You've probably heard about the ACT essay. It’s nothing to fear, but you should know that the way it's graded is different from what you're used to at school (translation: an "A" in English doesn't equal a perfect score on the ACT essay).
LiveGrader is a tool that we’ve developed to help you prepare for the ACT. All Princeton Review classroom, online, and tutoring students can submit essays, either handwritten or through our website, which will then be graded by one of our ACT experts. Not only will our expert grader score your ACT essay, but he or she will also provide personalized feedback that will help you maximize your score on the essay portion of the ACT.
Frequently Asked Questions about LiveGrader:
How is my ACT essay graded?
After you submit your ACT essay, one of our expert graders will score it using the same guidelines that are used for the ACT. ACT essays will be scored holistically, which means that your essay will be judged as a whole, not just on the basis of particular traits.
Who will grade my ACT essay?
A trained and certified Princeton Review expert grader will grade your ACT essay. Our experienced graders know what makes a strong ACT essay; many have graded thousands of ACT essays.
Do I have to write about a specific topic for my ACT essay?
Yes. The essay "prompt" asks you to write on a specific topic; your ACT essay must address the issue presented in the prompt. Essays written on any other topic will receive a score of zero.
How is the ACT essay different from the essays I have to write in school?
Unlike many essays you write in school, you’ll only have 30 minutes, and you will not be able to use reference materials. Graders won't be expecting perfection; they will be judging your ACT essay for what it is: a first draft. Furthermore, the person grading your ACT essay will only spend 2-3 minutes evaluating your writing.
When I use LiveGrader, will I receive just a score, or will I get comments too?
Your ACT essay will be given a score ranging from 2-12. LiveGrader will also provide you with personalized feedback. Your report will tell you what worked well on your ACT essay and how you can improve it to earn a higher score on the real ACT.
How do I get my score?
We will e-mail your score and personalized feedback within 3-5 days after you submit your ACT essay. You can also access your score on the website.
