An Overview of SAT Reading Test
- 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