The SAT Reading and Writing section can be a tough nut to crack. Even strong readers can stumble not because they don't understand the text, but because the test demands fast, strategic thinking under pressure.

As of 2024, the digital SAT's Reading and Writing section includes two modules, each with 27 questions and just 32 minutes to complete. It's adaptive — questions in the second module adjust in difficulty based on your performance in the first module.

Gone are the long, multi-question passages of the old format. Now you'll see many short passages (usually 25 to 150 words), each followed by one targeted question. These questions cover a variety of topics, including interpreting the main idea in works of literature and nonfiction, analyzing how data from a figure supports or undermines a point made in an accompanying text, and identifying the function of specific sentences in the text as a whole. This shift rewards students who can quickly pinpoint meaning, context, and purpose in complex texts.

Strategy now matters almost as much as reading skills. To help students learn how to raise SAT reading scores, I've rounded up 9 strategies. These SAT reading tips will help you manage your time, read more effectively, and avoid common traps.

Strategy 1: Read the Questions First

On the digital SAT, each short passage is tied to just one question, making it more effective to read the question first. Doing so gives your reading a clear purpose that can guide how you approach the text. For example, if you are asked to identify a specific detail, you can focus on searching for this narrow point. If you are asked about main idea, you can focus more on the big picture and gist rather than on minor details.

By previewing the question, you enter the passage with a more targeted mindset of what to look for. This saves time and sharpens your focus.

Strategy 2: Skim Strategically

In classic SAT prep, students were told to "skim, don't read every word."

With the digital SAT's much shorter passages, the approach changes. You may want to read these short texts more carefully, but always read with purpose.

Pay attention to the first sentence — it often introduces the main idea or sets the scene. Watch for any shift in tone or perspective, especially mid-passage. Try to spot the author's attitude as you read. Is it neutral, skeptical, or enthusiastic? The last sentence is also often important for recapping the passage or presenting critical information to answering the question, especially for inference questions and main idea or main purpose questions.

Once you finish the brief passage, pause before answering. Reflect on key takeaways about the passage, especially as they relate to the question being asked.

Strategy 3: Eliminate Answer Choices Systematically

If you're wondering how to improve your SAT reading score, start by eliminating wrong answer choices methodically. Don't be fooled by answers that sound plausible or reuse language from the passage. Treat every option with suspicion until the text confirms it.

Begin by crossing out choices that are clearly off-topic, contradicted by the text, or too extreme. If an answer says "always" or "never," check whether the passage truly supports such absolute wording. Then remove any options that are too broad or too narrow based on what the passage states.

In the end, only one answer will fit both the exact wording and the intent of the passage. Sometimes a single word, like “generally " instead of "always," makes all the difference. Finding flaws in wrong answers is just as important and finding support for right answers. For example, if you don’t know what the correct answer means on a vocabulary-in-context question, you can improve your chances of guessing correctly if you know that some of the wrong answer choices do not work.

Strategy 4: Predict Before Looking at Answers

Before jumping to the provided answer choices, take a moment after reading the question and the text. Try to form your own answer in your head first.

When you have a sense of the correct answer, compare it to the choices. This SAT reading tip helps you avoid being led astray by test writers who craft plausible but incorrect answers.

Strategy 5: Don't Get Stuck on One Question

If you're stuck for more than 45 seconds on a question, use the digital SAT's "mark for review" feature and move on. Come back to it at the end of the module.

Remember, once you finish a module, you can't return to it. Manage your pace so you have a few minutes left for marked questions. Answering the grammar questions first (even though they are at end of the module) can be a good way to get arguably quicker and easier questions out of the way so that you can approach the harder reading questions under less pressure to finish the rest of the module.

Strategy 6: Understand Common Question Types

One of the best ways to raise your SAT reading score is to get familiar with the question types you'll see most often on the test. According to the College Board, the questions mixed throughout the Reading and Writing section fall into four content domains. Note that only the first two categories relate directly to reading comprehension, while the last two are more related to grammar and expression.

1) Information and Ideas

Tests your ability to comprehend, analyze, and reason using both text and informational graphics (like tables, bar graphs, and line graphs). You may need to locate key details, interpret data, or make logical inferences.

Example: "According to the text, which of the following statements is true about oak trees?”

2) Craft and Structure

Focuses on understanding and using high-value words in context, analyzing an author's choices, and making connections between related texts. These questions often ask you to analyze structure and function.

Example: "Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?”

3) Expression of Ideas

Tests your ability to choose appropriate and logical transitions and synthesize information from a set of notes to achieve a specific rhetorical goal.

Example: "A student wishes to highlight a difference between two species of birds. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?”

4) Standard English Conventions

Tests your ability to edit text for proper sentence structure, grammar, usage, and punctuation. This is where focused standard English conventions SAT practice really pays off.

Example: "Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?”

For these questions, an understanding of how to apply various grammar and punctuation rules and recognizing cues for when certain rules are being tested are crucial.

Strategy 7: Watch Out for Trap Answers

Test writers often build "trap" choices into SAT Reading questions. These might be answers that are partly true, repeat wording from the passage without actually answering the question, or introduce ideas the author never mentioned.

The key is to make sure the passage supports every word in your chosen answer. For example, if the text says, "some scientists," but an answer says, "all scientists," it's a trap. If the answer choice says a text “presents competing hypotheses” when only only hypothesis is mentioned, it is wrong. If an answer choice only discusses one character but an answer choice introduces comparisons to other characters not discussed in the text, it is likely incorrect.

Strategy 8: Practice Active Reading

Even on the digital SAT's short passages, active reading is essential. As you read, mentally summarize what's being said and watch for shifts in tone. Always keep the author's purpose in mind and reflect on how details support the larger narrative. Underline key points as you read.

Strategy 9: Take Practice Tests Under Real Conditions

Building test-day endurance means practicing in the same conditions you'll face on exam day. When taking SAT practice tests, avoid pausing to take a break or look up answers. Follow the timing built into the module (there is a timer).

After each practice test, review every mistake carefully. Try to spot patterns in missed questions so you can focus your study time where it's needed most. Repeating this cycle builds confidence, speed, and accuracy. Study any vocabulary words in the passages, questions, or answer choices that you did not know, as vocabulary knowledge plays an important role in comprehension.

Bonus SAT Reading Tip: Use Official Practice Tests

When it comes to SAT prep, not all practice materials are created equal. The College Board's official practice tests are the gold standard because they replicate the exact question styles, difficulty progression, and digital interface you'll encounter on test day.

Unofficial resources can be helpful for extra drilling, but they sometimes miss the subtle wording, pacing, and reasoning traps that make the SAT unique. By using official tests, you'll train your brain to recognize the test's patterns and phrasing, which is one of the fastest ways to raise your SAT Reading score.

Your Path to a Higher SAT Reading Score

Mastering the reading portion of the Reading and Writing section isn't about reading faster — it's about reading smarter. By practicing these strategies, you can avoid the traps that trip up test takers. Supplementing your studies with lessons and drills in Cosmic Prep’s curriculum can help you achieve your score goals.

FAQ

How much can these strategies actually improve my SAT English score?

Students who implement these strategies consistently see significant improvements in their SAT Reading scores. Many of our students at Cosmic Prep see 100-200 point improvements in their overall English scores.

Should I focus more on accuracy or speed when practicing SAT Reading?

Both are important, but accuracy should come first. Master the strategies with untimed practice, and then gradually add time pressure. This is exactly the progression we often use at Cosmic Prep to ensure students don't sacrifice accuracy for speed.

How long should I spend preparing for the SAT Reading section?

The timeline varies by student, but most benefit from at least 8-12 weeks of focused preparation using these strategies. That said, students who read college level material regularly and who study vocabulary are best positioned to achieve the highest scores.