How to Improve SAT for Reading

Scan the dictionary to learn new vocabulary words.

The SAT is one of the most pivotal tests you will take during your college planning phase. Your scores determine the types of colleges you can get into. The range of SAT scores a college prefers its applicants to have is typically found on its website. After looking at scores you have received on practice tests or the actual test, you may find that you have done better on one section than the other. If you are interested in improving your score on the reading portion, there are options available to you before and during the test.

Things You'll Need

• Calendar
• Day planner (optional)

Instructions

Before the Test

1. Take a practice test of the SAT reading section. Target the areas you have the most trouble with, and create a study plan that focuses primarily on these types of questions.

2. Purchase a calendar or planner. Determine how many hours per week you can study, and mark down the days and times on your calendar. Also mark down dates you will take a practice test of the reading portion. Routinely engaging with the material assists in your familiarization with the types of questions and format, helping to increase your score.

3. Write words on index cards to create flashcards. Get these words from your everyday reading, schoolwork or SAT study guides. Increasing your vocabulary allows you to spend less time deciphering meaning from context clues and blindly guessing during the test.

During the Test

1. Read all of the instructions, especially introductory material that is in italics. Italicized text may contain important information about how to base your answers.

2. Answer sentence completion questions before reading passage questions to better manage your time. It takes less time to answer sentence completion questions, and they are worth the same amount of points as reading passage questions.

3. Write in the SAT booklet. Underline key words, draw arrows to similar themes and jot down the logic you use to make a guess. Writing down your mental notes helps you keep information organized and reduce second-guessing.

4. Answer all the questions you can about one passage before moving on to a different reading passage. It may be easy to confuse similar themes and content. It is best to answer the questions about a passage while the passage is still fresh in your mind.

5. Locate context clues when you find a word whose meaning you do not know. Context clues help you rationalize possible meanings of the word that would make sense in the sentence or paragraph.

Tips & Warnings

• Memorize the primary instructions for how to complete a section in advance to reduce time during the test.

• Buy a calendar or planner with lines that are big enough for you to write reflections about your study time and suggestions for the next time.

• Alternate taking full-length versions of the reading section with answering several practice questions every two weeks.

• Schedule the SAT date well in advance so you have ample time to effectively study.

• Reading passage questions have the same level of difficulty, but sentence completion questions become increasingly harder as the test progresses.

References

• Spark Notes: Build Your Vocabulary
• Spark Notes: Establish a Study Plan
• Test Prep Resource Center: SAT 1Test Tips and Techniques
• The College Board: SAT Reading Section Tips

Resources

• Sparknotes: Section-Level Strategies
• The College Board: SAT Skills Insight
• The College Board: SAT Study Plan