5 Tips for the SAT Reading and Writing Portion

The digital SAT is a great opportunity to demonstrate your math and literacy skills, boosting your college application alongside your personal statement essay. The Reading and Writing test, which constitutes half of the exam, evaluates your vocab, grammar, and reading comprehension skills.

While SAT prep can feel daunting, I have good news: each test follows a predictable order and pattern, with the same types of questions every time. I’ve examined dozens of digital SAT versions; in this article, I’ll share my top 5 tips to help you ace the SAT Reading and Writing test. 

What is the SAT Reading and Writing test?

The SAT Reading and Writing test makes up the first half of the digital SAT. It has 54 total questions, evaluating you on a wide range of language arts skills including vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and close reading. Most of the questions feature a short passage paired with an analysis prompt.

Each Reading and Writing module follows a predictable pattern: vocab questions come first, followed by short passage-based reading comprehension questions prompting you to select evidence, identify the function of sentences, or determine a main idea. 

So, as you take practice tests and prepare for SAT Reading and Writing, what “general rules” will help you find the right answers? 

Five Tips for the SAT Reading and Writing Section

As someone who has taught the SAT Reading and Writing portion for four years and reviewed dozens of SATs, my number one tip is to never infer an answer. Another important tip is to rely on context—fully read every sentence, passage, and answer. Read on for a deeper breakdown.

Here are my top five SAT Reading and Writing tips:

1. Never Infer

2. Point to the Evidence that Supports Your Answer

3. Every Word Matters in the Answers

4. For Underlined or Omitted Portions—Context is Huge

5. Use the First Sentence as an Anchor

1. Never Infer

Options B, C, and D all make assumptions that the passage doesn't support

Remember: there is always only one objectively correct answer and three objectively wrong answers. SAT questions will never require you to assume, make an inference, or utilize external information to determine the right answer. Everything you need is in the language of the passage and answers. You must develop a careful eye and read everything thoroughly, because just one word can make the difference between a right and wrong answer.

Students can usually narrow short-passage questions down to two or three choices, but then they get stuck: “Both answers could be right. How do I choose?” I encourage them to look closer at what the passage’s language and information actually says. Reread every word from the passage and answer choices. Some answers include words or phrases unsupported by the passage, or assume things the passage doesn’t explicitly say, which disqualifies them.

2. Point To the Evidence That Supports Your Answer

The green highlights indicate where the text supports the correct answer: D

Every time you choose a final answer for a short-passage question, you should be able to point to the exact lines or words in the passage that support it. This goes hand in hand with tip #1 because it ensures that you base your answer on what the text explicitly says.

I know it might seem excessive and tedious. But you’d be surprised how often, after students pick an answer, I ask them to point out their evidence from the text and they say “I don’t know.” A lot of students get into the habit of rushing through the passage and answers, then feel stuck between two answers. If you force yourself to point out the exact language from the text that led to your answer, you have a much higher chance of getting it right. Keep in mind that the text should support every word of an answer–no part of the answer should rely on inference, and one wrong word is enough to disqualify a choice.

3. Every Word Matters in the Answers

A, C, and D include statements that aren't supported by the passage

Even one mismatching word or phrase disqualifies a wrong answer choice. On the SAT Reading and Writing test, especially structure and main idea questions, you’ll come across multi-part answers that bundle several conclusions about the passage. The SAT likes to use these compound, multi-part answers to trick you by “sneaking in” an inaccurate or unsupported conclusion alongside correct ones. 

Even if most of an answer seems perfect, if just a single word is wrong, the whole answer is. If you’ve narrowed it down to two choices, look closer because one of them is incorrect or unsupported in some way. Every part must be objectively supported by the text. 

4. For Underlined or Omitted Portions—Context is Huge

The context highlighted in green demonstrates a shift in tone, suggesting that "however" fits in the blank

For questions with an underlined or omitted portion—such as vocab, structure, grammar, and transition questions—pay particular attention to the immediate context around the underlined part. Closely read the words leading up to the underlined area, all the way through the end of the sentence. 

Too often, I’ve seen students reach the underlined portion, read a couple words after the omitted part, then immediately jump to the answers, leaving the rest of the sentence as an afterthought. But the sentence surrounding the underlined portion provides essential context for what should occupy the blank space. The SAT often likes to place the underlined section within an especially long sentence, which may have a critical shift in tone that gives a critical clue to the right answer.

5. Use the First Sentence as an Anchor

The first sentence basically summarizes the text's main idea, making it easer to get the answer

For analysis questions where you analyze the whole passage—such as main idea, function, and structure questions—pay special attention to the first sentence. A passage’s first sentence usually tells you its main idea. This gives you an "anchor" to observe how the passage’s tone, structure, or main idea develops throughout. 

Main idea questions ask you to determine a passage’s central message, and wrong answers try to lure you with specific details mentioned in the passage. However, main idea questions ask for the overall point, and specific details usually aren’t “all-inclusive” enough. In this situation, revisit the first sentence for a reminder of the passage’s overall subject, or purpose. This may not tell you the main idea word for word, but it should act as your main clue.

Don’t Forget to Practice 

While these tips—staying objective, avoiding inference, and relying on context—can help you get the right answer on the SAT Reading and Writing portion, don’t forget to put time into practicing. I am a huge advocate of taking the dozens SAT practice tests on the CollegeBoard website. Whether you use a tutor or not, these practice tests will familiarize you with the flow and types of questions you’ll face on SAT day, which will lead to a better score. 

Best of luck!