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Textual Evidence: A Simple SAT Reading Guide

Improve SAT Reading scores by using textual evidence

12 min read

What is Textual Evidence

Textual evidence is the quotes or phrases from a passage that support an answer choice. On the SAT, 27 questions in each Reading module test the ability to find evidence in the passage to support a claim. The SAT is 2 hours 14 minutes, and Reading is two 32 minute modules.

How to Find Textual Evidence

To find textual evidence, read the question and answer choices first, then find the part of the passage that matches the answer choice. The Digital SAT is section adaptive: the first module decides whether the second module is the easier or harder one. This means that getting the questions in the first module correct is very important.

Tips for Using Textual Evidence

A good strategy for using textual evidence is to read the question, read the answer choices, then go back to the passage to find the evidence. This strategy takes time, but it is effective. The tradeoff is that it may take longer to answer each question, but the score will likely be higher. Each section of the SAT is scored from 200 to 800.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake is to choose an answer choice without finding the textual evidence to support it. This can lead to a lower score. To avoid this, always find the evidence in the passage before choosing an answer. The SAT has 50 Reading questions in total, and each question has 4 answer choices.

Practice with Real Questions

To improve at using textual evidence, practice with real SAT questions. The Digital SAT has two 32 minute Reading modules, each with 27 questions. Practice taking these modules to improve the ability to find textual evidence. Scores run from 400 to 1600, and the goal is to get as high a score as possible.

Conclusion of Textual Evidence

Using textual evidence is a simple and effective way to improve SAT Reading scores. By following the strategies outlined above, and practicing with real questions, it is possible to get a high score on the SAT Reading section. The total test time is 2 hours 14 minutes, and the Reading section is 64 minutes.

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