You don’t need to read every word in a passage. Skim for main ideas, key details, and tone.
Look at the first and last sentences of each paragraph to get the gist of the content.
Highlight or underline key points as you read (if permitted), but do so sparingly.
Identifying Key Points:
Pay attention to the central argument or theme of the passage.
Often, questions will ask about the tone, purpose, or main idea—these can be determined by analyzing the first sentence or conclusion of the passage.
Eliminating Incorrect Answers:
Often, questions on the SAT Reading section have distractor answers designed to mislead. Cross off the ones that are clearly wrong.
Look for answers that are too extreme or don’t match the tone or content of the passage.
SAT Math
Approaching Multi-Step Problems:
When faced with a multi-step problem, break it down into smaller steps. Identify what is given and what you need to find.
Use process of elimination to narrow down possible answers, especially if the numbers in the problem seem complicated.
Common Math Traps to Avoid:
Don’t make assumptions about the answer. Always base your answer on the information provided in the problem.
Watch out for extra solutions in problems involving quadratic equations or absolute values.
Don’t forget to double-check your work when solving algebraic expressions or equations.
SAT Writing and Language:
Grammar and Sentence Structure:
Focus on subject-verb agreement, pronoun clarity, and parallel structure.
If you’re unsure about a sentence correction question, simplify the sentence and check for errors in tense, punctuation, and word choice.
Eliminate choices that introduce redundancy or do not improve the sentence.
Contextual Meaning:
When answering vocabulary in context questions, use the context of the sentence to help determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. Pay attention to the surrounding phrases or sentences that might provide clues.
SAT Essay
Structure and Organization:
Start with a strong thesis statement in your introduction. Clearly state your position on the argument.
In your body paragraphs, provide specific examples from the passage to support your claims.
Conclude with a summary of your argument and a final thought to reinforce your position.
Evaluating the Argument:
Understand the prompt clearly. Identify the author’s claim, the reasoning behind it, and the type of evidence used.
Assess how well the argument is supported. Are the examples strong, weak, or irrelevant? Use this analysis to form your response.
Improving Accuracy and Efficiency
Practice: The more you practice, the more confident and efficient you will become. Take timed practice tests regularly to simulate real test conditions.
Prioritize Your Strengths: Focus on the sections where you are strongest. For example, if you’re confident in Math, you can spend more time on Reading or Writing to boost your overall score.
Stay Calm and Focused: The SAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused, and if you feel overwhelmed, take a quick pause, relax, and regain your focus.
