top of page

Strategies and Insights for the New SAT Verbal Section

Strategies and Insights for the New SAT Verbal Section

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education, it is imperative to address the recent changes in standardized testing, particularly the transition to the digital SAT Verbal section.  The pivotal shift from the traditional paper-based SAT Verbal test to the digital format represents a significant transformation in assessing and developing students' language and critical thinking skills. Unlike the static nature of the paper test, the digital SAT Verbal section introduces adaptive technology, adjusting question difficulty based on a student's responses. This personalizes the testing experience and challenges students to engage with various multimedia elements, including charts and graphs, mimicking how students receive information in the modern information age. The digital test requires reading comprehension and synthesizing information from different sources, one of a few new question types that students who have only taken the paper test may not have experience with yet. Introducing students to the new question types and format prepares them for the SAT and the broader challenges they will encounter in higher education and their future careers, where proficiency in critical analysis, digital literacy, and adaptive thinking is paramount.



The digital format demands a nuanced approach in tutoring students who prepare for the SAT, and by adopting these strategies, students can navigate the new digital SAT Verbal section with greater confidence and efficiency. Millions of students are set to take the SAT this spring, 1.9 million tested in the 2022-23 SAT season, according to the College Board, so we must begin preparing students now. 


Here are some key changes and strategies for teachers and students to consider when preparing for the verbal section of the new digital adaptive SAT practice test.




  • Shorter Passages:

  • The new SAT features significantly shorter Reading and Writing passages, around 150 words, a departure from the lengthy passages of the traditional SAT.

  • Shorter passages accommodate the digital format, eliminating the need for scrolling. A single question accompanies each passage, but the frequent switching may pose mental challenges.

  • More Predictable Structure:

  • Verbal question types follow a consistent order in the new SAT, providing a predictable structure for test-takers.

  • The order includes vocabulary-based "Words in Context" questions, progressing in difficulty, followed by Reading question types and then Writing question types focusing on punctuation, grammar, and revision.

  • Question Distribution by Content Area:

  • Craft and Structure: Words in Context, Structure, and Purpose, Cross-Text Connections (13-15 questions, about 28% of the section)

  • Information and Ideas: Details, Central Ideas, Command of Evidence, Inferences (12-14 questions, about 26% of the section)

  • Standard English Conventions: Fragments, Run-ons, Punctuation, Pronouns, Subject-Verb Agreement, Parallelism, Modifiers, Verb Tense, Idioms, Diction (Ordered by question difficulty, 11-15 questions, about 26% of the section)

  • Expression of Ideas: Transitions, Rhetorical Synthesis (8-12 questions, about 20% of the section)

  • New Strategies:

  • Leverage the consistent ordering of question types to approach passages strategically, adapting the depth of reading based on whether it is a Reading or Writing-focused section.

  • Preview questions before reading the passage to guide focused reading and strategic comprehension.

  • Familiarize yourself with the highlighting and annotation tools to optimize digital functionalities.

  • Adaptive Reading Strategies:

  • Students can benefit from the adaptability of the new SAT by tailoring their reading strategies to the specific question types and optimizing their approach for different sections of the test.

  • Additional Passage Types:

  • Whereas the question types on the new SAT are the same as the traditional test, some unfamiliar types of passages have been added, including rare instances of poems or plays. Students must be prepared for these, making practice with poetry and drama an integral part of SAT prep.

  • The last question type on each verbal module may relate to an unusual passage type: a bulleted list. These passages present notes listed during research, challenging students to synthesize the information. Exposure to this new question type is crucial for students to feel confident and familiar with its format.

 As administrators, educators, and students embrace these changes, ensuring students are well-prepared for these variations through strategic SAT preparation becomes essential. By equipping students with new reading strategies, familiarity with digital tools, and comprehensive preparation, we can better help students navigate the new SAT Verbal section, empowering them for future academic and professional achievements.


bottom of page