SAT Reading: Know the strategies for success

SAT Reading Test Overview

 
SAT Writing Language Questions

Length / Questions

Students are given 52 questions over 65 minutes to complete the SAT Reading test. The test contains four passages plus one pair of passages. Each passage will be 500 to 750 words.

SAT Writing Language Passages

Passages

One U.S. and world literature passage, two history/social studies passages (one in social science and one from a U.S. founding document or text in the Great Global Conversation), and two science passages.

SAT Writing Language Categories

Categories

Reading Test questions fall into three general categories: (1) Information and Ideas, (2) Rhetoric, and (3) Synthesis.

SAT Reading Categories

 
SAT Reading Information Ideas

Information and Ideas

These questions are wide ranging and focus on the author’s message. Students may be asked to locate stated information, determine central themes, understand relationships, or determine the meaning of words / phrases as used in context.

SAT Reading Rhetoric

Rhetoric

These questions focus your attention on how an author puts together a text and how the various pieces contribute to the whole text. Students may be asked about an author’s word choice and how an author constructs the message of the passage.

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Synthesis

Synthesis questions only accompany certain passages. They come in two basic forms. Some Synthesis questions ask you to draw connections between a pair of passages. Other Synthesis questions ask about informational graphics.

 

Worthington Prep’s 12 Reading Concepts

  • Vocabulary in Context

  • Concrete to Abstract

  • Big Picture

  • Literal Comprehension

  • Reasonable Inferences

  • Reasoning / Analogies

  • Reading for Function

  • Tone and Attitude

  • Rhetorical Strategy

  • Paired Passages

  • Supporting Evidence

  • Data Analysis / Graphics

Are you ready to put in the time and effort to get a really high SAT score?