# How important are the old SAT writing and essay?

**URL:** <https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/how-important-are-the-old-sat-writing-and-essay/7653>\
**Category:** Answers\
**Tags:** sat-writing, sat-essay, sat\
**Created:** [March 21, 2016, 7:36am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/how-important-are-the-old-sat-writing-and-essay/7653 "2016-03-21T07:36:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chris\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@chris\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/u/chris_prepscholar)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 7:36am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/how-important-are-the-old-sat-writing-and-essay/7653/1 "2016-03-21T07:36:20Z")

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I got back my January makeup SAT which I took Feb 27. This is the second SAT I have taken and I got these scores:

Math: 800  
Reading: 800   
Writing: 680   
Essay: 8

This test was better in every score compared to my first test (except the essay which was a 9) and I was ecstatic in seeing them. After doing some research, I am very confused about the importance that the colleges put on the writing section. Is there a list of colleges that either disregard the section entirely, or count it less that reading and math?

My GPA is just OK at a 3.5, and I am wondering if I can use my two perfect scores to my advantage in any way. Unfortunately since this was the last old SAT ever administered I cannot retake for a better writing or essay score.

Any help with understanding where to go from here would be much appreciated!

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**Author:** ![sam\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@sam\_prepscholar](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/u/sam_prepscholar)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2016, 10:58am UTC](https://experthub.prepscholar.com/t/how-important-are-the-old-sat-writing-and-essay/7653/2 "2016-03-21T10:58:16Z")

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**[This article provides a list of colleges that don't consider the old SAT Writing section in their admissions decisions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/which-colleges-dont-require-sat-writing-complete-list).** Your perfect scores on the Critical Reading and Math sections will give you excellent chances of admission at these schools.

**Keep in mind the fact that your composite score is still very high.** You shouldn't worry too much about the Writing section even at colleges that do take it into account. With a 2290, you have a realistic chance of acceptance at every college in the country.

**As to your second question, [I'd recommend checking out this article, which has a list of scholarships you can get based on standardized test scores alone.](https://blog.prepscholar.com/guaranteed-scholarships-based-on-sat-act-scores)** You may be able to defray some of the costs of college with merit scholarships since your scores were so high.