Our #1 just took the SAT. The essay is the first section presented, so that might be something those with writing anxiety will have to work on--don't let the essay throw you off for the rest of the test.
I assume that once the essay becomes optional in Spring 2016, it will be given last, so that some test takers can leave.
That really surprised me when I found out about it. My older DD only took the ACT and that did the writing part last.
When my DS took the 'sample' test of the new format a few months back they still did the writing section first. This surprised my son & I since they test was supposed to be a sample PSAT. And the PSAT has no essay at all. My DS just didn't even try to write the essay since he knew it was only a practice test and didn't matter.
