Pittsburgh _Patrika_Jan-2018
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The <strong>Pittsburgh</strong> <strong>Patrika</strong>, Vol, 23, No. 2, <strong>Jan</strong>uary <strong>2018</strong><br />
The written essay is optional for most schools, but I’d say do it anyway<br />
just because you might change your mind about applying to that one<br />
school that does require it. Most colleges know that it’s not a completely<br />
accurate reflection of your writing skills anyway. It doesn’t factor into<br />
your whole SAT/ACT score- you get a separate essay score. Having an<br />
advanced or AP Language/Literature course beforehand will definitely<br />
prepare you for the essay. Try looking at those kind of review books.<br />
How did you prepare for the written essay in the exam hall?<br />
I spent a few minutes, maybe 3 to 5, prewriting. Generally, writing<br />
teachers say to spend about 5-10% of your time prewriting. It’s good way<br />
to make sure you cover all the points you want to cover.<br />
Did you prepare for acing the exam? Or was it a situation in which<br />
you knew you did very well, but did not expect a clean sweep?<br />
I definitely, definitely did not expect to ace it when I took it. I was hoping<br />
for at least a 1490-1500 so that I’d be happy for a first shot, but could<br />
then retake the test. I thought a perfect score was completely out of the<br />
question… … and for sure, I honestly couldn’t believe it when I got it.<br />
Is 3 to 4 months prep adequate for the English vocabulary section?<br />
The best preparation for the English test is just reading. Read nonfiction,<br />
fiction... anything. The best way to familiarize yourself with the<br />
English language is to just constantly be exposed to different usages of it.<br />
I also write a lot, so English wasn’t so bad for me. Also, reading helps<br />
you for college after the tests are over.<br />
What single piece of advice would you give a student preparing to take<br />
this exam next year?<br />
Don’t spend way too much of your time preparing for it until maybe<br />
two to three months before the test. Only then heavy practice benefits<br />
you, and not earlier. Earlier exposure is always good. But get to the “6<br />
hours a week routine” when you’re close to the actual test.<br />
Who motivates you to be a high achiever?<br />
Working hard is instilled in me by my parents. I’m thankful for that.<br />
Do you want to add anything else?<br />
Mr. Goldstein told me to think of the SAT/ACT as a game. After a<br />
certain point, it is more about strategy and test-taking skills. Test makers<br />
try to trip you to make mistakes. So, make sure to practice those skills.<br />
Don’t spend way too much time preparing for these tests where it takes<br />
time away from your extracurriculars. The admissions process is holistic:<br />
colleges want people, and not robots. Standardized test scores are not trophies;<br />
they are a sort of roadblock to get over. Getting very high scores<br />
doen’t get you a “golden star” at super selective schools. But having a<br />
75th percentile score for a specific school will mean you’ve surpassed one<br />
of the many obstacles to get in. Hope this helps. •<br />
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