Writing the essay - Part i the basics of both tests

Cracking the SSAT & ISEE - The Princeton Review 2019

Writing the essay
Part i the basics of both tests

HOW IS THE ESSAY USED?

Both the ISEE and the SSAT require you to write an essay. While the essay is not graded and does not affect your score, a copy is sent to the schools to which you apply. For this reason, you want to take the essay seriously and use it to show yourself to be thoughtful and likeable.

THE SSAT ESSAY

The Middle and Upper Level tests present two prompts, from which you will select one. The Middle Level test offers two creative writing prompts; the Upper Level test offers one creative writing and one essay style prompt. The instructions tell you that schools would like to get to know you better “through a story,” so you should select the prompt that is easier for you to base your story on. The Elementary Level test provides a picture and instructs you to “tell a story” about what happened.

In all cases, you have about one-and-one-half pages on which to write. Elementary Level students have 15 minutes, while Middle and Upper Level students have 25 minutes.

Here are sample prompts.

Elementary Level

image

Look at the picture and tell a story about what happened. Make sure your story includes a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Middle Level

image I picked up the magazine and saw on the cover…

image No one else was in the museum.

Upper Level

image Describe a mistake that you would correct if you could go back in time.

image Sometimes, the results are quite different from what you would expect.

THE ISEE ESSAY

All three ISEE tests ask you to “write an essay” on an assigned prompt. You have close to two pages on which to write. You have 30 minutes.

Here are sample prompts.

Lower Level

Who is your favorite teacher? Why have you chosen this person?

Middle Level

If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would you choose and how would you solve the problem?

Upper Level

Name someone you consider to be a success and describe what it is about that person that makes him or her successful.

PLANNING AND WRITING YOUR ESSAY

When you read your ISEE prompt or decide upon your SSAT prompt, do not start writing immediately! It is important that you spend a few minutes thinking about what you want to say and how you will organize your thoughts. A planned essay reads much better than a rambling, free-association essay. Also, the time you spend organizing your thoughts will enable you to write your essay more quickly once you get started. You just need to follow your outline and express the ideas you have already developed.

For the SSAT, you are writing a story, which means you must include a beginning, middle, and end. So your planning time will be used to decide what story you want to tell and how that story progresses. It does not really matter what your story topic is, as long as it responds to the chosen prompt and is delivered in an organized way. Of course, you don’t want to be silly; your goal is to make the schools you are applying to like you. On the other hand, you don’t have to write a work of creative fiction either. Your story can relate something you have done or seen. If you happen to be a natural storyteller, though, have at it!

The Choice is Yours

Upper Level SSAT students get to choose between a creative writing or an essay-style prompt. Choose wisely!

For the ISEE, your essay will be a more traditional essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Your introduction will summarize the topic and explain your position, and your body paragraphs will include examples or reasons for your position. Thus, you want to spend your planning time deciding how you want to answer the prompt and what examples or reasons you will use to support your point of view. If you are used to using three examples in essays at school, there is no need for that here. You don’t have the space or the time. Rather, having one or two well-developed examples or reasons will be fine.

For both tests, be sure to avoid spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It is easier to avoid these errors if you have planned your essay in advance. Also, write neatly; again, this is easier if you plan your essay before you write it. Be sure to clearly indent each new paragraph as well. It is a good idea to leave yourself a bit of time at the end to review what you have written, so you can make sure you’ve written your best possible essay.

image

If you need a grammar boost, check out Grammar Smart, 4th Edition available everywhere you get books!

You should write one or two practice essays and show them to a parent, teacher, or other adult who can give you feedback. Tell him or her that your goal is to provide an organized, thoughtful, and likeable reply to the prompt, with a minimum of spelling and grammar errors.

On the two pages that follow, write an essay using the prompt (or one of the two prompts for SSAT) on this page. Be sure to use the prompt for the test level (and test!) you are taking. After you have received feedback from someone, you can write another essay using the second set of prompts.

Are you ready for another prompt?

Middle Level SSAT

image I heard the strange noise and quickly…

image The train pulled out of the station just as I got there.

Upper Level SSAT

image Give three reasons you admire your best friend.

image I couldn’t believe she asked me for a favor.

Lower Level ISEE

Describe something you wish you could change about the city or town in which you live.

Middle Level ISEE

If you could spend one week anywhere in the world, where would you go? What would you do there?

Upper Level ISEE

Describe a book or work of art that had an effect on you. What about it affected you?

If you plan to take the SSAT, go on to Chapter 5. If you plan to take the ISEE, please proceed to Chapter 13.