Stage 1: read the passage (5-10 minutes)

Take a moment to read and analyze the given prompt carefully. Identify the central claim made by the author and any supporting evidence or examples they use. This will be the basis for your response. There are various ways to read through the passage on the SAT essay, and each has its benefits. Regardless of the strategy you use, ensure you keep an eye on the time so you don’t run out of time for analyzing and writing.

Go for it if you can read through the passage without being stuck. This is a strategy that works well for students who are fast readers and do not have trouble getting distracted under time pressure. For slow readers, reading in timed situations or finding the article’s subject matter confusing, they might want to skim the article. In either case, the aim is to get a good idea of how the passage is laid out before you do a detailed pass.

You might end up reading parts of the article severally to ensure you understand it fully. Skimming the passage can help cement which parts you will need to return to and which are not as important. Once you go for more details, ensure you keep an eye out for techniques of argument-building and try to remain objective. 

Stage 2: analyze and plan (7-12 minutes)

In the limited time available, having a clear structure for your essay is crucial. Outline your main points and supporting evidence before you begin writing. This will help you stay focused and organized throughout the process. Many students avoid the planning stage of the SAT essay since they feel there is not enough time to read and write, leaving alone planning. However, you are better off with a plan.

The graders will look for a clear structure: introduction and conclusion with evidence in between. Creating this kind of structure and still writing quickly is almost impossible without a plan. You can underline or circle the key points all over the passage as you analyze. By so doing, you will not have to search the whole text again for a supporting detail or a quote.

Numbering your examples, circling, and also numbering the evidence you will be referring to is a way of marking your passage. Also, writing a brief description of the details from the passage in your planning and outlining alongside the location of the details is another option. This will end up saving you time in the long run. 

Stage 3: write until 2-3 minutes are left (25 – 35 minutes)

After you are done analyzing and planning, it is time to write. If you have planned effectively and taken notes, you should be able to jump right in and not have to go back and forth too much between the text and your essay.

In the body paragraphs, critically analyze the author’s argument and provide evidence to support your analysis. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their reasoning, and use relevant examples from literature, history, or personal experience to strengthen your points.

Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea. Evidence and examples support your points and ensure a smooth transition between paragraphs.

Stage 4: revise (2-3 minutes)

Allocate a few minutes at the end to review your essay. Check for grammatical errors, clarity of expression, and coherence of ideas. Make any necessary revisions to ensure your essay is polished and error-free.

Although it seems unnecessary to many students, it will boost your score. Revising helps you change your vocabulary and fix mistakes and illegible words. Besides, you can write faster when you know you will revise because you don’t have to worry about perfecting it at first.

On the SAT essay, you can cross out words you don’t want the grader to read. No need to erase them unless you want to replace them with something else.