Types of SAT Reading Passage Questions

The changes to the SAT Reading Test mean big things for the types of passages you'll be reading. However, you'll also find that many of the skills you have already learned will help you out here.

Changes to Keep in Mind

There are plenty of changes that have come to the SAT as a result of the March 2016 redesign. Not surprisingly, a number of those changes have altered the reading portion of the exam. However, that doesn't mean that we can't be prepared for those changes!

In this lesson, we're going to take a look at the four major types of questions that you can expect to find on the Reading Test, which is part of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT. We'll start with vocabulary questions, then move on to questions that ask you to establish context and meaning, draw conclusions, and finally back up those conclusions with cold hard facts, or at least a reference to the piece being read.

Also, because it is such a drastic change from past SAT versions, it's important to note that guessing is no longer penalized! In other words, if you are running out of time, guess and move on. Now on to the question types.

Vocabulary Questions

Generations of past test-takers dreaded the vocabulary section of the SAT. Famously, in the past it has been criticized over where it managed to get some of the more obscure words. Luckily, you don't need to know the definition of chtonic anymore. Instead, all the words you'll need to know are words that you hopefully have already encountered in high school, and certainly should be able to use in college. Instead of words like chtonic, antediluvian, and truculent, you'll have words like analyze, develop, and theorize.

However, don't think that you're in trouble if you don't feel comfortable using superfluous language, or that memorizing the dictionary is the best way to go. Instead, you'll be tested on your ability to find the best meaning of a word in the context the author is using it. For example, the word portrait can mean either a painting of a person, especially of their face, or it could mean some sort of description of something or someone. After all, when an author paints a portrait of modern-day Europe, we don't see a personification of Europe.

Context and Meaning

In other words, context has become increasing important in the new SAT. Questions will almost always feature some way of referencing a specific part of the text, whether through line numbers or key terms. This is probably a good thing, because last time I checked, the text-based macroeconomic outlook of continued preservation of the Kerry spotted slug is not an exciting read.

Speaking of context and meaning, much of what you'll read will come from sources outside of English class. Two of the passages will be scientific in nature, one will be history-related, one will be a literature passage, and one will be related to economics or another social science. Don't worry, everything you'll need to answer the questions is contained within the material. In fact, test writers will try to throw you off by bringing in outside information in some answer choices. Remember, the Reading Test it is a test of reading ability, not a test of your knowledge of random outside facts!

Drawing Conclusions

You'll also be asked to answer questions that require you to draw conclusions about a paragraph or passage. Often, these will feature a specific reference to lines that you should look at. As you might imagine, reading a bit before and a bit after the quoted lines will help you make sure that you understand any bias or meaning of the writer. Again, this will help you draw the best possible conclusion. Additionally, it will help make sure that you avoid introducing any new information that is not part of the question and therefore not the right answer. Due to the new subject matter of the reading passages, you could be asked to incorporate a graph, map, or infographic into your analysis as well.

Proving It

At least one question from each passage will require that you prove your reasoning in the previous question. In other words, the prompt will be phrased something like: 'Which of these justifies your response to the previous question?' If you are careful, this is an opportunity to pick up an easy extra correct response. However, if you are not attentive, you could miss out on a relatively easy extra response. Also, this is a useful check to see if you got the first question of the pair right. If you don't see your reasoning listed, there's a pretty good chance you're incorrect.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, we took a look at the types of SAT reading passage questions you can expect to find on the Reading Test. Remember that two of the passages will be scientific in nature, one will be history-related, one will be a literature passage, and one will be related to economics or another social science.

You'll have to know some vocabulary for the section, but you won't need to know obscure vocabulary words like 'chthonic'. Instead, you'll have to place definitions in context. Speaking of context, reading passage questions will almost always feature some way of referencing a specific part of the text, whether through line numbers or key terms. Also, you'll have to answer questions about the purpose and main idea of a passage. Finally, at least once per passage, you'll have to back up your reasoning by answering why you chose the answer to a previous question.