1.1 SAT Writing - Writing Multiple Choice Introduction

Introduction:

The SAT multiple-choice Writing section is one of the areas, with a little practice, that you may gain the most points overall.  Despite a few questions of English usage that may arise, the test makers consistently assess the same skills.  Knowing what to expect gives you a great advantage on test day.  More importantly, continued preparation on this multiple-choice section helps you to reduce the likelihood of getting hit by a question blindside.  One of the great aspects of this part of the SAT is that the more practice you complete, the quicker and more accurate you will complete this section of the exam.  As you will find, I outline the major areas of grammar that you need to discover the patterns within this section.  Though pacing does play an important role on every section, you will find that the way to achieve faster pacing is by knowing what to expect.  Psychologically, you will find that this is also a section to find the same type of certainty that you might find in mathematics.  Simply put, some questions may baffle you- no problem.  But, if you know what to expect, you can finish this section of the exam of energizing confidence.  Carrying this I-know-I-nailed-it feeling to the next section helps to improve your spirits.  Many athletes know this feeling.  When they are in the zone-head in the game- just scored, the momentum is unstoppable.  And, so it is with you- if you prepare! 

SAT Writing Section Facts

• The multiple-choice test contains 49 questions that determine roughly 70% of your score.
• There are three types of questions to expect: improving sentence errors, identifying sentence errors, improving paragraph structure.
• You will receive two sections- one long and one short.
• The first section contains 11 improving sentence error questions, 18 identifying sentence error questions and 6 improving paragraph structure questions; all of which you must complete in 25 minutes. 
• The second section contains 14 improving sentence error questions that you must complete in 20 minutes. 
• Following the break down of both sections, the most common type of question that you will receive is an improving sentence question.
• Omission of a question neither hurts nor helps your score.
• There is a ¼ point deduction for incorrect answers to prevent guessing.
• Given the minutes for each section, the College Board gives students 42.8 seconds for each question. 

It will be wise to first take a look at the major areas of grammar that you need to discover necessary patterns for accuracy.  After building this foundation, it will be crucial to take a closer look at each type of question and how these foundations relate to each question.  Though some of the mechanical skills are the same, there are noticeable differences worth discussing for each question type.  Additionally, there will be some areas of mechanics to fine tune for each question, which requires a deeper look than an outline of SAT skills.  

Next - The Big Seven:

Knowing these areas of grammar will be vital for building muscle to your score:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement
2. Pronouns
3. The Active vs the Passive Voice
4. Parallel Structure
5. Wordiness
6. Verb Usage
7. Sentence Structure Errors: Run-on and Fragment

Practice Test Questions

SAT Practice tests for Writing

SAT Practice quizzes for Writing