SAT Format:

Two multiple choice sections and one essay.  The first multiple choice section consists of 35 questions to be answered in 25 minutes.  This section consists of 11 Improving Sentences questions, 18 Identifying Sentence Errors questions, and 6 Improving Paragraphs questions.  The second multiple choice section consists of 14 questions to be answered in 10 minutes.  This section is composed entirely of Improving Sentences questions.  The essay requires students to write an essay in response to a prompt in 25 minutes.  The advice that follows pertains only to the multiple choice sections of the Writing Section.  Strategies for the essay can be found here: SAT Essay Detailed Strategy Guide.

 

SAT Timing:

35 question section (25 minutes): Do the first 15 questions in 10 minutes and the next 14 questions (taking you to the end of the Identifying Sentence Errors questions) in 10 minutes.  Doing so will leave you with 5 minutes for the 6 Improving Paragraphs questions, which tend to take a little bit longer than the other two question types.

14 question section (10 minutes): Do 7 questions every 5 minutes.

 

PSAT Format and Timing:

39 questions (30 minutes): 20 Improving Sentences questions, 14 Identifying Sentence Errors questions, and 5 Improving Paragraphs questions.  Do the first 20 questions (the Improving Sentences questions) in 15 minutes.  Then do the next 14 questions (the Identifying Sentence Errors questions) in 10 minutes.  Doing so will leave you with 5 minutes for the 5 Improving Paragraphs questions, which tend to take a little bit longer than the other two question types.

 

Strategy

The SAT Writing Section is a test of formal written English, not spoken English.  Therefore, you should treat it as a rule-based test.  Learn the technical rules of English grammar and mechanics, and attempt to apply these rules whenever possible.  Learn to recognize the rules you are being tested on based on the structure of the question and the differences among the answer choices.  Although your ear is not a worthless tool on this test, it is a limited tool, so learn the situations in which it is a useful tool and the situations in which it is likely to get you in trouble.

 

Improving Sentences

• Read the entire sentence.  If you notice an error, find the answer choice that fixes the error.
• Answer choice A always reprints what is written in the original sentence, so there is no reason to read answer choice A, since you will have just read it in the original sentence.
• Even if you did not notice an error in the original sentence, read the other answer choices before choosing A.  You might realize that one of the other answer choices works even better.
• Do not be afraid to choose answer choice A.  it is just about as likely to be correct as any of the other options.
• Always read every answer choice before choosing an answer.
• Eliminate the answer choices that have obvious grammatical errors or sound terrible.
• For answer choices you cannot eliminate immediately, concentrate on the specific differences among them in order to recognize what specifically you are being tested on.
• Common errors featured in Improving Sentences questions include misplaced modifiers, passive voice, structural errors including run-ons and fragments, errors in parallel construction, errors in comparisons, language that is unnecessary or redundant, awkwardness, and errors in both verb agreement and pronoun agreement.

 

Identifying Sentence Errors

• Read the sentence to see if you notice an error in any of the underlined portions.  If you notice an error, choose the corresponding answer and move on.
• If you do not notice an error when you first read the sentence, there are two possible explanations.  (1) There is no error, or (2) you didn’t notice the error.  Because of the possibility of an error you did not notice, you should not be so quick to choose E, “No error.” Instead, you should closely examine each underlined portion for any possible errors, considering the errors that are commonly found in the part of speech underlined.  These errors are listed below.  If you still cannot find an error after carefully examining each underlined portion, choose E, “No error,” and move on.  Do not be afraid to choose E, “No error,” as it is just about as likely to be correct as any of the other answer choices.

 

Noun

• Agreement with pronouns that rename it and verbs of which it is the subject.
• Parallel construction when part of a list or comparison.
• When part of a comparison, the comparison must be comparing like to like.

 

Pronoun

• Must have a clear antecedent (the word it renames), and must agree with antecedent.
• Proper case (subject or object pronoun).

 

Verb

• Agreement with subject.
• Tense.
• Parallel construction when part of a list or comparison.

 

Adjective or Adverb

• Adjectives modify nouns and adverbs modify verbs.
• Comparative adjectives and adverbs done correctly.

 

Preposition

• Proper preposition must be used (idiomatic language).

 

Conjunction

• Proper conjunction must be used.

 

Improving Paragraphs

• Quickly read the entire passage before addressing any of the questions in order to gain an understanding of the passage as a whole.
• Reading the passage before addressing any of the questions is important but not essential, so go straight to the questions if you are running low on time.
• Improving Paragraphs questions test students on all the grammatical rules tested in the other two types of questions in addition to stylistic questions not covered in the other two types of questions.
• On stylistic questions, consider the passage as a whole.  Always consider the logical flow of ideas, and attempt to strengthen, clarify, or smooth out this logical flow whenever possible.
• When given the option, delete information that is not necessary and relevant.
• Take your time on stylistic questions.