I would like to take a moment and ask why colleges continue to undervalue the writing portion of the SAT. Before the SAT format change in 2005, the writing portion of the SAT was given as the SAT II Writing Test. Oddly enough, it was one of only a few SAT IIs that schools required.

When the College Board combined the SAT II writing with the SAT, they did little to change the format of the writing sections. The Writing SAT II used to be a one hour stand alone exam composed of a 25 minute essay section and a 35 minute multiple choice section. The new SAT now has a 25 minute essay and 35 minutes worth of multiple choice questions; there is essentially no difference!

However, college admissions officials continue to say they need more time to understand what the writing scores mean. Funny how they were convinced they had to have the SAT II writing test, but now they don't know how to interpret a score that is nearly identical to it.

Several statistical studies have shown that the writing portion of the SAT has the highest correlation with college success, yet universities continue to value the verbal and math sections more.

Wake up Admissions Officials! If kids are going to take the time to prepare for the writing section, reward them for their hard work.

Ryan