--- title: Train the SAT Essay with Real Examples · PrepScholar description: The SAT Essay is no longer offered, but what did the essays look like? This expert guide analyzes real SAT Essay examples. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/writing_essay.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [Train the SAT Essay with Real Examples](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-essay-with-real-student-examples) ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_fred2.png) Posted by [Dr. Fred Zhang](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang) | Updated on March 31, 2025 [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) , [SAT Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-writing) , [SAT Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat-essay)   ![writing_essay](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/writing_essay.jpg?width=320&name=writing_essay.jpg) One of the best ways to learn the SAT essay is to look at example submissions by other real students.  By judging these example essays yourself, you'll understand much better what SAT graders are looking for.  You'll also learn from these examples what to do and not to do. Here at PrepScholar we grade numerous essays with a real live human grader as part of our SAT preparation process.  This gives us real, actual, student submissions to real College Board SAT prompt essays.  We have anonymized two real actual student submissions below and shared them in hopes of helping you improve on the SAT. We have found that one of the best ways to prepare for the SAT essay is go through the exercise of reading through the essays of other real students.  There are two parts to the exercise: the first part is pretending you're the grader and assigning the student a grade.  This lets you get inside the head of a grader, and understand what the grader is looking for.  The second part of the exercise is to notice and understand what makes a good essay good and a bad essay bad.   ## UPDATE: SAT Essay No Longer Offered In January 2021, the College Board announced that **after June 2021, it would no longer offer the Essay portion of the SAT** (except at schools who opt in during School Day Testing). It is now no longer possible to take the SAT Essay, unless your school is one of the small number who choose to offer it during [SAT School Day Testing.](https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-school-day) While most colleges had already made SAT Essay scores optional, this move by the College Board means no colleges now require the SAT Essay. It will also likely lead to additional college application changes such not looking at essay scores at all for the SAT *or* ACT, as well as potentially requiring additional writing samples for placement. What does the end of the SAT Essay mean for your college applications? [Check out our article on the College Board's SAT Essay decision](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-board-drops-sat-essay) for everything you need to know.   ## Example SAT Essay Prompt: The following two example essays were in response to the following prompt actually given on an SAT, paraphrased: **Background:** An incorrect and cynical view of how people behave says that humans are mainly driven by selfish motives: wanting money, power, or fame.  However, history gives us a lot of cases of people who gave up their own good for a cause or idea that they thought was more important than sometimes their own lives.  Conscience -- the strong voice from within that tells us moral right from wrong -- can be a more compelling force than money, power, or fame. **Prompt:** Is conscience a more powerful motivator than money, fame, or power?   ## The First Essay While reading the essay, and before reading our answer, note the following: - What grade would you give this essay and why? The lowest possible is 2/12, and the highest is 12/12.  [The essay scoring rubric is here](https://sat.collegeboard.org/scores/sat-essay-scoring-guide). - What did you like most about the essay and the least? ![essay_6_1](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/essay_6_1.jpg?width=750&name=essay_6_1.jpg) ![essay_6_2](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/essay_6_2.jpg?width=750&name=essay_6_2.jpg) **Before reading onwards, make sure you do the exercise above to the most out of this.** This is essay ended up receiving a six out of twelve.  The main positive points was that it had mostly correct grammar and spelling. It also used examples that were well organized.  However, the lower score was due to the fact that the examples didn't strongly support the thesis.  A mandate, a command, by a philosopher (Plato) hardly proves that people actually are unselfish.  The example from The Shining of pathological psychology seems evasive of the main prompt, and psychopathy hardly seems to be proof that people act in accordance to their conscience.     ## The Second Essay Again, while reading the essay, and before reading our answer, note the following: - What grade would you give this essay and why? The lowest possible is 2/12, and the highest is 12/12.  [The essay scoring rubric is here](https://sat.collegeboard.org/scores/sat-essay-scoring-guide). - What did you like most about the essay and the least?   ![essay_12_1](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/essay_12_1.jpg?width=750&name=essay_12_1.jpg) ![essay_12_2](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/essay_12_2.jpg?width=750&name=essay_12_2.jpg) This is essay ended up receiving a twelve out of twelve, putting it in the top percentile of essays as scored by the SAT.  This essay has impeccable grammar, spelling, and is well organized.  More than then first essay you saw, the examples here provided great justification for the main thesis.  The examples are incredibly relevant and significant.  The diction is tight, and phrasing well-chosen -- for example "cloud judgment" and "silence the whisper of conscience" are great creative uses of imagery.   ## What's Next? The college admissions process has become so competitive that it's helpful to plan well in advance for SAT/ACT prep during high school. Here are a few guides to help your thinking: [![Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151856191907.png)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJp1XfgfNJeagcTzDfRqFv0SrGNclUAp40OXFtJl7jSXN1jnBaccfRxyPsuWoESA9%2FFwXTZQxWFs7MSsUT8KkgT2222Jw2MYTaWR3zns10%2FIv1%2FIlQ3fsYqMEBWsU9fxieb2xytu%2FQPmZZkgHiQcFBhRkZKAUJ%2FI131Nu5OOxCGWxvq9Mmxo7ZSTGFTEpTzZcK0pQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=151856191907&portalId=360031)   ### Trending Now [How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay) [Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act) [What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for) [ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat) [Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/) Get Your Free **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** eBook [5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/) [5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/) ### SAT Prep [Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score) [Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)** [Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing) [Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. Start Your 5-Day Risk-Free Trial](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/?utm_source=databasepage&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=sat_guarantee) ### ACT Prep [Find Your Target ACT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) [Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer)** [Get a 36 on ACT English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-math-8-strategies-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/facebook_logo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![Follow us on X (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/twitterx-50.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-sidebar.webp)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) Get Exclusive Tips for College Admissions Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay. × ## Thanks for Subscribing! ![Check icon](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/file-2386656898.png/subscribe_check.png.png?width=175&name=subscribe_check.png) To receive immediate updates on all our helpful guides and strategies, **follow us** on social media: [![Facebook](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26de6c2beb2b71ee5b8d660200359259.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) [![X](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/f233666501ea25d3fcf3c390d2f08c7b.png)](https://x.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) [![LinkedIn](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) [![Instagram](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/download-1.png)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) **Have friends who also need help with test prep?** Share this article! [![Share on email](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fsat-essay-with-real-student-examples%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fsat-essay-with-real-student-examples%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [![Share on facebook](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fsat-essay-with-real-student-examples%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fsat-essay-with-real-student-examples%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fsat-essay-with-real-student-examples%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fsat-essay-with-real-student-examples%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) About the Author ![author image](http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/author_fred2.png) Dr. Fred Zhang Fred is co-founder of PrepScholar. He scored a perfect score on the SAT and is passionate about sharing information with aspiring students. Fred graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's in Mathematics and a PhD in Economics. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-White.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com)** - [WHO WE ARE](https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/) - [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.prepscholar.com/case-studies/) - [ADVICE BLOG](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) - [FOR SCHOOLS](https://www.prepscholar.com/for-schools/) - [SAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/) - [ACT](https://www.prepscholar.com/act-test-prep/) - [PSAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/psat-test-prep/) - [AP](https://www.prepscholar.com/ap-tutoring/) - [GRE](https://www.prepscholar.com/gre-test-prep/) - [GMAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/gmat-test-prep/) - [TOEFL](https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl-test-prep/) - [ADMISSIONS](https://www.prepscholar.com/college-admissions-consulting/) - [TERMS OF SERVICE](https://www.prepscholar.com/terms-of-service/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.prepscholar.com/privacy-policy/) - [![follow us on X (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/twitter-64.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/facebook-64.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-64.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) - [![follow us on TikTok (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/tiktok-50.svg)](https://www.tiktok.com/@prepscholarofficial) - [![Follow us on LinkedIn (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/linkedin50.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) © PrepScholar 2013-2025. All rights reserved SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this web site. ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT Education Corporation ("ACT"). ACT is not involved with or affiliated with PrepScholar Inc., nor does ACT endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by PrepScholar Inc. GRE® and TOEFL® are registered trademarks of the ETS®. The ETS® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this web site. GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council®. The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dr. Fred Zhang", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/dr-fred-zhang" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-31T19:57:38+00:00", "datePublished" : "2021-03-16T01:34:00+00:00", "description" : "The SAT Essay is no longer offered, but what did the essays look like? This expert guide analyzes real SAT Essay examples. ", "headline" : "Train the SAT Essay with Real Examples", "image" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/writing_essay.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/sat-essay-with-real-student-examples", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```