Though the SAT Essay is ‘optional’, some colleges ‘Require’ the SAT Essay score, while some ‘Recommend’ students taking the Essay part of the SAT.

What it means is this:

• Take the Essay part of the SAT if the college you plan to apply to ‘Requires’ the Essay score, else, you will NOT be eligible to be considered for admissions.
• Take the Essay part of the SAT if the college you plan to apply to ‘Recommends’ the Essay score, as it can be one of the differentiating factors in your application for admissions committees to consider.

So, before you decide on attempting this part of the SAT, double check the SAT Essay Policy of the colleges you plan to apply to.

Click here to check SAT Essay Policies of Colleges and Scholarship Providers.