Struggling with the SAT writing section? Boost your scores with these SAT writing tips! Whether you’re confused about the SAT essay’s format or unsure of correct grammar rules, these tips will guide you through the entire process. Learn the top SAT tips to ace the SAT writing section and earn your dream score.
Format Of the SAT Reading & Writing Section
The SAT Reading and Writing section covers two key components on the new Digital SAT: reading comprehension and key grammar concepts. These two modules make up half of your potential SAT score overall. The SAT English writing test includes 44 multiple-choice questions that need to be answered within a time limit of 35 minutes.
In the SAT test writing section, you’ll encounter passages and need to correct any grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, spelling errors, and rhetorical issues. Also, this test writing section has two modules, each lasting 32 minutes.
- The first module consists of a mix of easy, medium, and difficult questions from various topics.
- The second module has two versions: easy (module 2A) and hard (module 2B).
Those students who excel in module 1 will be graded on module 2B.
SAT Writing and Language Structure
When it comes to the SAT writing section, all the 44 multiple-choice questions follow a specific format. You’ll encounter four passages with each passage consisting of 400-450 words. These essays are based on several SAT test writing topics, including humanities, science, history, and art.
The passages are usually in the form of an explanatory or informative text, an argument, and a non-fiction narrative. The non-fiction narratives resemble a story with a definite start, middle, and end. The argument-based passages rely on evidence to support a claim, and the informative passages provide readers with an explained analysis about a particular topic.
Related Reading
How Is The Reading & Writing Section Of The SAT Scored?
The reading and writing section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 points. This section includes two main components: the Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test. Each of these components is scored separately on a scale of 10 to 40 points.
Scoring System for the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Section
To calculate the final score for the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section, the individual raw scores for the Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test are converted into two scaled test scores using a table. These two scaled test scores are then added together and multiplied by 10 to give the final Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section score, which ranges from 200 to 800 points.
Calculating the Final EBRW Score
For example, if a student answered 33 questions correctly in the Reading Test and 39 questions correctly in the Writing and Language Test, their scale scores would be 29 and 35, respectively. Adding these two scaled scores together and multiplying by 10 would give the student their final Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scaled score.
Write, Study, And Research 10x Faster For Free With Conch AI.
Studying new material isn’t easy but tedious, time-consuming, and repetitive. Conch steps in so you can focus on learning. With Conch, you can upload your course material (Upload class notes, documents, lectures, videos, and more) and generate studysets live (Record your lectures, meetings, presentations, or interviews to watch notes and flashcards generate live).
Ensuring Security and Efficiency with ConchAI
At Conch, we guarantee that there’s a 99.99% that you won’t get caught after using our tool. If you use ConchAI to write your essays you will be undetected by algorithms like GPTZero and TurnItIn. With Conch, you can write your essays 10x faster, AI detection-free. Our tool helps you add citations, it helps you rewrite content so that it’s undetectable by AI, and so much more, all to protect students’ time and let them focus on actually learning the content!
Empowering Students with ConchAI’s AI Detection-Free Writing
So Chegg users, High School and college students, and anyone writing papers, use Conch to make your student life easier and bypass AI detection tools with ease. Conch has over +1 million users to date and growing.
Sign up and use Conch’s AI Essay writer and Study for free for free today.
SAT Writing Question Types
1. Information and Ideas
This module assesses your ability to extract information and ideas from brief texts, tables, and infographics to determine the main idea, select the best evidence to support a claim, answer comprehension questions, or infer the most logical way to complete an excerpt.
2. Craft and Structure
The Craft and Structure segment evaluates your skills in defining words and phrases in poetry lines or prose sentences, assessing how passages make arguments, or connecting ideas presented in two excerpts. For instance, you may be asked to determine whether one idea builds on another or if two paragraphs make similar or different claims.
3. Expression of Ideas
This module focuses on aspects of expression, such as choosing the transitional word or phrase that best conveys an author’s meaning or using a short set of provided notes to select the answer that accomplishes a specific purpose. For example, you may need to identify a comparison or contrast from the given answers.
4. Standard English Conventions
In this section, you are required to choose answers that demonstrate your knowledge of conventional grammar and mechanics. The questions here pertain to standard English language usage and grammatical rules.
13 Effective SAT Writing Tips & Hack For A Great Score
1. Maximizing Score with “No Change” Answer
One of the easiest ways to improve your performance on the SAT Writing section is to treat the “No change” multiple-choice answer just like any other option. That’s because there is no difference between “no change” and the other answers. They are all equal contenders. For example, in this example, “no change” is definitely the correct choice!
2. Mastering Pacing
Pacing is a challenging aspect of every part of the SAT. On the Reading and Writing section, students have two take two “modules,” each of which gives you 32 minutes to answer 27 multiple-choice questions. The questions are not ordered by difficulty on the Reading and Writing section, but the difficulty of the questions in the second module depend on your performance on the first module.
3. Nailing Down Grammar Rules
Learning the grammar rules is essential to scoring well and writing a great essay. Students should work harder on punctuation usage in sentence structure the most. Besides that, you must also work on improving the following:
- Agreement
- Verb tense
- Idiom
- Parallel structures
- Modifiers
4. Speaking the Words
One great way to tell if a sentence has correct grammar is to read it out loud. When we read silently, our brains tend to “fix” the sentence for us. When we read it out loud, we can more easily “hear” any grammatical mistakes.
5. Transition Words Mastery
Too often, SAT students spend hours trying to memorize vocabulary words with flashcards. We don’t recommend this because it’s not very effective. It’s hard to memorize words out of context, and the chances that you’ll encounter the exact word you learned on the test is very, very small. Transition words are really important in clear writing!
6. Skim Before Delving
In the paragraph improvement subsection, you should quickly read the paragraph improvement passage before answering the questions. While reading, note any obvious errors and identify the main idea.
7. Understanding when “No Error” is Correct
On improving sentences and identify the error questions, the sentence will be correct about 10%-20% of the time. Do not fear the “No Error” answer, but if more than 30% of your answers are “No Error,” you’ve definitely made mistakes and need to look at the sentences more closely.
8. Explaining the Justification
You must be able to give an explanation for every answer that you choose. If a sentence feels wrong, ask yourself why it is so before striking it off. This way, you can master the grammar rules.
9. Tackling Longer Questions Last
A few SAT questions will be based on the entire passage, asking you to elaborate on the author’s purpose or might want you to restructure paragraphs. It is best to answer these questions at the end as you need to identify and are based on the passage as a whole.
10. Keep It Brief
Make sure to write shorter sentences wherever possible, as they’re easier to read and understand. Be concise and to the point, which is essential in a timed test like the SAT. This will increase your chances of scoring well on the SAT writing test.
11. Time Management is Key
Time is crucial when attempting the SAT test writing, as you only get 35 minutes to finish answering. Every day when you sit for SAT test writing section practice, make sure to set the timer for 35 minutes and try to finish the section within the set time frame.
12. Removing Duplicate Answers
If you see two answers in the multiple choice that are essentially the same, you can eliminate both of them. The SAT is never going to make you choose between two answers that are equally correct.
13. The Power of Practice
In the end, the best way to improve on the Reading and Writing section is to practice. Drill specific concepts with targeted practice that focuses on that one grammar or writing skill. Take full timed practice sections from real SAT tests and track your progress over time!
Related Reading
- How To Study For The Sat
- Sat Reading Tips
- Sat Essay Prompts
- Sat English Tips
- How To Ace The Sat
- Digital Sat Tips
- Sat Math Topics
- Good Sat Score Range
- Sat Math Tips
- Sat Math Formulas
- Sat Math Section
- Sat Vocabulary Flashcard
- Sat Reading And Writing
- Sat Grammar Tips
- Ai Sat Prep
- Tips for SAT
- SAT Tips and Tricks
- Last Minute SAT Tips
- Sat Essay Tips
- SAT Study Tips
Complete Step-by-Step Guide on How To Use Conch AI To Ace Your Classes (Efficient Writing, Studying, Note Taking, and More!)
Do You Have Any Questions?
Discovered a major bug or experiencing an issue, or need help using a certain feature, shoot as an email.
Know Your Punctuation
Roughly two questions per passage on the Writing & Language section will specifically test you on punctuation, and you’ll be able to use your punctuating skills to answer many others. Below is a summary of some important punctuation rules.
1. Commas (,)
Commas (,) are used for many different reasons, but the SAT tests them in four main ways:
- Separate three or more items in a list (apples, bananas, and oranges)
- Separate two or more independent clauses with a FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) conjunction (My mom was going to pick me up from school, but my dad came instead.)
- Set off introductory information from the rest of the sentence (In 2008, the Phillies won the World Series.)
- Set off non-essential descriptive information within or at the end of a sentence (I ran across the floor, which was painted with school colors, to meet Steve. OR I ran across the floor to meet Steve, who greeted me with a high five.)
2. Semicolons (;)
Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses without the use of a FANBOYS conjunction. The sentences on both sides of a semicolon must be complete and able to stand alone. (I entered the competition early; however, I decided to withdraw a week later.)
3. Colons (:)
Colons (:) are used to introduce and/or emphasize short phrases, quotations, explanations, examples, or lists. The portion of the sentence before the colon must be an independent clause. (The greatest obstacle to completing my homework was imminent: the finale of Grey’s Anatomy.)
4. Dashes (—)
Dashes (—) have 2 main purposes:
- Indicate a hesitation/break in thought (I saw John the other day and he looked great—no, it was actually Greg.)
- Set off an explanatory example or list from the rest of the sentence. (Many facets of Jill’s personality—among them empathy, respect, and kindness—make her a great friend and human being.)
5. Apostrophes (‘)
Apostrophes (‘) also have 2 main purposes:
- Indicate possession (Bob’s book, my friends’ phones)
- Create contractions (there’s the rabbit, it’s important, who’s in charge)
Write, Study, And Research 10x Faster For Free With Conch AI
Studying new material isn’t easy but tedious, time-consuming, and repetitive. Conch steps in so you can focus on learning. With Conch, you can upload your course material (Upload class notes, documents, lectures, videos, and more) and generate studysets live (Record your lectures, meetings, presentations, or interviews to watch notes and flashcards generate live).
Ensuring Academic Integrity with ConchAI
At Conch, we guarantee that there’s a 99.99% that you won’t get caught after using our tool. If you use ConchAI to write your essays you will be undetected by algorithms like GPTZero and TurnItIn. With Conch, you can write your essays 10x faster, AI detection-free. Our tool helps you add citations, it helps you rewrite content so that it’s undetectable by AI, and so much more, all to protect students’ time and let them focus on actually learning the content!
Simplifying Student Life with ConchAI
So Chegg users, High School and college students, and anyone writing papers, use Conch to make your student life easier and bypass AI detection tools with ease. Conch has over +1 million users to date and growing.
Sign up and use Conch’s AI Essay writer and Study for free for free today.
Leave a Reply