Hey everyone! I’m Leah, and not too long ago, I was a high school student on a quest to conquer the Digital SAT and get the best possible SAT score. The SAT reading and SAT writing sections were my biggest challenge, and I was aiming for a top writing score and reading score. Though I didn’t quite hit that perfect score on my first time, my journey was filled with valuable lessons. As a college graduate now, I understand how a strong SAT test performance impacts college admissions. In this blog, I want to pass on what I’ve learned to help you ace the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section. Let’s get started!

My Struggle with the SAT Reading & Writing Section

When I embarked on my SAT prep journey, I knew the combined Reading & Writing section would be my biggest challenge. Despite being an avid reader, the new format—with a short passage for every single question—was jarring. My initial practice tests showed varying scores, and I knew I needed a different approach to my test prep.

Understanding the Digital SAT R&W Section

Before we dive into the tips, let’s understand the new structure. The College Board designed the Digital SAT to be adaptive. It’s split into two main sections: Reading & Writing, and the Math section. Each section is broken into two parts, or a module. How you do on the first module determines the difficulty of the second. This guide focuses on the R&W section, which mixes reading questions and writing questions together. You’ll face a wide range of SAT questions covering everything from literature to science.

Top SAT Reading & Writing Tips

Here are my top SAT Reading & Writing tips and strategies for success:

1. Practice Active Reading (Slowly and Thoroughly). You must engage with every short passage actively. The goal is to read slowly and thoroughly one time. Rushing leads to re-reading, which wastes time. When annotating, box the names of people, places, and numbers. Identify what pronouns (he, she, it, they) refer to, especially in complex history reading passages. Limit your underlining to only the main claim.

2. Identify the Question’s True Task. You must recognize each type of question. Is it asking for the main idea, or is it a specific detail? Is it one of the writing questions testing grammar rules? Knowing the task helps you avoid ‘trap’ answer choices.

3. Master Standard English Conventions. The SAT writing questions are a huge part of your score. You must know your grammar rules. This includes punctuation, sentence structure, and how to use transition words (like ‘however’ or ‘therefore’) to connect ideas.

4. Manage Your Time by Refusing to Panic. This is the most critical test-taking skill. The biggest mistake test takers make is panicking about time. Ironically, rushing causes you to run out of time because you stop comprehending and have to re-read.

• Avoid the Snowball Effect: You spend three minutes on one hard question. You panic. You try to “catch up” by rushing the next question. You fail to understand that passage, and you waste another three minutes.
• Trust Your Time Buffer: You have a built-in buffer. Many writing questions (like grammar or transition words) take only a few seconds. Wasting 3, or even 6, minutes on hard questions is not a disaster. It’s better than panicking and getting 10 questions wrong from skimming.
• The “Slow Down” Strategy: If a single question takes too long, take a deep breath. Intentionally slow down on the next question. Approach it calmly, as if you have all the time in the world. This prevents panic, ensures comprehension, and actually saves you time.

5. Focus on the Main Idea (Even in Micro-Passages). Even in a short passage, you must grasp the central theme. Don’t read the entire passage passively. Ask yourself, “What is the author’s primary point?” This is key.

6. Use Context Clues. This is vital for both vocabulary-in-context and transition words questions. The surrounding sentences will always give you clues to the correct meaning.

7. Answer Questions Based Only on Textual Evidence. This is the golden rule. Every correct answer is 100% supported by the text. You must take the passage literally. Do not use outside knowledge, make assumptions, or choose an answer that “sounds right.”

8. Beware of Trap Answer Options: Find the 3 Wrong Answers. This is a crucial mindset shift: stop searching for the correct answer. Instead, your job is to find the three wrong answers and eliminate them. In the beginning, all answer choices may seem plausible. But three of them are wrong.

• The SAT is designed to trick you. A common trap is an answer that is ‘mostly right.’ Remember, a single word can make an answer choice 100% wrong. Interrogate every option. ‘Slightly wrong’ is ‘completely wrong.’

My Journey Towards Improvement

As I continued my SAT practice and implemented these tips, I noticed significant improvement in my scores. Based on my journey, here are some valuable tips to enhance your score:

1. Adopt a “Machine Mindset”. I also had to change my test-taking mindset. It’s helpful to think like a machine or a compute. Approach the SAT test logically, not emotionally. Read the passage thoroughly, then execute by finding the three incorrect answers. Don’t compete with the test; it’s not your enemy. Approach your SAT practice “casually,” as if it’s a puzzle to be solved.

2. Analyze Mistakes Relentlessly. Reviewing wrong answers is essential. Understanding the reasons behind my mistakes helped me avoid repeating them. I had to accept that the SAT was designed to trick me, and my job was to find those traps. Ask why an answer was wrong. Was it one word? Was it an assumption?

3. Consistent Practice. Regular practice is vital. Utilize official practice tests from the College Board’s Bluebook app and other high-quality practice questions. This is the best way to get used to the format.

4. Build Vocabulary & Use Free Resources. Reading diverse texts and using free resources like Khan Academy is fantastic. Khan Academy offers free, official SAT prep materials that are great for drilling specific skills.

A Note on Holistic Prep

Remember, your final SAT score is a composite. While this guide focuses on R&W, don’t neglect the math section. The SAT math test has its own strategies. For example, mastering the built-in Desmos calculator is non-negotiable. It can save you a huge amount of time. Even if you’re aiming for a top R&W score, a balanced approach to your test prep (including for the PSAT, which is great practice) is the best way to hit your goal.

Put These Strategies into Practice with Acely

Knowing these tips is half the battle; mastering them requires targeted SAT practice. This is where an AI-powered test prep platform like Acely becomes a game-changer.

Acely goes beyond standard practice tests by analyzing your performance to find your exact weaknesses: whether you’re falling for ‘trap’ answer choices, struggling with main idea questions, or missing specific grammar rules. It then builds personalized drills to target those areas.

Most importantly, you get detailed explanations for every single question. You won’t just learn the correct answer; you’ll learn why the wrong answers are incorrect. This is the most efficient way to master the test’s logic and turn these strategies into a higher SAT score on test day.

Conclusion

My SAT test journey was a valuable learning experience that taught me the importance of perseverance and dedication. I hope that by sharing my SAT reading tips and writing strategies, you’ll feel more confident in conquering the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section and achieving a stellar score. Remember, the road to improvement may not always be straightforward, but with dedication and the right strategies, you can overcome obstacles and succeed.

Best of luck on your SAT journey!