Murphy Brown

The ACT writing section on the exam is optional for students to take but it is still important. It is not required because many schools feel that it is redundant due to the way the application process is set up. You already have to write an essay to get into school so they do not feel that it is entirely necessary. Because of this, most students opt out this aspect of the exam and just do what is required. But when you go above and beyond, it can show that you are fully committed to doing more than what is expected of you when classes start.

The bare minimum is never acceptable, although not required this is still an important part of the exam. It shows that you are ready to excel in college life and that you do more than what is expected of you. Two qualities that all schools love to see out of applicants.

When you take the ACT writing section on the exam it is testing your ability to write under pressure. This is something that you are going to have to do at the college level in several of your classes. On a college admittance essay, you have several weeks, if not months, to develop a thesis and write the paper.

You can then have it proofread and make rewrites. By the time it reaches the admissions office it has gone through several drafts. During the ACT writing section, you have 40 minutes to develop the first and only draft. This shows your ability to problem solve and formulate a strong thesis right on the spot.

If you are going to take the ACT writing section, which you should, you are going to have to get a strong score. Graded on a scale of one to twelve, you want to get this score as high as possible. If you get a low score on this section, like a five out of twelve, then schools are going to think that you are not ready to write at a college level. You want to at least get an eight out of twelve on the writing portion of the exam.

You might not get this the first time that you take the exam and that is fine. The next step you need to take is to work with an ACT writing tutor who can help you raise your score. Working with a professional who has helped other students with this exam is going to help you raise this score. I know of a student who was not getting a workable score on this section. They sat down with a private tutor and got the score they needed to get accepted into several schools.

You have to be willing and open while you are in your tutoring sessions. If you are close-minded then things are not going to change for you on the ACT. In fact, you might get a score that was lower than what you previously received. Working under pressure is a major part of college and the overall experience. If you are not able to do this, then you are not going to be able to get things done on campus.

 Also, while you are in college you are going to have to do things that you do not want to and also things that are not required of you. This is precisely why you should take the ACT writing section, you will be setting a good example of who you plan to be when you are accepted.. Although it is optional, it is still important to take it seriously. The feeling of seeing the acceptance letters start to pile up will make it well worth it.