Digital SAT Reading Inference Strategy Notes

Contradiction Words: Focus on terms such as but, however, instead, yet, still, rather, although, on the other hand, despite, except, can't, and shouldn't. These mark shifts between contrasting ideas.
Causation Words: Focus on terms such as if then, because, so, thus, therefore, hence, accordingly, as a result, and thereby. These outline cause-and-effect relationships, particularly in passages involving a hypothesis.
Uncertainty Words: Focus on phrases such as some people believe, one explanation is, and many think. These signal unconfirmed claims, competing perspectives, or ideas requiring evaluation.

False Answers: Options that directly contradict facts stated in the passage.
Too Extreme: Options containing strict all-or-nothing words such as always, never, nobody, or everybody.
Right Answer to the Wrong Question: Options containing factually accurate information from the passage that fail to satisfy the specific question objective.
Too Far Outside the Text: Options introducing unstated assumptions; the test functions as an open-book exam based strictly on the provided sentences.

Parenthetical Information: Details set off by parentheses or dashes frequently contain critical context, definitions, or parameters needed to deduce the correct conclusion.
Logical Markers: Highlighting transition words (but, however, if-then, therefore) exposes the core structure and logical flow of the text.

Reframe performance around question-solving mechanics rather than self-perceptions of reading ability.
Process each passage from a tutoring perspective by explicitly identifying core words and explaining why incorrect options are false.