1. The Writing Test College Prep Alabama
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2. What?
The Writing Test is a 40-minute essay test that measures your writing skills.
Culmination of writing skills from high school coursework
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3. 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.
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4. How Scores Are Used
Writing Test results provide colleges with additional information that can be used to make college admissions and course placement decisions.
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5. 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.
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6. 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.
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 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.
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