🎓SAT Reading

What's on the SAT Reading Test?

• Consists of 52 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 65 minutes
• Assesses reading comprehension skills across a variety of genres and subjects
• Includes 5 passages with 500-750 words each, drawn from literature, social studies, and science
  • 1-2 passages from classic or contemporary literature (fiction, drama, poetry)
  • 1-2 passages from U.S. or world history, social science, or economics
  • 2 passages from Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics
• Passages may include informational graphics (tables, graphs, charts) that complement the text
• Questions focus on understanding key ideas, analyzing details, inferring meaning, and interpreting data

Key Reading Skills to Master

• Identifying the main idea and supporting details in a passage
• Understanding the author's purpose, tone, and perspective
• Analyzing how the author uses evidence, reasoning, and stylistic elements to convey meaning
• Making connections between different parts of a passage or between multiple passages
• Inferring implied meanings and drawing conclusions based on textual evidence
• Interpreting data presented in informational graphics and relating it to the passage
• Distinguishing between fact and opinion, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of an argument
• Defining the meaning of words and phrases in context, including figurative language

Types of Passages You'll Encounter

• Literature passages (fiction, drama, poetry) that explore themes, characters, and literary techniques
  • May include older works with complex language and syntax (Shakespeare, 19th-century novels)
  • Require close reading and attention to figurative language, tone, and narrative structure
• Social science passages that discuss topics in history, economics, psychology, or sociology
  • Often present arguments, theories, or historical events and their significance
  • May compare and contrast different viewpoints or analyze cause-and-effect relationships
• Science passages that explain concepts and research findings in various scientific fields
  • Frequently include technical vocabulary and data presented in graphs or tables
  • Require the ability to understand and apply scientific principles and methods
• Paired passages that present two texts on a related topic, often with differing perspectives
  • Involve comparing and contrasting the main ideas, evidence, and implications of both passages
  • May ask you to identify points of agreement or disagreement between the authors

Question Formats and Strategies

• Questions typically appear in chronological order, following the progression of the passage
• Most questions refer to a specific part of the passage, which may be highlighted or numbered
  • Read the relevant portion carefully before choosing an answer
  • Consider how the referenced detail relates to the main idea and overall context
• Some questions ask about the passage as a whole or the author's general purpose
  • Focus on the central claim, tone, and concluding remarks to infer the broader meaning
• Others require you to define a word or phrase based on its context in the passage
  • Look for clues in the surrounding sentences that suggest the intended meaning
  • Substitute each answer choice into the sentence to see which fits best
• For questions involving informational graphics, carefully examine the data and any accompanying labels or captions
  • Determine how the graphic supports or expands upon the information in the passage
• Eliminate answer choices that are clearly irrelevant, extreme, or unsupported by the passage
• If stuck between two options, re-read the relevant portion and choose the answer that most closely aligns with the text

Time Management Tips

• Aim to spend about 13 minutes on each passage and its associated questions
• Read the passage actively, taking brief notes on the main idea, key details, and shift in tone or perspective
  • Underline or circle important information to refer back to when answering questions
  • Jot down a one-sentence summary after each paragraph to track the progression of ideas
• Answer questions you feel confident about first, then return to more challenging ones
  • If a question seems unclear or time-consuming, skip it and come back later
  • Trust your instincts – your first choice is often correct unless you find strong evidence against it
• Keep an eye on the clock and adjust your pace as needed to ensure you have time for all passages
  • If running behind, speed up your reading and focus on the most essential information
  • If ahead of schedule, use extra time to double-check your answers and resolve any uncertainties

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Misreading the question or failing to consider all relevant information in the passage
  • Read each question carefully, noting key words that specify what you need to find
  • Refer back to the passage to verify that your answer is supported by textual evidence
• Choosing an answer that is too broad, narrow, or extreme in relation to the passage
  • Look for choices that capture the main point without overgeneralizing or focusing on minor details
  • Be wary of absolute terms (always, never, only) that may not align with the author's qualified claims
• Relying too heavily on prior knowledge or opinions instead of what the passage actually says
  • Base your answers solely on the information provided, even if it contradicts what you believe
  • Avoid making assumptions or reading between the lines – stick to what is directly stated or implied
• Spending too much time on difficult questions and running out of time for easier ones
  • If a question is taking more than a minute or two, make an educated guess and move on
  • You can always come back to it later if time allows, but prioritize completing all questions

Practice Techniques and Resources

• Familiarize yourself with the test format and timing by taking official College Board practice tests
  • Review the explanations for each question to understand why the correct answer is the best choice
  • Identify patterns in the types of questions you tend to miss and focus on improving those skills
• Read widely across various genres and subjects to build your vocabulary and comprehension abilities
  • Look up unfamiliar words and practice using context clues to infer their meaning
  • Analyze the structure, purpose, and rhetorical devices used in different types of texts
• Use active reading strategies when practicing, such as summarizing, questioning, and predicting
  • Pause after each paragraph to briefly summarize the main point and how it relates to the overall idea
  • Ask yourself questions about the author's purpose, tone, and use of evidence
  • Try to predict what the next paragraph or section will discuss based on the current information
• Take advantage of free online resources, such as Khan Academy's SAT prep materials and College Board's official practice questions
  • Focus on your weakest areas first, then work on maintaining and enhancing your strengths
  • Set aside dedicated study time each week to practice consistently and track your progress

Connecting Reading to Other SAT Sections

• The skills you develop for the Reading Test, such as analyzing arguments and interpreting data, also apply to the Writing and Language Test
  • Pay attention to how authors use rhetoric, reasoning, and evidence to support their claims
  • Practice identifying and correcting errors in grammar, usage, and organization
• Vocabulary and reading comprehension abilities can also help you navigate complex word problems in the Math sections
  • Break down the problem into its essential components and identify what the question is asking
  • Look for key terms and phrases that signal the appropriate mathematical operation or concept
• The critical thinking and analytical skills honed through SAT Reading practice can benefit you across all sections
  • Develop a habit of carefully considering all available information before drawing conclusions
  • Practice evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments or approaches
  • Cultivate a growth mindset, embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and improve