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For most, the SAT Writing and Language Test is the toughest part of the SAT. You have only 35 minutes to answer 44 multiple-choice questions. With that little time, you’ll have to answer questions that require speed, accuracy and strong grammar and writing skills. So, you need to prepare for this section well to improve your score, stand out in your college apps and show you’re ready for college-level writing.
So here are the essential writing tips and strategies to boost your score. Whether you’re just starting your prep or looking for last minute advice. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including SAT writing prep, through average score for reading and writing.
What is the SAT Writing and Language Test?
The SAT Writing and Language section focuses on editing skills, punctuation rules and strategic approaches to score well. You’ll need to interact with flawed passages and use specific techniques to correct them, just like sections in other standardized tests like the ACT. It has 4 passages, each with 11 questions, covering different topics such as careers, history, science and humanities.
This section combines with the reading test to contribute to the SAT writing score range which is part of the Evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW) SECTION. Remember that the EBRW is scored 200-800 points.
How to Prepare for the SAT Writing Test
Understand the SAT Writing Format
The first step to success in this section of the SAT is to understand the format of the SAT Writing sections. The questions in this section are divided into two main categories:
- Expression of Ideas: The questions in this section test your ability to improve the development, organization and clarity of ideas in a passage. So, you’ll need to reorganize sentences, improve transitions and make language concise. Understanding and using transition words correctly is crucial as they connect ideas logically and can impact your score big time since about 18% of SAT Writing questions focus on identifying and applying transition words.
- Standard English Conventions: This question focuses on grammar, punctuation and other grammar issues.
So these question types will help you recognize patterns and focus your prep on the skills that matter most.
2. When to Start SAT Writing Prep?
To answer this, you first need to determine your current score and target score to start your writing SAT prep. So here’s a general timeline to follow:
6-12 Months Before the Test
You can start by taking a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. With this, you can focus on the areas that need the most improvement.
3-6 Months Before the Test
Start with regular practice with SAT writing examples and official SAT practice tests. You can dedicate time each week to study grammar rules, punctuation and sentence structure.
1-3 Months Before the Test
Spend time practicing timed tests to improve your pacing and accuracy. Work on recognizing question types and grammar rules, punctuation and sentence structure.
Last Minute SAT Prep
In the weeks leading up to the test, focus on reviewing key grammar rules, practicing with full-length tests and honing your time management skills.
Remember, starting early gives you time to master the material and build confidence.
3. Master Key Grammar Rules Including Subject Verb Agreement
Compared to the grammar and language we use everyday, the SAT Writing section tests standard English grammar rules that may not be the same. So, to succeed you need to focus on these essential topics:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Make sure verbs agree with their subjects in number and tense. Identifying and eliminating wrong answers can improve your accuracy big time.
- Pronouns: Use the correct pronoun form and make pronoun references clear.
- Punctuation: Focus on understanding how to use commas, semicolons, colons and dashes correctly.
- Sentence Structure: Learn how to identify and fix sentence fragments, run-ons and parallel structure errors.
- Word Choice: Remember to choose the most precise and formal words for the context, avoiding slang or informal expressions.
4. Practice Time Management
When you’re unsure where to start, you can always take practice tests to pinpoint your weak areas. You can always use resources like Khan Academy and private SAT writing tutors that can provide targeted lessons to help you improve your pacing.
Use a Reading Strategy: Some students prefer to read a paragraph and answer the questions that follow before moving on, while others find it more effective to go straight to the question and correct as they go. So experiment and see what works for you. Practicing with quality nonfiction sources will help you perform better on the reading section.
- Skip and Return: If a question takes you more than 30 seconds to answer, skip it and move on. You can come back to it later when you have time.
- Bubble Strategically: Instead of marking answers one by one, consider bubbling in groups (e.g., after each passage). This saves time and reduces distractions.
So regular times practice with Official SAT writing prompts will help you develop pacing and build confidence.
5. Don’t Forget the “No Change” Option
Remember every question on the SAT Writing Test has a “no change” answer choice which is correct 25% of the time. To decide if “no change” is the right answer:
- Read the sentence carefully to make sure it follows grammar and style rules.
- Look for common errors such as subject-verb agreement or punctuation.
- But if the sentence is clear, concise and grammatically correct, don’t hesitate to choose the answer “no change”.
6. Practice with Real SAT Writing Prompts
When practicing use authentic practice materials for effective preparation. So here are some of the best resources for writing SAT prep:
The Official SAT Study Guide
This is the official College Board guide, within this guide includes real practice tests and explanations. Focus on identifying the main idea in passages to improve reading strategies and answer accuracy.
Khan Academy
This is a free resource you can use that offers a personalized study plan and practice questions that match the study format.
Top SAT Prep Courses
There are various programs that offer prep courses such as Princeton Review, Park Tutoring and Kaplan which offer SAT Prep courses that cover all sections of the SAT including Writing and Language.
Remember when practicing focus on why specific answers are correct. And don’t forget to review your mistakes to identify patterns and refine your skills.
8. Question-Answering Strategies
Question-answering strategies are key to doing well on the SAT Writing section. Here are some tips to help you get the right answers:
Eliminate Wrong Answer Choices
One of the best ways to answer SAT Writing questions is to eliminate wrong answer choices. This means reading the question and the answer choices carefully and then eliminate any answer choices that are clearly incorrect. By eliminating wrong answer choices you increase your chances of getting the right answer.
To eliminate wrong answer choices look for:
- Grammatical errors
- Inconsistencies with the passage
- Redundancy or repetition
- Unclear or ambiguous language
By eliminating wrong answer choices you can narrow down your options and make an educated guess.
Write Clearly and Concise
Writing clearly and concisely is essential for good communication. To write clearly and concisely focus on using simple language, avoiding jargon and technical terms and using active voice instead of passive voice.
Here are some tips to help you write clearly and concisely:
- Use Simple Language: Don’t use complex vocabulary or jargon that may be unfamiliar to your readers.
- Avoid Ambiguity: Make sure your writing is clear and concise and avoid ambiguous language that may be open to interpretation.
- Use Active Voice: Using active voice instead of passive voice makes your writing more engaging and easier to read.
- Edit and Revise: Editing and revising your writing is key to making sure it’s clear and concise.
By following these tips you can improve your writing style and clarity and score higher on the SAT Writing section.
What is the Average SAT Score for Reading and Writing?
The average SAT score for reading and writing is 528 out of 800. The reading section is crucial, featuring mostly nonfiction passages, and using high-quality sources like major publications can help you prepare well. So if you want to score above average or be in the top percentiles, consistent practice and targeted preparation is key.
Conclusion
Scoring higher on SAT in general is a lot of work but is doable with the right strategy and preparation. By starting early, you can focus on learning grammar rules and use Official SAT Writing examples for practice. Whether you’re scoring average or trying to get in the top percentiles, consistent practice and smart strategies will get you there. Plus, learning to eliminate answer choices and using transition words correctly will boost your scores.