The Writing Test College Prep Alabama Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

What? The Writing Test is a 40-minute essay test that measures your writing skills. Culmination of writing skills from high school coursework Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

Components The test consists of one writing prompt that will define an issue and offer three different perspectives on that issue. You will be asked to evaluate and analyze the perspectives state and develop your own position explain the relationship between your position and the perspectives given You are not scored based upon your position. Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

How Scores Are Used Writing Test results provide colleges with additional information that can be used to make college admissions and course placement decisions. Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

Scores Students taking the writing test will receive two additional scores: Writing subscore Combined English/Writing score You will also receive comments from one reader. The writing test does not affect your composite ACT score. Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

How It Is Scored Essays are scored holistically, meaning overall impression. Two readers using a 1-6 scale; thus, your score will range from 2-12 for the writing alone. Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

Writing Basics express judgments by taking a position on the issue in the writing prompt maintain a focus on the topic throughout the essay develop a position by using logical reasoning and by supporting your ideas organize ideas in a logical way use language clearly and effectively according to the rules of standard written English Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

How to Prepare Read and write frequently Read a variety of literature: newspapers, magazines, books, plays, poetry, etc. Stay up-to-date on current events Read your work to others for feedback Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama

Tips for Taking the Writing Test Read the prompt and plan your position by jotting down some notes or creating a quick outline. You will not have enough time to write both a rough and final draft! Thus, plan for 10 minutes and write for 30 minutes. If time permits, go back and check your work. Copyright 2016 © College Prep Alabama