10 Best Last-Minute SAT Reading Tips to Boost Your Score Fast

Preparing for the SAT is stressful enough; the stress becomes even worse come test day. But don’t fret since it’s never too late to make last-minute improvements. So whether you’re aiming for the perfect score or just want to boost your score, here are some last minute SAT tips that will help you conquer the SAT Reading section confidence.

1. Understand the SAT Reading Section Format

One of the best SAT tips and tricks that you can use is to familiarize yourself with how the test format is laid out. Keep in mind that the SAT reading section section includes five passages that cover a variety of topics. These topics include literature, social sciences, and historical documents.

Timing: Prepare yourself to answer 52 questions in 65 minutes. With this in mind, pacing is vital.
Passage Types: Other things to prepare for are narratives, paired passages, and data-based excerpts.

It is essential to know what to expect during the test day, and knowing this can help you improve your efficiency.

2. Practice Active Reading

Reading every single passage in the test can take a lot of time, and for this reason, a good alternative for this is through active reading. So instead of passively scanning through passages, you can engage with the text by:

Underlining or highlighting key points (if you’re using practice tests)
Summarize paragraphs in your head to ensure that you understand every passage’s main idea.
Please pay close attention to transitions since they often tell you the shifts in tone or argument.

By doing active reading, you keep yourself focused, and it makes it easier to answer questions accurately.

3. Focus on Key Question Types

Another thing to keep in mind is that not all SAT Reading questions are made equal. Because of this, you need to prioritize practicing the most common question types:

Main Idea Questions: These types of questions test your ability to summarize the entire passage or just a section of it.
Inference Questions: These types of questions require you to find specific information.
Vocabulary in Context: These tests your ability to understand how words are used in different passages.

If you’re short on time, focus on improving in these areas—they’re the backbone of the SAT reading section.

4. Skim with Strategy

Let’s say that time is running out; skimming can be a lifesaver in this situation. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

Begin by first reading the introduction and conclusion of the passages.
Skim through the body paragraphs. Do this by focusing on the first and last sentences.
Use the questions to guide you. For instance, if a question asks about line 15,r read the sentence before and after that line for context.

So, doing strategic skimming helps you save time without sacrificing comprehension.

5. Eliminating Wrong Answers

One of the easiest last-minute SAT tips in any section is to learn how to spot the wrong answer choices. On the SAT, wrong answers often:

You can do this by overgeneralizing or oversimplifying the information in the passage.
One that contains extreme language such as “always” or “never.”
Referring to details that are not mentioned in the text.

So, eliminating the obviously wrong answers can increase your chances of choosing the right answer among the other choices.

6. Manage Your Time Wisely

Time management is crucial for any test, especially the SAT, especially in the reading section. So here’s a simple breakdown of what you can do:

Spend at least 3-4 minutes reading each passage.
Allocate 1 minute per question.
Save some time at the end so you can review your answers.

If you encounter a tricky question, don’t be afraid to skip it and come back to it later. Keep in mind that it’s better to focus on questions that you can answer confidently.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice!

One of the best tips for SAT reading or any section in the SAT and overall preparation is to take a full-length practice test under times conditions. By doing this, it will help you get used to:

The pacing of the SAT
Identifying your strengths and weaknesses
Building your test-day stamina

So, after finishing the test, review your answers and try to understand what went wrong and how to improve it.

8. Rest and Relax the Day Before the Test

Cramming is very tempting to do the day before test day, but it is more productive just to rest easy the day before, so here are some quick SAT testing tips for the day before.

Do light reading, such as vocabulary flashcards or a summary of key math formulas.
Get at least 7 to 8 hours of good night’s sleep the day before.
Double-check and pack everything you need, including your admissions ticket, ID, calculator, and snacks.

9. Quick Tips for Test Day

Let’s say it is finally the long-awaited and dreaded test day; keep these best SAT tips and tricks in mind:

Eat a full and healthy breakfast to fuel your brain.
Arrive early to avoid unnecessary stress.
Use the process of elimination on tough questions.
Stay positive, even if some questions seem challenging.

10. Practice Self-Care During the Test

Lastly, remember to take care of yourself even during the SAT:

Remember, take deep breaths if you start feeling anxious.
Remember to stay hydrated during breaks.
Avoid second-guessing yourself, your preparation, and what you learned.

Final Thoughts

The SAT overall is very overwhelming; preparing at the last minute may even feel worse, but keep in mind it is not too late to make improvements with the right approach. So, by following these SAT reading tips, you’ll be ready to conquer this test with confidence.

So stay focused, practice strategically, and remember: even the smallest efforts count! You’ve got this!

The Best Last-Minute SAT Reading Tips