How to Score High on the SAT Reading Test
Unfortunately, the SAT Reading Test is designed a bit harder than the ACT Reading Test. With connected-questions, supplementary material and random passage order, the SAT Reading Test has complications that students must avoid underestimating. Please read below to find out how we train our SAT students to counter these test obstacles!
Passage Description Hints
Unlike the ACT Reading Test, the SAT Reading Test does not label passage genres at the top of each passage. This means SAT Reading Test students must analyze harder to determine if passages are from literary narrative, social science, humanities, or natural science genres. However, SAT Reading Test passages offer key background descriptions at the top of each reading passage. Therefore, before rushing to read passages and answer questions, students should carefully read passage descriptions to learn key context. Passage descriptions will also help students reasonably infer passage genres.
Unpredictable Reading Passage Order
While the ACT Reading Test consists of four, ten-question reading passages always in the same order (literary narrative, social science, humanities, natural science), the SAT Reading Test consists of five reading passages in random order. Since the SAT Reading Test has a total of 52 questions, students must prepare for random passages of ten to eleven questions each. The unpredictable reading passage order also means students could receive more passages from genres they may not prefer. Consequently, we strongly encourage students to read texts from a variety of literary genres to become well-rounded readers and avoid staying in literary comfort zones. Students must also be much more diligent with time management. An uneven amount of SAT Reading Test questions spread among passages can often cause students to forget how to accurately calculate time.
Supplementary Material Questions
Although students may be more used to reading passages that contain only text, College Board wants to evaluate if students are able to analyze passages in conjunction with supplementary material. Therefore, unlike the ACT Reading Test, the SAT Reading Test contains two random passages with supplementary material, such as charts, graphs, tables, or maps. These two random passages will have the supplementary material at the end of the passages. Supplementary material passages have approximately two to three questions directly related to the supplementary material towards the end of the passage questions. Our biggest recommendation is to slow down and pay close attention to detail with the supplementary material data, which is not meant to trick students at all.
Tackling Connected-Questions and Line Evidence
Unfortunately, the SAT Reading Test contains connected-questions that depend on each other like dominoes. For example, a typical connected-question will ask about the passage, author, or supplementary material. But the very next question will ask to locate the line evidence for the previous question. Logically, if students incorrectly answer the first question, they will have a very high chance of incorrectly answering the second question. However, there are two strategies students can implement: 1) students can read and answer the first question, then use the determined answer to locate the evidence line numbers in the second question answer choices; or 2) students can read the first question and answer choices, verify evidence line numbers in the second question answer choices, go back and answer the first question and then answer the second question. We recommend the second strategy for students who really struggle with these questions and have time to spare.
Paired Passages with Connected-Questions
Similarly to the ACT Reading Test’s “Passage A” and “Passage B” paired passages, the SAT Reading Test contains one section with two smaller paired passages called “Passage 1” and “Passage 2”. Although paired passages may have same or separate authors with the same arguments, paired passages may often contain separate authors with wholly contrasting arguments. But his is nothing to worry about! Students must just remember to focus harder on the connected-questions in paired passages. Connected-questions require students to locate evidence line numbers for previous questions, which can sometimes be confusing when students have to analyze two smaller paired passages with contrasting authors and perspectives. The key is for students to remember that connected-questions in the paired passages may ask students to analyze the given Passage 1 or Passage 2 texts, but may also ask to synthesize evidence from both passages.
Want more SAT Reading Test Strategies?
The above SAT Reading Test strategies are only a few that we teach our students who have high Reading Test target scores. If you have any questions about how to improve on the SAT Reading Test, would like to share some ideas or strategies that have worked for you, or have requests on what else you would like to read about, please post them here for fellow students and parents! For those interested in our SAT training, please complete our Private Class Registration Form on our Private Classes page or contact our Customer Service Team for more information. Thank you and good luck students!
