In 2005 the 25-minute writing section was added to the SAT test along with the critical reading test section and the mathematics test section. Colleges were skeptical about the validity and value of the new writing section since it was introduced, and many colleges have given little weight to the writing section scores or use it to check against English grades or for additional information. Colleges have been waiting for studies of the predictability of the writing test.
And, now they have the study. The University of Georgia has done a study of its freshman class, a sampling of 43,000 students, and their findings indicate that the writing section of the SAT is a better predictor of academic success than either the reading or the math test sections.
Of course, this is the first study and it’s limited, but it seems to indicate that the writing test score is about to play a larger role in how colleges determine whom they will admit or not.
Perhaps, those of you who are considering SAT tutoring will now want to make sure you learn strategies and have some practice in the writing section as well as in the reading and mathematical sections. You might want to check out the Peterson’s Online Prep course so that you can prepare for the PSAT/SAT/ACT on hours that fit your schedule!
NEWS! CollegeBasics now has a new e-book The Basics for Writing College Application Essays: Simple How-to Steps for Writing All College Essays from the Personal Statement to the Short Activity Essay that outlines every aspect of writing the college application essay. This book explains how to write different kinds of application essays from the short activity essay to the personal statement to scholarship essays and more and offers samples of essays and essay edits. This book can really help you.
