topic sentence explaining which device you’re analyzing. Spend one sentence (ONLY one) summarizing how the author is using the device. Begin to use quotes or paraphrase; after each example, analyze why the author uses the device and the effect it has. About three quotes or examples are usually standard. Then, at the end of the paragraph, use one sentence to sum up the effect the device has on the whole essay. Use sample essays for examples of this structure.

See the numbers at the side of each paragraph? When you quote directly or summarize directly, put the number of the paragraph in parenthesis afterwards to cite where you’re getting the information from.

For your conclusion, simply restate what you’ve said before. If you’re feeling extra-confident, feel free to add a key takeaway from the analysis, but it’s not necessary. So, your conclusion can be two sentences just like your intro.

What if your writing style isn’t advanced or similar to the example essays? Work with a teacher or tutor who can help you develop your skills if you have the time. If not, just write simply and clearly. Don’t use overly technical words. Don’t make really long sentences just for the sake of doing so. Even simple, forceful language can be effective so long as your argument is good. So focus your attention on ensuring that you know what good analysis is and how to replicate it.

You’ll have 35 minutes to write. Keep an eye on the clock, but mostly just focus on writing quickly and clearly.

Leave a Few Minutes for Proofreading

Again, I know you’ll be flying through this essay at lightning speed to get everything done effectively. But this one’s important too. When you write quickly, grammar and spelling can fall by the wayside. That’s totally normal, so don’t freak out. But you will be graded on such aspects in your final score, so leave 5 minutes max at the end to skim through your essay, pinpoint where you made mistakes, cross out the word or phrase, and write the correct word or phrase above it. Try to make corrections clearly so that the tester knows which version to read.

And that’s it! Easy, right? (Totally kidding.) As with everything else, practice will help. If you’re not already doing this kind of essay in class, do a few practice essays at home. Make sure you do the EXACT process start to finish: time yourself, write an outline, and so on. Part of success is building the muscle memory to go into the essay with a solid base of experience and confidence that you’ll succeed.

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In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, LSAC offices, including Customer Service, will be closed on Monday, May 27. We will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, May 28.

In observance of the Presidents Day holiday, LSAC offices will be closed on Monday, February 19. Customer Service representatives will be available via telephone at  1.800.336.3982 , via email at [email protected], or through our chat feature from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. ET.

LSAT Argumentative Writing

LSAT Argumentative Writing SM

A new approach to the Writing section of the LSAT 

Beginning July 30, 2024, LSAT Argumentative Writing will replace the LSAT Writing prompt that has been part of the LSAT since 1982.

This new approach to the writing assessment aims to assess a test taker’s ability to construct a cogent argument based on a variety of evidentiary sources. Test takers will be presented with a debatable issue, along with three or four perspectives that provide additional context for the issue. These perspectives, each of which is conveyed in a few sentences, are representative of a system of beliefs or values. Together, the perspectives illustrate competing ideologies and arguments around a particular issue. The test taker will then draft an argumentative essay in which they take a position on the issue, while addressing some of the arguments and ideas presented by the other perspectives. 

The new argumentative writing task is designed to give test takers a clearer, more authentic writing purpose than the former “decision-based” LSAT Writing prompt, which was more narrowly focused on pure logical reasoning. When test takers have an opportunity to construct an original thesis and defend it based on their own judgment and analytical evaluation, rather than following pre-ordained lines of reasoning, we can better assess the broader and more complex range of decision-making skills that writers engage in.

By adopting this design, we’re not only enabling individuals to have a more authentic voice in their argument, but we are also better positioned to evaluate the writer’s ability to employ various rhetorical techniques, evidentiary strategies, and other important aspects of argumentative writing. 

Given the additional reading load required by the new writing task format, LSAT Argumentative Writing will include a short preparatory period that test takers can use to organize their thoughts using guided prewriting analysis questions and to take notes using the digital notetaking tool provided in the testing environment. These questions are designed to help test takers analyze the various perspectives and generate productive ideas for their essay. Most test takers will have a total of 50 minutes — 15 minutes for prewriting analysis and 35 minutes for essay writing. Test takers with approved accommodations for additional time will have their time allocations adjusted accordingly.

For the 2024-2025 testing cycle, LSAT Argumentative Writing will remain an unscored section of the LSAT and will be administered exclusively in an online proctored, on-demand environment using secure proctoring software that is installed on the test taker’s computer.

Quick Facts about LSAT Writing

Online administration.

Before You Begin — Top Tips

If your LSAT Argumentative Writing session is flagged for further review, it may delay the release of your LSAT score. Review these tips to avoid having your session flagged.

Required for LSAT Scoring

LSAT Argumentative Writing samples are not scored, but LSAT Argumentative Writing is a required part of the LSAT. Your LSAT score cannot be released to law schools if you do not have a completed and approved LSAT Argumentative Writing sample on file .

Take a Practice Writing Prompt

Through your free LSAC LawHub account, you have access to an official LSAT Argumentative Writing practice prompt that can help you prepare for test day. This writing prompt is representative of the kind of prompts that are used in the LSAT Argumentative Writing assessment. You can use this prompt to get familiar with both the content and the interface of the test.

You can sign into LawHub with your LSAC username and password.

Testing Accommodations

Through our deep commitment to disability rights, LSAC will continue to address the needs of all individuals with disabilities who require testing accommodations. We will make every effort to ensure all test takers are able to fully demonstrate their skills when they take the LSAT and LSAT Argumentative Writing.

Learn More about testing accommodations

Learn How to Verify Your ID on Test Day

When you launch valid, government-issued photo ID . We’ve compiled a list of tips, so you’ll know what to do (and not do!) when it’s time to photograph your ID on exam day. If your LSAT Writing sample is flagged due to ID issues, it could delay the release of your LSAT score.--> LSAT Argumentative Writing, you’ll need to take a photo of your valid, government-issued photo ID. Please ensure that the photo of your ID is clear and recognizable. Images of IDs that are blurry, out of focus, or unrecognizable will not be accepted, and your writing sample will be canceled. Please review the image of your ID on your screen for clarity before capturing the image.

Review ID Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i register for lsat argumentative writing.

If you’re taking the LSAT for the first time, one administration of LSAT Argumentative Writing is included in your LSAT registration. By registering for the LSAT, you will be automatically eligible to complete the writing section, which is open eight (8) days before you take the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT. You can access LSAT Argumentative Writing from your LSAC JD Account. 

NOTE:  The LSAT registration fee includes both the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT and LSAT Argumentative Writing. There are no additional fees associated with LSAT Argumentative Writing. 

When can I take LSAT Argumentative Writing?

Candidates are eligible to take LSAT Argumentative Writing starting eight (8) days prior to their LSAT administration. For your LSAT to be considered complete, you will need to take the LSAT Argumentative Writing section of the test if you do not already have a writing sample on file from a previous LSAT administration. Most law schools require a writing sample as an integral part of their admission decision, and therefore, you should complete a writing sample to meet schools’ application deadlines. Your writing sample will be shared with the law schools to which you have applied once it’s approved and your score is released. Candidates will be required to have a completed writing sample in their file to see their test score or have their score released to law schools. 

How long does it take to complete the LSAT Argumentative Writing task?

Most test takers will have a total of 50 minutes — 15 minutes for prewriting analysis and 35 minutes for essay writing. Test takers with approved accommodations for additional time will have their time allocations adjusted accordingly. Test takers can use the 15-minute prewriting analysis to organize their thoughts using guided prewriting analysis questions and to take notes using the digital notetaking tool provided in the testing environment. These questions are designed to help test takers analyze the various perspectives and generate productive ideas for their essay. All test takers will have the option to move past the prewriting analysis after 5 minutes of time have expired, or they may choose to use their full time allocated.

By when do I have to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing?

If you do not have a writing sample on file, we encourage you to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing as soon as you can. LSAT Argumentative Writing opens eight (8) days prior to every test administration. Candidates must have a complete writing sample in their file in order to see their score or have their score released to schools. Most law schools require a writing sample as an integral part of their admission decision, and therefore, you should complete the writing sample immediately to meet schools’ application deadlines. 

In case you are not applying in the current cycle, please note you have a maximum of one (1) year to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing. For questions, please contact LSAC’s Candidate Services team at  [email protected]  or  1.800.336.3982 .

What can I use to write notes since scratch paper is prohibited?

Unlike the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT, physical scratch paper and writing utensils are not permitted during the standard administration of LSAT Argumentative Writing. Instead, the LSAT Argumentative Writing interface includes a built-in, digital “scratch paper” section where you’ll be able to type notes, instead of writing them on a physical piece of scratch paper. 

How is test security managed for LSAT Writing?

The secure proctoring platform uses input from the webcam, microphone, and screen of the candidate’s own computer to ensure that the writing sample is the candidate’s own work, and that the candidate is not receiving any inappropriate assistance. Prior to the exam, candidates will complete a video check-in process. As part of the check-in process, candidates will be required to clearly display a physical, valid government-issued photo ID issued by the United States of America, U.S. Territories, or Canada or an international passport for the camera to capture. This image must not be blurry or out of focus. Candidates will also be required to complete a full 360-degree scan of their room and their workspace using their webcam. The room scan must be completed in order to ensure there are no other people or prohibited items in the testing environment. Candidates who require additional items in their workspace due to a disability may seek appropriate accommodations through the standard procedures for  requesting testing accommodations .    

Audio and video from every testing session will be reviewed by trained proctors. 

Please review the  Test and Test-Taker Security FAQs  for more information. 

Do I need to take LSAT Argumentative Writing if I’ve already completed LSAT Writing?

If you previously took LSAT Writing during the current reportable score period (i.e., as early as June 2018), your previous writing sample is still valid, and you do not need to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing. However, if you register to retake the LSAT during the 2024-2025 testing year and would like to complete LSAT Argumentative Writing, you can contact LSAC’s Candidate Relations team at [email protected] or 1.800.336.3982 .

I took the LSAT before August 2024 but never completed LSAT Writing. Can I complete LSAT Argumentative Writing to get my LSAT score?

Yes. LSAT Writing will be available through July 29, 2024. Starting July 30, 2024, LSAT Argumentative Writing will be available to all test takers who still need to complete a writing sample, even if they took the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT during the 2023-2024 testing year.

When will sample prompts for the new LSAT Argumentative Writing be available in LawHub?

More From Forbes

Colleges reinstating the act/sat should add a program like this too.

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Colleges reinstating standardized admission tests have an obligation to increase their efforts to ... [+] attract and admit more traditionally underserved students

Several colleges have made headlines this year with their decision to reinstate ACT or SAT test scores as an undergraduate admission requirement.

Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, and Caltech have decided to once again require test scores. In March, the University of Texas ended its pandemic-era test-optional policy and resumed requiring standardized test scores as part of the application process. Other public universities are considering following suit or have already done so.

The usual justifications for resuming the test requirement is that it helps predict future academic success and can identify talented applicants from under-resourced backgrounds.

Claims that standardized tests can find well-qualified candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds, serving like some kind of a diamond-in-the-rough detector, may be true. And, while many observers remain skeptical, schools that have become convinced by that logic may be able to use the tests to yield socioeconomically and racially diverse entering classes.

However, there’s a flip side to this issue. For every traditionally underserved applicant given a boost by a good test score, innumerable others will be overlooked because they lacked the resources to prep for the tests or their scores fail to reflect their true academic abilities.

As Akil Bello, the Senior Director of Advocacy for FairTest noted , universities “can trot out the heart-warming story of the rare successful graduate ‘saved’ by the test, (but) they do not publicize the countless individual narratives of deserving, capable, hard-working low income students whose college dreams were snuffed by standardized testing.”

Selective universities can use standardized tests if the want, but if they’re genuinely dedicated to being institutions of opportunity, they need to supplement those tests with other strategies intended to find, recruit and nurture talented students who risk being overlooked, discouraged or disqualified by too much reliance on the SAT/ACT.

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Fortunately, that strategy exists in the form of a game-changing national program that enrolls high school students from low-income neighborhoods in credit-bearing college courses taught by faculty at several of the nation’s most highly regarded universities.

It’s the National Education Equity Lab , an education justice nonprofit that I’ve written about before. Founded in 2019 by Leslie Cornfeld, a former federal civil rights prosecutor and advisor to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and two U.S. Secretaries of Education, the Lab has become one of the nation’s leading models for preparing low-income and traditionally underserved students to enroll and succeed in college.

It’s the first to do so at scale, helping fill the college pipeline with talented students who might have otherwise never have believed they could succeed at college. College admission offices seem to agree. Richard Shaw, dean of admissions and financial aid at Stanford University, said he thought the program would “become one of the most important models in the nation to introduce admissions offices to incredible students they wouldn't otherwise find and to introduce those students to incredible colleges they would otherwise not consider.”

A first of its kind, here’s how the Lab works.

School districts serving students in low-income high schools are invited to participate. Principals pick the high school teachers who assist college faculty in offering the course, and they also select the students - typically about 25 per course.

Many Ed Equity Lab high schools offer multiple courses – meaning students can graduate having completed a semester or more of transferable credits, resulting in substantial tuition savings.

Students - typically juniors and seniors - are selected on the basis of their academic record and teachers’ nominations. The courses are offered as dual enrollment classes, allowing students to earn both college and high school credit. They’re taught by college faculty members, who deliver the lectures asynchronously via video, and hold office hours via Zoom and are assisted by high school teachers who co-teach the course during the school day.

Graduate or undergraduate students are an important part of the mix, functioning as teaching assistants who lead a weekly live discussion section via Zoom and help with course grading.

Ed Equity Lab onboards the schools and universities, conducts orientations and training for the teachers and teaching assistants, and organizes career and college advising sessions. You can watch a brief introduction to the Ed EquityLab by Cornfeld and others and listen to some former students describe their experiences here .

The courses are free for students, and the universities provide them to the Lab at cost. School districts pay $250 per student per class, a highly discounted rate made possible by the universities’ commitment to the effort and the contributions the Lab receives from private donors.

Since starting in 2019, the program has scaled up quickly. It’s now served over 25,000 students, 10,000 just this year. It’s in 132 school districts across 33 states. The Lab’ goal is to reach more than one million students over the next ten years.

The curriculum has expanded as well, with 31 credit-bearing courses this year. For example, students can enroll in an Introduction to Computer Science by Stanford’s Patrick Young, Environmental Studies from Howard professor Janelle Burke, or a psychology course taught by University of Pennsylvania Professor Angela Duckworth.

“Our students have demonstrated that talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not,’’ said Cornfeld. Over 80% of students completing a Lab course pass it. Many students take pass multiple classes, giving them a strong start on their college degrees.

If the rationale for standardized tests is that they predict college success, passing Ed Equity Lab courses goes one step better — it’s not a prediction, it’s a confirmation of college readiness. Rather than relying on a fallible proxy of future college performance, why not test students’ ability in a real college class. The Lab’s growing list of college partners understands that and are using more holistic reviews of candidates from under-resourced communities.

The roster of universities now participating in the Ed Equity Lab includes Princeton, Stanford, Georgetown, Cornell, Wesleyan University, Barnard, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Brown University, all campuses in the University of California, Howard University, and Arizona State University.

However, the question remains — why aren’t even more prominent colleges and universities taking part in the program? For example, most of the 140 institutions in the American Talent Initiative are strugglin g to reach the ATI goal of enrolling 50,000 more Pell Grant recipients by 2025. Given the Lab’s proven success in building talent pipelines for exactly the kinds of students ATI aims to educate, more ATI institutions should consider partnering with it.

If colleges see a decline in the socioeconomic and racial diversity of their incoming classes this fall — as many observers are expecting — they’ll have plenty of factors to blame, including themselves.

Start with the Supreme Court ban on race-conscious admissions and then add in the botched roll-out of the revised FASFA (Free Application for Student Federal Aid form that’s compromised timely financial aid offers for so many low-income students. Further complicating the problem is legislation in many states prohibiting a wide range of diversity-equity-inclusion activities that helped attract students from underserved backgrounds.

While those factors are no doubt important, they don’t tell the whole story. Universities that are resuming standardized testing are likely to see less student diversity in their entering classes whether they want to admit it or not. That’s particularly true for those who cling to legacy and donor preferences at the same time.

Almost all of the nation’s best institutions say they’re committed to educating qualified students from all backgrounds. If they really mean it, they’ll need to supplement their admissions polices — whether test-optional, test-blind or test-required — with new forms of student outreach and assessment. Programs like the Ed Equity Lab are perfectly situated to address that need. The real question is whether colleges will get on board or will they be satisfied with a return to business-as-usual admissions.

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How did Caitlin Clark do in WNBA debut? Indiana Fever vs Connecticut Sun highlights

It was Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut , but really, the night belonged to Alyssa Thomas.

The 11th-year veteran for Connecticut reminded everyone why she was in MVP contention last season as she recorded her 12th career triple-double, scoring 13, grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out 13 assists, as the Connecticut Sun cruised to a 92-71 win over the Indiana Fever .

Clark finished with 20 points but it took the rookie some time to get going, and she shot just 5-of-15 from the field. The top pick in the 2024 draft also threw the ball away 10 times, a stat that’s sure to nag at her — and definitely not the type of double-double she wanted to record.

Connecticut’s DeWanna Bonner tied Clark for the game’s high scorer, with 20, while DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris scored 16 each for the Sun. Connecticut forced the Fever into 25 turnovers, which the Sun turned into 29 points.

The Fever, which had the top pick in the WNBA Draft the last two years (they selected Aliyah Boston in 2023) missed the playoffs last season and have won just 43 games the last five seasons. The hope is that Clark will lift them into the postseason, but Tuesday night was a reminder that this team has a long way to go.

Clark makes her home debut Thursday vs. the New York Liberty.

How Connecticut Sun stifled Caitlin Clark

DiJonai Carrington knew early on that she’d draw the assignment of guarding Caitlin Clark, the top pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

And while she did a tremendous job — Clark scored a game-high-tying 20 points, but it took her a long time to get going and she scored a lot when the game was out of hand — her teammates didn’t want her thinking too highly of herself.

“To take on that job, we’re proud of her,” Sun star Alyssa Thomas said after Connecticut’s win. Then she turned to Carrington with a warning. “But don’t get too big-headed.”

It was a fun, lighthearted moment in a celebratory press conference. Carrington, one of the most improved and best sixth players in the league last year, moved into a starting role this season for Connecticut. She was great at both ends Tuesday night, scoring 16 points, grabbing five rebounds and snagging two steals in the Sun’s win.

One of those steals came just before halftime, when she picked Clark’s pocket and raced to the other end for a score.

It was nothing Connecticut coach Stephanie White hasn’t seen before.

“She does a lot of things in practice that show us she’s an elite defender,” White said. “But I tell her, you’ve gotta be an elite decision-making defender, and tonight she was … that’s part of growing into a starting role, and that’s gonna continue to be her challenge but she’s ready for a challenge.

“She knew (tonight) was an opportunity for her, and she’s taken ownership of it.”

Caitlin Clark highlights

Final: connecticut sun 92, indiana fever 71.

Sun star Alyssa Thomas recorded a triple-double (13-10-13) to help Connecticut cruise past Indiana 92-71 in Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut.

Caitlin Clark stats

Clark scored 20 points, tied for the game high, on 5-for-15 shooting (4-for-11 from 3). She had 10 turnovers, though, while recording just three assists. She had two steals and committed four fouls.

Sun's Alyssa Thomas records triple-double in season opener

A new WNBA season, another Alyssa Thomas triple-double.

In her first game of the 2024 season, Thomas recorded the impressive stat line with 3:30 to play, when she grabbed her 10th rebound of the night. She also has 13 points and 13 assists, and the Sun have an 81-67 lead.

It is Thomas’ 12th career triple-double, including playoffs. (All other WNBA players have combined for 21 total in the regular season.) In 2023, Thomas set a new league record for both double-doubles (28) and single-season assists (316). The 32-year-old is a four-time WNBA All-Star.

Caitlin Clark heating up

Caitlin Clark is starting to feel it.

After struggling for much of the game, turning over the ball a game-high eight times and shooting inefficiently, Clark found a rhythm as the Indiana Fever attempted to chip away at the Connecticut Sun's fourth-quarter lead.

Clark hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter and got to the line for a pair of free throws on another possession. Inefficient or not, she was tied with the Sun's DeWanna Bonner with a game-high 20 points as the Fever trailed 81-67 with 3:29 left.

End of third quarter: DeWanna Bonner moves up WNBA's all-time scoring list

It’s been a great day for DeWanna Bonner, who midway through the third quarter moved up to fifth on the WNBA’s all-time scoring list with 6,897 points. Bonner has 16 so far tonight, and her team has a 65-57 lead on Indiana at the end of the third quarter.

Bonner, 36, is in her 14th WNBA season, and her fifth with Connecticut (she previously played for Phoenix, helping the Mercury to two WNBA championships). Based on her production — last season she averaged 14.9 points and 6.1 rebounds — you’d never guess her age.  

Meanwhile, it’s been a rough night for Caitlin Clark, who has 12 points but also eight turnovers. Yikes. (She had nine, but one got taken away on the official stats.) She’s 3-of-10 from the field, struggling against Connecticut’s length defensively; it can’t be fun to be defended by Bonner, who has switched on to Clark a couple times. The Fever have 18 turnovers total, which Connecticut has turned into 18 points.

Final: New York Liberty 85, Washington Mystics 80

It feels fitting that in the most highly anticipated WNBA season in more than 20 years, the first game of 2024 went down to the wire.

The Washington Mystics had three chances to take the lead in the final 39 seconds after blowing an eight-point lead, but the New York Liberty made every look tough and Sabrina Ionescu hit all four free throw attempts at the end, holding on for an 85-80 win.

New York’s Jonquel Jones led all scorers with 25, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton chipped in 20 and Ionescu flirted with a triple-double with 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Four Mystics players scored in double figures, led by Ariel Atkins (20). Brittney Sykes had a great all-around game for Washington with 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

New York next travels to Indiana to play the Fever in Caitlin Clark’s home debut on Thursday.

Caitlin Clark struggling in WNBA debut

The struggles for Caitlin Clark continue.

Clark (10 points) picked up her game-high seventh turnover of the game midway through the third quarter of the Indiana Fever's opening game against the Connecticut Sun. She was also tied for a game-high with three fouls. 

The Sun led, 59-47, with 4:32 left in the third quarter. Clark committed an eighth turnover with 3:32 to go in the quarter with the Fever down 62-51.

Halftime: Caitlin Clark held to seven points in first half of WNBA action

If this was supposed to be a matchup of Caitlin Clark vs. whoever guarded her, DiJonai Carrington is winning.

Right now, by a lot.

Carrington, in her fourth year after playing college ball at both Stanford and Baylor, has 14 points in the first half, including a bucket after she picked Clark’s pocket with just under two minutes to play in the second quarter. Behind Carrington’s play, Connecticut has a 49-39 lead over Indiana at halftime.

Clark had just four points, on a layup and two free throws, until 30 seconds to play, when she connected on a 3 on Indiana’s baseline out-of-bounds play. It was her first score on Carrington directly, who got caught in a screen.

Part of Indiana’s problem the first half was that the Fever throw the ball away too much — 13 times, to be exact (Clark had five of them, with just one assist). Connecticut has turned those into 16 points.

Ty Harris has 11 points and DeWanna Bonner has 10 for the Sun. NaLyssa Smith is the only Fever player in double figures, with 11 points.

Caitlin Clark hits first 3-pointer

Clark finally hit from long range off a designed play in the final minute of the first half.

Caitlin Clark gets first points in WNBA

It took a quarter and a half, but Caitlin Clark got her first WNBA points with a baseline layup in the second quarter of the Indiana Fever's opening game against the Connecticut Sun.

Clark started the game 0-for-4 from the field and 0-for-2 from beyond the arc before making her first bucket. Clark spent much of the first quarter on the bench in foul trouble.

The host Sun led the Fever, 34-25, with 4:50 left in the first half.

Sun 19, Fever 13: Caitlin Clark still looking for first points after first quarter

We’ve been informed by our man on the ground that no, Mohegan Sun Arena is not selling Caitlin Clark jerseys.

But there’s no question why this game is a sellout.

Thousands have shown up to watch the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, and voiced their displeasure when Clark was whistled for her second foul early in the first quarter. At the time of that call, Clark was 0-for-3 from the field, with one assist and one turnover.

She was sent to the bench for most of the back half of the first, which helped Connecticut take a 19-13 lead at the end of the first period. Ty Harris has been an early bright spot for the Sun, scoring nine points, all on 3s.

Meanwhile NaLyssa Smith, who looked great in both of the Fever’s preseason games, has continued her tear, scoring seven quick points, grabbing three rebounds and blocking a shot.

Caitlin Clark checks back in

Caitlin Clark checked back in to her first WNBA regular-season game after racking up two early fouls against the Connecticut Sun.

Clark also missed her first three shots of the game before taking a seat on the bench.

After assisting on the first play of the game to give the Indiana Fever an early lead, Clark opted into a shoot-first mentality on Indiana's next few possessions and came up empty-handed.

Clark's second foul was loudly booed by the sellout crowd at Mohegan Sun Arena. Many fans in attendance arrived in Clark gear, be it of the Iowa or Indiana variety.

WNBA season kickoff: Mystics lead Liberty at half

Just a reminder that Caitlin Clark isn’t the only show in town tonight.

At halftime, the Washington Mystics lead the New York Liberty 43-40 after a 3 from Shakira Austin with 5.6 seconds to play before the break.

The halftime score might turn some heads considering the Liberty were one of the so-called “super teams” that came together during free agency in 2023, and played for the WNBA championship last year.

The first game of the 2024 season — New York-Washington tipped off about 30 minutes before Indiana-Connecticut — has been the Jonquel Jones show, as the 2021 WNBA MVP already has 14 points and four rebounds. Sabrina Ionescu, meanwhile, already has five assists (and only one turnover). Not bad for a guard known more for hitting 3s like Steph Curry.

Meanwhile, Stefanie Dolson has scored 11 points for Washington, and Ariel Atkins has already grabbed three steals.

One thing to remember: Because the WNBA season is so short compared to the NBA, and some of the league’s stars will miss games due to the Olympics, every single game matters when we talk league standings and playoff seeding.

Caitlin Clark gets into early foul trouble in season opener

This was not the start that Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark had hoped for.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft picked up two early fouls midway through the first quarter. And she was still looking for her first points. After five minutes of play, Clark was 0-for-3 from the field and missed her only 3-point shot attempt, though she did dish an assist early in the contest.

The Connecticut Sun lead 10-7 at the first TV timeout.

Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun tips off at Mohegan Sun Arena

FEVER STARTING LINEUP

• PG Erica Wheeler
• SG Caitlin Clark
• SF Katie Lou Samuelson
• PF NaLyssa Smith
• C Aliyah Boston

SUN STARTING LINEUP

• PG Tyasha Harris
• SG DiJonai Carrington
• SF DeWanna Bonner
• PF Alyssa Thomas
• C Brionna Jones

Caitlin Clark builds on ’99 soccer team’s moment in lifting women’s sports 

A year and a half ago, a vast majority of Americans had no idea who she was, an athletic young woman tucked away in a Midwestern university town, known to women’s college basketball fans but otherwise hidden from the gaze of the national media.  

Now  Caitlin Clark  is the most popular athlete in the nation, the driving force behind the greatest days in the history of women’s sports, America’s girl next door all grown up and the personification of everything the country was hoping Title IX might give us.  

Read more from Christine Brennan here.  

2024 WNBA rookies to watch 

 The 2024 WNBA rookie class is one of the most anticipated in history, led by none other than  Caitlin Clark , the scoring phenom from Iowa who re-wrote the college record books.  

But she’s not the only newcomer expected to make a big impact, and do so immediately. There hasn’t been this sort of attention and excitement around  WNBA rookies  since 2013, when  Brittney Griner , Elena Della Donne and Skylar Diggins-Smith joined the league.  

To get you ready for the  2024 WNBA season that tips Tuesday , USA TODAY Sports' Lindsay Schnell gives a primer on the nine rookies she thinks will have the biggest impact this season. 

Read more from Lindsay Schnell here.  

How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun 

The Fever at Sun will be televised on ESPN2 with Ryan Ruocco (play-by-play), Rebecca Lobo (analyst), and Holly Rowe (sideline) on the call. 

How to stream Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun 

Streaming options for Fever at Sun include the ESPN app, ESPN+ , Disney+ and  Fubo . 

The game will also be available on demand on the  WNBA’s League Pass  upon its conclusion. Fans can get League Pass by downloading the WNBA app. 

SIGN UP FOR FUBO: Access to WNBA games during the season  

When is Caitlin Clark's first home game with the Fever? 

The Fever’s home opener is Thursday against the New York Liberty.

What to know about 2024 WNBA season 

Arguably one of the  most highly-anticipated WNBA seasons  in the league's history has arrived. 

The 2024  WNBA  season is set to tip off, and it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting times in professional women's basketball. The  game and interest in the league has exploded to new heights , and the  incoming draft class  has  generated more buzz . 

College stars such as  Caitlin Clark ,  Angel Reese ,  Cameron Brink  and more will be making their debuts at the professional level, but there is already plenty of stars they'll go up against, including New York Liberty forward and 2023 Most Valuable Player  Breanna Stewart , Liberty guard  Sabrina Ionescu  and Las Vegas Aces forward  A'ja Wilson . Can the rookies lead their teams to immediate success? Or will star-studded teams continue to shine? 

Read more from Lorenzo Reyes and Jordan Mendoza here.  

2024 WNBA GM survey predictions 

The WNBA on Tuesday released results from its survey of team general managers, who made predictions for the season. 

• Here are some of their picks:   MVP: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. Wilson, who guided Las Vegas to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, received 67 percent of the MVP votes. The Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas, the 2023 MVP runner-up, was next with 25 percent, and reigning MVP Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty was third with eight percent.
• Best defender: Wilson, a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, received 42 percent of the votes to finish ahead of Thomas, who was second with 25 percent.
• Rookie of the Year: The Fever’s Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, received 92 percent of the votes. The Los Angeles Sparks’ Cameron Brink, the No. 2 overall pick, got the remaining eight percent.
• Most likely to have breakout season: Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever. Boston won WNBA Rookie of the Year honors last season.

10 bold predictions for WNBA season 

The 28th WNBA season tips off tonight, so it’s time to start thinking about what’s in store for women’s professional basketball the next few months.   

There’s  never been more excitement  around the women’s game. With a  star-studded draft class , a team going for its third consecutive championship and a Summer Olympics that will help drum up interest in women’s basketball, the WNBA is headed into its  most-anticipated season  since the league debuted almost three decades ago.   

So what can we expect this summer? For starters, Caitlin Clark will lead the WNBA in assists and make the Olympic team. Read Lindsay Schnell’s bold predictions here .  

WNBA’s newest team now has a name 

The WNBA's newest team, which will join the league from the Bay Area in 2025, now has a name. 

The league announced that the new team will be named the  Golden State Valkyries  and displayed a new logo and colors on its new website. The team's colors are known as Valkyrie Violet. 

The announcement coincides with the start of the WNBA's 28th season, which tips off tonight at 7 p.m. ET when the New York Liberty take on the Washington Mystics, one of four games on the schedule. 

The team said that a Valkyrie originates "from Norse mythology and that the nickname represents" a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike." Read more from Scooby Axson here.  

Las Vegas Aces star lands Nike shoe deal 

Las Vegas Aces  star  A'ja Wilson  is the latest athlete to get her own signature shoe, announcing the news Saturday as the two-time defending champions were preparing to play a preseason exhibition against the Puerto Rican national team. 

Wilson joins  New York Liberty  guard  Sabrina Ionescu  as WNBA players to have a Nike signature shoe in recent years. Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark reportedly  signed a deal worth $28 million  that would also include her own signature shoe with Nike. 

Read more from Scooby Axson here.  

What time is Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun?  

The Fever-Sun tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 

How did Caitlin Clark play in WNBA preseason 

In what was maybe the most-anticipated preseason game in the 28-year history of the WNBA, Clark and the Fever played in Dallas against the Wings on May 3.  Indiana dropped the game, 79-76 , but Clark played well in her first-ever WNBA action. 

She started the game and played 28 minutes, and finished 6-of-15 from the floor – including 5-of-13 from 3-point range – to score 21 points. She also added three rebounds, two assists and two steals, but committed five turnovers. She made all but one of her five free throw attempts. 

As she did throughout her college career at Iowa, Clark flashed her ability to elude defenders in the perimeter with her dribbling and showed off her deep range. 

In Indiana's second preseason game,  Clark and the Fever beat the Atlanta Dream , 83-80. Clark played 32 minutes and went 4-of-12 from the field, including two-of-nine from 3-point range, to finish with 12 points. Similar to her first game, Clark committed a game-high six turnovers, but she added eight rebounds and six assists. 

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Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, should i take the sat essay how to decide.

New SAT , SAT Essay

The SAT underwent some major revisions in 2016, and one of the biggest changes is that its previously required essay is now optional. This can be confusing for some students and parents. Should you take the essay? Will colleges require the essay or not? Will taking the essay make your application stronger?

Read on for answers to all these questions. This guide will explain what the SAT essay is, what the pros and cons of taking it are, and how you can make the best choice for you.

UPDATE: SAT Essay No Longer Offered

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In January 2021, the College Board announced that after June 2021, it would no longer offer the Essay portion of the SAT (except at schools who opt in during School Day Testing). It is now no longer possible to take the SAT Essay, unless your school is one of the small number who choose to offer it during SAT School Day Testing.

While most colleges had already made SAT Essay scores optional, this move by the College Board means no colleges now require the SAT Essay. It will also likely lead to additional college application changes such not looking at essay scores at all for the SAT or ACT, as well as potentially requiring additional writing samples for placement.

What does the end of the SAT Essay mean for your college applications? Check out our article on the College Board's SAT Essay decision for everything you need to know.

What Is the SAT Essay?

The SAT essay is one of the sections of the SAT. After being required since its inception, the College Board has now decided to make the essay optional. This is similar to the ACT, whose essay has always been optional.

During this section, students will be given 50 minutes to write an essay. The essay for the new SAT is very different than it was for the previous version of the SAT. You can read all about the changes to the SAT here , but, as a brief overview, the essay will give you a passage by an author who is taking a stance on an issue. Your job will be to analyze how the author built that argument.

If you choose to take the essay, it will be its own section of the SAT, and the score you get on the essay will be separate from your score on the rest of the exam. Your main SAT score will be out of 1600 while your essay will be graded across three different categories: Reading, Analysis, and Writing. For each area, your essay will be given a score from 2-8.

Below is a sample prompt from one of the official practice tests released by the College Board. Here you can read the entire prompt, including the passages you would need to analyze.

Do Colleges Require the SAT Essay Now That It's Optional?

So, the College Board has now made the essay an optional part of the SAT, but does that change how colleges view the essay (or if they even view it at all)? Kind of. Some schools that used the essays before no longer require them now that both the ACT and SAT have made the essays optional, but other schools continue to require the SAT essay.

Each school makes this decision individually, so there are no patterns to follow to try and guess who will require the essay and who won’t. Even top schools like the Ivy League are divided on whether to require the essay or not.  

This can make things confusing if you’re applying to college soon and don’t know if you should take the SAT essay or not. The following sections of this guide will explain the benefits and drawbacks of taking the essay and walk you through different scenarios so you can make an informed decision.

The #1 Consideration: Do Any of the Schools You're Interested in Require the Essay?

The absolute most important factor, the factor that matters more than anything else in the rest of this guide, is if any of the schools you’re applying to or thinking of applying to require the SAT essay.

The best way to get this information is to  Google “[school name] SAT essay requirement,” look directly on each school’s admission webpage, or   check out our list of the schools that require the SAT essay.

Find this information for every school you plan on applying to, even schools you’re not sure you want to apply to, but are considering. If even one school you’re interested in requires the SAT essay, then you should take it, regardless of any other factors.  There is no way to take just the SAT essay by itself, so if you take the SAT without the essay and then, later on, realize you need an essay score for a school you’re applying to, you will have to retake the entire test.

So, if a school you’re interested in requires the SAT essay, your choice is clear: take the essay when you take the SAT. However, what if the schools you’re interested in don’t require the essay? If that’s the case, you have some other factors to consider. Read on!

Benefits of Taking the SAT Essay

If none of the schools you’re thinking of applying to require the SAT essay, why would you want to take it? The two main reasons are explained below.

#1: You're Covered for All Schools

Taking the SAT essay means that, no matter which schools you end up applying to, you will absolutely have all their SAT requirements met. If you decide to apply to a new school that requires the SAT essay, that won’t be a problem because you’ll already have taken it.

If you already are absolutely certain about which schools you’re applying to and none of them require the essay, then this may not be a big deal to you. However, if you have a tentative list of schools, and you’ve been adding a school or removing a school from that list occasionally, you may want to be better safe than sorry and take the SAT essay, just in case.

Taking the SAT essay means you have all your bases covered, no matter which schools you end up applying to.

#2: A Good Score May Boost Your Application Slightly

While it’s highly unlikely that your SAT essay will be the deciding factor of your college application, there are some cases where it can give you a small leg up on the competition. This is the case if a school recommends, but doesn’t require the essay, and that school is particularly competitive.

Having a strong SAT essay score to submit may strengthen your application a bit, especially if you are trying to show strong English/writing skills.

Drawbacks to Taking the SAT Essay

There are also costs to taking the SAT essay; here are three of the most common:

#1: It's Another Section to Study For

If you choose to take the essay, that means you have an entire extra SAT section to study and prepare for. If you already feel like you have a ton of SAT prep to do or have doubts about staying motivated, adding on more work can make you feel stressed and end up hurting your scores in the other SAT sections.

#2: It Makes the Exam Longer

Taking the essay will, obviously, increase the total time you spend taking the SAT. You’re given 50 minutes to write the essay, and, including time needed for students not taking the essay to leave and things to get settled, that will add about an hour to the test, increasing your total SAT test time from about three hours to four hours.

If you struggle with keeping focused or staying on your A game during long exams (and, let’s be honest, it’s not hard to lose concentration after several hours of answering SAT questions), adding an additional hour of test time can reduce your test-taking endurance and make you feel tired and distracted during the essay, likely making it hard for you to get your best score.

#3: The Essay Costs Extra

Taking the SAT with the essay will also cost you a bit more money. Taking the SAT without the essay costs $46, but if you choose to take the essay, it costs $14 extra, raising the total cost of the SAT to $60.

However, if you're eligible for an SAT fee waiver, the waiver also applies to this section of the exam, so you still won't have to pay anything if you choose to take the essay.

Taking the essay likely means the cost of taking the SAT will be slightly higher for you.

Should You Take the SAT Essay? Five Scenarios to Help You Decide

Now you know what the SAT essay is and the pros and cons of taking it. So, what should you decide? Five scenarios are listed below; find the one that applies to your situation and follow the advice in order to make the best decision for you.

Scenario 1: You're planning on applying to at least one school that requires the essay

As mentioned above, if even one school you’re thinking about applying to requires the SAT essay, you should take it in order to avoid retaking the entire SAT again at a later date because you need an essay score.

Scenario 2: None of the schools you're applying to look at essay scores

If none of the schools you’re thinking about applying to even look at SAT essay scores, then you shouldn’t take it. Even if you get a perfect score, if the schools don’t consider essay scores, then taking it will have no benefits for you.

Scenario 3: The schools you're applying to don't require the SAT essay and aren't highly competitive

In this case, you don’t need to take the SAT essay, unless you’re trying to make up for weak writing skills in other parts of your application.

Scenario 4: The schools you're applying to recommend the SAT essay and are more competitive

For this scenario, you should take the SAT essay in order to give your application an extra boost, unless you really think you’d perform poorly or preparing for and taking the essay would cause your scores in other sections to decline.

Scenario 5: You aren't sure where you're going to apply yet

If you’re not sure which schools you want to apply to, then you should take the SAT essay, just to be safe. This way you’re covered no matter where you end up applying to college.

If the thought of figuring out which colleges to apply to has you as confused as this blue panda, your safest option is to take the SAT essay.

Because of the College Board’s recent decision to make the SAT essay optional, students are now faced with the decision of whether they should take it or not.  The best way to decide is to learn the essay policy for each of the colleges you're interested in applying to.  Some schools will still require the essay, some won’t even look at an applicant’s essay scores, and other schools don’t require the essay but will look at your score if you do take it.

Use these school policies to help decide whether you should take the essay. Remember, if you end up needing to submit an essay score, you will have to retake the entire SAT, so make sure you have accurate and up-to-date information for each school you are thinking of applying to.

What's Next?

Have you decided to take the essay and want to know how to start studying? We have a step-by-step guide that explains how to write a great SAT essay.

Want more examples of sample prompts? Here are all of the real SAT essay prompts that have been released by the College Board.

Are you aiming for a perfect SAT essay score?  Check out our guide on how to get a perfect 8/8/8 on the SAT essay.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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