So how do you go about making a good impression? Here are 5 no-nonsense tips on how to score big on the SAT essay:

1. Neatness counts
The idea of having to handwrite an essay may seem quite old fashioned, somewhere along the lines of sending a letter through the mail. But like it or not, you won't be using Microsoft Word on the SAT. Therefore, one of the simplest ways to earn a good score is to write legibly. You see, graders are responsible for getting through tons of essays each day, and so they usually only spend around 2 minutes reading each one. When they come upon an essay that is messy and makes life more difficult for them, right away they are left with a bad impression. Translation: a lower score for you. Who can blame them though? If you had to read a bunch of messy essays that make you squint and squirm, wouldn't you be annoyed? So print neatly, because the graders will appreciate it. (Yes, print--no script!)

2. More is more
You've probably heard the maxim, it's not the quantity, it's the quality that counts. Good advice in the real world, but here in SAT land, quantity is just as important as quality. Remember, ETS graders will read your essay holistically, meaning they look at the overall package and won't really get down to the nitty-gritty. So when grading an essay as a whole, longer always looks better. There are 45 lines to fill--get as close to that as possible. Filling 40 lines is good. Only twenty ... not so good. Oh, by the way, for those of you who usually have a lot to say, it's important to know that you can only use the space that is given. So don't ramble on forever, because you won't be getting any extra sheets of paper.

3. Paragraphs are your friend
Remember that basic writing structure you learned in grammar school English: intro, body, conclusion? Well, follow that same format on the SAT essay. First, your introduction should include a thesis statement (the SAT asks you if you agree or disagree with a given statement). Then you need three supporting paragraphs that back up your thesis. And finally, you'll need a conclusion to sum it all up. By following this standard format you will give the impression that you are organized (they don't need to know that your locker is a disaster) and you know how to structure an essay. One other mini-tip--Clearly indent all of your paragraphs, about a full half-inch. The clearer you make things for them, the happier the graders will be.

4. When Shakespeare comes in handy
You created your thesis statement in the introduction, but now you need to back up your argument. The best way to do this is by citing examples. Some may be tempted to write about stuff they've seen on TV or read in US Weekly to explain "the tragedy of war" (the great feud between Hillary Duff and Lindsay Lohan), or their personal life to explain "the sorrow of love lost" (your breakup with your boyfriend or girlfriend). But essay graders will find illustrations from history or literature to be more persuasive. If you can display that you are well read or that you know about topics like the Civil War, graders will be impressed. Be prepared with some literary or historical examples before you take the SAT.