Key takeaways
The SAT Essay has undergone significant changes, especially with its discontinuation for general testing after June 2021. As of 2025, it is no longer a requirement for college admissions, and understanding these shifts is crucial for students preparing for the SAT.
- The SAT Essay was discontinued for Saturday testing after June 2021, and is now only available during SAT School Day in select schools (College Board).
- Focus on analyzing the author's argument rather than summarizing when writing the essay; structure your response clearly with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Colleges like Harvard and Princeton have removed the SAT Essay from their application requirements, reflecting a broader trend in admissions (Reddit).
- Practice with high-scoring sample essays and timed writing to improve your skills, as the essay is a rhetorical analysis rather than an opinion piece.
Contents
The SAT Essay used to be important for college admissions, but now things are different. If you’re wondering whether the SAT Essay still matters in 2025—or if you even need to think about it—we will walk you through what’s changed and what to do if you’re expected to write one.
What Is the SAT Essay and Why Does It Matter?
The SAT Essay was originally introduced to assess your ability to read a passage, analyze the author’s argument, and write a clear, structured response. This task focused purely on analytical writing unlike personal essays.
The essay was used by schools like Stanford as a supplement to your main application—especially to assess writing consistency across your personal statement and test results.
Is the SAT Essay Still Relevant in 2025?
No. The SAT Essay was discontinued after June 2021 for Saturday testing. As of 2025:
- You can’t choose to take the essay when registering for the SAT
- It is only available during SAT School Day in a limited number of schools and districts that opt in
How to Take the SAT Essay Effectively?
If your school offers SAT School Day with the essay—or you’re applying to a program that still considers it—here’s how to approach it:
- Spend 3-5 minutes analyzing the author’s argument structure
- Don’t summarize—focus on how the author builds their case using facts, logic, or emotional appeals
- Keep your writing organized: intro, 2-3 body paragraphs, conclusion
- Use formal tone, precise vocabulary, and clear transitions
How Is the SAT Essay Scored?
You’ll have three separate scores if you’ve taken the SAT Essay before its retirement:
- Reading: How well you understood the passage
- Analysis: How well you explained the author’s argument
- Writing: Grammar, structure, and style
Each area is scored on a scale of 2 to 8, giving you a total score range from 6 to 24. Two graders score your essay, and their scores are combined.
Do Colleges Still Require the SAT Essay?
Almost all colleges have dropped the SAT Essay requirement. It’s no longer considered necessary now that the essay itself has been discontinued by the College Board.
Even schools that once required it—like Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Michigan—have removed the essay from their application criteria.
“No colleges will care about it. The essay was discontinued except where required by state school day tests because colleges no longer cared about it. And that was three years ago”
— u/RichInPitt, Reddit
How to Improve Your SAT Essay Score?
Legacy Online School helps students build the confidence and skills they need to succeed on the SAT® and ACT®. If you’re serious about improving your score, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
If you’re still expected to write it (e.g., SAT School Day or state scholarship programs):
- Read high-scoring sample essays on College Board’s archive
- Practice analyzing rhetorical devices—ethos, logos, pathos
- Use strong thesis statements and tight paragraph structure
- Write timed essays to improve pacing
“The essay is NEVER YOUR OPINION: It is a RHETORICAL ANALYSIS of how the author uses figurative language/ rhetorical techniques to build an argument and PERSUADES the reader”
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Ana Lucía Torres, Senior Learning Advisor
Sources: College Board, Reddit
