Domain 1 · Craft and Structure
📖 Words in Context / Vocabulary
SAT tests how well you determine the meaning of words and phrases based on context — not dictionary definitions. A word's connotation (emotional tone) often matters as much as its denotation.
- Look for clues in surrounding sentences.
- Consider the author's purpose and tone.
- Eliminate choices that are technically correct but contextually wrong.
📌 Key Strategy: Replace the blank with each answer choice and read aloud. The best answer fits the sentence's logic AND tone.
Example
"Her speech was met with ______ applause — a few scattered claps at best."
Choose: (A) thunderous (B) tepid (C) prolonged (D) enthusiastic
✓ Answer: (B) tepid — "a few scattered claps" signals lukewarm reception.
Domain 1 · Craft and Structure
🎯 Text Structure & Purpose
Questions ask about how a text is organized, why an author includes specific details, or what rhetorical device is used. Common purposes: to inform, persuade, illustrate, contrast, qualify.
- Identify signal words: "however," "furthermore," "in contrast," "therefore."
- Ask: What is the author's main claim? Does this paragraph support or oppose it?
📌 Key Memory: PEEL — Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link. SAT passages often follow this structure.
Domain 2 · Information and Ideas
📊 Reading Comprehension & Data Reasoning
These questions test your ability to identify main ideas, make inferences, and interpret charts/graphs. Always go back to the text — never use outside knowledge.
- Main idea = the most comprehensive, accurate statement about the whole passage.
- Inference = conclusion directly supported by evidence, not assumed.
- Data questions: read axes, units, and titles carefully before choosing.
📌 Key Rule: "Best supported" means the answer must be directly proven by evidence in the passage or graph. Extremes (always, never, all) are usually wrong.
Domain 3 · Standard English Conventions
✏️ Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement
The verb must agree in number with its subject. Tricky cases include phrases between subject and verb, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects.
- Singular: each, every, either, neither, anyone, someone, no one
- Plural with "and": "The cat and dog run fast."
- Collective nouns: team, group, jury → singular verb in American English
📌 Trick: Cross out prepositional phrases between subject and verb. "The box of chocolates is open." (subject = box, not chocolates)
Domain 3 · Standard English Conventions
✏️ Grammar: Punctuation Essentials
SAT tests commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and apostrophes. Know exactly when each is required.
- Semicolon (;): Joins two independent clauses. Never before a list.
- Colon (:): Introduces a list, explanation, or quotation after a complete clause.
- Comma + FANBOYS: Joins two independent clauses (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
- Apostrophe: it's = it is / its = possessive. No apostrophe in plural nouns.
📌 Quick Test: Can both sides of the semicolon stand alone as sentences? If yes → semicolon works. If no → use a comma or rewrite.
Domain 3 · Standard English Conventions
✏️ Grammar: Pronoun Agreement & Case
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and gender, and must be in the correct grammatical case (subject/object).
- Subject pronouns: I, he, she, we, they, who
- Object pronouns: me, him, her, us, them, whom
- Who vs. Whom: Replace with he/she → who; Replace with him/her → whom
📌 Trick: "Between you and me" not "I" — object of preposition needs object pronoun.
Domain 4 · Expression of Ideas
🖊️ Transitions & Logical Flow
Transition questions ask you to choose the word or phrase that best shows the logical relationship between ideas. Know transition categories:
- Addition: furthermore, moreover, additionally, in fact
- Contrast: however, nevertheless, in contrast, although
- Cause-Effect: therefore, thus, as a result, consequently
- Concession: admittedly, granted, while it is true that
- Illustration: for example, for instance, specifically
📌 Strategy: Read both sentences before and after the blank. Decide the relationship first (agree? oppose? result?), then match to the transition word.