How to take a SAT test

SAT Test Taking Tips and Techniques

The SAT is designed to test a student's aptitude and knowledge in three subject areas: reading, writing, and math. Like the ACT, the SAT is used by colleges to evaluate an applicants eligibility for admission. The better a student scores on the SAT the better the chance of getting accepted to a reputable college or university.

The SAT is composed of 5 sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math (No Calculator), Math (Calculator), and Essay (optional). Some high schools and colleges require students to complete the Essay portion of the test, others do not. If you're not committed to taking the Essay portion of the test, you'll want to research which school requires applicants to complete the Essay test for admission consideration. Just to be safe, we recommend preparing for and completing the essay portion of the test.

Below we'll explore some proven tips, techniques and strategies for improving your overall performance on the SAT as well as your performance on individual sections of the SAT.

General SAT Test Taking Strategies

The following are general SAT test taking strategies that should be applied through the SAT test. Apply these techniques and strategies on each section in the SAT test and you should see your score improve.

  • Read section directions before the test.
    Study and review the directions for each SAT section before the test. Use your test time for the test not for reading directions.
  • Answer the questions you know first.
    As you go through each section, answer all of the questions you know the answers to first. Mark all the questions you don't immediately know the answer to and return and answer them later.
  • Eliminate incorrect answers. If you're able to eliminate even one choice for the selection of possible answers then guess. Sometimes it's easier to eliminate answers you know to be incorrect than to identify the correct answer. Eliminating all the incorrect answers often leads to the correct answer.
  • Be neat.
    Don't be sloppy when filling in the answer grid for student-produced response questions.
  • Use your test booklet.
    Since you're allowed to write in the test book, cross out answers you know are wrong and do scratch work.
  • Avoid stray marks.
    Since a machine scores your test, make sure not to put any stray marks on your answer sheet. SAT scoring machines frequently can't differentiate between a correct answer and an accidental stray mark.
  • Your first response is usually correct.
    Your first response to a question is usually correct. Don't change an answer unless you're certain you've made an error.
  • There is only one correct answer.
    Only select one answer for each question -- as there is only one correct answer. Sometimes it may seem there is more than one answer. Select the best answer for each question.
  • Don't skip answers--guess.
    On older versions of the SAT, you were penalized for guessing. But not anymore. If you don't have any idea what the answer is then guess. You're aren't penalized for guessing. However, before guessing, always try and eliminate at least one incorrect answer choice.
  • Pay attention.
    Make sure you're placing your answers in the correct number space and section on your answer sheet. It's easy to place your answer in the wrong place if you're not paying close attention.
  • Budget your time.
    Pace yourself! This test is timed. Only spend a few moments on the easy questions and no more than a minute or two on the harder questions. Don't forget that the SAT consists of several small, timed, tests. It's easy to lose track of time so make sure to pay attention to how much time is allotted for each test and how much time is remaining as you proceed through each section. Pacing yourself requires practice so practice, practice, practice.
  • Easy questions first.
    A rule of thumb is that easy questions on the SAT typically precede harder questions.
  • Make sure you understand the question.
    Make sure that you fully understand each question before you answer it. If you've taken a lot of practice tests you'll be tempted to answer questions you recall from practice tests. Make sure to answer the questions being asked and not those from practice tests.
  • Bring a watch or timer.
    Don't forget to bring your own stopwatch to the testing center. There isn't always an accurate clock at the testing center.
  • Know what to expect on the test.
    You need to know the types of questions to expect on the SAT. There 52 Reading questions (65 minutes), 44 Writing & Language questions (35 minutes), 58 Math questions (80 minutes) and one Essay (50 minutes).

Below we'll explore specific test taking strategies for each individual section on the SAT.


The Critical Reading section of the SAT is broken down into two parts: Sentence Completion and Reading Comprehension. Sentence completion questions make up about 25% of the Critical Reading section on the SAT. Each sentence completion question includes one or two blanks and you are required to find the best answer choice(s) to complete the sentence. On average, you'll need to complete each question in under one minute. The Reading section of the test is composed of 52 questions that must be completed in 65 minutes.

  • One of the best strategies for the sentence completion section is to complete each sentence in your mind using your own words BEFORE looking at the answers. Once you've completed the sentence in your own words identify the selection choice that is closest to your answer.
  • Don't rush through each selection. Don't waste time but make sure to review all the answers before selecting the best choice.
  • If you come across words you're unfamiliar with, use the context of the sentence to figure out what they mean.
  • One common mistake that students make is that they tend to overlook the reversing effect of negative words (such as not) or prefixes (such as un-).
  • Allow transition words, such as likewise and although, to suggest the better answer.
  • If you just can't figure out what a word means, think about other words you know that have similar prefixes, roots, or suffixes.
  • Eliminate choices in double-blank questions if the first word doesn't make sense in the sentence.


The Critical Reading section of the SAT (also known as the Reading Comprehension section) tests your ability to comprehend what you read. You'll be given several passages to read and then be required to answer questions based on the messages stated or implied in each passage. Passages will vary in length. Some will take about 3 minutes to read and be followed by just two questions. Others may take up to 15 minutes to read and be followed by up to 13 questions.

  • Identify the main idea of each passage.
  • Always make sure to read the italicized introductory text.
  • Always answer the easy questions first. Come back and answer the more difficult questions once you've answered all the questions you know the answer to.
  • Use the line referenced numbers that appear in the questions to find the correct spot in each passage.
  • You should limit your answer for reading comprehension questions to what is stated or implied in the passages.
  • Read each passage through at least once before reading the associated questions.
  • The most important sentences of each paragraph are the first and the last. Pay particular attention to these sentences.
  • Don't waste time memorizing the details of each passage.
  • First, answer all the questions for the topics that you are familiar with. Afterwards, go back and answer the questions for the topics you are unfamiliar with.
  • Some reading comprehension passages are presented in pairs. In order to see how these passages relate read the brief introduction first.
  • Focus the majority of your time answering the questions -- not reading and re-reading the text.
  • All reading comprehension content comes from the Social Science, Science, Humanities, and Literary Fiction.
  • There is no shortcut to improving your critical reading skills other than practice.


Being able to write well is a skill critical to success in both college and the workplace. The Writing and Language section of the SAT is designed to test (1) rhetorical skills and (2) usage and mechanics. Rhetorical skills questions test your ability to revise and edit text, specifically your ability to organize sentences, passages, and paragraphs. The following tips and strategies will help you improve your performance on the Written Essay portion of the Writing and Language section.

  • Answer questions as you read. You don't have time to read entire passages, then read the questions, and then come back to the passage to re-find the answer. Start by reading the first question and then read what you need to in order to answer it.
  • You'll be asked to write a relatively short (250-300 words), persuasive essay on a specific topic that will be provided to you.
  • Make sure to structure your essay based on the 5 paragraph essay format which includes an Introduction, Body (about 3 paragraphs), and Conclusion.
  • You're provided 25 minutes to complete the written essay portion of the test. Read the essay question as quickly as possible and spend about 5 minutes thinking about the topic you've been asked to address. Spend about 15 minutes writing your essay. Spend the remaining 5 minutes reviewing your essay and editing your grammar.
  • The introduction paragraph of your persuasive essay should clearly state your position on the topic you're writing about and introduce your thesis statement. The introduction should also include 3 points that support your position.
  • The body paragraphs should provide specific detail and examples to support each of your points.
  • Your essay's conclusion should summarize your position by restating your thesis statement in a shortened form.
  • Keep your writing clear, concise and simple. Don't use words and "filler" text that is not needed to support your position.
  • Read only what is needed to answer a given question. Most questions can be answered with only a few sentences from a passage.
  • Make sure you understand the relationship between ideas, including Reinforcement, Contract, Cause-and-effect, and Sequence.

WRITING SECTION -- MULTIPLE CHOICE: Usage, Sentence Correction, and Paragraph Correction

The questions in the multiple choice Writing section of the SAT are designed to test your skills in sentence structure, usage, and punctuation. Follow the tips and techniques below to improve your performance in this section of the test.

  • Think hard about each question before attempting to answer it.
  • Each usage and sentence correction question is based on an individual sentence. Each question is designed to test your knowledge of basic sentence structure, grammar, and word choice. Make sure to read each question carefully so that you understand what is required before you answer it.
  • Paragraph correction questions are based on two passages. There are typically several questions presented for each passage.
  • Make sure you understand the rules for using commas (,), semicolons (;), colons (:), dashes (–), and apostrophes (')


The math sections on the ACT are designed to test students' ability to solve mathematical problems, reason quantitatively, and interpret data that is presented in graphs and tables. Areas of math covered on the SAT include Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis. The math section offers two types of questions: Student Produced Response (grid-in questions) and Standard Multiple Choice questions. For the first section of the Math ACT no calculator is allowed. This section includes 15 multiple choice and 5 grid-ins. In the second section of the MAT ACT students are allowed to use a calculator. This section includes 30 multiple choice and 8 grid-ins (including on Extended Thinking question). In all 80 minutes are alloted for the completion of the Math ACT section (25 minutes for the "no calculator" section and 55 minutes for the "calculator" section.)

The following are tips and techniques for improving your performance on the student produced response questions.

  • Since there is no penalty for guessing make sure to answer all the questions even if you don't know the answer.
  • There are no negative answers in the student produced response math section. So if you come up with a negative answer, you'll need to try again.
  • You're able to enter a short answer in any column provided. For example, .8 can be entered in columns 1-2, or 2-3, or 3-4.
  • If your answer ends up being a repeating decimal, such as .4444444, just enter as many decimal points as you can in the grid provided.
  • Even though you can enter an equivalent decimal for your answer instead of a fraction, there is no reason to as it just wastes time.
  • Do not provide mixed numbers as answers. For example, if your answer is 2 3/4, you need to change it to 11/4 or 2.75.


The following are tips and techniques for improving your performance on the standard multiple choice questions.

  • Read the question thoroughly and make sure you understand what the question is looking for. Select the best answer provided for the variable, value, or expression that is requested.
  • Make sure that you prepare beforehand for this section of the test. Know all of the important math definitions, formulas, and concepts that might appear.
  • Use only the test booklet provided to show your work and for marking up diagrams or graphs presented.
  • The first sets of questions in this section of the test are usually the easier questions, so don't spend too much time answering them.
  • If a question seems complicated and time consuming look for a shortcut to the answer. Don't get involved in detailed calculations that are going to require a lot of time. Look at the answers provided and see if you can rule out any as incorrect answers. This will help narrow down your selection of possible correct choices.
  • If you come across a question with a strange symbol, just substitute the accompanying definition when attempting to figure out the correct answer.
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