SAT Test Practice Writing Topics

Are you looking for SAT test practice writing topics? Or are you wondering about the overall design of the SAT test?

The SAT (also known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, Scholastic Assessment Test, and SAT Reasoning Test) is a standardized test taken by juniors and seniors as a prerequisite to college admission. Owned and published by the College Entrance Examination Board and organized and administered by the Educational Testing Service, the SAT test is administered to measure students’ skills in critical thinking and problem solving The test consists of three major parts: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. 

SAT Writing Section

The writing section consists of a series of grammar exercises, in which students are asked to identify grammatical errors in sentences. Like the verbal and math sections, the SAT writing section is scored out of 800. 

There is also an essay component to the SAT writing section. Graders read essays and assign students a grade out of six possible points. Essays are graded best on strength of arguments, clarity of writing, originality of ideas, and use of language. 

There is a multitude of practice SAT writing essays available online for students’ review. Some of these online sites even give students the opportunity to have their compositions checked and scored by accredited tutors and instructors. Topics used in the online practice tests are comparable to the actual SAT Writing Test section, and completing online practice essays is the best way to ensure success on the writing section. 

SAT Test Practice Writing Exercises

SAT test practice writing topics are available online:

• Major Tests- This site offers a sample essay in response to a prompt containing a quote from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The essay elaborates on the topic by discussing film and education.

• Spark Notes- Offers two writing samples and detailed instructions about essay construction, including the importance of thesis statements, supporting examples, topic sentences and sentence development
• SAT Essay- Contains a sample essay elaborating on a philosophical statement. The essay uses literature as reference to develop the topic.
• College Board- The site contains several essay samples with corresponding grades. Each essay is followed by a brief explanation, justifying the score, and including tips on how to improve writing techniques.
• Intensive Writing- A sample essay is posted, along with actual remarks in red, from a tutor. The site offers useful tips and techniques about successfully elaborating on a topic.
• Cliffnotes- Offers useful tips on basic essay construction and strategies on how to successfully develop a thesis statement through relevant and appropriate examples and topic sentences.
• Learn Hub- Has several writing samples with an organized breakdown of the essays, each accompanied by a corresponding critique and tips. This site also tackles topic clarity, organization, word choice, and sentence variety and structure.
• Best Sample Questions- Contains links to various sample essays, addressing a wide range of specific topics from politics, environment, and social issues. It includes writing strategies and mentions specific steps such as: Analyzing the topic, comparing and contrasting topics, defining, describing, evaluating, explaining, and summarizing. 
• Jericho Schools - This site has a step-by-step guide to answering an essay question. It guides the writer on specific approaches in developing the topic and thesis statement.
• Essay Institute- Contains sample essays with commentary by an Essay Institute Tutor. Essay Institute also addresses the College Board’s criteria in evaluating essays. Finally, the site expounds on structural techniques such as: coherence, organization, grammar, vocabulary, and language.
• Scholastic.com - Scholastic offers a published document, "Writing for the SAT," written by Sarah Montante. It contains a sample question and response, plus time management tips on answering the actual SAT question.
• Hub Pages- Contains step-by-step instructions in answering an essay question. It tackles essay basics and effective techniques such as creating a “hook” for the reader.
• Physics Forum- A forum where students share their essay writing experience, and exchange tips on SAT writing. Links to essay writing samples are also included. 
• Joecoto.org- Contains a sample essay with corresponding score and its justification
• Ivy Town- Contains sample essay with accompanying commentary. The essay is broken down into parts and section by section, the tutor evaluates the content and structure. The tutor’s advice is summarized into 3 categories: Attention given to the question or task, support and organization of development sentence, and the usage of language.
• Careers and Colleges- A very detailed guide on essay construction. The site offers sample thesis statements, essay templates, writing samples with commentaries, and other useful tips on how to build a solid writing strategy.
• College Admissions Essay- Contains links to sample essay prompts and responses. The site also offers services in free essay tutorials. Links to grammar guides and writing tips included