How Many Passages Are in the SAT Reading Section? (And How to Tackle Them)

SAT Reading Section Breakdown

• Author's Purpose: Consider why the author chose to write this specific piece. Are they entertaining, persuading, informing, or expressing an emotion?
• Shifts in Tone: Be on the lookout for changes in the author's tone. Does it shift from sarcastic to sincere, or from optimistic to pessimistic? These shifts often signal important points in the narrative.
• Figurative Language: Metaphors, similes, personification, and other uses of figurative language add deeper meaning. Learn to recognize these devices and understand their implications.

• Context is Key: Knowing when and where a document was written can unlock its meaning. Was it written during a time of conflict, social change, or relative peace?
• Types of Documents: The SAT could include speeches, letters, founding documents, political pamphlets, laws, or even newspaper articles. Each type has its own structure and purpose to be aware of.
• Rhetorical Devices: Just like in literature, authors of historical documents use persuasive techniques. Look for appeals to emotion (pathos), logic (logos), or authority figures (ethos).
• Multiple Perspectives: Be aware that some historical passages will present multiple viewpoints on the same issue.


• The Scientific Method: Even if you don't understand all the technical jargon, try to identify the basic steps of the research: question, hypothesis, experiment, data collection, analysis, conclusion.
• Graphs and Charts: Don't skip them! The SAT might ask questions that require you to interpret visual data.
• Focus on Big Ideas: What is the overall research question, and what are the main findings? Don't let individual unfamiliar terms trip you up.
• Scientific Jargon: Often scientific passages will define complex terms within them. Look for these definitions in the text to aid your understanding.

Tackling the Paired Passage

• Compare and Contrast: How do the viewpoints in each passage agree or differ? One might support the other, one might challenge the other, or they might offer different perspectives on the same topic.
• Look for Relationships: Be on the lookout for cause and effect connections, or whether one passage provides background information relevant to the other.

Advanced Strategies

• Predict Questions: As you read, try to anticipate the types of questions the SAT might ask about the passage. This will help you focus on the most important information.
• "Read" the Questions First: Consider skimming the questions before reading the passage. This will prime your brain to look for the answers as you go.
• Eliminate Wrong Answers: Even if you're not 100% sure of the right answer, eliminating obviously wrong choices can increase your odds.


Mental Toughness

• Time Yourself: Practice with full-length SAT Reading sections to get used to the time pressure.
• Short Breaks: If you get overwhelmed, take a few seconds to close your eyes, breathe deeply, and reset your focus.
• Don't Give Up: Some passages will naturally be tougher than others. Don't let one difficult passage ruin your concentration for the rest.


Time Management Matters

• Don't Panic: Five passages may seem daunting, but remember, you don't have to understand every single word.
• Skim and Scan: Before getting bogged down in the details, skim to get the gist of the passage and its main idea.
• Look for Keywords: Highlight or underline important words, phrases, and the author's point of view.
• Take Notes: Jot down brief summaries of each passage as you read.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more familiar you are with the types of passages and questions on the SAT Reading section, the better you'll do.

The Bottom Line