Im taking the aus version of SATs atm (called HSC) so I can go to uni here, and creative writing is one component of three in a certain module of the course.

In the last exam I did, the question was relating to journeys, and came with a bunch of stimulus material for you to choose from and base your writing off. The actual question said something like "A group in the community is hosting a showcase of creative writing from young people. Using the stimulus material, write a creative writing piece to submit for the showcase."

Now I didnt know this at the time, but apparently that was code for "Write a narrative. A narrative that has a blatantly obvious introduction, complication, and conclusion, and journey. Please refrain from writing anything too creative." Seeing as I didnt know that, I wrote a poem and they gave it 3/15. When they mark the work, they leave a comment. The comment tells you where you went wrong so you can improve it... My comment was:

Don't write poems.

So yeah. I wish they mentioned that in the exam or the course. That real creativity is prohibited.

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