How To Get A Good SAT Reading Score: 6 Important Test-Taking Strategies
Achieving a great SAT score can open new doors for you, especially if your target college asks for one. The digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. There is no essay.
Reading and Writing is one combined section with 54 questions in 64 minutes, split into two 32-minute modules. It gives you one score from 200 to 800, which makes up half of your 400-1600 total.
You can definitely improve your reading score with proper studying and preparation. You don't need to memorize formulas, but you do need a plan for reading each short passage. See our full review of the Best SAT Prep Courses here.
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6 Important Strategies To Get A Good SAT Reading Score
Be aware of what to expect in the test.
Each passage on the SAT is short, from 25 to 150 words, and is followed by a single question. According to the College Board's Reading and Writing overview, passages come from literature, history/social studies, the humanities and science.
You'll need to figure out what words mean in context, why an author included a detail, what a text's main idea is, and what a table or graph shows. Some questions also test grammar, punctuation and how to revise a text.
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Choose the order you are most comfortable with.
Within each module, you can skip a hard question, mark it for review in the Bluebook app and come back before time runs out. Questions that test similar skills are grouped together and go from easiest to hardest.
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question before the module ends.
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Read with the question in mind.
The passages are short, so read each one fully, but read for what the question asks. You don't need to be an expert in the topic: everything you need is in the text in front of you.
Steer clear of giving your opinion.
SAT Reading will not require you to state your opinions, unlike in your English class. Be especially careful when you encounter the words, "infer", "suggest" or "imply", among others. Even when the answer isn't stated directly, the text holds the evidence that supports the right choice.
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Read paired texts one at a time.
Some questions give you two short texts on the same topic and ask how they relate. Read Text 1 and note its main claim, then read Text 2 and note whether it agrees, disagrees or adds a detail.
Then pick the choice that matches how the second author would respond to the first.
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Predict the answer before you look at the choices.
Since each passage has only one question, read the question first so you know what to look for. After reading the passage, put the answer in your own words, then choose the option closest to it.
These are some of the valuable tips about how to get a good SAT Reading score. Combine them with regular practice on official tests so you can attain the results that you want.
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Sources
- SAT Reading and Writing, College Board
- SAT Structure, College Board
- Understanding SAT Scores, College Board
