Whether you’ve taken the SAT before or you’re just starting out on your test prep journey, understanding how the SAT is structured can help you improve your score significantly. SAT has 2 major sections: the SAT evidence based reading and writing (EBRW) section and the maths section.
The SAT evidence based reading and writing section has a specific and separate set of demands that you might need to satisfy in order to score well in this section. So, keep reading as this blog will help you understand and prepare for one of the most important segments of SAT: the evidence based reading and writing section.
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Table of Contents |
SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing: An Overview
The SAT evidence based reading and writing is made up of two tests, the SAT Evidence Based Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test. Although both of these tests are likely based on the English skills that you acquired as a child in school, both of these tests are very different from each other in nature. Let us understand about each of these sections briefly:
The Reading Test
The SAT evidence based reading practice is always the first segment in the SAT exam. Here you are given passages and excerpts from famous novels and non-fictions, and you are expected to answer a questionnaire based on the given passage.The questions will test you on your reading comprehension and analysis skills.
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Time |
65 minutes |
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Questions |
52 |
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Number of passages |
4 single passages plus one pair of passages |
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Passage subjects |
One literary passage, two history/social studies passages, two science passages |
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Questions per passage |
10 or 11 |
Suggested: Check Out the SAT Exam Syllabus 2022!
The Writing Test
Next comes the writing and Language test. These passages are works-in-progress that contain some grammatical errors or poor stylistic choices, and the questions ask you to choose the answer that would improve the passage. It’s similar to what you would do when editing or revising a paper for improvement.
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Time |
35 minutes |
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Questions |
44 |
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Number of passages |
4 |
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Passage subjects |
One career-related, one humanities, one history/social studies, one science |
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Questions per passage |
11 |
Suggested: All about the SAT Exam Pattern!
Weightage of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test
The SAT exam is graded out of a total of 1600. Out of this, the evidence-based reading and writing SAT is scored in a range of 200-800. This implies that the EBRW has a weightage of 50% of the entire SAT score. This makes it a major fraction of the exam and hence important to focus on.
Suggested: SAT Essay Writing Tips
Improving SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing Score
Knowing that the reading and writing section holds a total weightage of 50%, working on your English proficiency becomes a necessity to be able to crack the SAT with a brilliant score. Language skills can obviously not be developed overnight; it takes consistent effort and practice to excel in a language. Here are some of the ways to improve your SAT evidence based reading and writing score:
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Brush up on grammar
A huge population is never formally taught grammar in school. This becomes a huge shortcoming when you take up serious exams like SAT. It is also because spoken and written language are poles apart when it comes to correctness and accuracy. A yet larger population continues to speak flawed English without ever being corrected. Review all basic grammar rules and apply them while you take up practice SAT tests. We recommend you to go on to find a SAT-specific grammar book and practice the kind of questions SAT usually asks.
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Prevent second-guessing
The key to a good SAT score is coming up with your own answers instead of referring to the given options to use the strategy of elimination in order to reach the right answer. You can use this strategy to spot the right answer and prevent yourself from being confused by tricky wording. SAT evidence based reading and writing practice test will help you improve your SAT score.
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Tackle paired passages one at a time
The Reading Test features a pair of short passages that share the same set of questions, which allows the SAT to ask you to compare and contrast these passages. The structure for the set of questions is usually like this: there are 3 or 4 questions for Passage 1, 3 or 4 for Passage 2, and 3 for both passages.
To avoid getting overwhelmed, and to help you keep the passages straight in your mind, read Passage 1 first and then answer the questions that only deal with Passage 1.
Suggested: Check Out the SAT Exam Syllabus 2022!
Resources for Taking Practice Tests
The score of the SAT reading and writing can be improved drastically only by rigorous practice. Here is a list of some of the best practice resources for SAT reading and writing practice:
- CollegeBoard.org
- Khan Academy
- Test Prep Review
- The Princeton Review
- Mc-Graw Hill
Suggested: What is the SAT Exam Eligibility Criteria?
The evidence based reading and writing section of SAT is over-all an easy scoring segment. All you need is a consistent effort and you are good to go to get a SAT evidence based reading and writing score near 800 in this segment of SAT. For further assistance on the SAT evidence based reading and writing practice test, you can even contact our Yocket Counsellors!
