SAT Test Prep · Writing & Language Strategy
9 Hacks for the SAT Writing & Language Section
The SAT Writing & Language section doesn't have to feel daunting. These 9 proven hacks can help you quickly boost your score by mastering the key grammatical and rhetorical concepts tested on the exam. Use them alongside SAT practice tests and the Study Share question bank for immediate reps; then track progress with the SAT score calculator.
Why focus on Writing & Language? This section is the most "black and white" portion of your verbal score. There are relatively few grammatical and rhetorical concepts tested, so mastering these rules can significantly boost your score. Plus, these hacks also apply to the ACT English section!
The Writing & Language section is unique on the SAT because it's the most formulaic part of the verbal score. Unlike the Reading section, which requires nuanced interpretation, the Writing section tests specific, learnable rules. Think of these hacks like math formulas: memorization + application = success!
These strategies also apply to the ACT English section, so if you're studying for both tests or still deciding which one to take, mastering these hacks will serve you well.
Hack #1: Keep It Short
The SAT prefers shorter answer choices. Why? Because they hate redundancy and unnecessary wordiness! When in doubt, take it out.
Example
However, most high schools in the U.S. start by 8:30 or earlier, nearly guaranteeing that the entire student body of a given high school will arrive chronically sleep-deprived in a habitual way.
Answer choices:
- A) NO CHANGE
- B) habitually.
- C) Over the long term.
- D) DELETE the underlined portion and end the sentence with a period.
Correct answer: D - What's shorter than taking out the whole underlined portion? Also, "chronically," "habitually," and "over the long term" all mean the same thing—redundancy!
Exception: When a question stem asks about something specific (not grammar), don't worry about keeping it short. Just do that specific job as specifically as possible.
Hack #2: Equally Right = Equally Wrong!
A multiple-choice question can only have ONE correct answer. Therefore, if two (or more) answers are equally right, they must be equally wrong! This hack is a great way to eliminate multiple answers at once.
Example
Answer choices:
- A) NO CHANGE
- B) them;
- C) them,
- D) them.
Can you spot the 2 answers that would be equally correct? If you said B and D, you're right! (Check out Hack #4 to understand why.)
Exception: Sometimes two choices are merely very similar, not exactly the same. For example, "alter" and "change" mean the same thing, but "transform" is a specific type of change. Only eliminate choices that do the exact same thing.
Hack #3: Banish "Being"
Is "being" a word in English? Yes. Are there correct ways to use it? Absolutely. But on the SAT, if you see "being" in an answer choice, it's virtually guaranteed to be wrong. Don't stop to think about it—just cross it out and move on.
Example
Answer choices:
- A) NO CHANGE
- B) it is
- C) being
- D) DELETE the underlined portion
Correct answer: Not C! Eliminate any answer choice containing "being."
Hack #4: Semicolon = Period. Period.
On the SAT, a semicolon does ONE thing: it punctuates two independent clauses (clauses that could be their own sentences). Guess what a period does? The same thing! This means semicolons and periods are interchangeable on the SAT.
However, semicolons and commas are NOT interchangeable. Commas require at least one dependent clause or phrase, while semicolons only work between independent clauses.
Remember Hack #2? If you see two answer choices where the only difference is one contains a semicolon and the other a period, they both have to be wrong!
Hack #5: Use Commas (or Dashes) to Bracket Off "Inessential Information"
"Inessential information" means clauses or words that could be removed from the sentence without destroying its structural integrity. You'll see A LOT of these on the test.
Examples
Two commas: The Statue of Liberty, which sits in New York Harbor, is a cherished symbol of freedom.
Two dashes: Ben took a trip to New Orleans—the birthplace of jazz—to celebrate his graduation from music school.
NO MIXIE MATCHIES! Mixing punctuation (comma + dash, etc.) indicates wrong answer choices. Also remember Hack #2: two commas = two dashes = parentheses. If these are the only differences between answer choices, they're both wrong.
Exception: Do NOT bracket off information that, if removed, would harm the structural integrity of the sentence. For example, in "Immunologist Anthony Fauci recently retired," you can't put commas around "Anthony Fauci" because removing it would leave "Immunologist recently retired"—a sentence without a subject!
Hack #6: Cut Out the Fat
This hack is most useful when finding the subject of a sentence is key. The SAT adds extra "fat" to sentences to hide the subject. Cross out the extra stuff to simplify the sentence and make it easier to find the subject.
What counts as "the fat"? The two biggest culprits are:
- Prepositional phrases
- "Inessential information" bracketed off by commas or dashes (remember Hack #5!)
Example
The number of leeches you say it'll take to get the "bad blood out of my insides" are beside the point...
Answer choices:
- A) NO CHANGE
- B) is being
- C) is
- D) was
First, eliminate B (Hack #3: banish "being"!). Now, cross out "of leeches you say...insides"—that's a prepositional phrase. The sentence becomes: "The number...are?" No! "The number...is?" Yes! Answer C is correct.
Exception: If the "fat" you would cross out is contained in the underlined portion the question is asking about, you can't remove it. The question depends on it.
Hack #7: Where Do Main Ideas Go?
Main ideas appear in predictable places:
- Thesis: End of the first paragraph
- Topic sentences: Beginning of each body paragraph
- Conclusion: End of the passage
The secret to answering main idea questions: use the other main idea sentences already in the passage! A thesis states the main idea, and a conclusion restates it. So:
- If asked for the thesis (last sentence of introduction), read and match the conclusion!
- If asked for the conclusion, read and match the thesis!
- Don't forget the title—it often gives guidance about the main idea!
Exception: Topic sentences provide the main idea of only their paragraph. Look for clues within that paragraph, and remember that topic sentences often act as transitions—read the last sentence of the previous paragraph to find a bridge between main ideas.
Hack #8: When Merging, Watch Your Lane!
Transitions are the merging of two ideas. SAT questions about transition words can be broken down by how the two thoughts relate—we call these "lanes." If you know what lane you're in, you can eliminate all answer choices not in that lane!
The Four Lanes
- Agreement: And, In addition, For Example, Furthermore, Moreover
- Contrast: But, However, Nevertheless, Surprisingly, Despite
- Cause/Effect: So, Therefore, Thus, Consequently, Because
- Time: Then, Subsequently, First, Next, Finally
Remember Hack #2! If two answer choices include words that do the exact same thing ("therefore" & "thus", or "furthermore" & "moreover"), they're both wrong!
Example
Mill Girls organized strikes in both 1834 and 1836 when management threatened to cut wages; however, their actions were largely unsuccessful.
Answer choices:
- A) NO CHANGE
- B) consequently,
- C) finally,
- D) moreover,
Correct answer: A - We want a CONTRAST word here. The strikes happened, BUT they were unsuccessful. Only "however" indicates contrast.
Hack #9: NO Means NO (if it's redundant or irrelevant)
Remember Hack #1? The SAT loves shorter, simpler answers. This comes in handy for KEEP/DELETE or ADD/DON'T ADD questions. Because the SAT prefers simplicity, always check the "NO" column first.
There are only TWO correct reasons to delete/not add a sentence:
- Redundancy: We already know that information
- Irrelevance: It's not relevant to the passage
The SAT won't use the words "redundant" or "irrelevant" directly. Instead, they'll use code phrases like:
- "Repeats information already found earlier in the passage" = redundant
- "Contains loosely related information that interrupts the discussion of..." = irrelevant
Quick Reference Checklist
- Hack #1: Keep It Short
- Hack #2: Equally Right = Equally Wrong!
- Hack #3: Banish "Being"
- Hack #4: Semicolon = Period
- Hack #5: Use Commas or Dashes to Bracket Off Inessential Information
- Hack #6: Cut Out the Fat
- Hack #7: Where Do Main Ideas Go?
- Hack #8: When Merging, Watch Your Lane!
- Hack #9: NO Means NO (if redundant or irrelevant)
Once you've mastered these 9 hacks, you'll have a much easier time on the SAT Writing & Language section. Remember: these are like math formulas—memorize them and apply them consistently!
Ready to practice? Check out our SAT practice tests and other SAT resources to apply these hacks.