sat practice answers 2007-2008

Scoring Your Test

From the SAT Preparation Booklet™

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SAT Preparation Booklet84

Correct Answers and Difficulty Levels for the Official SAT Practice Test

Section 4

COR. DIFF. COR. DIFF.ANS. LEV. ANS. LEV.

1. E 1 13. A 3 2. C 3 14. B 3 3. B 3 15. A 2 4. E 5 16. B 3 5. C 5 17. E 3 6. B 1 18. A 1 7. D 2 19. E 3 8. B 5 20. C 2 9. D 5 21. D 3 10. B 3 22. E 2 11. A 3 23. C 3 12. E 2

Number correct

Number incorrect

Section 6


1. A 1 13. E 4 2. A 3 14. B 3 3. D 4 15. C 3 4. C 3 16. E 2 5. B 4 17. C 1 6. C 5 18. D 2 7. B 5 19. A 3 8. A 5 20. D 5 9. C 2 21. B 3 10. B 2 22. B 3 11. E 2 23. D 2 12. A 4 24. A 3

25. B 3

Number correct

Number incorrect

Section 9


1. E 1 11. C 3 2. B 2 12. C 4 3. C 3 13. A 3 4. C 3 14. B 5 5. D 4 15. A 3 6. A 5 16. D 3 7. B 3 17. C 3 8. D 2 18. C 3 9. E 3 19. E 3 10. C 4

Number correct

Number incorrect

Section 2

Multiple-Choice Questions

Student-Produced Response Questions


1. B 1 9. 89 1 2. C 1 10. 200 2 3. A 1 11. 75 3 4. D 2 12. 3 3 5. B 3 13. 12 3 6. D 4 14. 0 < x < 1 3 7. C 4 15. 1600 3 8. E 4 16. 5/8 or .625 4

17. 1/3 or .333 4 18. 5/2 or 2.5 5

Number correct Number correct (9-18)

Number incorrect

Section 5


1. C 1 11. E 3 2. E 1 12. A 3 3. E 2 13. A 3 4. C 2 14. E 4 5. C 1 15. E 4 6. D 2 16. E 3 7. A 2 17. A 4 8. B 2 18. B 4 9. E 2 19. E 4 10. A 3 20. C 5

Number correct

Number incorrect

Section 8


1. D 1 9. D 3 2. E 1 10. A 3 3. A 1 11. B 3 4. C 2 12. A 4 5. D 2 13. C 4 6. D 3 14. D 4 7. C 3 15. C 5 8. E 3 16. A 5

Number correct

Number incorrect

Section 3

COR. DIFF. COR. DIFF. COR. DIFF. COR. DIFF.ANS. LEV. ANS. LEV. ANS. LEV. ANS. LEV.

1. D 2 10. C 5 19. E 2 28. A 3 2. E 1 11. C 5 20. A 5 29. E 3 3. E 1 12. A 1 21. E 3 30. C 3 4. E 3 13. D 3 22. D 3 31. E 3 5. B 3 14. B 1 23. D 4 32. A 3 6. A 3 15. B 1 24. A 1 33. E 3 7. B 3 16. A 3 25. B 5 34. A 3 8. D 3 17. C 3 26. C 5 35. C 3 9. C 3 18. C 3 27. D 5

Number correct

Number incorrect

Section 10

COR. DIFF. COR. DIFF. COR. DIFF.ANS. LEV. ANS. LEV. ANS. LEV.

1. C 1 6. A 1 11. E 3 2. D 1 7. C 2 12. B 3 3. D 1 8. B 3 13. C 4 4. D 1 9. A 3 14. D 5 5. C 3 10. D 3

Number correct

Number incorrect

NOTE: Difficulty levels are estimates of question difficulty for a reference group of college-bound seniors. Difficulty levels range from 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest).

Critical Reading

Mathematics

Writing

Get a score report and answer explanations! Enter your answers online at collegeboard.com/satpracticetest.

Scoring the Official SAT Practice Test 85

Scoring the Official SAT Practice TestTo have your score calculated automatically, and to access answer explanations, go to collegeboard.com/satpracticetest and enter your answers online. To calculate your score on paper, check your responses against the correct answers on page 84 and then fill in the blanks below.

Get Your Critical Reading ScoreHow many critical reading questions did you get right?

Section 4: Questions 1–23 ___________

Section 6: Questions 1–25 + ___________


Total = ___________(A)

How many critical reading questions did you get wrong?




Total = ___________

× 0.25 = ___________(B)

A − B = ___________ Critical Reading Raw Score

Round this raw score to the nearest whole number.

Use the table on page 86 to find your critical reading scaled score.

Get Your Mathematics ScoreHow many mathematics questions did you get right?




Total = ___________(A)

How many multiple-choice math questions did you get wrong?

Section 2: Questions 1– 8 ___________



Total = ___________

× 0.25 = ___________(B)

A − B = ___________ Mathematics Raw Score


Use the table on page 86 to find your mathematics scaled score.

Get Your Writing ScoreHow many multiple-choice writing questions did you get right?



Total = ___________(A)

How many multiple-choice writing questions did you get wrong?



Total = ___________

× 0.25 = ___________(B)

A − B = ___________ Writing Multiple-Choice Raw Score


(C)

Use the table on page 86 to find your writing multiple-choice scaled score.

Estimate your essay score using the Scoring Guide on page 36.

× 2 = (D)

Use the table on page 87, your writing multiple-choice raw score (C), and your essay score (D) to find your writing composite scaled score.

SAT Preparation Booklet86

SAT Score Conversion Table

RawScore

CriticalReadingScaledScore

MathScaledScore

WritingMultiple-Choice

ScaledScore*

RawScore

CriticalReadingScaledScore

MathScaledScore

WritingMultiple-Choice

ScaledScore*

67 800 31 510 560 5666 800 30 500 550 5565 800 29 490 540 5464 790 28 490 530 5363 770 27 480 520 5262 750 26 470 520 5161 740 25 470 510 5060 720 24 460 500 4959 710 23 450 490 4958 700 22 450 480 4857 690 21 440 470 4756 680 20 440 460 4655 670 19 430 450 4554 660 800 18 420 450 4453 650 790 17 420 440 4352 650 760 16 410 430 4251 640 740 15 400 420 4150 630 720 14 400 410 4049 620 710 80 13 390 400 3948 620 700 80 12 380 390 3847 610 690 77 11 370 380 3746 600 680 75 10 370 370 3645 600 670 73 9 360 360 3544 590 660 71 8 350 340 3443 580 650 70 7 340 330 3342 580 650 68 6 330 320 3141 570 640 67 5 320 310 3040 560 630 66 4 310 290 2839 560 620 65 3 300 280 2738 550 610 63 2 280 260 2537 540 610 62 1 270 250 2336 540 600 61 0 250 230 2135 530 590 60 -1 230 210 2034 520 580 59 -2 210 200 2033 520 570 58 -3

and below200 200 20

32 510 570 57

This table is for use only with the test in this booklet.

* The writing multiple-choice score is reported on a 20-80 scale. Use the table on page 87 for the writing composite scaled score.

Scoring the Official SAT Practice Test 87

Writing MC Raw Score

Essay Raw Score

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 0

49 800 800 800 800 790 770 750 730 720 700 690 680

48 800 800 800 780 760 750 730 710 700 680 670 660

47 800 790 770 760 740 720 700 690 670 660 640 630

46 780 770 750 740 720 700 690 670 650 640 620 610

45 770 750 740 720 700 690 670 650 640 620 610 600

44 750 740 720 710 690 670 660 640 630 610 590 580

43 740 730 710 700 680 660 640 630 610 600 580 570

42 730 720 700 690 670 650 630 610 600 580 570 560

41 720 710 690 670 660 640 620 600 590 570 560 550

40 710 690 680 660 640 630 610 590 580 560 550 540

39 700 680 670 650 630 620 600 580 570 550 540 530

38 690 680 660 640 630 610 590 570 560 540 530 520

37 680 670 650 640 620 600 580 560 550 530 520 510

36 670 660 640 630 610 590 570 560 540 530 510 500

35 660 650 630 620 600 580 560 550 530 520 500 490

34 650 640 620 610 590 570 560 540 520 510 490 480

33 650 630 620 600 580 560 550 530 520 500 480 470

32 640 620 610 590 570 550 540 520 510 490 480 470

31 630 620 600 580 570 550 530 510 500 480 470 460

30 620 610 590 580 560 540 520 510 490 480 460 450

29 610 600 580 570 550 530 520 500 480 470 450 440

28 610 590 580 560 540 520 510 490 480 460 440 430

27 600 590 570 550 540 520 500 480 470 450 440 430

26 590 580 560 550 530 510 490 480 460 440 430 420

25 580 570 550 540 520 500 480 470 450 440 420 410

24 580 560 550 530 510 490 480 460 450 430 410 400

23 570 550 540 520 500 490 470 450 440 420 410 400

22 560 550 530 520 500 480 460 440 430 410 400 390

21 550 540 520 510 490 470 450 440 420 410 390 380

20 550 530 520 500 480 460 450 430 420 400 380 370

19 540 520 510 490 470 450 440 420 410 390 380 370

18 530 520 500 490 470 450 430 410 400 380 370 360

17 520 510 490 480 460 440 420 410 390 380 360 350

16 510 500 480 470 450 430 420 400 390 370 350 340

15 510 490 480 460 440 420 410 390 380 360 340 330

14 500 490 470 450 440 420 400 380 370 350 340 330

13 490 480 460 450 430 410 390 380 360 340 330 320

12 480 470 450 440 420 400 380 370 350 340 320 310

11 470 460 440 430 410 390 380 360 350 330 310 300

10 470 450 440 420 400 380 370 350 340 320 300 290

9 460 440 430 410 390 370 360 340 330 310 300 290

8 450 430 420 400 380 370 350 330 320 300 290 280

7 440 430 410 390 380 360 340 320 310 290 280 270

6 430 410 400 380 360 350 330 310 300 280 270 260

5 420 400 390 370 350 330 320 300 290 270 260 250

4 410 390 380 360 340 320 310 290 280 260 240 230

3 390 380 360 350 330 310 290 280 260 250 230 220

2 380 360 350 330 310 290 280 260 250 230 220 200

1 360 350 330 320 300 280 260 240 230 210 200 200

0 340 330 310 300 280 260 240 230 210 200 200 200

-1 320 310 290 280 260 240 230 210 200 200 200 200

-2 and below

310 300 280 270 250 230 210 200 200 200 200 200

This table is for use only with the test in this booklet.

SAT Writing Composite Score Conversion Table

SAT Preparation Booklet36Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.

Scoring the EssayEssays are scored in a manner that is fair and consistent,using a holistic approach. In holistic scoring, a piece of writ-ing is considered as a total work, the whole of which isgreater than the sum of its parts. Essays are scored by expe-rienced high school teachers and college faculty members.The majority of essay readers teach English, composition, orlanguage arts courses. Each essay is scored independently bytwo readers on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being the highestscore. The combined score for both readers will range from2 to 12. If the two readers’ scores are more than one pointapart, a third reader resolves the discrepancy.

In scoring the essays, readers follow the scoring guide below.

The scoring guide describes the features typically found inessays at each score point, including critical thinking, devel-opment, organization, language use, and sentence structure.A student can get a top score on the essay even with minorerrors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.The SAT essay neither rewards nor penalizes formulaicapproaches to writing, such as the five-paragraph essay.

There is no formula for effective writing, no single best wayto communicate an idea. Any essay that features clear linesof reasoning, appropriate choices of evidence, ample devel-opment of ideas, effective organization, and precise use oflanguage will receive a high score, regardless of style orapproach. Readers are trained to recognize and reward awide variety of essays at each score point.

SCORE OF 6 SCORE OF 5 SCORE OF 4

An essay in this category demonstrates clearand consistent mastery, although it may have afew minor errors. A typical essay

An essay in this category demonstrates reason-ably consistent mastery, although it will haveoccasional errors or lapses in quality. A typicalessay

An essay in this category demonstrates ade-quate mastery, although it will have lapses inquality. A typical essay

• effectively and insightfully develops a pointof view on the issue and demonstratesoutstanding critical thinking, using clearlyappropriate examples, reasons, and otherevidence to support its position

• effectively develops a point of view on theissue and demonstrates strong critical think-ing, generally using appropriate examples,reasons, and other evidence to support itsposition

• develops a point of view on the issue anddemonstrates competent critical thinking,using adequate examples, reasons, and otherevidence to support its position

• is well organized and clearly focused,demonstrating clear coherence and smoothprogression of ideas

• is well organized and focused, demonstratingcoherence and progression of ideas

• is generally organized and focused, demon-strating some coherence and progression ofideas

• exhibits skillful use of language, using avaried, accurate, and apt vocabulary

• exhibits facility in the use of language, usingappropriate vocabulary

• exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility inthe use of language, using generally appro-priate vocabulary

• demonstrates meaningful variety in sentencestructure

• demonstrates variety in sentence structure • demonstrates some variety in sentencestructure

• is free of most errors in grammar, usage, andmechanics

• is generally free of most errors in grammar,usage, and mechanics

• has some errors in grammar, usage, andmechanics

SCORE OF 3 SCORE OF 2 SCORE OF 1

An essay in this category demonstratesdeveloping mastery, and is marked by ONE ORMORE of the following weaknesses:

An essay in this category demonstrates littlemastery, and is flawed by ONE OR MORE of thefollowing weaknesses:

An essay in this category demonstrates verylittle or no mastery, and is severely flawed byONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:

• develops a point of view on the issue,demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequateexamples, reasons, or other evidence tosupport its position

• develops a point of view on the issue that isvague or seriously limited, and demonstratesweak critical thinking, providing inappropriateor insufficient examples, reasons, or otherevidence to support its position

• develops no viable point of view on the issue,or provides little or no evidence to support itsposition

• is limited in its organization or focus, or maydemonstrate some lapses in coherence orprogression of ideas

• is poorly organized and/or focused, ordemonstrates serious problems withcoherence or progression of ideas

• is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in adisjointed or incoherent essay

• displays developing facility in the use of lan-guage, but sometimes uses weak vocabularyor inappropriate word choice

• displays very little facility in the use oflanguage, using very limited vocabulary orincorrect word choice

• displays fundamental errors in vocabulary

• lacks variety or demonstrates problems insentence structure

• demonstrates frequent problems in sentencestructure

• demonstrates severe flaws in sentencestructure

• contains an accumulation of errors ingrammar, usage, and mechanics

• contains errors in grammar, usage, andmechanics so serious that meaning issomewhat obscured

• contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage,or mechanics that persistently interfere withmeaning

SCORING GUIDE

Sample Essays for the SAT Practice Test

Essay #1: This essay received a score of 6

While I do not dispute that creativity is always necessary, I do not believe that it is needed anymore in today’s world than it ever has been. Today’s world certainly faces its share of problems. Most major world powers face the ever-present threat of terrorism, the American economy is struggling to fight out of a recession, and Russia is locked in an often bloody war with Chechnyan rebels. These problems, as well as others of pressing importance in today’s world (i.e. the rebuilding of Iraq and containment of nuclear arms proliferation) must be solved creatively. However, creativity has always been needed to solve mankind’s problems. The first human beings had to be creative when fashioning the crude weapons that they used to hunt. Farmers in Mesopotamia had to be creative when developing irrigation systems. During the Great Depression, Secretary of State Cordell Hull used creativity to craft reciprocal trade agreements, which helped improve the world economy. Human creativity has always been essential to our world, and that is no different today.

In fact, I disagree with Mr. Csikszentmihaly’s assessment that human creativity is on the decline. Slightly more than 35 years ago, we put a man on the moon. Shortly thereafter the first personal computer was put on the market; in fact, the computer industry is an excellent example of human creativity at work. I expect, however, that Mr. Csikszentmihaly would dismiss that example as an “immediate practical application.” However, the State of California and many private entities are exploring stem cells and their potential to cure disease. The federal government has explored a “Star Wars” missile defense shield. Neither of these endeavors presents any immediate benefits. In the arts, recent painters include Pablo Picasso and Rufino Tamayo, two masters. The Beatles revolutionized music, and Luciano Pavarotti is arguably one of the best singers ever.

Given mankind’s recent creative accomplishment, I do not believe that creativity is on the decline, and given the abundant examples of mankind’s need for creativity in the past, I do not believe that it is any more necessary today than it was 50, 100, or 1000 years ago.

Why Essay #1 Received a Score of 6 This essay demonstrates clear and consistent mastery in insightfully and effectively disputing the prompt's claims about creativity ("Given mankind's recent creative accomplishments, I do not believe that creativity is on the decline, and given the abundant examples of mankind's need for creativity in the past, I do not believe that it is any more necessary today than it was 50, 100, or 1000 years ago"). The essay shows outstanding critical thinking in its well-organized and focused presentation of clearly appropriate evidence ("However, creativity has always been needed to solve mankind's problems. The first human beings had to be creative when fashioning the crude weapons that they used to hunt. Farmers in Mesopotamia had to be creative when developing irrigation systems"). The essay also exhibits skillful use of language and demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure ("These problems, as well as others of pressing importance in today's world (i.e. the rebuilding of Iraq and containment of nuclear arms proliferation) must be solved creatively…During the Great Depression, Cordell Hull used creativity to craft reciprocal trade agreements"). This outstanding essay earns a score of 6.


In a world where economic prosperity and “getting ahead” in work and technology are highly valued, creativity and the arts are often shunted in favor of more “practical” pursuits. Students abandon dreams of acting or painting in order to major in medicine, computer technology, or engineering: highly profitable and scientific fields. Even with the advances in these fields, however, there is still a need for creativity in our world, because seeing things in a new way can make all the difference.

Today, more and more public schools are forced to abandon their arts programs to make time for subjects like science and math: subjects in which all students must have a basic knowledge in order to succeed in higher education. However, by leaving these programs behind, children are deprived of the creative stimulation that the arts provide, and are taught to view the world in “black and white” terms: one right answer to every problem. With a view such as this, how will children perform in the future? It may be assumed that all people will see things the same way, and propose only one solution to a problem, failing to see the bigger picture.

Creativity has obviously influenced earlier generations in a positive way, so there is no need to eliminate creativity from our world. What would have happened if Franklin Roosevelt had never proposed his New Deal? The Great Depression might have persisted for some time, robbing even more families of their chance at prosperity and happiness. However, by proposing a new, creative solution for the problem of the U.S.’s depression, FDR pulled the nation out of its slump. Another example of how creativity has positively influenced the world happened just recently, with the introduction of hybrid cars. These new cars do not rely on as much oil as other cars do in order to operate, using alternative energy sources instead. Without the creative minds behind the invention of these cars, the world would rely so much on its limited oil reserves that fuel would eventually run out. Because of creativity, the world has a chance to find other energy sources.

Though these practical applications for creativity are conducive to everyone, the common man benefits even more from the stimulation that the arts provide. In a world dominated by political powers and torn apart by war, entertainers in the arts can inspire hope and change in everyone. A child watching a Charlie Chaplin film might decide to join the gymnastics team, or a woman observing a Monet painting in a museum might become an elementary school art teacher: who knows? The arts can transport people to other places, into different ways of thinking.

The importance of creativity in the world today is enormous, for it has both pragmatic and “important” applications. Creativity is both a source for inspiration and a problem-solving method, and without it, our world would greatly suffer.

Why Essay #2 Received a Score of 6

This essay effectively and insightfully develops the point of view that creativity "is both a source for inspiration and a problem-solving method, and without it, our world would greatly suffer." The writer uses outstanding critical thinking and clearly appropriate evidence to show that creativity's benefits are both practical (the New Deal, hybrid cars) and intangible (students inspired by the arts). Well organized and focused, the essay shows clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas ("Without the creative minds behind the invention of these cars, the world would rely so much on its limited oil reserves that fuel would eventually run out. Because of creativity, the world has a chance to find other energy sources. Though these practical applications for creativity are conducive to everyone, the common man benefits even more from the stimulation that the arts provide"). It also consistently displays skillful use of language and meaningful variety in sentence structure ("However, by leaving these programs behind, children are deprived of the creative stimulation that the arts provide, and are taught to view the world in "black and white" terms: one right answer to every problem. With a view such as this, how will children perform in the future?"). This outstanding essay receives the highest score of 6.

Essay #3: This essay received a score of 5 Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is very correct in his observation that the people of the world today are interested more in practicality than creativity. The arts are slowly dwindling in popularity, and have been for quite some time, more rapidly after the invention of the computer and its ability to mimic the creativity in the arts. Creativity is needed more than ever in the world today.

Back in the 1930’s and 40’s, Jazz was the most popular music in America, if not the world. During that time, even though it was plagued by depression and war, the American people were in good moods when it came to music. Back then, Jazz was a dance music, and the creativity of the improvisation done by the individual musician was astounding, and the Jazz vocabulary grew by leaps and bounds every year. However, now this innovative, catchy

music has been replaced by Rap music, which is simply a man or woman chanting violent, profane, incomprehensible words to a computerized drum-and-bass loop. The creativity in this music is non-existent, and look what it has done to our youth. Rap is not a fun type of music. It is a serious type of music, due to its lack of creativity, and because of this, the kids are resorting to violence and drugs to cope with their want for innovation.

Another example of the world’s need for creativity is the lack of creative options at high schools. Schools today teach basically from the books – there is a paucity of first-hand experiences. Because of this, the creativity that the students may have possessed essentially has no outlet, and it slowly disappears over time. The result is that the students are only wanting to become businessmen, lawyers, or doctors. There is no creativity involved in those jobs – one just has to be as close-minded as possible and exceptionally focused. The population of professional artists and musicians in the United States is diminishing rapidly, simply because the spark of creativity that young people have can never find an outlet, so to speak. If we continue at this rate, we will have computers performing all of the concerts with midi synthesizers, like they do on Broadway, and software creating works of art. The people will be like robots without any emotion or passion, simply focusing on what they need to do to get to the next day.

Personally, I am a musician, so naturally I have a biased opinion on this subject. However, this severe lack of focus on creativity in schools, and especially in the music industry, is unsettling, and from seeing how people are without the arts in their lives, living emotionless, passionless lives, I know that creativity is needed more than ever.


This essay demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery in effectively developing the point of view that the "severe lack of creativity in schools, and especially in the music industry, is unsettling, and…creativity is needed more than ever." The essay displays strong critical thinking and effective organization, using the appropriate examples of changes in musical taste (from jazz to rap) and "the lack of creative options at high schools" to argue that the stifling of creativity negatively affects people's lives. The essay also demonstrates coherence and progression of ideas, as well as facility in the use of language and variety in sentence structure ("Schools today teach basically from the books--there is a paucity of first-hand experiences. Because of this, the creativity that the students may have possessed essentially has no outlet, and it slowly disappears over time. The result is that students are only wanting to become businessmen, lawyers, or doctors"). To earn a score of 6, the essay needs to provide additional focused evidence to support the claim that there is a link between a lack of creative options and people "resorting to violence and drugs," or behaving "like robots." This essay is effective and achieves a score of 5.

Essay #4: This essay received a score of 5 It is registration day right before the start of senior year and you have just received your class schedule: eight periods of grueling, AP-level classes. You scrutinize the paper and see something surprising. There, between the BC Calculus and the European history, is a rare species: a pottery class. “It simply cannot be,” you say to yourself in a tone of awe. You had thought that such an elusive creature would never again dwell in the same habitat as your advanced class, not after you were through and over with your freshman and sophomore years. You tuck your schedule into a folder and make a mental note to drop the class as soon as you can.

The attitude of most honors students towards art classes is similar to that of a person faced with an inoculation. If they weren’t needed, most students wouldn’t take art classes. The sheer thought of forsaking a valuable time slot for just playing with paints is simply shocking. Most students would prefer to take a course that they would need in the future such as physics or chemistry. Yet in today’s world we need classes that give us the chance to freely explore the realms of creativity; to create. In a world where we are rammed into the mold of a useful citizen with our knowledge of facts and information, don’t we need the ability to use this knowledge to create something useful. What good would the knowledge of chemistry be to a person who doesn’t have the capability to use it to form something new. Our world demands creativity! Our world demands the ability to create! Our world demands that you take that art class!


In effectively developing a point of view about creativity by portraying the "attitude of most honors students towards art classes," this essay displays strong critical thinking ("Most students would prefer to take a course that they would need in the future such as physics or chemistry. Yet in today's world we need classes that give us the chance to freely explore the realms of creativity; to create"). Well organized and focused, the essay demonstrates coherence and progression of ideas ("It is registration day right before the start of senior year and you have just received your class schedule: eight periods of grueling, AP-level classes. You scrutinize the paper and see something surprising. There, between the BC Calculus and the European history, is a rare species: a pottery class"). The essay also features facility in the use of language and variety in sentence structure ("Our world demands that you take that art class!"). In order to achieve a higher score, the essay needs to further develop the central point that knowledge is useless without "the capacity to use it to form something new." This effective essay earns a score of 5.

Essay #5: This essay received a score of 4 Creativity is needed more than ever in the world today. It is essential for human beings to be creative and develop ideas and tools that better aid the world. It can also serve as a motivational tool.

Born and raised in the Silicon Valley of California, I have had experiences and knowledge of how high-tech companies function. One will not believe how many interesting chips and gadgets these companies manufacture! However, it is the creativity and innovations of employees that bring us computers, TiVo, cable television, CAT scan equipment and many other electronic devices that entertain and help us in everyday life. Everyday essentials and life-saving devices would not have existed if creative minds were not put to work. Creativity can also be implemented in early stages of childhood.

Creativity is the element that relieves us from the banal experiences of everyday life. When I was in the first grade, I was a boring little adolescent. Everyday I would come home and flip on the television. However, one day I decided to invite my friend over to play. We took my stuffed animals and began making a drama out of it. It was his idea to set the scenario of an elementary school setting with a bully (my gorilla) picking on little kids (a stuffed seal, a fox, some Beanie Babies, and a turtle). It was quite funny and entertaining. I had a lot of roles to do, too. If it weren’t for that day, I would still probably be coming home to the television. However, now I am actively in a drama group, and I enjoy making short films, some spontaneously on the spot. I owe it to my friend who stimulated and helped me discover my creativity. Someday I hope to be the next Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino.

Creativity is indeed beneficial and essential to the world. It helps people make life-saving devices and helps serve as motivation for others. It makes me wonder how lackluster the world would be if it wasn’t for creativity.


This essay demonstrates competent critical thinking and displays some coherence and progression of ideas by specifying two distinct ways in which creativity is important: "It helps people make life-saving devices and helps serve as motivation for others." The essay uses adequate examples to develop its point of view, explaining that "it is the creativity and innovations of employees that bring us computers, TiVo, cable television, CAT scan equipment and many other electronic devices that entertain and help us in everyday life," and showing how creative activities in childhood led the writer to become an aspiring filmmaker. The essay exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, and demonstrates some variety in sentence structure ("It was his idea to set the scenario of an elementary school setting with a bully (my gorilla) picking on little kids (a stuffed seal, a fox, some Beanie Babies, and a turtle). It was quite funny and entertaining. I had a lot of roles to do, too"). To achieve a higher score, the essay needs to use stronger critical thinking to further develop and connect the two examples. This competent essay earns a score of 4.


In elementary school students are asked to draw, craft and write creatively. As they grow older they are encouraged to step farther and farther away from this idea. The closer they get to adulthood the more direct and factual their work should be. In today’s world the use of creativity is discouraged due to the development of technology and the expectations of the school system.

Since the early 1900’s when such inventions as the lightbulb and steam engine were introduced people have been directed away from thinking for themselves. The common man need not think of a solution to his problem if a machine can do it for him. By creating more technology the world is limiting itself and dispensing of any need for creativity.

In the school system too it is easy to find that students can do well without using the artistic sides of their brains. Throughout high school children are asked to evaluate challenging algebra equations and memorize our nation’s history. These tasks ask not for creativity, but merely knowledge of what has been put before them. Even the SAT has, until this year, ranked students based on their ability to answer questions, not on their artistic talents.

People are taught more and more that there is a right way to do everything. In this type of society it is not necessary to challenge oneself creativly but to do as one is told. This clearly shows that creativity is no longer needed to survive on our world.

Why Essay #6 Received a Score of 4 This essay adequately develops the point of view that "In this type of society it is not necessary to challenge oneself creativly," and uses competent critical thinking to show how technology and schools contribute to this problem. The essay is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas as it explains that creativity is no longer encouraged ("The common man need not think of a solution to his problem if a machine can do it for him…students can do well without using the artistic sides of their brains…People are taught more and more that there is a right way to do everything"). The essay exhibits adequate facility in the use of language ("Even the SAT has, until this year, ranked students based on their ability to answer questions, not on their artistic talents"). To achieve a higher score, the essay needs to demonstrate stronger critical thinking in addressing the issue and developing a point of view. For example, the essay should further explore the ideas in the following statement: "By creating more technology the world is limiting itself and dispensing of any need for creativity." This competent essay receives a score of 4.


Creativity is needed more than ever in the world today. The world now has many contraversial topics and issues. Many people feel that they can express their opinions to these such topics through writing, when in some cases, art may be a better choice. Creativity can add diversity to the world and it can show all angles to many issues, which is greatly needed in the world today.

Adding diversity to the world helps to show the world everyones true character. Everyone has a unique personality and what better way to show ones personality than through creativity? Extensive scientific research has shown that we, humans, learn form mistakes. If someone speaks up with an idea no one has thought of before, people will most likely shoot it down. After many times of missing great ideas because of their difference we will come to relize our mistake. Thus, adding diversity.

Through creativity people can make works of art. Through art people can show all angles of a situation. Seeing problems or issues from both viewpoints can help people better understand the right decison to a problem or issue. This would help the world with their problems everyday.

Therefore, creativity is needed more than ever in the world today. Creativity adds diversity to our world and also shows many angles to problems. This would help our world today more than ever. Creativity can be used to make art creations. Art is like one massive problem containing many in-depth problems when looked at closely. Today, life is like this too.


This essay shows some critical thinking in developing the point of view that "Creativity adds diversity to our world and also shows many angles to problems." But the essay's examples and reasons are general and unclear, resulting in inadequate support for the position ("After many times of missing great ideas because of their difference we will come to realize our mistake. Thus, adding diversity…Creativity can be used to make art creations. Art is like one massive problem containing many in-depth problems when looked at closely"). The essay displays developing facility in the use of language, with some inappropriate word choice ("Many people feel that they can express their opinions to these such topics through writing, when in some cases, art may be a better choice"). To achieve a higher score, this essay needs to use more specific examples and to explain the connections between diversity, art, problem-solving, and creativity more clearly. This essay shows developing mastery and receives a score of 3.

Essay #8: This essay received a score of 2 I think creativity is needed more than ever in the world today because we have a number of growing. If everyone just came together and came up with creative ideas to solve all our problems, then this world would be a better place. One creative idea we need to come up with is a cure for Aids. More then half a million Americans are infected with this deadly virus and if we came up with a cure, that would help the rest from getting infected.

Another creative idea we need is to come up with a cure for all diseases. This will help Americans not to suffer from all the horrible diseases. This will help us all if we get creative. With our creativity we might be able to make this world a better place for the future and for all of us.


This seriously limited essay attempts to develop a point of view on the issue ("With our creativity we might be able to make the world a better place for the future and for all of us"), but provides insufficient examples to support the position. Evidence is limited to a brief, vague discussion of our need to find a cure for diseases, particularly AIDS. The essay demonstrates problems with progression of ideas ("…if we come up with a cure, that would help the rest from getting infected. Another creative idea we need is to come up with a cure for all diseases"). The essay also displays very little facility with language, including errors so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured ("I think creativity is needed more than ever in the world today because we have a number of growing"). To achieve a higher score, this essay needs to improve in several key areas, including critical thinking, development, selection of examples, and use of language. This essay demonstrates little mastery and is scored a 2.

Essay #9: This essay received a score of 1 Have you ever felt like a number stuck in a jar with billions of other numbers waiting to be picked and being the lucky number? Thier are almost three new number being created each second. The humans are controlers of this world. The only thing that can wipe out humans are us the human rase.

It seems like we are killing are self very slowly. One of the biggest problems that our world has is over population. We are simply running out of room. When there is no more room on earth where are we going to go. Have you ever gone to L.A. and sat in traffic around five o clock. Can you just imagine what will happen when everywhere looks like that?

The Human Rase hears of at least 4 new diseases a year. Are we just going to let them take over us and concord the world? There are many more people being brought to this world then dieing. Don’t you think we should be taking care of the new ones here? The human rase and become extencted just as easy as any other animal. My feeling go both ways here what are we going to do. Stop our creativity for a moment or take care of the ones here to day?


This fundamentally lacking essay develops no viable point of view on the issue of creativity, offering only a few confused ideas about overpopulation and disease. The essay is on topic and is clearly a response to the prompt, but the point of view and evidence are so disorganized and unfocused ("My feeling go both ways here what are we going to do. Stop our creativity for a moment or take care of the ones here to day?") that the result is an incoherent essay. The essay also demonstrates fundamental errors in vocabulary ("It seems like we are killing are self very slowly"). To achieve a higher score, the essay needs to develop a coherent point of view on the issue, support it with appropriate reasons and examples, and reduce the number of language errors. This essay demonstrates almost no mastery and receives a score of 1.

sat practice answers 2007-2008

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