An Overview of SAT Reading Test

1. SAT Reading
Raihanul Islam

2. Evidence-based Reading and Writing
Reading Test: How well you understand what you read
(comprehension)
Writing and Language Test: Revise and edit text
Key Areas of Emphasis:
 Vocabulary (words in context)
 Supporting viewpoints (evidence-based)
 Graphs and Charts (interpreting information)
 Text Complexity (passages range from 9-10 grade level
to college level)

3. Reading Test Overview
 52 questions, 65 minutes
FACTS and TIPS:
 Focus on what is stated in the passage, do not make
assumptions
 The information you need is IN THE PASSAGE
 Questions are not in order of difficulty
 Question types emphasize: central ideas, themes,
point of view, text structure, details, vocabulary,
evidence
 Each passage is followed by 10 or 11 questions
 You may see “pair of passages” where you are asked
questions related to two separate passages
(compare/contrast, analyze, etc)

4. Writing and Language Test Overview
 44 questions, 35 minutes
FACTS and TIPS:
 Topics include history/social studies, humanities, science
 You are asked to revise and edit text to improve it or
correct errors
 The passages and questions will be side-by-side in
column format
 Learn the directions ahead of time in order to skip
reading directions on the test
 May include charts/graphs/tables

5. Quick Facts
O All Reading Test questions are multiple choice
and based on passages.
O Some passages are paired with other
passages.
O Informational graphics, such as tables,
graphs, and charts, accompany some
passages—but no math is required.
O Prior topic-specific knowledge is never tested.
O The Reading Test is part of the Evidence-
Based Reading and Writing section

6. What the Reading Test Is Like?
O When you take the Reading Test, you’ll
read passages and interpret informational
graphics. Then you’ll use what you’ve
read to answer questions.
O Some questions ask you to locate a piece
of information or an idea stated directly.
But you’ll also need to understand what
the author’s words imply. In other words,
you have to read between the lines

7. The Reading Test always includes
O One passage from a classic or contemporary work
of U.S. or world literature.
O One passage or a pair of passages from either a
U.S. founding document or a text in the Great
Global Conversation they inspired. The U.S.
Constitution or a speech by Nelson Mandela, for
example.
O A selection about economics, psychology,
sociology, or some other social science.
O Two science passages (or one passage and one
passage pair) that examine foundational concepts
and developments in Earth science, biology,
chemistry, or physics

8. What the Reading Test
Measures
O A lot more goes into reading than you
might realize—and the Reading Test
measures a range of reading skills.

9. 1. Command of Evidence
Some questions ask you to:
O Find evidence in a passage (or pair of
passages) that best supports the answer
to a previous question or serves as the
basis for a reasonable conclusion.
O Identify how authors use evidence to
support their claims.
O Find a relationship between an
informational graphic and the passage it’s
paired with.

10. 2. Words in Context
Many questions focus on important, widely used
words and phrases that you’ll find in texts in
many different subjects. The words are ones
that you’ll use in college and the workplace long
after test day.
O The SAT focuses on your ability to:
O Use context clues in a passage to figure out
which meaning of a word or phrase is being
used.
O Decide how an author’s word choice shapes
meaning, style, and tone

11. 3. Analysis in History/Social
Studies and in Science
The Reading Test includes passages in the fields of
history, social studies, and science. You’ll be asked
questions that require you to draw on the reading skills
needed most to succeed in those subjects. For
instance, you might read about an experiment then see
questions that ask you to:
O Examine hypotheses.
O Interpret data.
O Consider implications.
Answers are based only on the content stated in or
implied by the passage

12. Question Pattern
O Question 1 – 10 (US/ World Literature)
O Question 11 – 21 (Social studies passage
with graphic)
O Question 22 – 31 (Science paired
passage)
O Question 32 – 42 (Social studies on US
Funding/ Global Conversation)
O Question 43 - 52 (Science passage with
graphic)

13. Info graphics
O One or two tables
O Charts
O Flow maps
O Graphs
O Times
O Lines

14. Questions
Out of 52
O 10 will be vocabulary questions, testing
relevant words and phases meaning
depends on the context of the passage.
O 10 will be “command evidence” questions
in which one has to decide which part of
a passage supports specific conclusion.

15. Evidence-Based Reading
O Asks about main idea or specific details of
a passage.
O Author’s attitude about subject
O Author’s logic and technique
O Implication of discussion.
O Meaning of specific words.

16. Tactics

17. DON’T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME
READING THE PASSAGE.
O The SAT Reading Test is 65 minutes long and
contains 5 passages with associated
questions. This means you need to spend 13
minutes per passage on average. You should
plan to read through an SAT passage in about
5 minutes. If you spend longer than 5 minutes
reading, you will likely be compromising your
time on the questions. If you spend fewer than
5 minutes reading, you risk missing important
information. Read the passage through once
to get the main idea, then move onto the
questions

18. BEGIN WITH THE EASIEST PASSAGES.
O On the SAT, you will encounter passages
in US & World Literature, History and
Social Studies, and Science. There is no
rule that says you must complete the
passages in the order that they are
presented to you. Take charge and begin
with the passage type that is easiest for
you.

19. ANSWER EASIER QUESTIONS
FIRST.
O Every passage will have a range of
difficulty in its questions. If you’re stumped
on a passage, try finding quick, easy
questions to answer. Easier questions
might ask about vocab words or have line
references that you can quickly locate in
the text. Once you answer these, you’ll
have a better understanding of the
passage and can tackle the harder ones
with less pressure

20. IF YOU’RE ZONING OUT, CHANGE THE
WAY YOU’RE SITTING AND TRY AGAIN.
O Even top scorers will find themselves
losing focus at times on test day, but that’s
not a reason to panic. If you’ve been
reading a passage with upright posture,
try slouching a little or leaning to one side
as you read. If you’ve been slouching, sit
up straight. A simple adjustment like this
can help you refocus on the task at hand
and finish reading the passage or
answering the question

21. IF YOU’RE GOING TO SKIP A QUESTION
TO TRY LATER, PUT A GUESS DOWN
ANYWAY.
O There’s no wrong answer penalty on the
SAT, so you should make sure you
answer every single question. If you need
to skip a question, put a star next to it in
your test booklet and enter a temporary
guess on your answer grid on the off-
chance you don’t have time to come back
to it later. You don’t want to be scrambling
to put guesses to your skipped questions
as time is running out.

22. Tips
O Know what to expect.
O Choose your own order.
O Read what you need.
O Leave your opinions at the door.
O Take dual passages one at a time.
O Save main idea questions for last.

23. Thank You