The Writing and Language Section section of the SAT can prove difficult for many high school students. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by this portion of the exam, know that it is possible to do some SAT prep work to improve your score. Here are some strategies to get a better score on this portion of the SAT.

How to Get a Better Score on the Writing and Language Section Portion of the SAT

1. Complete Practice Tests

To complete this part of the SAT, you’ll need to do practice tests. They’ll help you gauge what level you’re at and how much you need to improve your score. It’s recommended that you take at least three SAT practice exams before you sit down to take the real test.

After taking a practice test, examine your mistakes and learn what you did wrong. Categorize the mistakes and see if there are any patterns. Are you having issues with similar concepts more than once? If so, you can work with an SAT prep tutor to learn more about these areas.

2. Don’t Spend Too Much Time on Each Question

The Writing and Language Section portion of the SAT contains four passages and 44 multiple-choice questions. Students get 35 minutes for this part of the exam. Ideally, you should be spending about eight minutes on each passage or about 30 seconds per question. It can be difficult to answer questions this quickly right away, so work with your SAT prep tutor to improve your time.

3. Understand the Format

The format of the SAT Writing and Language Section portion can be confusing. The passages you’ll need to answer the questions are on the left side of your test booklet, while the questions are on the right. Some students have difficulty looking back and forth between these two portions. 

To help with this, you shouldn’t read an entire passage and then try to answer the questions. Often, you only need a single sentence in order to answer each question. Read the questions first and complete them as you go, and then take time during the end if you need it to go over your answers.

4. Learn About Grammar Rules

A solid grasp of grammar is essential for this SAT section. The test expects you to demonstrate knowledge of several categories, including punctuation, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, possessives, and conventional expression.

You might already be using these concepts in your writing without fully knowing the rules behind them. Grammar guides or workbooks introduce you to the essentials. You can also practice with sentence diagramming apps or games.

Need help preparing for the SAT? Choose the skilled SAT prep tutors at South Windsor, CT’s Mathnasium. With more than 500 centers in the U.S. and Canada, their instructors can help you ace the Math portion of your exam. They offer individualized instruction, with instructors only working with two to three students at a time. Visit their website or call (860) 432-7794 for more information.