SAT & PSAT English Rules and Guide

SAT & PSAT English Rules and Guide

Section Format & Mechanics

  • Total Questions: 54 questions

  • Total Time: 64 minutes

    • Divided into 2 modules, each consisting of 27 questions

    • Duration per module: 32 minutes each

  • Passage Length: 1 question per short passage, which ranges from 25 to 150 words

  • Adaptive Testing: The difficulty of Module 2 is contingent upon performance in Module 1

  • Scoring System: The combined score for Reading and Writing ranges from 200 to 800

  • Guessing Policy: No penalties for incorrect guesses

Reading & Vocabulary Specifics

Reading Question Types

  • Main Idea / Central Claim: Identify the author's primary argument or claim.

  • Inference: Answer choices must be supported by text evidence; avoid inventing answers; steer clear of extreme options.

  • Text Structure & Purpose: Analyze the relationships between ideas, the author's tone, or identify contrasting viewpoints.

  • Vocabulary-in-Context: Select the definition that logically fits within the context of the sentence.

  • Data Integration: Utilize numerical data or graphical evidence to support textual claims.

Grammar & Writing Rules

A. Sentence Structure

  • Independent Clauses: Can be joined using a period, a semicolon, or a comma accompanied by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).

  • Dependent Clauses: When appearing first in a sentence, a comma follows; if placed second, no comma is used.

B. Punctuation

  • Commas: Used to separate clauses or nonessential information; never place them between a subject and a verb.

  • Colons: Introduce explanations following complete thoughts.

  • Semicolons: Used to connect related independent clauses.

C. Agreement & Consistency

  • Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure singular subjects pair with singular verbs.

  • Pronouns: Must match in both number and gender with the nouns they replace.

  • Verb Tenses: Maintain consistency in verb tenses throughout timeframes.

D. Modifiers

  • Modifiers should be placed adjacent to the words they describe to avoid confusion.

E. Parallel Structure

  • Ensure consistent grammatical forms when listing components.

F. Conciseness

  • Favor brief and clear phrases; eliminate redundancy where possible.

Test Design Patterns & Traps

  • Extreme Answers: Choices that are absolute (“always”, “never”) are typically incorrect.

  • Half-Right Answers: Be cautious of options that contain one true clause and one false clause.

  • Wordy Distractors: Choose more concise options when faced with overly verbose alternatives.

  • Tone or Context Shifts: Reread sections to ascertain the author's intent when shifts occur.

  • Redundancy: Often, the shorter response is the correct one.

Key Tips

  • Pacing: Spend approximately 1 minute per question.

  • Digital Highlighting: Utilize the flagging feature in Bluebook for questions requiring further review.

  • Answering Policy: Always provide an answer to every question, as there is no penalty for guessing.