DIGITAL SAT COURSE

READING BOOK

DR. SHAAN PATEL, MD, MBA

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© 2024 by Dr. Shaan Patel, MD, MBA. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
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Published by Patel Educational Services Inc. DBA “Prep Expert.”

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 50,000,000
students have taken the SAT.

10,000
students have achieved a perfect SAT score.

1
student who improved from an average SAT score to a perfect SAT score has
written a book on how to do it. You are now reading that SAT prep book.

*Note that the numbers on this page are approximate. The number of students who take the SAT
will continue to increase as time goes on. Approximately 2 million students take the SAT each
year. The probability of achieving a perfect SAT score is 0.02%. This is equivalent to about 400
students achieving a perfect SAT score each year. We hope you are next!

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 About the Author

Dr. Shaan Patel, MD, MBA

★ Prep Expert Founder & CEO | 100,000+ Students Prepped

★ Perfect SAT Scorer | 20+ Years Experience With SAT Prep
★ #1 Bestselling Author | 10+ Test Preparation Books Published
★ As Seen On Shark Tank | Investment Deal With Mark Cuban
★ Board-Certified Dermatologist | Teledermatology Practice
★ Yale & USC Alumnus | BA, MD, & MBA
★ INC Magazine’s 30 Under 30 | Class Of 2019

In high school, Shaan Patel was like many of the students reading this book. He was a good
student who got As and Bs. However, he was a poor standardized test-taker. Shaan had a lot of
test anxiety, had no idea how to prepare for standardized exams, and received only an average
score on his first SAT.

After spending hundreds of hours studying for the SAT in high school, Shaan raised his SAT
score 640 points from average to perfect. Only 0.02% of all high school students achieve a
perfect SAT score. Shaan’s perfect SAT score completely changed his life! He received
admission to top universities and received over $500,000 in scholarships and awards.

Now, Dr. Shaan Patel has created Prep Expert to help high school students achieve their own
dreams. Prep Expert is an education company that has helped more than 100,000 students
improve their SAT and ACT scores, get into top colleges, and win over $100 million in

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scholarships. Prep Expert offers online SAT and ACT courses, academic tutoring, and college
admissions consulting.

Dr. Shaan Patel completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at the University of Southern
California, Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Yale University, Medical Degree (MD)
at the University of Southern California, and dermatology residency at Temple University
Hospital. Dr. Patel is a board-certified dermatologist who practices teledermatology.

Dr. Shaan Patel is the Founder and CEO of Prep Expert. On ABC's Shark Tank, Dr. Patel closed
a deal with Mark Cuban for an investment in Prep Expert.

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 Table of Contents
About the Author
Table of Contents
$1 Billion Scholarship Mission
SAT Reading Introduction
Digital SAT Reading Overview
Prep Expert Reading Strategies
Prep Expert Reading Strategies Overview
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #1: Build Own Simple Solution (BOSS)
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #2: Read The Question First
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #3: Understand The Main Idea
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #4: Make Inferences, Not Assumptions
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #5: Use The 7-Repetition Method For Vocab
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #6: Ignore Answer Choices
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #7: Challenge Answer Choices
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #8: Use Evidence From The Text
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #9: Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…”
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #10: Ask “Does The Text Mention _____?”
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #11: Avoid Extreme Answers
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #12: Avoid Extreme “-ly” Adverbs In Answers
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #13: Avoid Verbatim Answers
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #14: Avoid Over-Qualified Answers
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #15: Avoid These 5 Kiss of Death Words On SAT Reading
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #16: Skip Reading The Directions
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #17: Fake Interest
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #18: Improve Passage-Reading Speed
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #19: Improve Question-Answering Speed
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #20: Master The Time, Even When Time Is Running Out
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #21: Interpret Data
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #22: Highlight The Claim
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #23: KISS (Keep It Simple & Straightforward) Poems
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #24: Understand The Writing Goal
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #25: Simplify The Other Passage’s Response
Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 1
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 2
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 3

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 4
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 5
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 6
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 7
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 8
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 9
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 10
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 11
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 12
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 13
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 14
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 15
Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 16
SAT Practice Question Answers

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 $1 Billion
Scholarship Mission

Prep Expert’s motto is Change Your Score, Change Your Life. Over the past decade, Prep Expert
has helped students win over $100 million in scholarships. Over the next decade, Prep Expert has
an even bigger mission: help students win over $1 billion in scholarships!

College tuition costs continue to skyrocket. The average cost of attendance for a public in-state
university is over $100,000 and a private out-of-state university is over $200,000. Student loan
debt is also at an all-time high, nearing $2 trillion in the United States.

But there is good news! You can reduce or even eliminate your college costs with scholarships.
There are over 1.7 million private scholarships awarded each year worth over $7.4 billion.
Achieving good grades and a high SAT score will help you get a share of those scholarships.

If you receive a scholarship after using Prep Expert books or courses, please let us know! You
can drop us a note at the link below. This will help us keep track of our $1 Billion Scholarship
Mission. You can also see what scholarships other students are winning at the link below.

prepexpert.com/scholarships

Scan the QR code or visit the link prepexpert.com/scholarships

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 SAT Reading Introduction
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."
– Joseph Addison

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 Digital SAT Reading Overview
Let's discuss the SAT Reading section. Remember, SAT Writing and SAT Reading questions are
combined into the same module.

DIGITAL SAT READING & WRITING FORMAT

SECTION QUESTIONS TIME

SAT Reading & Writing Module 1 27 questions 32 minutes

SAT Reading & Writing Module 2 27 questions 32 minutes

TOTAL SAT READING & 54 QUESTIONS 64 MINUTES

WRITING

Digital SAT Reading Format

The first module on the Digital SAT will be an SAT Reading and Writing module that contains
27 questions in 32 minutes. The second module on the Digital SAT will also be an SAT Reading
and Writing module that contains 27 questions in 32 minutes.

The first 13 to 14 questions on each module are typically SAT Reading questions. In other words,
the first half of each module includes SAT Reading questions, such as passage-based questions.
The second 13 to 14 questions on each module are typically SAT Writing questions, meaning the
second half of each module includes SAT Writing questions, such as grammar questions.

Essentially, SAT Reading questions appear in the first half of the questions on each SAT Reading
and Writing module.

Digital SAT Reading Content

The SAT tests the following reading skills and knowledge areas:

SAT READING CONTENT

DOMAIN KNOWLEDGE TESTING POINT # OF QUESTIONS %

Craft & Structure ● Words in context 13–15 questions ~28%

● Text structure and purpose
● Cross-text connections

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 Information and ● Central ideas and details 12–14 questions ~26%
Ideas ● Command of evidence (textual,
quantitative)
● Inferences

The first domain is Craft & Structure, which includes 13 to 15 questions on the SAT. This makes
up about 28% of all questions on the SAT Reading and Writing modules. The knowledge testing
points within this domain include Words in Context, Text Structure and Purpose, and Cross-Text
Connections. Words in Context questions measure a student's ability to use vocabulary properly.
Text Structure and Purpose questions measure a student's ability to analyze the organization and
objectives of passages. Cross-Text Connections questions measure a student's ability to compare
and contrast the viewpoints of two different authors who are writing about the same topic.

The second domain is Information and Ideas, which includes 12 to 14 questions on the SAT. This
makes up about 26% of all questions on the SAT Reading and Writing modules. The knowledge
testing points within this domain include Central Ideas and Details, Command of Evidence, and
Inferences. Central Ideas and Details questions measure a student's ability to identify the main
idea of a passage. Command of Evidence questions measure a student's ability to use both written
and numerical data to draw conclusions. Inferences questions measure a student's ability to make
logical deductions based on the text of a passage.

It is not all that important to understand what each of the above knowledge testing points are
right now. We will discuss them in more detail as we cover Prep Expert Reading Strategies. For
now, know that these knowledge testing points test reading comprehension. Essentially, the first
half of the SAT Reading and Writing modules are going to contain comprehension-based
questions.

We will teach you Prep Expert Reading Strategies to ace these questions. In summary, 54% of
the questions on an SAT Reading and Writing module will be related to Reading. The other 46%
of the questions will be related to Writing.

Why Separate Writing & Reading?

Reading and writing questions are combined together into the same modules on the SAT. Why
does Prep Expert separate out SAT Reading versus SAT Writing? Because the strategies you
need to succeed on SAT Reading are different from the strategies you need to succeed on SAT
Writing. SAT Reading primarily contains passage-based questions, while SAT Writing primarily
contains grammar-based questions. These are two separate skill sets, so Prep Expert separates out
the strategies for SAT Reading and SAT Writing.

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 Prep Expert Reading
Strategies
“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
– Mark Twain

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategies Overview

Prep Expert Reading Strategies are a collection of techniques designed to improve your SAT
Reading score. These strategies will teach you how to improve passage-reading comprehension
and question-answering accuracy.

Within the SAT Reading & Writing modules, the first half of questions focuses on reading
comprehension and skills. Prep Expert Reading Strategies help you tackle these first 13-14
questions that test reading comprehension and inferential reasoning. The second half of each
SAT Reading and Writing module consists of grammar-based writing questions. It is important to
master the Prep Expert Writing Strategies to master the final 13-14 questions in each SAT
Reading and Writing Module.

Prep Expert Reading Strategies are adaptable, which makes them an ideal resource for students
at all levels of proficiency. Whether you are struggling with vocabulary or looking to ace the
most advanced reading questions, these strategies will address your goals.

The foundation of Prep Expert’s approach to SAT Reading is practice. Applying these strategies
to actual SAT questions will help you develop habits to comprehend passages with precision.

These reading skills will also set you up for academic and professional success. If you aspire to
ace any standardized test with passage-based comprehension questions in the future, mastering
these strategies is a key step on your journey.

Personally, I used these same Prep Expert Reading Strategies to ace many standardized exams
beyond the SAT, including the PSAT, AP exams, MCAT, GMAT, United States Medical
Licensing Exams, and American Board of Dermatology board-certification exams. Almost every
standardized exam that you take in the future will include some kind of passage-based
comprehension component. Therefore, learning these Prep Expert Reading Strategies now will
help you on all standardized tests in the future.

Prep Expert Reading Strategies pave the path to SAT Reading excellence. By integrating these
strategies into your preparation, you can elevate your reading skills. They are a roadmap to
success on SAT Reading.

Master and apply all of the Prep Expert Reading Strategies to maximize your SAT Reading
score.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #1:
Build Own Simple Solution (BOSS)

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY

Build (Your) Own Simple Solution (BOSS)

The BOSS strategy is the key to mastering the SAT Reading section. Build (Your) Own Simple
Solution means creating your own answer to the question before looking at answer choices (A),
(B), (C), or (D).

You must write down your own answer on the provided scratch paper. After you have written
down your BOSS solution, then look at the answer choices. Determine which answer choice best
matches your BOSS solution.

How Most Students Approach SAT Reading Questions

Most students do not create BOSS solutions on SAT Reading questions. Instead, they simply go
straight to reading the answer choices. The problem with this approach is that many students
begin debating between answer choices. For example, has this thought process ever gone through
your head while reading the answer choices for an SAT Reading question?

(A) Sounds good.

(B) No.
(C) Oh, I didn’t think of this before. Maybe this is the answer?
(D) Oh wow, I didn’t see this before—this could be the answer?

You end up selecting (D), when the answer was in fact (A), and get the question wrong!

BOSS Solves the Biggest Problem

The biggest problem most students have with the SAT Reading section is that they select
enticing, but incorrect answer choices. Having a specific BOSS solution written down on your
scratch paper means you will not get distracted by incorrect answer choices.

If an answer choice does not closely match your BOSS solution, cross it out. If you do not have a
BOSS solution written down to compare the answer choices to, you will likely fall for incorrect
answer choices.

A Treasure Hunt
Imagine going on a treasure hunt without knowing what the treasure looks like. Let’s say the
treasure is a diamond, but you do not know that. Along the way, you would likely get distracted

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by platinum, gold, and silver on your treasure hunt and never find the diamond. If you do not
know what you are looking for, then it is hard to find the correct item.

Similarly, reading through answer choices without knowing what you are looking for can make it
hard to find the right answer. Having a BOSS solution is like having a drawing of the exact
diamond you need to find on the treasure hunt!

If you know what the diamond you need to find looks like, you won’t get distracted by platinum,
gold, or silver (the incorrect answer choices). Instead, you will go straight for the diamond (the
correct answer choice) that matches your drawing of the diamond (your BOSS solution).

Can You Just Think of a BOSS Solution?

No! You must write down your BOSS solution. It is not enough to only think of an answer in
your head. If you only think of a BOSS solution, but do not write it down on scratch paper, then
you are clogging up your limited working memory and reducing your critical thinking ability.

What If Your BOSS Solution Does Not Match an Answer Choice Perfectly?
It is fine if your BOSS solution does not perfectly match an answer choice. The important thing
is to come up with a solution to which to compare the answer choices. By creating a BOSS
solution, you are doing the critical thinking that the SAT wants you to do.

Even if your BOSS solution does not match any of the answer choices, you will likely still
answer the question correctly. Why? Because you have thought critically about the concepts
associated with the question, which will lead you to the correct answer.

Doesn’t Writing a BOSS Solution Down on Paper Slow You Down?

No! It is true that creating a BOSS solution requires some extra time on the frontend of a
question, as you write an answer down on your scratch paper.

However, BOSS still saves a tremendous amount of time overall on the backend. Why? Because
you don’t waste time debating answer choices. The majority of your time is not spent reading
passages, as most students believe. Deliberating over answer choices is actually how students
spend the majority of their time during SAT Reading and Writing modules.

BOSS solves the biggest problem of the SAT Reading section: you no longer have to debate
between answer choices. Just select the one that most closely matches your BOSS solution.

Why Most Students Don’t Like Writing Down a BOSS Solution

Most students would prefer not to write down a BOSS solution on scratch paper. Why? Because
it takes time and effort. Most students would prefer to be lazy and just start looking at the answer

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choices. Don’t be like most students.

Instead, take the time and effort to write down a BOSS solution for every SAT Reading question
before looking at the answer choices. Students who do this are rewarded with higher SAT
Reading scores.

Does Your BOSS Solution Need to Sound Like an SAT Answer Choice?
No! You do not need to write down an academic or complex BOSS solution. Your BOSS
solution can be as simple as the words “good” or “bad.”

Of course, the more specific your BOSS solution is, the more likely it is to match one of the
answer choices. But if you really can’t think of a BOSS solution, write down something simple
that makes sense, and then start comparing it to the available answer choices.

Getting good at coming up with BOSS solutions takes practice. So make sure you practice
creating BOSS solutions for every SAT Reading question from here on out.

Build (Your) Own Simple Solution to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Build (Our) Own Simple Solution together on an SAT Reading question. On Prep Expert
Examples such as the one below, I purposely do not show you the entire problem all at once. This
is because I want to show you my step-by-step approach. That way, you can follow the same
steps when you take the Digital SAT.

The most important step for every SAT Reading question is creating a BOSS solution before
looking at the answer choices. Make it a habit to ignore answer choices on SAT Reading
questions until after you have created a BOSS solution. Your BOSS solution may be different
from the BOSS solution we create below, but they will likely be similar. The point of writing
down a BOSS solution is not to create the perfect answer—it is to do the critical thinking
necessary to prevent you from getting distracted by the incorrect answer choices.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

In an attempt to revolutionize the concept of learning

spaces, educators Sarah Thompson and Mike Johnson
designed an innovative school environment. The school
building features flexible classrooms with movable walls,
comfortable seating options ranging from bean bags to
standing desks, and interactive virtual reality learning
stations. Thompson and Johnson believe that this
dynamic and versatile design will encourage students to
be more engaged, foster a love for learning, and enhance
their academic performance.

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

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 Unique features = good

The main idea of the passage is to describe how the design features of the school improve
students’ learning. Of course, we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch paper.
Instead, we can simply write down “Unique features = good.” This gives us a specific BOSS solution
to compare the answer choices to.

Step 4: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) The flexible design of the school building by Sarah

Thompson and Mike Johnson is impractical and
hinders students' learning experiences.
B) Creating an environment with virtual reality
learning stations and movable walls is the most
effective way to boost academic performance in
schools.
C) Sarah Thompson and Mike Johnson, as educators,
have always been passionate about designing
innovative and dynamic learning spaces.
D) Despite its unconventional features, the school
environment designed by Sarah Thompson and Mike
Johnson aims to improve student engagement,
learning interest, and academic performance.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Unique features = good.” This solution most closely matches
answer choice (D). If we did not have a BOSS solution written down, we may have been tricked
by answer choice (B). It sounds like a good answer. However, the passage is about all of the
school’s innovative features, not just its virtual reality stations and movable walls.

Having a BOSS solution saved us a lot of time because we did not have to debate between
answer choices (B) and (D). We can simply select answer choice (D), and move on. From now
on, use BOSS to answer every SAT Reading question you come across.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Dr. Jane Goodall, a primatologist and anthropologist,

has dedicated her life to the study of chimpanzees. She
has observed their behaviors for decades and has seen
the many ways they are similar to humans. Based on her
research, she _______ that chimpanzees possess a level
of intelligence that was once thought to be unique to
humans.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical
and precise word or phrase?

A) discredits
B) assumes
C) postulates
D) ignores

The following text is adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's

1925 novel The Great Gatsby. Nick Carraway is
attending one of Gatsby's extravagant parties.

Nick entered the party, feeling a mix of excitement

and curiosity. As he glanced around, his eyes
widened and a smile spread across his face. The
dazzling lights, the lively music, and the glamorous
atmosphere overwhelmed him. It was as if he had
stepped into a vibrant and enchanting world. He felt
a sense of wonder, as if he had discovered something
extraordinary for the first time.
According to the text, what is true about Nick
Carraway?

A) He has attended similar parties in the past.

B) He is indifferent towards Gatsby's extravagant lifestyle.
C) He is captivated and delighted by the party's ambiance.

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 D) He finds the party overwhelming and uninteresting.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #1—Build (Your) Own Simple Solution (BOSS):
Come up with your own answer before reviewing the given answer choices to avoid
getting distracted by incorrect choices.
● Common student approach: Many students read the given answer choices
immediately. This leads them to get confused and select incorrect answers that have
enticing language.
● Solution to common mistakes: Writing down a BOSS solution on the provided scratch
paper gives you a clear point of reference. This helps you eliminate incorrect answer
choices and improves your decision-making accuracy.
● Advantages of using BOSS: The BOSS method improves critical thinking, frees up
working memory, and saves time typically lost to debating between answer choices.
● Consistent practice is key: Regularly practicing the BOSS strategy leads to better
performance and higher scores in SAT Reading. Even if your initial BOSS solution is
not perfect, you are still more likely to answer SAT Reading questions correctly.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #2:
Read The Question First

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY

Read the Question First on SAT Reading

By reading the question first on SAT Reading, you will know exactly what the problem is asking
for before reading the passage. This means you will have a goal in mind and will know what to
look out for while reading the passage.

Reading the question first clarifies what you should focus on while reading the passage.
Ultimately, this allows you to ignore details of the passage that are not relevant to the question at
hand.

Do Not Read the Passage First on SAT Reading

Many students approach SAT Reading problems by reading the passage first. This is a mistake. If
you read the passage first without reading the question, you will not know what to focus on as
you read.

Without a specific goal to focus on, your mind will become overloaded with information. You
will try to remember every detail of the passage, overburdening your working memory and
decreasing your critical thinking ability.

Correct Order of Items to Read on SAT Reading

Read the components of an SAT Reading problem in the following order:

1. Question
2. Blurb (if applicable)
3. Passage
4. Answer choices (only after you create a BOSS solution)

Read The Question First to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Below is the anatomy of a typical SAT Reading problem as it is presented on the Digital SAT
testing application.

→BLURB →QUESTION

→PASSAGE

→ANSWER CHOICES

The incorrect approach to this SAT Reading problem would be to read the items in the following
order:

1. Blurb
2. Passage
3. Question
4. Answer choices (without having created a BOSS solution)

The correct approach to this SAT Reading problem would be to read the items in the following
order:

1. Question
2. Blurb
3. Passage
4. Answer choices (only after you have created a BOSS solution)

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 →BLURB →QUESTION
(Read SECOND) (Read FIRST)
→PASSAGE
(Read THIRD)

→ANSWER CHOICES
(Read FOURTH)
*Only after creating a BOSS Solution

In this case, the question is “Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?”

Reading this question first prepares you to focus on the main idea of the passage. With this
question about the main idea in mind while reading the passage, you can create a more accurate
BOSS solution. Creating a better BOSS solution makes you more likely to answer the SAT
Reading question correctly. In this way, Prep Expert Reading Strategy #1–BOSS and Prep Expert
Reading Strategy #2–Read The Question First flow together.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

A study by a team of psychologists at a university found

that people who spend more time on social media tend
to have more negative views of their own bodies. The
researchers surveyed 500 undergraduate students about
their social media habits and their perceptions of their
own bodies. They found that those who spent more
time on social media tended to have more negative
views of their own bodies, even when controlling for
factors like gender and weight.
Which choice best states the function of the underlined
sentence in the overall structure of the text?
A) To summarize the results of the study
B) To present a specific example that illustrates the
study’s findings
C) To explain part of the methodology used in the
study
D) To call out a challenge the researchers faced in
conducting their analysis

In the early 20th century, the Harlem Renaissance was a

flourishing artistic and cultural movement among
African Americans. In an essay for a history class, a
student argues that the poetry of Langston Hughes was
a significant contribution to the movement, reflecting
both the struggles and the aspirations of the black
experience in America.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the
student's claim?
A) Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902, and
later attended Columbia University in New York
City, where he became acquainted with other
notable writers and intellectuals of the time.

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 B) Hughes's poetry was characterized by vivid and
evocative language, often incorporating elements
of African American culture, folklore, and music.
C) Despite facing discrimination and prejudice
throughout his life, Hughes published numerous
books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, and
became one of the most prominent literary figures
of the Harlem Renaissance.
D) Other prominent writers and poets of the Harlem
Renaissance, such as Zora Neale Hurston and
Countee Cullen, also addressed issues of race and
identity in their work, but their writing did not
resonate as widely with African American
audiences as Hughes's poetry did.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #2—Read The Question First: Start SAT Reading
problems by reading the question first to establish a clear goal before diving into the
passage. This enables you to filter information more efficiently.
● Avoid the passage-first approach: Reading the passage before the question can
overwhelm your working memory and hinder your critical thinking ability. This
overloads your mind with details that are likely irrelevant to the question.
● Follow a structured order: Adhere to a specific, structured order when approaching
SAT Reading problems: first the question, followed by the blurb and the passage, and
finally the answer choices (but only after creating your own BOSS solution).

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #3:
Understand The Main Idea

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Understand the Main Idea on SAT Reading
It’s essential to understand the main idea of SAT Reading passages. This will help you
understand the passage overall and increase your likelihood of answering the question correctly.

Where Is the Main Idea Located?

On an SAT Reading passage, the main idea is typically located towards the beginning of the
passage (i.e., in the first, second, or third sentence of the paragraph). However, in some cases, the
main idea may be located in the last sentence of the paragraph.

It is not important to highlight the exact sentence that contains the main idea. Instead, make sure
to understand the main idea of the passage overall.

Do You Need to Write Down the Main Idea?

No! Unlike BOSS solutions, it is not necessary to write down the main idea of every SAT
Reading passage. There is one exception to this rule: when the SAT Reading question is
specifically asking about the main idea of the passage.

Example question: Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

When you see the above question on the SAT, you should write down the main idea of the
passage before looking at the answer choices. This will serve as your BOSS solution for the
question.

Understand The Main Idea to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Understand The Main Idea together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice best represents the main idea of the

passage?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

The following text is adapted from Charles Dickens'

1838 classic novel "Oliver Twist." Oliver, a young boy, is
left alone in the undertaker's shop.
After being left alone in the undertaker's shop,
Oliver sets the lamp on a workman's bench and
looks around with a mixture of awe and dread. The
sight of an unfinished coffin on black trestles in the
middle of the shop fills him with cold trembles, and
he imagines that he might see a terrifying figure
emerging from it.

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Oliver is scared.

The main idea of the passage is that Oliver is terrified while in the undertaker’s shop. Of course,
we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch paper. Instead, we can simply write down
“Oliver is scared .” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to which to compare the answer choices.

Step 4: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) Oliver is fascinated by the workman's bench in

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 the undertaker's shop.
B) Oliver feels a mixture of awe and dread while
He is alone in the shop.
C) Oliver is eager to finish the unfinished coffin on
black trestles.
D) Oliver expects to find something cheerful in
the undertaker's shop.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Oliver is scared.” This most closely matches answer choice
(B).

In this case, the question was specifically asking about the main idea of the passage, so our
BOSS solution matched the main idea. This will not always be the case.

Even for questions that do not specifically ask about the main idea, it is important to understand
the main idea of the passage. Doing so will help you focus while reading the passage, so that you
can answer more SAT Reading questions correctly.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The invention of the World Wide Web revolutionized

the way we access and share information today. Before
its creation, accessing information on the internet was a
tedious task. Tim Berners-Lee, a computer scientist,
recognized the need for a system that would allow
people to easily share information and documents. The
result was the World Wide Web, a network of
interlinked hypertext documents that could be accessed
from anywhere in the world. With the creation of the
web, the internet became more user-friendly and
accessible to the average person.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A) To discuss Berners-Lee's invention of the World
Wide Web
B) To explain how hypertext documents work
C) To call attention to the benefits of the internet
D) To indicate how popular the World Wide Web is

In the early 20th century, mathematicians proposed the

concept of fractals, intricate geometric shapes with
self-similarity at different scales. However, it wasn't
until the advent of computers and advanced
mathematical algorithms that the true nature of fractals
could be explored. In 1980, Benoit Mandelbrot
introduced the Mandelbrot set, a specific fractal pattern
generated by a simple mathematical equation. This
breakthrough allowed for a deeper understanding and
visualization of the complexity and beauty of fractals.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
A) The development of computers and mathematical
algorithms enabled the exploration and
understanding of the true nature of fractals.

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 B) Mathematicians in the early 20th century
introduced the concept of fractals and their
intricate self-similarity.
C) The Mandelbrot set is a specific fractal pattern
that revolutionized the understanding of fractals.
D) Fractals are intricate geometric shapes that exhibit
self-similarity at different scales and possess great
complexity and beauty.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #3—Understand The Main Idea: Grasping the main
idea of SAT Reading passages is crucial for answering questions correctly. Doing so
guides your focus throughout the passage.
● Main idea location: Typically, the main idea can be found in the first few sentences of
a passage or paragraph. Sometimes it may appear at the end of a passage though.
Regardless, understanding the main idea is more important than knowing its exact
location within the passage.
● Writing down the main idea isn’t usually necessary: Unlike the case of BOSS
solutions, writing down the main idea is usually not necessary. Of course, if a question
is specifically asking about the main idea, then you should write it down. This main
idea will also serve as your BOSS solution.
● Improves focus and accuracy: Even if the question does not directly ask for the main
idea, understanding it enhances your focus while reading. Ultimately, this leads to more
accurate answers on the SAT Reading section.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #4:
Make Inferences, Not Assumptions

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Inferences vs. Assumptions
There is a subtle yet important difference between inferences and assumptions:

Inferences: Based on evidence from the SAT Reading passage

Assumptions: Not based on evidence from the SAT Reading passage

Making assumptions that go beyond the scope of what is written in the passage is one of the
biggest mistakes that students make. On SAT Reading questions, make inferences, not
assumptions.

Identifying Assumptions in SAT Reading Answer Choices Is a Key Skill

Recognizing when SAT Reading answer choices contain assumptions that exceed the scope of
what is written in the passage is a key skill that will help you eliminate incorrect answer choices.

SAT test question writers love tricking students into making assumptions. Do not fall for their
tricks. Avoid assumptions on answer choices. Doing so will help you avoid selecting incorrect
answers on the SAT Reading section.

Make Inferences, Not Assumptions to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Examples:

Now let's illustrate the difference between inferences and assumptions.

Example 1: Mark is tall and athletic.

Imagine that an SAT Reading passage contained the statement above. Below is the difference
between an assumption (which you are not allowed to make) and an inference (which you are
allowed to make) on SAT Reading.

ASSUMPTION INFERENCE

Mark plays basketball. Mark is physically in good shape.

Just because Mark is tall and athletic does not necessarily mean that he plays basketball. This is
an assumption that goes beyond the scope of the passage text. However, you can make the
inference that Mark is physically in good shape. The passage text contains evidence that supports
the inference, but not the assumption.

Example 2: The doctor speaks to patients harshly.

Imagine that an SAT Reading passage contained the statement above. Below is the difference
between an assumption (which you are not allowed to make) and an inference (which you are
allowed to make) on SAT Reading.

ASSUMPTION INFERENCE

The doctor is a man. The doctor has an aggressive demeanor.

Just because the doctor speaks harshly does not necessarily mean that the doctor is a man. This is
an assumption that goes beyond the scope of the passage text. However, you can make the
inference that the doctor has an aggressive demeanor. The passage text contains evidence that
supports the inference, but not the assumption.

Example 3: The computer science student spends hours a day coding.

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Imagine that an SAT Reading passage contained the statement above. Below is the difference
between an assumption (which you are not allowed to make) and an inference (which you are
allowed to make) on SAT Reading.

ASSUMPTION INFERENCE

The student is intelligent. The student is dedicated.

Just because the student spends hours a day coding does not necessarily mean that the student is
intelligent. This is an assumption that goes beyond the scope of the passage text. However, you
can make the inference that the student is dedicated. The passage text contains evidence that
supports the inference, but not the assumption.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The following text is adapted from J.D. Salinger's novel

The Catcher in the Rye.
I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It's
awful. If I'm on my way to the store to buy a
magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I'm
going, I'm liable to say I'm going to the opera. It's
terrible. So when I told old Spencer I had to go to
the gym and get my equipment and stuff, that was a
sheer lie.
What can be inferred about the speaker based on the
text?
A) The speaker is an accomplished opera singer.
B) The speaker is generally truthful and doesn't lie
often.
C) The speaker has a habit of lying about even the
most mundane things.
D) The speaker is nervous and often makes up
elaborate stories to impress people.

The following text is adapted from Charles Dickens'

1859 historical novel A Tale of Two Cities. A mob is
formed outside a mansion belonging to the
Evrémondes, a wealthy and influential aristocratic
family.
One woman, more impassioned than the rest, threw
her scarf high into the sky and yelled (as much as I
could discern) "Down with the Evrémondes!"
Everyone bellowed, but whether it was against the
Evrémondes or not, was hard to determine: some
were shouting "Justice!" and some "Bread!", but no
one seemed to understand what they were really
demanding.

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 All this I observed from the open balcony of the
Evrémondes' dining room, looking over the shoulder
of the family's patriarch.
"What is the meaning of all this?" he kept muttering
to himself. "I've never heard such a clamor before—
and at this hour of the day! And with such concord!"
Based on the text, how does the patriarch of the
Evrémondes family respond to the mob?
A) He questions the intention behind the mob's
shouting, even though he pretends to understand
their demands.
B) He shows interest in addressing the mob, despite
the mob's apparent hostility towards his family.
C) He expresses empathy for the mob's grievances,
despite being clearly annoyed by their shouting.
D) He perceives the mob as unified, even though the
mob's demands are quite varied.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #4—Make Inferences, Not Assumptions: Inferences
are evidence-based deductions drawn from the SAT Reading passage. Assumptions are
conclusions not supported by evidence in the text that go beyond the scope of the
passage.
● A common pitfall: Avoid making assumptions that extend beyond the passage's
content. This is a frequent error among students.
● A critical skill: Develop the ability to identify which answer choices contain
assumptions rather than inferences. This is crucial for ruling out incorrect answer
choices.
● Test writers' traps: Be aware that SAT test question writers often try to bait students
into making assumptions. Steer clear of these traps to choose correct answers on SAT
Reading.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #5:
Use The 7-Repetition Method For
Vocab

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Is Vocabulary Important for SAT Reading?
Yes! Thankfully, the SAT no longer tests highly obscure vocabulary words like it did many years
ago. However, it is still important to memorize certain vocabulary words for the SAT.

The SAT tests vocabulary directly via Words in Context questions. These are the questions that
ask, “Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?”

The SAT tests vocabulary indirectly via reading passages and answer choices. If you do not
understand the meanings of the words in the passages or answer choices, then you will answer
many questions incorrectly on SAT Reading.

You must have a good understanding of specific vocabulary words to score high on the SAT.

Which Vocabulary Words Should You Memorize for the SAT?

Refer to Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists. These are data-driven lists of the vocabulary words
that appear most frequently on SAT Reading.

Studying Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists is one of the most effective ways to raise your SAT
score. It will give you a huge advantage over other students on test day because you will have
prepared with a list of actual, frequently-appearing SAT vocabulary words.

How Should You Memorize SAT Vocabulary Words?

In high school, teachers often tell you to “memorize” vocabulary words, lists, and other study
materials. The problem is that no one ever teaches you how to memorize.

Here is one technique that has worked well for me: the 7-Repetition Method. Repetition is an
important aspect of memory formation. If you see something seven times, you are more likely to
remember it. Use this fact to help you memorize SAT vocabulary words.

Repeat the definition or synonym of a vocab word seven times, whether in your mind or out
loud. You can also use flashcards, practice word association, and create sentences with the
vocabulary words. Do what works for you! But make sure that you use a systematic approach to
memorizing the hundreds of words on Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists.

What Are Some Benefits of Memorizing Vocabulary Words?

These are just some of the benefits of memorizing vocabulary words:

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 ● You will comprehend SAT Reading passages, questions, and answer choices better
● You will comprehend SAT Writing passages, questions and answer choices better
● You will write better college application essays
● You will write better scholarship application essays
● You will write better high school essays
● You will write better papers in college
● You will comprehend passages on other standardized tests better (i.e., AP Exams)
● You will improve your general reading comprehension
● You will improve your general writing ability

Where Can You Find Prep Expert SAT Vocabulary Word Lists?
Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists can be found in the back of this book.

Use The 7-Repetition Method For Vocab to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Memorize: Promulgate = Broadcast

Suppose that you want to memorize that the word “promulgate” means “broadcast.” Use The
7-Repetition Method For Vocab by repeating the following in your mind or out loud 7 times:

Promulgate means broadcast.

Promulgate means broadcast.
Promulgate means broadcast.
Promulgate means broadcast.
Promulgate means broadcast.
Promulgate means broadcast.
Promulgate means broadcast.

While this repetition might seem like overkill, I bet that you will now forever remember what
“promulgate” means! Try this method out for yourself when memorizing Prep Expert SAT Vocab
Word Lists. Determine if it helps to embed the words in your long-term memory.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

During an excavation in Egypt, archaeologists

uncovered a burial site containing the remains of a
pharaoh from the New Kingdom period. The tomb was
filled with elaborate treasures and symbols of power,
suggesting the ruler's high status. This discovery may
lead historians who have argued that pharaohs were
exclusively male to ______ that women might have also
held the title and ruled as pharaohs.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical
and precise word or phrase?
A) persist
B) surmise
C) speculate
D) concede

Scientists have long struggled to explain the origin of

Earth's magnetic field, which is crucial for protecting
the planet's atmosphere from the solar wind. Recent
research by Julien Aubert and his team has provided a
more _______ explanation by simulating the
conditions of Earth's core and mantle. Using advanced
computer models, they were able to show how
convection in the molten core generates electric currents
that produce the magnetic field.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical
and precise word or phrase?
A) ambiguous
B) circumstantial
C) convoluted
D) plausible

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #5—Use The 7-Repetition Method For Vocab:
Vocabulary is crucial for the SAT, especially for Words in Context questions. In
addition, possessing an enhanced vocabulary is helpful for your overall comprehension
of SAT Reading passages and answer choices.
● Targeted vocabulary lists: Use data-driven Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists that
contain common SAT vocabulary words to improve your test performance.
● Memorization technique: Employ the 7-Repetition Method to effectively memorize
vocabulary. This method reinforces memory by repeating a word's definition or
synonym seven times.
● Multifaceted benefits: Memorizing vocabulary not only aids in SAT success, but also
improves general reading comprehension skills, essay writing skills, AP Exam
performance, and more.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #6:
Ignore Answer Choices

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
You Must Ignore Answer Choices on SAT Reading
Recall that the most powerful Prep Expert Strategy for the SAT Reading section is BOSS (Build
(Your) Own Simple Solution). In order for BOSS to be effective, you must Ignore Answer
Choices.

You need to Build (Your) Own Simple Solution before looking at the answer choices. Therefore,
you must Ignore Answer Choices until after you have written down a BOSS solution on your
scratch paper.

If you peek at the answer choices before writing down a BOSS solution, your BOSS solution
will be influenced by the answer choices (most of which are, of course, incorrect). In addition, if
you read the answer choices first, then you will likely get confused, because all of the answer
choices might sound good if you do not have a BOSS solution to which to compare them. Do
your best to avoid peeking at the answer choices before writing down a BOSS solution.

Ignoring Answer Choices Takes Discipline

While taking the old paper-and-pencil version of the SAT, it was easy to avoid looking at the
answer choices. Students could simply cover the answer choices with their hand.

The digital version of the SAT makes ignoring answer choices much more difficult. You cannot
easily cover the answer choices on the screen with your hand and simultaneously write down a
BOSS solution on the scratch paper. Therefore, you need to be disciplined to avoid looking at the
answer choices before writing down your BOSS solution.

Ignore Answer Choices to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Do you notice anything different about the image above? I have manually covered the answer
choices with a gray box. The gray box represents how you should Ignore Answer Choices on
SAT Reading questions. Of course, you cannot actually place a gray box over the answer choices
during your Digital SAT. But you should pretend that the answer choices are literally not there.

Only after you create a BOSS solution should you actually look at the answer choices. In this
case, let’s say that you read the passage and created a BOSS solution that is the following:

People share resources well

Once you have created a BOSS solution, you should look back at the answer choices. To
illustrate in this example, I will now remove the gray box that previously covered the answer
choices.

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We should now see that answer choice (A) most closely matches our BOSS solution. Therefore,
select (A) and move onto the next question. Because we created a specific BOSS solution, we do
not need to waste time debating whether the other answer choices are correct.

When answering SAT Reading questions, pretend the answer choices are covered by a gray box.
This will help you Ignore Answer Choices until after you have written down a BOSS solution on
your scratch paper.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Climate scientists are certain that human activities are

increasing global temperatures, leading to climate
change. However, they are less confident about the
specific rate at which global temperatures will rise in the
future, as this depends on various factors that are not
fully understood. Environmental scientist Dr. Laura
Sanchez and her team recently conducted a study to see
if changes in atmospheric methane concentrations
could help predict temperature rise, but their research
concluded that this method was insufficient to provide
an accurate forecast.
Which choice best describes the function of the second
sentence in the overall structure of the text?
A) It outlines the primary argument against the
findings of Dr. Sanchez and her team.
B) It introduces the key discovery made by Dr.
Sanchez and her team.
C) It establishes the challenge that Dr. Sanchez and
her team aimed to address, but could not.
D) It highlights a fundamental flaw in the approach
used by Dr. Sanchez and her team.

Although individuals with a background in finance

constitute a small portion of the overall workforce, they
occupy a significantly higher proportion of positions in
the banking industry. One possible explanation for this
disproportionate representation is that finance
education and experience provide individuals with
specialized knowledge and skills that are highly valued
in the banking sector, leading to their increased
_______

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 Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) desirability among banking employers.
B) inclination to pursue careers in other industries.
C) influence on hiring practices in non-financial
sectors.
D) impact on the overall composition of the
workforce.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #6—Ignore Answer Choices: Avoid looking at the
given answer choices before writing down a BOSS solution to avoid getting influenced
by them. Most answer choices are designed to be misleading.
● Write first: Write down your BOSS solution on the provided scratch paper before
looking at the given answer choices to prevent bias.
● Digital vs. Paper: The Digital SAT format makes it harder to avoid peeking at answer
choices. With the old paper version of the SAT, you could simply physically cover the
answer choices with your hand. Given this is no longer the case with the SAT being on
a digital screen, you must have discipline to avoid peeking at the answer choices.
● Discipline needed: Discipline is crucial to resist viewing the given answer choices on
the Digital SAT before writing down your own BOSS solution.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #7:
Challenge Answer Choices

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
75% Of All SAT Reading Answer Choices Are INCORRECT
You should challenge every word of the answer choices on SAT Reading questions. You should
spend more time justifying why answer choices are incorrect. Do not spend time justifying why
answer choices are correct. Why? Because 75% of answer choices are incorrect.

If you are currently attempting to justify why answer choices are correct, then your SAT score is
likely suffering. Since most answer choices are incorrect, you will get frustrated. Do not try to
justify why answer choices are correct. Instead, you should assume that answer choices are
incorrect—do not give them the benefit of the doubt.

Do Not Let Answer Choices Get Away with False Statements

Many students give test question writers the benefit of the doubt when going through SAT
Reading answer choices. Students often think the following when reading answer choices:

“Oh, I guess the passage could be saying that”

or
“Oh, I suppose that actually is in the passage.”

Thought processes like these are attempting to justify answer choices.

Instead, you should think the following when reading answer choices:

“The passage is definitely not saying that”

or
“That phrase is certainly not in the passage”

Thought processes like these are attempting to Challenge Answer Choices.

Every Answer Choice Is “Guilty until Proven Innocent”

In the United States criminal justice system, an accused party is “innocent until proven guilty.”
However, you should have the exact opposite mindset when it comes to SAT Reading answer
choices.

An answer choice is “guilty until proven innocent.” This means that you should assume every
answer choice is incorrect. Try to challenge every answer choice to find its flaws. This shift in

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mindset from justifying answer choices to challenging answer choices will boost your SAT
Reading score.

Students Struggle with SAT Reading Because They Justify Answer Choices
Students often doubt themselves and think, “Maybe I just don’t fully understand the passage.”
Here are some more examples of attempts to justify answer choices:

“Oh, I suppose the author could have been trying to say…”

or
“I guess that could be in the passage...”
or
“Maybe the author was trying to convey…”

Trying to justify incorrect answer choices in this way is detrimental to your SAT Reading score.

To Avoid Justification, You Must Demand Perfect Answer Choices

Every word of a correct answer choice must be 100% correct. If the answer choice is not 100%
correct, then it is 100% incorrect. You must scrutinize every word of every answer choice.
Demand perfect answer choices.

Challenge Answer Choices to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Challenge Answer Choices together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

Researchers studying the civilization of Ancestral

Puebloans found that turkey remains at Mesa Verde, a
village in southern Colorado, were genetically linked to
modern turkey populations in the Rio Grande Valley of
north central New Mexico. These genetic markers only
appeared after 1280, suggesting that ______

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution On Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Turkeys: Colorado → New Mexico

The passage describes how turkey populations may have migrated from Colorado to New
Mexico after the year 1280. Of course, we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch
paper. Instead, we can simply write down “Turkeys: Colorado → New Mexico. ” This gives us a specific
BOSS solution to which to compare the answer choices.

Step 4: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) Mesa Verde was the original breeding ground for

turkeys in the region.
B) the Ancestral Puebloans of Mesa Verde introduced
turkey cultivation to the Rio Grande Valley.

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 C) the Ancestral Puebloans of Mesa Verde primarily
relied on turkey farming for their sustenance.
D) turkey populations in the Rio Grande Valley were
on the brink of extinction before the 1280s.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Turkeys: Colorado → New Mexico.” This most closely matches
answer choice (B).

As we read the answer choices, we should also Challenge Answer Choices:

Answer choice (A): Challenge Answer Choices. Challenge the phrase “the original breeding
ground.” There is no evidence in the passage text to support this statement.
Answer choice (B): Challenge Answer Choices. There is no phrase in this answer choice that
lacks evidence from the passage text.
Answer choice (C): Challenge Answer Choices. Challenge the phrase “primarily relied on
turkey farming for their sustenance.” There is no evidence in the passage text to support this
statement.
Answer choice (D): Challenge Answer Choices. Challenge the phrase “brink of extinction
before the 1280s.” There is no evidence in the passage text to support this statement.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Among mammals that display complex social

interactions, such as dolphins, elephants, and humans,
there seems to be a universal preference for symmetry,
seen in things like mate selection and aesthetic
appreciation. Susan Gonzalez and her team used a series
of images of symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns to
test whether this trait is also present in solitary red foxes,
which have limited social interactions. They found that
fox pups showed a significant preference for the
symmetrical patterns, suggesting that ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) symmetry is likely perceived as appealing by
mammals that have complex social interactions
but as uninteresting by solitary animals.
B) researchers should not assume that an innate
preference for symmetry is necessarily an
adaptation related to social interaction or mate
selection.
C) researchers can assume that the preference for
symmetry that is seen in social mammals is learned
rather than innate.
D) young red foxes show a stronger preference for
symmetrical patterns than adult red foxes do.

Many astronomers rely on their expertise and experience

to identify celestial objects based on their observed
characteristics. However, a group of researchers recently
developed a machine learning algorithm trained on vast
amounts of astronomical data. They claim that this
algorithm can accurately identify celestial objects as well
as human astronomers. Some astronomers have
expressed concern that their role may be diminished by

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 such algorithms, but the researchers argue against this
possibility.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the
researchers' claim?
A) In the researchers' study, the algorithm was able to
identify celestial objects much faster than human
astronomers.
B) In the researchers' study, neither the algorithm nor
the human astronomers were able to accurately
identify all the celestial objects in the dataset.
C) A survey of astronomers showed that identifying
celestial objects leaves them with limited time to
conduct other critical tasks that require human
expertise.
D) A survey of astronomers showed that few of them
received specialized training in identifying celestial
objects based on observed characteristics.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #7—Challenge Answer Choices: Challenge every
word of SAT Reading answer choices. 75% of given answer choices are incorrect.
Therefore, spend more time disproving than proving the validity of answer choices.
● False statements: Do not rationalize answer choices by trying to make them fit the
passage. Instead, reject false statements outright without giving them the benefit of the
doubt.
● A common pitfall: Students often hurt their SAT scores by trying to justify incorrect
answer choices instead of recognizing their flaws.
● Guilty by default: Treat every answer choice as though it is incorrect until proven
otherwise. Flip your mindset from justifying answer choices to challenging them.
● Demand perfection: Only accept answer choices in which every word is 100 percent
correct. If any small part of an answer choice is incorrect, cross out the entire answer
choice as incorrect.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #8:
Use Evidence From The Text

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Every Correct Answer Must Be Supported by Evidence from the Text
When answering SAT Reading questions, you must be able to point to the exact word or sentence
in the passage that supports your answer. If you cannot point to evidence from the text that
supports the answer you selected, you are choosing an incorrect answer.

Why does every correct answer need to be supported by evidence from the text? Because the
SAT is a standardized test. This means that there cannot be any questions that are open to
interpretation. There can be one, and only one, correct answer per question—without any debate.

If students challenge the validity of a question, the test question writers must be able to defend
the question. They must provide evidence from the text that supports why the correct answer is
correct. If the test question writers cannot provide evidence from the text that supports the
correct answer, then it is not a valid SAT Reading question. Test question writers almost never
make such a mistake—do not bet on it. Instead, make sure you can find evidence in the text to
support your answers.

Many Students Believe the SAT Reading Section Is Subjective

Many students think that the subjective nature of SAT Reading causes them to answer questions
incorrectly. If the SAT Reading section were subjective, then there would be multiple correct
answer choices to every question. The SAT would no longer be a valid standardized test.

This is not true.

The SAT Reading section is just as objective as the SAT Math section. This means that there is
one, and only one, correct answer to every question. There is only one answer that can be
supported by objective evidence from the text.

The truth is that the SAT Reading section is black and white. There are correct answers
supported by evidence from the text. And there are incorrect answers that are not supported by
evidence from the text. There is no gray area in SAT Reading passages, questions, or answer
choices.

Use Evidence From The Text to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Use Evidence From The Text together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

With over 100 countries in agreement, the Green

Energy Accord aims to promote renewable energy
adoption globally. However, some critics point out a
potential flaw in the accord. For instance, it allows
member countries to set their own renewable energy
targets, which might result in a lack of transparency and
accountability in tracking progress towards global
renewable energy goals. This could hinder collaborative
efforts and lead to _______.

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

No responsibility

The passage describes how countries will lack responsibility because they can set their own
renewable energy goals. Of course, we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch paper.
Instead, we can simply write down “No responsibility. ” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to
which to compare the answer choices.

Step 4 - Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) a lack of transparency and accountability in

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 tracking progress towards global renewable
energy goals.
B) an increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to
excessive reliance on fossil fuels.
C) an unfair advantage for certain countries in
accessing renewable energy technology.
D) difficulties in enforcing penalties for countries
that fail to meet their renewable energy targets.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “No responsibility.” This most closely matches answer choice
(A).

As we are reading the answer choices, we should also Use Evidence From The Text.

Answer choice (A): Use Evidence From The Text. The phrase “lack of transparency and
accountability” is valid. There is clear evidence in the passage text to support this statement.
Answer choice (B): Use Evidence From The Text. The phrases “greenhouse gas emissions” and
“fossil fuels” are invalid. There is no evidence in the passage text to support these statements.
Answer choice (C): Use Evidence From The Text. The phrase “unfair advantage” and the word
“technology” are invalid. There is no evidence in the passage text to support these statements.
Answer choice (D): Use Evidence From The Text. The word “penalties” is invalid. There is no
evidence in the passage text to support this statement.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The following text is adapted from Frances Hodgson

Burnett’s 1911 novel The Secret Garden.
Mary was not so contrary as she used to be. She was
beginning to like people and to interest herself in
their doings. She laughed till she cried over the little
stories Sharpe told her about his quarrels with his
wife and his troubles with his mother-in-law. She
began to find the dullness of the invalids’ society less
dull than it had seemed to her at first. And she did
not always prefer the society of the moorland boys to
that of the girls who lived in fine houses. She began
to make plans for the improvement of the village, to
be interested in the welfare of the people. . . .
According to the text, what is true about Mary?
A) She is bored with the society of the invalids.
B) She is still very contrary.
C) She is no longer interested in the boys who live on
the moor.
D) She is becoming more interested in people and
their lives.

In the late nineteenth century, researchers began to

compile African American spirituals, but they did not
always agree about these spirituals' origins. Scholars like
George Pullen Jackson argued that African American
spirituals were primarily derived from European hymns
brought to America by white settlers. Scholars such as
Zora Neale Hurston, however, contended that while
some European influence is undeniable, African
American spirituals are mainly the product of the
ongoing interactions of various cultures in America,
with significant influences from African traditions.

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 Which finding, if true, would most directly support
Hurston’s argument?
A) The spirituals that the researchers compiled
included several songs written in the form of
hymns, a type of song prevalent in European
religious practices.
B) Much of the spirituals that the researchers
compiled had similar elements from region to
region.
C) Most of the spirituals that the researchers
compiled were previously unknown to scholars.
D) Most of the spirituals that the researchers
compiled consisted of work songs and field hollers
— forms of song tied to the experiences of
enslaved Africans in America — of a clearly recent
origin.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #8—Use Evidence From The Text: For every
question on the SAT Reading section, specific evidence from the passage must directly
support the correct answer.
● Standardization: The SAT demands a single, indisputable correct answer for every
question. The correct answer must be backed by evidence in the text. This eliminates
subjectivity and ensures standardization across all SAT Reading questions.
● Objective, not subjective: Contrary to what many students believe, the SAT Reading
section is objective. This means that the SAT Reading section requires objective
evidence for all correct answers just like the SAT Math section.
● Black and white: The SAT Reading section is clear-cut, with answers either supported
by the text (correct) or not (incorrect). The SAT Reading questions are
black-and-white; there is no room for gray areas.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #9:
Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…”

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
“Could Be”
“Could be” is the worst phrase that you can say in your head while considering SAT Reading
answer choices. This phrase signals that you are justifying answer choices. As we previously
learned, you never want to justify answer choices on SAT Reading.

If you say the text “could be” intending to say this or that, then you are questioning your own
comprehension of the passage. You will begin to confuse yourself because you are letting the
answer choices lead you down the wrong path.

Avoiding the phrase “could be” as you tackle answer choices is a concrete way to avoid
justification. Avoiding the phrase “could be” will help you shift your mindset to begin
challenging answer choices. This is exactly what we want to do while going through SAT
Reading answer choices.

Do Not Trust the Answer Choices

If you say the text “could be” meaning this or that, then you are also starting to trust the answer
choices instead of trusting yourself. Remember: 75% of the answer choices are incorrect, so you
should not trust the given answer choices.

Monitor Your Thoughts

This strategy requires you to be conscious of your thoughts as you are reading answer choices. If
you catch yourself thinking the phrase “could be” as you are reading the answer choices, you
need to quickly reverse your mindset. You must get back into the correct frame of mind to
challenge answer choices.

Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…” to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…” together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

The domestic mango (Mangifera indica) has its origins

in Southeast Asia. However, it is now widely cultivated
in various regions, including East Africa, the Caribbean,
and South America. Research conducted by botanist
Maria Hernandez and her team involved analyzing the
genetic makeup of mango varieties from different parts
of the world. Surprisingly, they found that some East
African mango varieties share a closer genetic
relationship with Southeast Asian ones than with other
East African varieties. Given that mango cultivation in
East Africa has been established for several centuries and
there were no known recent introductions of mangoes
from Southeast Asia, the team concluded that ______

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Mangoes Asia → Africa long time ago

The passage describes how mangoes from Asia must have been introduced to Africa a long time
ago. Of course, we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch paper. Instead, we can
simply write down “Mangoes Asia → Africa long time ago. ” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to
which to compare the answer choices.

Step 4 - Compare Your BOSS Solution To The Answer Choices

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 A) mango cultivation in Southeast Asia is relatively
recent and traces back to East African origins.
B) East African mango varieties are not suitable
for cultivation and must be replaced with
Southeast Asian varieties.
C) Southeast Asian mango varieties have undergone
significant genetic changes when introduced to
East African climates.
D) ancient trading routes likely facilitated the early
introduction of mangoes from Southeast Asia to
East Africa.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Mangoes Asia → Africa long time ago.” This most closely
matches answer choice (D).

As you read the answer choices, Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…”

Answer choice (A): Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…” referring to how “mango cultivation in
Southeast Asia is relatively recent.” There is no evidence in the passage to support this
statement.
Answer choice (B): Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…” referring to how African mangoes “must
be replaced with Southeast Asian varieties.” There is no evidence in the passage to support this
statement.
Answer choice (C): Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…” referring to how mangoes have
“undergone significant genetic changes.” There is no evidence in the passage to support this
statement.
Answer choice (D): The phrase “early introduction of mangoes from Southeast Asia to East
Africa” matches our BOSS solution. There is clear evidence in the passage to support this
statement.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

In 2018, a team of scientists embarked on a mission to

study the ocean floor in the Mariana Trench, the
deepest part of the world's oceans. They used a specially
designed submarine to withstand the extreme pressure
at such depths. The submarine's structure was
reinforced with high-strength materials and equipped
with advanced technology. The scientists found that a
regular submarine would not be able to reach such
depths due to the immense pressure.
According to the text, why would a regular submarine
not be able to reach the depths of the Mariana Trench?
A) Because the Mariana Trench is too wide for a
regular submarine to navigate
B) Because the pressure at the depths of the Mariana
Trench would exceed the limits of a regular
submarine
C) Because the water temperature at the depths of the
Mariana Trench is too cold for a regular
submarine's equipment
D) Because the ocean currents in the Mariana Trench
are too strong for a regular submarine to
withstand

Scholars have acknowledged the significant influence of

Pablo Picasso's artistic career on the art world, but many
fail to recognize the contributions of his partner,
Fernande Olivier. Fernande, herself an artist, played a
crucial role in shaping Picasso's artistic development
and even inspired several of his renowned works. Thus,
those who primarily attribute Picasso's success solely to
his own genius ______

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 Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) underestimate the impact of other artists on
Picasso's artistic evolution.
B) overlook the artistic achievements and influence of
Fernande Olivier.
C) may misinterpret the motivations behind Picasso's
choice of subjects.
D) tend to view Picasso's artworks in isolation from
the broader art movement.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #9—Don’t Say The Text “Could Be…”: Dismiss the
phrase “could be” in your mind when reading through SAT Reading answer choices to
avoid unnecessary self-doubt.
● Question comprehension: Using "could be" is a red flag that you are questioning your
understanding of the passage. This leads to confusion by encouraging you to consider
incorrect, misleading answer choices.
● Challenge, don't trust: Shift your approach from justifying answer choices to actively
challenging them. Remember, the majority of answer choices on the SAT are incorrect.
Do not trust them.
● Self-trust over answer choice trust: Rely on your own understanding rather than the
plausibility of the answer choices. Acknowledge the high likelihood of every answer
choice being wrong.
● Thought awareness: Be conscious of your thought processes and correct any
inclination towards “could be” reasoning in your mind. Maintain a critical mindset
toward all answer choices throughout the SAT.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #10:
Ask “Does The Text Mention
_____?”

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
“Does the Text Mention _____?”
This is the key question that will unlock the SAT Reading section for you. It is the best question
to ask yourself when reading through SAT Reading answer choices. As you are working through
the SAT Reading questions, you should constantly ask yourself this question.

Every answer choice should be put to the test by asking yourself the question:

“Does the text mention _____?”

You should fill in that blank with any word, phrase, or sentence that you would like to challenge
in a particular answer choice. Asking yourself this key question is a concrete way to Challenge
Answer Choices.

Forces You to Look For Evidence in the Text

When you Ask “Does The Text Mention _____?”, it forces you to search for evidence in the text.
Every correct answer on SAT Reading must have supporting evidence in the associated passage.

While reading an answer choice, ask yourself the question “Does the text mention _____?”
→ If the answer is NO, it is likely an incorrect answer (this happens often).
→ If the answer is YES, it is likely a correct answer (this does not happen often).

Remember that 75% of answer choices on the SAT are incorrect. Thus, most of the time, the
passage will not mention the word, phrase, or sentence that you are challenging in a particular
answer choice. Eliminate incorrect answer choices on SAT Reading by asking yourself this
simple question.

Ask “Does The Text Mention _____?” to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Ask “Does The Text Mention _____?” together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice best describes the overall structure of the

text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

The following text is adapted from Jane Austen's novel

"Sense and Sensibility," Chapter XIX. Elinor is visiting
Mr. Palmer's home and reflecting on her observations of
his behavior and character during her visit.
Elinor had seen so little of Mr. Palmer, and in that
little had seen so much variety in his address to her
sister and herself, that she knew not what to expect
to find him in his own family. She found him,
however, perfectly the gentleman in his behaviour
to all his visitors, and only occasionally rude to his
wife and her mother; she found him very capable of
being a pleasant companion, and only prevented
from being so always, by too great an aptitude to
fancy himself as much more ill-used, and therefore,
as much more in want of companions than he really
was. For the rest of his character and habits, they
were marked, as far as Elinor could perceive. He was
nice in his eating, uncertain in his hours; fond of his
child, though affecting to slight it; and idled away
the mornings at billiards, which ought to have been
devoted to business. She liked him, however, upon
the whole, much better than she had expected.

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

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 Elinor observes Mr. Palmer.

The passage describes how Elinor is watching the actions of Mr. Palmer. Of course, we don’t
need to write all of that down on our scratch paper. Instead, we can simply write down “Elinor
observes Mr. Palmer. ” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to which to compare the answer
choices.

Step 4: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) It describes Elinor's expectations about Mr.

Palmer based on her limited interactions with
him, and then details her actual observations
of him during her visit to his home.
B) It establishes Mr. Palmer's character and habits, and
then contrasts them with Edward's more admirable
traits.
C) It presents Mr. Palmer's behavior in his own family
and towards visitors, and then analyzes his
personality traits, which are typical for his sex and
time of life.
D) It reveals Elinor's initial impressions of Mr. Palmer
and her ultimate realization that she cannot like
him any more due to his negative qualities.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Elinor observes Mr. Palmer.” This most closely matches answer
choice (A).

As we read the answer choices, we should also Ask “Does The Text Mention _____?”

Answer choice (A): Ask Does The Text Mention “Elinor's expectations about Mr. Palmer based
on her limited interactions with him?” Yes!
Answer choice (B): Ask Does The Text Mention “Edward's more admirable traits?” No.
Answer choice (C): Ask Does The Text Mention “typical for his sex and time of life?” No.
Answer choice (D): Ask Does The Text Mention a “realization that she cannot like him”? No.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The following text is from Charlotte Brontë’s 1847

novel Jane Eyre. Jane, an orphan, lives with her wealthy
aunt and cousins, the Reeds.
Jane, a young girl of ten, possessed an intelligence
and resilience beyond her years. Despite her tender
age, she often found herself taking on the role of the
peacekeeper in the Reed household, mediating
disputes and offering sound advice. Her aunt, Mrs.
Reed, though well-intentioned, often succumbed to
her own prejudices and impulsive nature. Jane's
ability to remain level-headed and composed in such
situations proved invaluable, as she frequently
managed to temper the conflicts and prevent them
from escalating. Her compassion and strong moral
compass were qualities that set her apart from her
peers, and it was evident that she possessed a
maturity well beyond her age.
According to the text, what is true about Jane?
A) Jane is often caught up in disputes and arguments
with her cousins.
B) Jane is quick to judge and lacks compassion for
others.
C) Jane's aunt, Mrs. Reed, is a positive role model for
her.
D) Jane demonstrates maturity and resilience beyond
her years.

According to historian Sarah Thompson, African

American musicians played a significant role in shaping
the development of jazz music during the early 20th
century. Many of these musicians migrated to cities like
New Orleans and Chicago, where they found

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 opportunities to perform and collaborate in a vibrant
and diverse musical scene. Their innovative styles and
contributions led to the emergence of a distinctly
American art form.
Which choice best describes the function of the
underlined portion in the text as a whole?
A) It provides historical context for the migration
patterns of African American musicians during
the early 20th century.
B) It offers a counterargument to the claim made
earlier in the text about African American
musicians' role in shaping jazz.
C) It highlights the challenges faced by African
American musicians in their pursuit of
opportunities in the music industry.
D) It explains the cultural significance and impact of
African American musicians on the development
of jazz music.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #10—Ask “Does The Text Mention _____?”: This is
the key question that will help you answer many SAT Reading questions correctly.
● Actively challenge answer choices: This strategy is powerful because it forces you to
actively challenge the answer choices. When you Ask “Does The Text Mention
______?”, you are requiring the SAT to provide you with direct evidence from the text.
● Evidence-based approach: The method operates on the principle that every correct
answer must be supported by the text. If a phrase in the answer choice is not mentioned
in the passage, then the answer choice is wrong.
● Elimination process: Remember that 75% of answer choices are incorrect. Therefore,
most of the phrases you challenge will certainly not be in the text.
● Ruthless scrutiny: This approach aims to eliminate incorrect options by closely
scrutinizing the passage for references to the phrases found in the answer choices.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #11:
Avoid Extreme Answers

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Extreme Answers Are Incorrect on SAT Reading
Answer choices that contain extreme words will not usually be correct on the SAT Reading
section. An extreme word is a word that is especially strong or emphatic. For example, “always”
is an extreme word because it implies an infinite presence of something. The infinite presence of
something is rarely possible, accurate, or true. Therefore, answer choices that contain the
extreme word “always” are incorrect.

Test Question Writers Must Be Able to Defend Correct Answers

The job of test question writers is to create questions for which they can defend why the correct
answers are objectively correct. Answer choices containing extreme language are difficult to
defend because students can often find at least one exception to an absolute statement.

Therefore, answer choices with extreme words are incorrect. Answer choices using milder
language are easier to defend, so they are more often correct. Examples of words that indicate
milder language include “may” or “suggests.”

Take Everything Literally on SAT Reading

You must read everything literally on the SAT Reading section.

Example statement: “All the children are four feet tall.”

In everyday language, we would likely recognize that the above statement just means that most
of the children are about this height.
On the SAT; however, this statement literally means that every single child on the planet is this
exact height.

You must take every statement you read on the SAT Reading section literally. Do not cut the SAT
test question writers any slack. If there is an extreme word such as “all” in the example statement
above, it literally means every single possible version of it on the planet.

Avoid Extreme Answers to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Examples:

Extreme Words That Indicate Totality Or Completeness

Avoid answer choices that contain extreme words that indicate totality or completeness. The
table below presents examples of such words to avoid on SAT Reading:

Extreme Words (Totality or Completeness)

All Fail

Entire Perfect

Every Throughout (history, her life, the ages, etc.)

Everyone Totally

Everything Whole

Extreme Words That Indicate Frequency

Avoid answer choices that contain extreme words that indicate frequency. The table below
presents examples of such words to avoid on SAT Reading:

Extreme Words (Frequency)

Always None

Everyday Many*

Forever Only

Never Perpetually

*Prep Expert Tip: The word “many” is typically not considered to be a particularly “extreme”
word. However, incorrect SAT Reading answer choices often contain the word “many.”

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 Extreme Words That Indicate Uniqueness or Singularity

Avoid answer choices that contain extreme words that indicate uniqueness or singularity. The
table below presents examples of such words to avoid on SAT Reading:

Extreme Words (Uniqueness or Singularity)

Completely Same

Distinct Singular / Sole

Identical Total

Only Unique

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

In Native American tribes, storytellers have

traditionally played a vital role in preserving cultural
heritage and passing down tribal knowledge. They
have been responsible for recounting legends, myths,
and historical events to educate and entertain the
community. Although modern forms of
communication have emerged, storytellers continue to
be highly valued for their unique ability to preserve
and transmit their tribe's cultural stories.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
A) Despite advancements in communication
technology, storytellers remain integral in
preserving and transmitting Native American
cultural stories.
B) Storytellers have always been highly regarded for
their ability to entertain and educate their
community.
C) Native American tribes have relied on storytellers
as the sole means of passing down cultural
knowledge for centuries.
D) Technology has diminished the significance of
storytellers in preserving cultural heritage among
Native American tribes.

Publication Output of Authors A, B, C, and D

Number of Published Works Known and
Individual Years Active
Commonly Credited
Author A 1980–1995 25 (novels), 10 (short stories), 5 (essays)
Author B 1970–1990 20 (novels), 15 (short stories), 7 (essays)
Author C 1990–2010 30 (novels), 20 (short stories), 10 (essays)
Author D 1985–2005 35 (novels), 25 (short stories), 15 (essays)

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 Some literary researchers studying the prolific writers of the late 20th
century have turned their attention to Authors A, B, C, and D. In fact, so
many works and associated records for this era have been lost that counts of
these four authors' output should be taken as bare minimums rather than
totals; it's entirely possible, for example, that _______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the
example?
A) Author B published fewer novels than Author C, who is credited with
30 novels.
B) Author C’s 30 credited novels include only works written after 2010.
C) Author D wrote far more than 35 novels and Author A published
more than 5 essays.
D) Author A actually published 25 novels and wrote only 10 short stories.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #11—Avoid Extreme Answers: Avoid answer choices
containing extreme words like “always” or “all” on the SAT Reading section. These
extreme words imply totality or completeness that is rarely accurate.
● Milder language preference: Choose answer choices that contain milder, less absolute
language such as “may” or “suggests.” These answer choices are easier for test
question writers to defend as correct options. Thus, they are more likely to be correct.
● Literal interpretation: Interpret statements on the SAT Reading section literally. Do
not assume any flexibility in the intended meaning of the text.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #12:
Avoid Extreme “-ly” Adverbs In
Answers

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Answers with Extreme Adverbs Are Incorrect on SAT Reading
An adverb is a part of speech that modifies or describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
Typically, adverbs end in the suffix “-ly.” “Extreme adverbs” are adverbs that indicate a
significant degree or extent of something. SAT Reading answer choices that contain extreme
adverbs are often incorrect.

Extreme adverbs indicate a significant degree or intensity of an action or quality. They include
words such as “completely,” “perfectly,” and “absolutely.” These adverbs create a sense of
totality or absoluteness. This is often at odds with the nuanced passages presented in the SAT
Reading section. Such language can be too categorical to represent the subtleties typically found
in SAT passages.

SAT Reading is designed to assess a student's ability to comprehend nuanced passages. As such,
answers that are too generalizing may not capture the precise meaning the question demands.
When an answer choice on the SAT Reading section contains an extreme adverb, approach it
with caution. The test question writers often include these kinds of answer choices to distract
students from the correct answer, which is usually more moderate.

However, while an extreme adverb can be a helpful indicator of a potentially incorrect answer,
this is not an absolute rule. There may be instances in which the passage's content does align
with an extreme adverb’s intensity, so it is crucial that you judge the answer in the context of the
passage.

Avoid Extreme “-ly” Adverbs In Answers to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE
Consider the following Prep Expert Examples:

Extreme “-ly” Adverbs

Avoid answer choices containing extreme adverbs that state a significant degree of something.
The table below presents examples of such words to avoid on SAT Reading.

Extreme “-ly” Adverbs

Broadly Largely

Closely Overly

Considerably Profoundly

Deeply Severely

Elaborately Significantly

Extensively Substantially

Greatly Vastly

Heavily Widely

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Text 1
In a study, researchers discovered that giving people
compliments about their abilities and talents can
actually increase their performance in the future. This is
known as the “compliment effect,” and it is thought to
work by boosting people’s confidence and motivation.
Text 2
While the “compliment effect” is certainly an interesting
phenomenon, researchers caution that it is not a
universal truth. In some cases, too many compliments
can actually backfire and make people less motivated.
Additionally, the type of compliment matters – a
compliment on a person’s effort is more effective than a
compliment on their inherent abilities.
Based on the texts, what would the author of Text 2
most likely say about Text 1’s characterization of the
“compliment effect”?
A) It is overly simplistic given the complexities of
human motivation.
B) It is accurate, but lacks the nuance of certain
limitations.
C) It is substantially exaggerated, with too much
emphasis on the positive effects of compliments.
D) It is broadly misleading, with no mention of the
negative effects of compliments.

Scientists studying the decline in the population of sea

otters along the western coast of North America have
proposed a hypothesis that connects their decline to an
increase in the population of sea urchins. Sea otters are
known to feed on sea urchins, which are responsible for

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 damaging kelp forests. Kelp forests provide critical
habitat for numerous marine species.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the
scientists' hypothesis?
A) The population of other sea otter prey, such as
crabs and clams, has remained considerably stable
over the same time period.
B) Kelp forests have experienced a decline in overall
health and biomass coinciding with the decline in
sea otter population.
C) Sea urchin abundance tends to be higher in areas
with thriving kelp forests than in areas where kelp
forests have severely declined.
D) The population of predatory fish that feed on sea
otters has greatly increased in the absence of a
robust sea otter population.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #12—Avoid Extreme “-ly” Adverbs In Answers: On
the SAT Reading section, answers with extreme adverbs (words ending in “-ly” that
suggest a high degree of something) are typically incorrect.
● Nuance vs. extremity: Extreme adverbs such as “completely,” “perfectly,” and
“absolutely” are often too strong to accurately represent the nuances of SAT Reading
passages.
● Contextual judgment: While extreme adverbs can be red flags for wrong answers,
they are not universally incorrect. Each answer choice must be evaluated within the
context of the passage.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #13:
Avoid Verbatim Answers

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Verbatim Answers Are Incorrect on SAT Reading
Answer choices that copy phrases verbatim from the associated passage are typically incorrect.
You should avoid answer choices that duplicate key phrases or words directly from the passage.

On the surface, answer choices containing verbatim language appear to agree with the original
passage. But in reality, these verbatim answers often contain underlying concepts that make them
incorrect.

Why Are Verbatim Answers Incorrect on SAT Reading?

The College Board’s test question writers want students to read the passage. However, many
students will choose to skip reading the passage altogether.

Can test question writers punish students who do not read the passage? Well, they can’t stand
behind students during the exam and force them to read the passages. But they can trick students
who do not read the passage. Test question writers know that students who do not read the
passage will choose answer choices that look similar to the passage.

If you had no idea what a passage is about because you skipped reading it altogether, wouldn’t
you just choose an answer that has similar words to the passage? Most likely. Therefore, test
question writers create incorrect answer choices containing phrases that are identical to phrases
in the original passage.

You Must Understand the Passage

To avoid falling for the trap of selecting answer choices with verbatim words and phrases, you
must understand the passage. Students who comprehend the underlying concepts of the passage
can tell that verbatim answers do not actually agree with the passage.

In other words, the College Board rewards students who take the time to read the passages. And
it punishes students who think they can game the system by skipping reading the passage.

Of course, sometimes there will be correct answers with a couple words that are exactly the same
as the words in the associated passage. But more often than not, correct SAT answer choices will
summarize the underlying concepts of the passage. Correct answers rarely copy the exact same
phrases out of the passage word-for-word.

Avoid Verbatim Answers to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Avoid Verbatim Answers together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

Renowned nutritionist Dr. Elaine Summers has

proposed a diet that is based on the principle that eating
foods in their raw state can lead to better digestion and
nutrient absorption. She cites a study where
participants who followed a raw food diet for six
months experienced notable improvements in their
digestive health and energy levels.

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Raw food = good

The passage describes how a raw food diet for six months can lead to an improvement in health.
Of course, we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch paper. Instead, we can simply
write down “Raw food = good. ” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to which to compare the
answer choices.

Step 4: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) Dr. Elaine Summers has proposed a diet that is

based on eating foods in their raw state, as it has

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 been shown to improve digestion and nutrient
absorption for six months.
B) Eating foods in their raw state, according to Dr.
Summers' principle, is the only way to ensure better
digestion and nutrient absorption.
C) While it may seem unconventional, Dr.
Summers’ principle suggests that a raw food
diet can result in better overall health.
D) Participants who followed a raw food diet, as per
Dr. Summers' study, experienced improvements
only in their energy levels and not their overall
health.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Raw food = good.” This most closely matches answer choice
(C).

As we read the answer choices, we should also observe any answers that contain identical
phrases to those of the passage.

Answer choice (A): Avoid Verbatim Answers. The phrase “Dr. Elaine Summers has proposed a
diet that is based on” is taken verbatim from the original passage, so this answer choice is likely
attempting to trick students who did not read or fully understand the passage.
Answer choice (B): Avoid Verbatim Answers. The phrase “eating foods in their raw state” is
taken verbatim from the original passage, so this answer choice is likely attempting to trick
students who did not read or fully understand the passage.
Answer choice (C): There are no significant verbatim phrases in this answer choice. It
succinctly summarizes the main idea of the passage.
Answer choice (D): Avoid Verbatim Answers. The phrase “participants who followed a raw food
diet” is taken verbatim from the original passage, so this answer choice is likely attempting to
trick students who did not read or fully understand the passage.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Archaeologist Dr. Priya Singh and her team conducted

a study on ancient pottery in the Mediterranean region.
By analyzing the residue found on pottery fragments
from different time periods, they determined that
certain types of pottery were used exclusively for storing
olive oil. They also discovered that the presence of
specific chemical compounds in the residue indicated
the use of olive oil. The team concluded that olive oil
played a significant role in the Mediterranean diet
during ancient times.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support the
team's conclusion?
A) The chemical compounds found in the residue
were also present in pottery fragments used for
storing wine.
B) The analysis of pottery from other regions showed
a similar pattern of olive oil usage.
C) The pottery fragments used for storing olive oil
were found exclusively in coastal areas.
D) The study revealed that the residue found on
pottery fragments dated back to a period before
the cultivation of olives in the Mediterranean
region.

Researchers studying ancient bird fossils have

discovered evidence that supports the theory that some
species of ancient birds were capable of long-distance
migrations. Anna Rodriguez, Carlos Martinez, and
Julia Thompson analyzed stable isotopes in the feathers
of fossilized birds from the Late Cretaceous period,
approximately 70 million to 66 million years ago. By
comparing the isotopic composition of the feathers to

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 that of modern birds with known migration patterns,
the researchers were able to infer the potential
migratory behavior of the ancient birds. Rodriguez,
Martinez, and Thompson propose that these ancient
birds undertook long-distance migrations, similar to
their modern counterparts.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support
Rodriguez, Martinez, and Thompson's claim?
A) The isotopic composition of the feathers in the
ancient bird fossils closely matches that of
non-migratory modern birds.
B) Fossilized bird footprints have been found in
various locations along the routes of modern birds
with known migration patterns.
C) Several ancient bird fossils have been discovered in
regions far from their breeding grounds, indicating
their propensity for long-distance travel.
D) The average body size of the ancient birds is larger
than that of modern migratory birds with similar
feeding habits.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #13—Avoid Verbatim Answers: Test creators
deliberately include verbatim phrases in answer choices to trap students who avoid
reading the entire passage.
● Comprehension focus: Students who are successful on SAT Reading fully understand
each passage. Answer choices that copy the passage word-for-word are frequently
incorrect.
● Paraphrasing vs. quoting: Correct answers often paraphrase the content of a passage.
This suggests a grasp of the underlying ideas instead of a reliance on carbon copy text.
● The SAT incentivizes reading: The SAT rewards students who invest time in
understanding the passages. It disapproves of attempts to “game” the system by
students who try to skip reading the passage.
● Answer selection strategy: Avoid answer choices with direct verbatim phrases as the
passage to improve the accuracy of your answers on SAT Reading questions.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #14:
Avoid Over-Qualified Answers

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Over-Qualified Answers Are Incorrect on SAT Reading
To understand what an “over-qualified” answer is, you must first understand what a qualification
is. A qualification is a modification that narrows the scope of a phrase.

Original statement: “Students spend time on social media.”

Additional qualification: “High school students spend time on social media.”
Additional qualification: “High school students who are studying for the SAT spend time on social
media.”

Notice how each additional qualification makes the statement more specific. The more specific
an SAT Reading answer choice is, the more content you have to challenge. The more content you
have to challenge, the more likely an answer choice is incorrect.

Look out for “over-qualified” answer choices on SAT Reading questions. The more
qualifications an answer choice has, the more evidence the passage must provide to support that
answer. This is more challenging for test question writers.

Over-qualified answers tend to be traps for unwary test-takers. When an answer choice adds
several layers of specificity, it demands a higher level of detailed evidence from the passage to
be correct. This level of precision can misrepresent the underlying concepts in a passage.

Typically, SAT Reading prefers more general answers compared to over-qualified answers.
General answers are more often correct than specific answers that have many qualifications.

Red Flag Qualifier: “Very”

The qualifier “very” is a red flag on the SAT. The word “very” is typically used to intensify or
exaggerate a claim, potentially making an answer choice too strong or absolute. SAT Reading
prefers answers that are supported by the passage and don’t extend beyond the scope of what the
author has written.

In most cases, the correct answer will mirror the tone and degree of the assertions made in the
passage, so you should be wary of answer choices that include the word “very.” “Very”
introduces a degree of certainty or emphasis that often exceeds the scope of the text.

Avoid Over-Qualified Answers to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Avoid Over-Qualified Answers together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

In the mid-20th century, despite there being minimal

direct contact between Southeast Asian cuisines and
West African kitchens, many similarities in the use of
spices and flavor profiles can be identified. Assuming
that chefs from these distinct regions had not visited
each other's countries, these observations most strongly
suggest that _______

Step 3: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Shared spices

The passage describes how, despite a lack of contact between the two continents, Asian and
African cuisines share similar flavor profiles, so they must have used similar spices. Of course,
we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch paper. Instead, we can simply write down
“Shared spices.” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to which to compare the answer choices.

Step 4: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

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 A) culinary experts from both regions shared a
common historical source of spices due to
ancient trade routes.
B) Southeast Asian and West African cuisines
developed their use of spices in complete isolation
from each other, as confirmed by numerous
historical accounts detailing culinary traditions.
C) the spice trade was not significant in shaping the
culinary practices of the 20th century, according to
a comprehensive analysis of global culinary trends
and their socio-economic influences.
D) chefs in Southeast Asia began to adopt West
African spices only after the mid-20th century, as
indicated by recipes published in a series of
influential cookbooks during that era.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Shared spices.” This most closely matches answer choice (A).

As we read the answer choices, we should also Avoid Over-Qualified Answers:

Answer choice (A): There are no significant over-qualified phrases in this answer choice. It
describes how both regions shared the same spices.
Answer choice (B): Avoid Over-Qualified Answers. “As confirmed by numerous historical
accounts detailing culinary traditions” is an over-qualified phrase that is too specific. In addition,
this answer choice is not supported by evidence from the passage.
Answer choice (C): Avoid Over-Qualified Answers. “According to a comprehensive analysis of
global culinary trends and their socio-economic influences” is an over-qualified phrase that is too
specific. In addition, this answer choice is not supported by evidence from the passage.
Answer choice (D): Avoid Over-Qualified Answers. “As indicated by recipes published in a
series of influential cookbooks during that era” is an over-qualified phrase that is too specific. In
addition, this answer choice is likely attempting to trick students who did not read or fully
understand the passage.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Born in 1912 in a small village in Mexico, Maria

Izquierdo is now considered one of the most important
figures in Mexican modern art. In a paper for an art
history class, a student claims that Izquierdo's paintings
provide valuable insights into rural Mexican culture and
traditions — in her work, Izquierdo was able to vividly
portray various aspects of rural life, infusing her subjects
with respect and genuineness.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the
student's claim?
A) Izquierdo painted numerous works meticulously
depicting the everyday life, festivals, and traditions
of rural Mexican communities.
B) Izquierdo's paintings demonstrate an impressive
level of artistic skill, as seen in her effective use of
color to evoke emotion and symbolism.
C) During her lifetime, Izquierdo was recognized and
acclaimed both within and outside her native
Mexico, with her work exhibited in places like the
United States, France, and Argentina.
D) Some of the rural scenes and characters Izquierdo
painted had long been very popular subjects
among Mexican artists.

In the early 20th century, the invention of the assembly

line revolutionized automobile production by
significantly reducing manufacturing costs. However,
the assembly line primarily affected the efficiency of the
production process itself, while the stages of design and
engineering remained relatively unaffected. This
indicates that during the early 20th century, ______

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 Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) automakers focused more on streamlining the
design and engineering phases of automobile
production.
B) the costs of designing and engineering
automobiles were not significantly impacted by
the implementation of assembly line techniques.
C) customers experienced a decline in the quality of
automobiles due to the increased emphasis on cost
reduction in the production process.
D) the invention of the assembly line allowed
automakers to produce a greater variety of
automobile models to cater to very diverse
customer preferences.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #14—Avoid Over-Qualified Answers: Qualifications
to an answer choice narrow its scope. “Over-qualified” answers are often too specific
to be correct.
● Over-qualified answers require more evidence: Because overqualified answers
demand more evidence from the passage, they are less likely to be correct.
● General vs. specific: On the SAT Reading section, general answers are usually
preferable to answers that are very specific due to multiple qualifications.
● “Very” is a red flag: The word “very” is a qualification that often signifies an
exaggerated claim. Typically, an SAT Reading answer choice qualified by the word
“very” is incorrect.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #15:
Avoid These 5 Kiss of Death Words
On SAT Reading

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
The Five Words below Are ALWAYS Incorrect on SAT Reading Questions
There are five words that are always incorrect on the SAT Reading section. If you see any of
these five words in an SAT Reading answer choice, then you can automatically cross that answer
choice out. I refer to these five words as delivering the “Kiss of Death” to any SAT Reading
answer choice.

Kiss of Death Word #1: “Always”

Always indicates that something happens at all times or on all occasions, without exception. An
answer choice that contains the word “always” is incorrect because it is an absolute term that is
too extreme and inflexible.

Kiss Of Death Word #2: “Every-” Prefix (“Everyone,” “Everything,” etc.)

The every- prefix means “each and all” or “all the members of a group.” It forms words
indicating that something includes all the individuals in a group or every instance of a particular
thing. An answer choice that contains the prefix “every” is incorrect because it presents an
absolute statement not supported by the text. The use of the “every” prefix creates an impression
of universality or completeness that is rarely accurate.

Kiss of Death Word #3: Only

Only refers to the sole or exclusive thing in a given context. It can also indicate that there are no
other alternatives or possibilities. An answer choice that contains the word “only” is incorrect
because it indicates that there is no other similar item or action in the entire universe, which is
difficult to prove.

Kiss of Death Word #4: Same

Same indicates that two or more things are identical, meaning that they are not different in any
way. An answer choice that contains the word “same” is incorrect because it indicates that two
items are completely identical, which is difficult to prove.

Kiss Of Death Word #5: Unique

Unique indicates that something is unlike anything else in its category and is distinguished by its
singularity. An answer choice that contains the word “unique” is incorrect because it indicates
that something is one of a kind, which is difficult to prove.

Avoid These 5 Kiss Of Death Words On SAT Reading to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

The table below presents the 5 Kiss of Death Words on SAT Reading.

5 Kiss of Death Words

Always

Every- prefix (Everyone/Everything/Everywhere/etc.)

Only

Same

Unique

Note that these words only make answer choices on passage-based SAT Reading questions
incorrect. These questions are located in the first half of an SAT Reading & Writing module.

The 5 Kiss of Death Words for SAT Reading do not make answer choices on grammar-based
SAT Writing questions incorrect. These questions are located in the second half of an SAT
Reading and Writing module.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Archaeologists studying the evolution of ancient

civilizations have found that certain civilizations, such
as those in Mesopotamia and Egypt, developed complex
systems of writing and record-keeping around the same
time that they began constructing monumental
architecture. Some researchers have hypothesized that
the two phenomena are related, with writing being
necessary to coordinate the construction of large public
works. However, there is no evidence to suggest that
writing was a precondition for the construction of
monumental architecture, as some civilizations
constructed massive structures without a system of
writing. This suggests that _________.
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) monumental architecture is a necessary unique
precursor to the development of a system of
writing.
B) the development of monumental architecture and
writing were coincidental and unrelated
phenomena.
C) monumental architecture was only possible in
regions with a preexisting system of writing.
D) the connection between the development of
writing and monumental architecture will always
be unclear.

In a study of a particular species of plant, researchers

found that the roots of the plant were covered in fine,
hair-like structures that secreted an acid. They
hypothesized that the plant used this acid to dissolve
nutrients in the soil. To test this hypothesis, the
researchers placed the plant in a solution of nutrients

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 and measured the plant's growth rate. They then
repeated the experiment, but added an alkaline
substance to the solution to neutralize the acid secreted
by the plant.
Which finding would most directly support the
researchers' hypothesis?
A) The plant grows at a faster rate in the solution
with the alkaline substance than in the solution
without it.
B) The plant grows at the same rate in both solutions.
C) The plant grows at a slower rate in the solution
with the alkaline substance than in the solution
without it.
D) The unique plant does not grow in either solution.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #15—Avoid These 5 Kiss Of Death Words on SAT
Reading: The “Kiss of Death” words on SAT Reading are “always,” the “every-”
prefix, “only,” “same,” and “unique.” The presence of any of these words indicates that
an SAT Reading answer choice is incorrect.
● Reason for incorrectness: These words make SAT Reading answers wrong due to
their absolute nature. The extreme nature of these words rarely aligns with the nuanced
information that SAT Reading passages convey.
● Nature of words: Answer choices with these words are too inflexible. These words
often imply universality or identicalness that is not typically supported by the evidence
in the text.
● Applicable sections of the SAT: These five “Kiss of Death” words apply to
passage-based questions in the first half of the SAT Reading and Writing module, not
to the grammar-based questions in the second half.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #16:
Skip Reading The Directions

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Skip Reading the Directions on SAT Reading & Writing Modules
The primary reason to skip reading the directions on the SAT Reading & Writing modules is to
save time. On test day, many students waste time reading the directions for the SAT Reading and
Writing modules. This is precious time that you could instead use to answer SAT Reading and
Writing questions.

Familiarize yourself with the directions for the SAT Reading and Writing modules well before
test day. By doing so, you will already know exactly what to do on test day. And you won’t
waste time reading directions.

Skip Reading the Directions on Words in Context Questions

You should also skip reading the directions on Words in Context questions. These
fill-in-the-blank questions ask for the most logical and precise word or phrase to complete the
text.

Words in Context questions are typically the first four to eight questions of every SAT Reading
and Writing module. They always have the same prompt. Familiarize yourself with the directions
for these questions well before test day. This will save you even more time on each SAT Reading
and Writing module.

Skip Reading The Directions to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Below, we have reproduced the directions to the SAT Reading and Writing module as you will
see them on your Digital SAT test day. Read these directions now so that you don’t have to read
them on test day.

We have also reproduced the directions for Words in Context questions below as you will see
them on your Digital SAT test day. Read these directions now so that you don’t have to read
them on test day.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice problems:

Maya Lin is an American artist and architect known for

her work in designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
in Washington, D.C. She _______ to create a memorial
that would honor those who served in the Vietnam War
and provide a space for healing and reflection.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical
and precise word or phrase?
A) neglected
B) hesitated
C) endeavored
D) dismissed

The integration of technology into the classroom has

become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with
many schools using online tools to enhance student
learning. One school district in California _______ this
trend by providing each student with a tablet or laptop,
ensuring that all students have equal access to
technology and learning resources.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical
and precise word or phrase?
A) opposes
B) disregards
C) embodies
D) undercuts

The answers to these SAT practice problems can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #16—Skip Reading The Directions: Skip Reading
The Directions to save time during the SAT Reading and Writing modules. The
instructions do not change.
● Pre-test preparation: Familiarize yourself with the SAT Reading and Writing
directions well before test day to avoid wasting time during the actual test.
● Words in Context questions: Don't read the directions for Words in Context questions
on the test since they are always the same. Words in Context questions appear at the
beginning of every SAT Reading and Writing module, and familiarizing yourself with
their directions can save you additional time.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #17:
Fake Interest

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
SAT Reading Passages Are Boring
Let’s face it: SAT Reading passages are boring. One reason many students score poorly on SAT
Reading passages is their lack of interest. When you aren’t interested in what you are reading,
you won’t comprehend the meaning of the passage. Lack of comprehension leads to lower SAT
Reading scores.

When you are not interested in what you are reading, you will spend more time reading the
passage because you will have to repeatedly re-read the passage to comprehend it. This also
leads to lower SAT Reading scores.

Interested In vs. Not Interested In

When you read material that interests you, you tend to remember the details of what you just
read. In addition, you typically read material that interests you at a faster pace. Think of the last
article you read on a topic that interests you…do you remember the details? Did you read the
article fast or slowly?

vs.

When you read material that does not interest you, you tend not to remember the details of what
you just read. In addition, you typically read material that does not interest you at a slower pace.
Think of the last SAT passage you read on a topic that does not interest you…do you remember
the details? Did you read that SAT passage quickly or slowly?

Increase Your Interest Level

It is difficult to comprehend a passage or read it quickly if you are not interested in the material.
To increase your comprehension and speed, you must increase your interest level in SAT
Reading passages. Of course, you cannot force yourself to be interested in topics that don’t
naturally hold your attention. SAT passages often focus on history, literary works, science, and
social studies. If you are not already interested in these topics, you cannot suddenly become
interested.

Therefore, you must Fake Interest in the SAT Reading topics. How can you Fake Interest? Read
with curiosity, enthusiasm, and engagement, no matter the topic of the passage.

The Benefits of Faking Interest

When you read SAT Reading passages with interest, you increase your comprehension and
reading speed. Even if you are faking interest in the passage topic, you will be amazed at how

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much better you comprehend the text. When you read with interest, you are engaged with the
passage. The more engaged you are, the better you comprehend it. When you read with interest,
you are also able to read passages at a quicker pace. This will save you time and help you finish
SAT Reading and Writing modules faster than you ever thought possible.

Fake Interest to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

We have reproduced a sample SAT Reading passage below. Many students would find the
passage below “boring.” Try reading the passage as most students would. In other words, read
the passage as quickly as possible, as monotone as possible, and with no interest at all.

At the heart of every galaxy lies a supermassive black hole, a cosmic enigma of staggering
proportions. These black holes, millions to billions of times the mass of our Sun, exert a
gravitational pull so strong that not even light can escape. Around them, stars orbit at
incredible speeds, and matter is often drawn into a whirlpool-like structure known as an
accretion disk. These enigmatic phenomena challenge our understanding of physics, bending
space and time and potentially holding keys to unraveling the mysteries of the universe. The
study of supermassive black holes not only fascinates astronomers but also offers crucial
insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Evaluate how much you actually comprehended from reading the passage with no interest.

Now try reading the same passage again. However, this time Fake Interest in the passage. I have
bolded certain words in the passage that you may want to emphasize in your head as you read. In
other words, read the passage as enthusiastically as possible, as engaged as possible, and Fake
Interest in the topic.

At the heart of every galaxy lies a supermassive black hole, a cosmic enigma of staggering
proportions. These black holes, millions to billions of times the mass of our Sun, exert a
gravitational pull so strong that not even light can escape. Around them, stars orbit at
incredible speeds, and matter is often drawn into a whirlpool-like structure known as an
accretion disk. These enigmatic phenomena challenge our understanding of physics,
bending space and time and potentially holding keys to unraveling the mysteries of the
universe. The study of supermassive black holes not only fascinates astronomers but also
offers crucial insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Evaluate how much you actually comprehended from reading the passage by faking interest.

One tangible method to Fake Interest in a passage is to be curious. Be curious about the
passage’s content as if you really care. Below are a few questions you may have been curious
about as you were reading. These questions should have been running through your head:

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 ● What exactly is a supermassive black hole?
● Why can’t even light escape from a black hole?
● What is an accretion disk?
● How does it bend space and time?
● Which mysteries of the universe could be unraveled?

I bet you understood the passage better when you read with interest, curiosity, and engagement.
Stay interested, curious, and engaged with all the passages you read on the SAT.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The following text is adapted from Jane Austen’s 1813

novel Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet and her
sisters attend a ball at Netherfield, the home of Mr.
Bingley.
Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place
where nature had done more, or where natural
beauty had been so little counteracted by an
awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their
admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be
mistress of Pemberley might be something!
Based on the text, which of the following statements
best describes Elizabeth’s reaction to Netherfield?
A) She finds the natural beauty of Netherfield
overwhelming.
B) She thinks that the people of Netherfield have
good taste.
C) She feels indifferent towards Netherfield.
D) She would prefer to be the mistress of Netherfield
over Pemberley.

In many animal species, the size and quality of

ornaments, such as elaborate antlers or vibrant
plumage, are believed to serve as honest signals of an
individual's genetic quality or overall fitness. However,
recent research conducted by biologist Sanjay Patel and
her team has revealed that in a certain species of deer,
individuals can manipulate the appearance of their
antlers through postural adjustments and grooming
behaviors, creating the illusion of larger, more
impressive antlers. These findings suggest that _______
Which choice most logically completes the text?

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 A) the size and quality of antlers may not accurately
reflect an individual's genetic quality or overall
fitness in this species.
B) the mating preferences of female deer in this
species are unrelated to the size or appearance of
antlers.
C) antler size and quality have no influence on the
social dominance of male deer in this species.
D) the manipulation of antler appearance is a
common strategy across all species of deer.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #17—Fake Interest: Students often find SAT Reading
passages to be boring. This leads to a lack of interest, poor comprehension, and lower
SAT Reading scores.
● Interest vs. comprehension: Students comprehend material more quickly when they
are interested in it. If you read material you are not interested in, you will likely read it
more slowly and not comprehend it well.
● Faking interest: To improve reading comprehension and speed, students should Fake
Interest in SAT Reading passages. Even if the topic does not naturally engage you, you
should still try to take an interest in the subject matter.
● Engagement techniques: Reading with curiosity and engagement, even artificially,
can significantly enhance your comprehension and reading pace.
● Be curious and enthusiastic: Experiment with different reading approaches, such as
asking curious questions and being enthusiastic as you read.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #18:
Improve Passage-Reading Speed

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
The “Slow” Reader Myth
Many students believe that the reason that they score poorly on SAT Reading is because they are
“slow” readers. I have good news for you! If you are a “slow” reader, you can still score high on
the SAT Reading section.

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of the time that students spend on the SAT Reading
section is actually not spent reading passages. Instead, the majority of the time students spend on
the SAT Reading section is spent answering questions and deciding between answer choices.

It is actually not all that important if you are a fast or slow reader. It is more important that you
are able to answer questions efficiently and accurately. Nevertheless, there are a few key
techniques you can use to improve your passage-reading speed.

Passage Speed Technique #1: Practice a Passage a Day

Practice reading at least one SAT passage a day to improve your reading speed. Do not waste
time reading newspapers or books to improve your reading speed. I know this is the advice that
the College Board, Khan Academy, and many other test prep companies give to students.
However, reading newspapers and books will not significantly improve your SAT Reading score.
Go straight to the source. Practice with a real SAT passage daily to familiarize yourself with the
test’s passage types, question types, and speed of reading.

Passage Speed Technique #2: Don’t Get Caught Up in Details

Students often get too caught up in the details of an SAT Reading passage. Details like dates,
times, names, etc. are all easy to refer back to the passage for. Do not focus on the details.
Instead, focus on the passage’s main ideas, underlying concepts, and author assertions. These key
themes are important to understand. Understanding a passage’s main idea will earn you far more
points on SAT Reading than remembering specific details about that passage.

Passage Speed Technique #3: Don’t Sacrifice Comprehension

Don’t read so fast that you are only skimming the passage. Many students like to brag that they
can read fast. I remember a high school classmate of mine used to boast that she could read an
entire page of a novel in seven seconds. Even if this was true, I am sure she did not comprehend
much of it. You must understand the passage content to answer questions correctly. If you read
too fast, you will end up having to re-read parts of each passage over and over to understand it.
This will ultimately slow you down. Do not sacrifice passage comprehension for speed.

Improve Passage-Reading Speed to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

We have reproduced a sample SAT Reading passage below. Read the passage using all the
passage speed techniques that we just reviewed:

● Passage peed technique #1: Practice a passage a day (this can be your passage for today)
● Passage speed technique #2: Don’t get caught up in details
● Passage speed technique #3: Don’t sacrifice comprehension

Example Passage
A group of geneticists led by Maria Gomez, Rajiv K. Khajuria, and Lin Tao
delved into the genetic basis of drought resistance in the model plant species,
Sorghum bicolor (sorghum). They introduced a gene encoding a novel transcription
factor from the xerophyte Ziziphus jujuba (jujube) into the sorghum plants. This
transcription factor is known to confer enhanced drought tolerance in jujube. When
examining the transgenic sorghum plants under controlled drought conditions, the
team found that the unaltered sorghum plants exhibited signs of stress and stunted
growth, whereas the genetically modified plants maintained robust growth and vigor.
This contrast underscored the role of the jujube transcription factor in imparting
drought resilience, potentially opening new avenues for developing drought-resistant
crops.

Were you able to read the passage faster and comprehend it more fully?

If so, continue using the three passage-reading speed techniques.

If not, keep practicing with SAT Reading passages until you find the right balance of speed and
comprehension.

You want to read quickly enough that you finish SAT Reading & Writing modules on time, but
slowly enough that you still fully comprehend the passages. This is a delicate balance you need
to practice regularly.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The following text is adapted from a research article on

the benefits of exercise for mental health.
In a study conducted by Dr. Smith and Dr. Johnson,
they examined the effects of regular exercise on
mental well-being. The results showed that
individuals who engaged in consistent physical
activity experienced reduced symptoms of anxiety
and depression. The researchers concluded that
exercise plays a crucial role in promoting mental
health.
Which finding from Smith and Johnson's study, if true,
would most directly support their conclusion?
A) Participants who exercised regularly reported no
changes in their mental well-being compared to
those who did not engage in physical activity.
B) Individuals who engaged in consistent physical
activity experienced a significant increase in
symptoms of anxiety and depression.
C) The study found a correlation between the
duration of exercise sessions and the reduction in
symptoms of anxiety and depression.
D) Participants who engaged in physical activity only
once a week reported the same reduction in
symptoms of anxiety and depression as those who
exercised five times a week.

Average Number and Duration of Torpor Bouts and Arousal Episodes for
Alaska Marmots and Arctic Ground Squirrels, 2008 – 2011
Feature Alaska Marmots Arctic Ground Squirrels
Torpor bouts 15 13.5
Duration per bout 16.81 days 19.77 days

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 Arousal episodes 14 12.5
Duration per episode 24.2 hours 17.2 hours
When hibernating, Alaska marmots and Arctic ground squirrels enter a
state called torpor, which minimizes the energy their bodies need to
function. Often a hibernating animal will temporarily come out of torpor
(called an arousal episode) and its metabolic rate will rise, burning more of
the precious energy the animal needs to survive the winter. Alaska marmots
hibernate in groups and therefore burn less energy keeping warm during
these episodes than they would if they were alone. A researcher
hypothesized that because Arctic ground squirrels hibernate alone, they
would likely exhibit longer bouts of torpor and shorter arousal episodes
than Alaska marmots.
Which choice best describes data from the table that support the
researcher’s hypothesis?
A) The Alaska marmots’ arousal episodes lasted for days, while the Arctic
ground squirrels’ arousal episodes lasted less than a day.
B) The Alaska marmots and the Arctic ground squirrels both maintained
torpor for several consecutive days per bout, on average.
C) The Alaska marmots had shorter torpor bouts and longer arousal
episodes than the Arctic ground squirrels did.
D) The Alaska marmots had more torpor bouts than arousal episodes,
but their arousal episodes were much shorter than their torpor bouts.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #18—Improve Passage-Reading Speed: The three
key techniques to increasing passage-reading speed are: 1) Practice a passage per day
2) Don’t get caught up in details 3) Don’t sacrifice comprehension.
● Daily SAT passage practice: Improve reading speed by practicing with real SAT
passages daily, rather than by reading newspapers or books, to familiarize yourself with
the types of passages and questions on the SAT.
● Main ideas over details: Concentrate on understanding the main ideas and assertions
in the passages rather than trying to memorize details. Remember, you can always refer
back to the passage if needed.
● Balance speed with comprehension: Avoid reading so fast that you sacrifice
comprehension. Understanding the content is crucial to answer questions correctly
without having to reread.
● Question-answering speed: Scoring high on the SAT Reading section is more about
answering questions efficiently than it is about reading quickly. Most students spend
the majority of their time debating the given answer choices rather than reading
passages.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #19:
Improve Question-Answering
Speed

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
The Majority of Time Spent on SAT Reading
As mentioned earlier, the majority of the time elapsed on SAT Reading is spent answering
questions (not reading passages). Therefore, it is crucial you Improve Question-Answering
Speed.

Have you ever experienced the following scenario while taking the SAT?

You are working through an SAT Reading question and you narrow the answer choices
down to (B) and (D). However, you then continue to debate between answer choices (B)
and (D), and just cannot decide on the correct answer. You end up spending thirty
seconds, forty-five seconds, or even a minute debating between the answer choices!

The above scenario is all too common on the SAT Reading and Writing modules. It is how most
students end up wasting precious time on these modules. You must reduce the amount of time
you spend debating between answer choices.

Here are a few key techniques you can use to Improve Question-Answering Speed:

Question-Answering Speed Technique #1: Build Own Simple Solution (BOSS)

The first technique to Improve Question-Answering Speed is actually Prep Expert Reading
Strategy #1–Build (Your) Own Simple Solution (BOSS). This strategy is powerful in helping to
improve your question-answering speed. With BOSS, you no longer need to debate between
answer choices. When you have written down a legitimate BOSS solution on your scratch paper,
the SAT Reading questions go much faster. Instead of spending forty-five seconds debating
between answer choices, you can quickly select the one that best matches your BOSS solution.

Question-Answering Speed Technique #2: Cross Out Answer Choices

The second technique to Improve Question-Answering Speed is to cross out answer choices. A
key technique to score high on paper-and-pencil standardized exams is to cross out and eliminate
incorrect answer choices. Since you cannot write on the answer choices on the Digital SAT, you
will need to cross out the incorrect answers using the function the College Board provides. We
covered this in detail in the General Expert Strategy #11–Cross Out Answer Choices. Although it
may seem like it takes more time to Cross Out Answer Choices that you know are incorrect, it is
worth the extra effort, because trying to remember which answer choices are incorrect will take
up working memory space in your brain. If you clog up your working memory, you will have
less critical thinking ability, which will cause you to answer many SAT Reading questions

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incorrectly. Cross Out Answer Choices to free up working memory, increase critical thinking
ability, and improve question-answering speed.

Question-Answering Speed Technique #3: Skip Difficult Questions

The third technique to improve question-answering speed is to skip difficult questions. Students
often struggle with a problem they do not know how to solve for a long time before they give up.
Let’s say a student comes across a difficult SAT Reading question. Instead of having the
discipline to pull himself away from the question, the student will likely struggle with the
question for a while. This wastes time. Working on a difficult question for two, three, or even
four minutes does not make sense. There are easier questions in the same module that are equally
valuable to your overall SAT score. Have the discipline to flag a question that you do not know
how to solve. You will find that something almost magical happens when you return to it at the
end of the module. Many times, you will suddenly be able to solve the question with ease! While
your conscious mind is working on other problems in the section, your subconscious mind is
working on previous problems you have flagged. It is actually your subconscious mind that will
solve these difficult questions for you! But you must skip the question initially to give your
subconscious mind a chance to work. We covered this in detail in the General Expert Strategy
#12–Let Your Subconscious Work. Skip difficult questions to avoid wasting time, reduce
frustration, and improve question-answering speed.

Improve Question-Answering Speed to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

We have reproduced a sample SAT Reading question below. Answer the question using the
question-answering techniques that we just reviewed, including:
● Question-answering speed technique #1: Build Own Simple Solution (BOSS)
● Question-answering speed technique #2: Cross out answer choices
● Question-answering speed technique #3: Skip difficult questions

Step 1: Read the Question

Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the

astronomers' claim?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

Given the hypothesis that stars and their orbiting

planets are formed from the same cosmic materials,
leading to the assumption that the elemental
composition of planets mirrors that of their host stars,
albeit in varying quantities, it is suggested that rocky
planets like those in our solar system share common
elements with the Sun.

Step 3: Skip Difficult Questions

Let’s imagine that we had a hard time with this question. We did not fully understand the passage
and we struggled to create a BOSS solution. Instead of wasting precious time on the question, we
should simply flag the question on the Digital SAT to come back to later. Remember, this is
question-answering speed technique #3.

Step 4: Return to Flagged Question

Now imagine that we just finished all of the other questions in the SAT Reading and Writing
module. It would be time to return to the questions we flagged, so we would re-read the question
and the passage above. But on this attempt, our subconscious mind has had some time to work
on the problem in the background. This time, it is much easier for us to create a BOSS solution.

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Step 5: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper
For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

planet & sun made of different materials

The passage describes how the planets and the sun should be made up of the same cosmic
materials. The finding that the planets and the sun are made of different cosmic materials would
weaken this claim. Of course, we don’t need to write all of that down on our scratch paper.
Instead, we can simply write down “planet & sun made of different materials.” This gives us a specific
BOSS solution to which to compare the answer choices.

Step 6: Cross Out Answer Choices

Cross out answer choices that we know are incorrect. To do this effectively, use the Digital SAT
cross out feature that we covered in General Expert Strategy #11–Cross Out Answer Choices.

A) Observations indicate that the majority of stars

comprise hydrogen and helium, with only minimal
traces of elements such as iron and silicate
becoming apparent upon cooling.
B) Analysis shows a host star in proximity has the
same ratio of hydrogen to helium as found in the
Sun.
C) New data reveals that the iron content in certain
rocky planets is substantially more than the iron
present in their host stars.
D) It is revealed that the methodology used to deduce
the composition of rocky planets is not as reliable
when employed for analyzing other types of
planets.

We can cross out answer choice A because it contains the Kiss of Death word “only” (covered in
Prep Expert Reading Strategy #15–Avoid These 5 Kiss Of Death Words).

We can cross out answer choice B because it contains the Kiss of Death word “same” (covered
in Prep Expert Reading Strategy #15–Avoid These 5 Kiss Of Death Words).

Step 7: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Remaining Answer Choices

Remember, our BOSS solution was “planet & sun made of different materials ” This most closely
matches answer choice C.

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Answer Choice A: Already crossed out.
Answer Choice B: Already crossed out.
Answer Choice C: The phrase “the iron content in certain rocky planets is substantially more
than the iron present in their host stars” matches our BOSS solution of “planet & sun made of
different materials ” almost perfectly.
Answer Choice D: The phrase “composition of rocky planets is not as reliable when employed
for analyzing other types of planets” is comparing planets to planets, and we need an answer
choice that compares planets to stars.

The above steps illustrate how you can Improve Question-Answering Speed on the Digital SAT.
Although it might seem like it would take more time to follow the steps above, it will go much
more quickly once you put these techniques into practice while taking the SAT.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Butterflies of many species display vibrant color

patterns on their wings, which are derived from
pigmented scales. The vivid colors tend to be
particularly pronounced in male butterflies, and since
pigments also contribute to a butterfly's health, the
intense colors generally serve to communicate a truthful
signal of a butterfly's overall fitness to potential mates.
However, entomologist Sandra J. Carlson and others
have discovered that males in several species of the
butterfly genus Morpho use nanostructures on their
wing scales to reflect light, creating the illusion of more
vibrant colors without the butterflies necessarily
needing to ingest a pigment-rich diet. These findings
suggest that ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) individual male Morpho butterflies can engage in
honest signaling without relying on pigment
consumption.
B) wing nanostructures may be less effective than
vibrant wing colors for signaling overall fitness.
C) scientists have yet to determine why Morpho
butterflies have a preference for mates with
colorful appearances.
D) a male Morpho butterfly's appearance may
function as a dishonest signal of the individual’s
overall fitness.

Researchers have observed that many bird species

demonstrate an innate ability to recognize and mimic
complex songs, enabling them to communicate and
attract mates. However, it remains unclear whether this
trait is also present in non-vocal bird species that do not

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 engage in elaborate vocalizations. To investigate this, a
team of scientists conducted a study on ostrich
hatchlings, which are non-vocal birds. They found that
the hatchlings exhibited a preference for recordings of
complex bird songs over other sounds, indicating that
______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) non-vocal bird species have developed alternative
communication strategies to compensate for the
lack of complex vocalizations.
B) researchers should reconsider the assumption that
the innate ability to recognize and mimic complex
songs is solely linked to vocal communication and
mate attraction.
C) the preference for complex bird songs observed in
vocal bird species is a learned behavior rather than
an innate trait.
D) adult ostriches exhibit a stronger preference for
complex bird songs than hatchlings do, indicating
a developmental shift in their auditory
preferences.

The answers to these SAT practice problems can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #19—Improve Question-Answering Speed: The three
key techniques to increasing question-answering speed are 1) Build Own Simple
Solution (BOSS), 2) Cross Out Answer Choices, and 3) skip difficult questions.
● Build Own Simple Solution (BOSS): Implement BOSS by writing down a simple
version of the solution prior to looking at the given answer choices. This helps you
select the correct answer quickly.
● Cross Out Answer Choices: Crossing out wrong answers helps you concentrate on the
right ones. This also preserves your working memory for critical thinking.
● Skip difficult questions: Skipping tough questions and returning to them later can
leverage your subconscious mind, which works on the problem in the background
while you are solving other questions. This often leads to easier solutions when you
return to the tough questions at the end of a module.
● Question-answering speed: Focus on improving question-answering speed, since
most time on the SAT Reading section is spent on answering questions, not reading
passages.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #20:
Master The Time, Even When Time
Is Running Out

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
The Most Stressful Situation on SAT Reading
The most stressful situation on the SAT Reading and Writing modules is running out of time to
answer questions. Therefore, it is crucial that you Master The Time, Even When Time Is Running
Out.

Has the following scenario ever happened to you while taking the SAT?

You are working through an SAT Reading and Writing module. Some of the questions
have taken you longer than usual to answer. All of a sudden, the Digital SAT shows a
pop-up alert that tells you there are only five minutes remaining in the module! However,
you still have over ten questions left to answer. You are now pressed for time and
stressed. You begin randomly guessing on the remaining questions. Ultimately, your SAT
Reading and Writing score drops.

The above scenario is all too common on the SAT Reading and Writing modules. Many students
score poorly on SAT Reading and Writing because of this high-pressure situation. It causes them
to answer many questions incorrectly at the end of a module. This can significantly drop any
student’s score.

Here are a few key techniques you can use to Master The Time, Even When Time Is Running Out:

Master the Time Technique #1: Prevention

The first technique to master the time is to prevent the situation from happening in the first place.
The Digital SAT will give you an alert when there are five minutes remaining in a module
regardless of whether you hide the timer or not. However, before that alert, you should check that
you are pacing yourself well on the Digital SAT. How? Check the timer when you get to the
halfway point of each module. The SAT Reading and Writing modules contain 27 questions and
are 32 long. When you get to the halfway point of a Reading and Writing module, which is
question 14, check the timer to see if you have about 16 minutes remaining. Based on how much
time you have remaining at the halfway point of each section, adjust your question-answering
speed. We covered this strategy in detail in General Expert Strategy #13–Hide The Timer.

Master the Time Technique #2: Answer SAT Writing Questions First
The second technique to master the time is to answer the SAT Writing questions first. Remember
that the 27 questions on an SAT Reading and Writing Module are typically organized in the
following format:

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 ● 13–14 SAT Reading questions first
● 13–14 SAT Writing questions second

In general, SAT Writing questions take less time to answer than SAT Reading questions. Why?
SAT Reading questions typically require an in-depth understanding of the passage, which
naturally takes more time. In contrast, SAT Writing questions typically only require an
understanding of grammatical concepts. If you are running out of time, you may have both SAT
Reading and SAT Writing questions left to answer. In this case, you should make sure to at least
finish all of the SAT Writing questions, since those are typically quicker to answer. Alternatively,
you can start the SAT Reading and Writing modules out of order. For example, you can do the
SAT Writing questions first (typically questions 14 through 27). Then, do SAT Reading questions
second (typically questions 1 through 13).

Master the Time Technique #3: Strategically Guess

The third technique to master the time is to strategically guess. Remember that there is no
penalty for guessing on the SAT. Therefore, you should select an answer for every question on
the SAT Reading and Writing module, even if you are guessing. To guess strategically, use the
following guidelines:

● Choose answers that do not contain extreme language

● Choose answers that do not contain wording taken verbatim from the passage
● Choose answers that do not contain overqualified phrases
● Choose answers that contain more general language than specific language
● Choose answers that contain more mild language than strong language
● Choose answers based on complexity (SAT modules are organized by order of difficulty.
Answers late in the module will typically have answers that are more complex. For more
details, see General Expert Strategy #16–Capitalize On Complexity.)

Master The Time, Even When Time Is Running Out to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

We have reproduced a sample SAT Reading question below. Answer the question using the
master the time techniques that we just reviewed, including:

● Master the time technique #1: Prevention

● Master the time technique #2: Answer SAT Writing questions first
● Master the time technique #3: Strategically guess

The scenario: Imagine we are taking a timed SAT Reading and Writing module. We tried
technique #1, prevention, by checking our time at the halfway point in the module. We also tried
technique #2, answer SAT Writing questions first, by completing the remaining SAT Writing
questions in the module. Despite our best efforts, we still have a few SAT Reading questions left
to answer, but only two minutes remaining in the module. Let’s try technique #3, strategically
guess, on one of the remaining SAT Reading questions below.

Step 1: Speed Read the Question (Running Out of Time)

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Step 2: Speed Read the Passage (Running Out of Time)

In the late eighteenth century, several European settlers

in the midwestern territories of what would become the
United States implemented agricultural methods
originally developed by the Mississippian cultures
centuries prior, yet it appears that many of these settlers
had never directly observed Mississippian agriculture.
Excluding the chance occurrence of numerous settlers
independently creating methods identical to those of
the Mississippians, these circumstances most strongly
imply that _______

Step 3 - Strategically Guess Among Answer Choices (Running Out Of Time)

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Let’s say we don’t have time to create a BOSS solution because we only have seconds left in the
module. Strategically guess among the answer choices.

A) the settlers were instructed in these techniques by

intermediaries who had assimilated knowledge of
Mississippian agriculture.
B) the staple crops grown by European settlers in the
midwestern territories were not ideally suited for
Mississippian agricultural strategies.
C) Mississippian agricultural practices were prevalent
in areas beyond the midwestern territories.
D) It wasn't until the end of the eighteenth century
that European settlers fully appreciated the
advantages of Mississippian agricultural methods.

Answer choice A: I would quickly guess A. Why? The passage mentioned settlers “never
directly observed Mississippian agriculture.” This answer choice mentions “intermediaries.” It
makes sense that the settlers would learn agriculture through intermediaries.
Answer choice B: Avoid Over-Qualified Answers. “The staple crops grown by European
settlers” is a highly specific qualifying phrase.
Answer choice C: Avoid Extreme Answers. “Prevalent” is an extreme word.
Answer choice D: Avoid Verbatim Answers. “Eighteenth century” and “agricultural methods” are
identical phrases to those found in the original passage. Therefore, this answer choice is likely
attempting to trick students who did not read or fully understand the passage.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a highly

invasive plant species in North America, known for its
ability to outcompete native plants and cause damage to
infrastructure. Traditional control methods such as
herbicides can be effective but often harm surrounding
vegetation. Researchers have recently explored a novel
approach involving genetic modification to address the
issue of Japanese knotweed. This approach aims to
selectively inhibit the growth and spread of Japanese
knotweed while minimizing adverse effects on other
plant species, thereby ______.
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) facilitating the use of stronger herbicides for more
efficient eradication.
B) promoting the growth of native plant species
alongside Japanese knotweed.
C) mitigating the impact of Japanese knotweed on
infrastructure.
D) reducing the need for ongoing maintenance and
control efforts against Japanese knotweed.

Psychologists Emily Johnson and Robert Lewis have

proposed that experiencing humor—finding something
amusing or funny—can enhance interpersonal
connections and foster pro-social behavior. Johnson, in
collaboration with Sarah Patel and their team,
conducted a study to investigate this hypothesis.
Participants were randomly assigned to watch a
stand-up comedy performance or a documentary about
wildlife. Afterward, they were asked to rate their
willingness to help a stranger in need.

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 Which finding from the researchers' study, if true,
would most strongly support their claim?
A) Participants who watched the stand-up comedy
performance reported a significantly higher
willingness to help a stranger in need compared to
participants who watched the wildlife
documentary.
B) Participants who helped the stranger in need used
a greater number of humorous words in a
follow-up survey than did participants who did
not offer assistance.
C) Participants who did not help the stranger in need
reported a significantly lower level of perceived
humor in the content they watched, regardless of
whether it was the stand-up comedy performance
or the wildlife documentary.
D) Participants who watched the wildlife
documentary were significantly more likely to
notice humorous elements in the content than
were participants who watched the stand-up
comedy performance.

The answers to these SAT practice problems can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #20—Master The Time, Even When Time Is
Running Out: The three key techniques to master the time are 1) prevention, 2) answer
SAT Writing questions first, and 3) strategically guess.
● Prevention: Prevent running out of time by hiding the timer during the test and
checking the timer halfway through each module to adjust your pace.
● Answer SAT Writing questions first: If you are running out of time and have both
SAT Reading and SAT Writing questions left to answer, do the SAT Writing questions
first. SAT Writing questions are generally quicker to answer than SAT Reading
questions.
● Strategic guessing: If you are running short on time, strategically guess answers by
avoiding extremes, verbatim phrases from the passage, and over-qualified language.
Choose answers that contain more general and mild language.
● Time management: Running out of time on the SAT Reading and Writing modules is
stressful and can lead to poor scores due to rushed answers at the end of a module.
Master these techniques to maximize your SAT score.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #21:
Interpret Data

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Quantitative Evidence Questions
The SAT Reading section will present you with quantitative data in the form of an informational
graphic such as a graph, table, or chart. The College Board refers to these questions as Command
of Quantitative Evidence Questions. The question writers are testing your ability to appropriately
support, weaken, or illustrate a specified claim based on an informational graphic.

Most Common Question Types

Here are the three most common question types that the SAT may ask you for questions that
include graphs, tables, or charts:

Support question: Which choice best describes data from the table/graph/chart that support the
claim/conclusion/hypothesis?

Weaken questions: Which choice best describes data from the table/graph/chart that weaken the
claim/conclusion/hypothesis?

Example questions: Which choice most effectively uses data from the table/graph/chart to
complete the example/statement?

Standardized Approach to Informational Graphics

To effectively understand graphics associated with these questions, you must use a consistent
approach. Here is the standardized approach we recommend to Interpret Data on the SAT:

Step 1: Read the title of the informational graphic

Step 2: Read the column and row headers (if table) or the titles of the axes (if graph)
Step 3:* Interpret one row (if table) or one data point or bar (if graph)

*Regarding Step 3, it is particularly important to interpret at least one row of data (if the graphic is a table)
or at least one data point or bar (if it is a graph). If you can interpret one line or item of data, then you can
interpret the entire informational graphic and fully understand it.

Using the standardized approach above will assure that you understand every graphic on SAT
Reading.

Conceptual Understanding
To interpret data effectively, you must do more than read titles and headers. You must critically
analyze the data, compare it with the associated text, and discern patterns or discrepancies. This

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deeper analysis helps you understand the context and the implications of the data. All of this is
essential to answering data-related questions correctly.

Interpret Data to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Interpret Data together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice best describes data from the table that support
Barrett and Rayfield’s suggestion?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

The largest tyrannosaurids—the family of carnivorous

dinosaurs that includes Tarbosaurus, Albertosaurus,
and, most famously, Tyrannosaurus rex—are thought to
have had the strongest bites of any land animals in
Earth’s history. Determining the bite force of extinct
animals can be difficult, however, and paleontologists
Paul Barrett and Emily Rayfield have suggested that an
estimate of dinosaur bite force may be significantly
influenced by the methodology used in generating that
estimate.

Step 3: Interpret Data on Informational Graphics

Estimates of Tyrannosaurid Bite Force

Study Year Estimation Method Approximate Bite

Force (newtons)

Meers 2022 Body-mass scaling 173,000 - 225,000

Bates and 2012 Muscular and 34,000 - 56,000

Falkingham Skeletal Modeling

Gignac and 2017 Tooth-bone 7,000 - 33,000

Erickson interaction analysis

Cost et al. 2019 Muscular and 34,000 - 62,000

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 skeletal modeling

Step 1 - Read the title of the informational graphic

→ Estimates of Tyrannosaurid Bite Force
Step 2 - Read the column and row headers
→ Column Headers: Study, Year, Estimation Method, Approximate Bite Force
→ Row Headers: Meers, Bates and Falkingham, Gignac and Erickson, Cost et al.
Step 3 - Interpret one row
→ In 2022, an author named Meer did a study in which he estimated that the bite
force of Tyrannosaurid dinosaurs was between 173,000 to 225,000 newtons.

Step 4: Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Hugely varied bite forces based on method

The passage describes how Barrett and Rayfield believe the bite force estimates change
significantly depending on the methodology used for the estimate. The table supports this claim
because the various studies all used different methods to estimate bite force, and many of the
studies had very different estimations of bite force. Of course, we don’t need to write all of that
down on our scratch paper. Instead, we can simply write down “Hugely varied bite forces based on
method.” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to which to compare the answer choices.

Step 5: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) Although Cost et al.'s work used muscle and
skeletal modeling, Meers' study used body-mass
scaling and achieved the highest predicted maximal
bite force.
B) In their study, Gignac and Erickson used tooth-
bone interaction analysis to produce an estimated
bite force range with a minimum of 7,000 newtons
and a maximum of 33,000 newtons.
C) The estimates of biting force created by Bates
and Falkingham and Cost et al. were
comparable to one another, however the values
created by Meers and Gignac and Erickson
were each different from the other estimates.
D) The estimated maximum bite force produced by
Cost et al. exceeded the estimated maximum
produced by Bates and Falkingham, even through

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 both groups of researchers used the same method
to generate their estimates.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Hugely varied bite forces based on method.” This most closely
matches answer choice (C).

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE

Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

To investigate the effect of lizard predation on spider

populations, a student in a biology class placed spiders
in two enclosures, one with lizards and one without,
and tracked the number of spiders in the enclosures for
30 days. The student concluded that the reduction in
the spider population count in the enclosure with
lizards by day 30 was entirely attributable to the
presence of the lizards.
Which choice best describes data from the graph that
weaken the student’s conclusion?
A) The spider population count was the same in both
enclosures on day 1.
B) The spider population count also substantially
declined by day 30 in the enclosure without
lizards.
C) The largest decline in spider population count in
the enclosure with lizards occurred from day 1 to
day 10.
D) The spider population count on day 30 was lower
in the enclosure with lizards than in the enclosure
without lizards.

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 A group of researchers conducted a study to determine the rates at which
different Asian languages are typically spoken and how much
information they can effectively convey. The table below presents the
data collected, showing the rate of speech (measured in characters per
second) and the rate of information conveyed (also measured in
characters per second) for five languages: Japanese, Chinese, Korean,
Thai, and Vietnamese.
Rate of speech Rate of information conveyed
Language
(characters per second) (characters per second)
Japanese 10 80
Chinese 7 85
Korean 12 80
Thai 8 90
Vietnamese 11 78

The researchers found that while languages vary widely in their speaking
rates, the amount of information conveyed tends to vary much less.
Consequently, they claim that two languages with very different speaking
rates can still convey the same amount of information in a given amount
of time.
Based on the data provided in the table, which choice best describes the
information that supports the researchers' claim?
A) Among the five languages in the table, Thai and Vietnamese have
the lowest rates of speech and the lowest rates of information
conveyed.
B) Chinese conveys information at approximately the same rate as
Korean, despite being spoken at a slower rate.
C) Among the five languages in the table, the language that is spoken
the fastest is also the language that conveys information the fastest.
D) Japanese and Thai are spoken at approximately the same rate, but
Japanese conveys information faster than Thai does.

The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #21—Interpret Data: The SAT Reading section
includes Command of Quantitative Evidence Questions, which test your ability to
interpret data from graphs, tables, or charts.
● Common question types: The most common types of questions are support questions (
data supporting a claim), weaken questions (data weakening a claim), and example
questions (data used to complete an example or statement).
● Standardized approach to interpret data: Prep Expert’s recommended approach to
data questions involves three steps: (1) Read the title of the graphic (2) Understand
column/row headers or axes titles (3) Interpret at least one row or data point. Once you
can interpret one row or data point, you will be able to interpret the entire graph, table,
or chart.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #22:
Highlight The Claim

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Textual Evidence Questions
The SAT Reading section will present you with textual evidence in the form of a claim,
hypothesis, or argument. The College Board refers to these questions as Command of Textual
Evidence Questions. The question writers are testing your ability to appropriately support,
weaken, or illustrate a claim based on textual evidence from the passage.

Most Common Question Types

Here are the three most common question types that the SAT may ask you related to questions
related to textual evidence:

Support questions: Which finding, if true, would most directly support the claim, hypothesis, or
argument?

Weaken questions: Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken or undermine the claim,
hypothesis, or argument?

Illustrate questions: Which quotation most effectively illustrates the claim, hypothesis,
argument?

Highlight the Claim

To effectively answer textual evidence questions, you must Highlight The Claim. While reading
a passage, if you do not know what the claim, hypothesis, or argument is, then it is impossible to
correctly answer these Command of Textual Evidence Questions.

Highlighting the claim the question is referring to will help you ignore the passage’s extraneous
content so you can focus on what you will need to support, weaken, or illustrate with your
answer.

This is the one time on the Digital SAT that we recommend using the highlighter tool.

Annotate Button
The College Board’s Bluebook app does not have a “highlighter tool” button. Instead, it has an
“Annotate” button that allows you to highlight text.

Here is the standardized approach we recommend to Highlight The Claim on Digital SAT
Reading questions:

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 Step 1: Identify the passage’s claim, hypothesis, or argument
Step 2: Highlight the claim with your mouse
Step 3: Click the “Annotate” button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen
Step 4: Click “Save”

Highlight The Claim to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Highlight The Claim together on an SAT Reading question.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which quotation from "Catcher in the Rye" most effectively

illustrates the claim?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

"The Catcher in the Rye" is a 1951 novel written by J.D.

Salinger. In the story, the protagonist Holden Caulfield
encounters various people with whom he often finds
fault. Holden has a critical attitude towards others. This
is evident when he describes a character, ______.

Step 3: Highlight the Claim

Step 1: Identify the claim in the passage

→ Holden Caulfield encounters various people with whom he often finds fault.
Step 2: Highlight the claim with your mouse
→ "The Catcher in the Rye" is a 1951 novel written by J.D. Salinger. In the story, the
protagonist Holden Caulfield encounters various people with whom he often finds fault.
Holden has a critical attitude towards others. This is evident when he describes a character,
______.
Step 3: Click the “Annotate” button in the upper right hand corner of the screen
(This is assuming you are taking the Digital SAT in the Bluebook app.)
Step 4 - Click “Save”
(This is assuming you are taking the Digital SAT in the Bluebook app.)

Step 4 - Write Down Your BOSS Solution On Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Fault-finder

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The claim is that “Holden has a critical attitude towards others.” Per the original question, we
will need to find a quotation that supports this claim. Of course, we do not need to guess what
that quotation is. Instead, we can simply write down that the quote will need to be something
related to Holden being a “Fault-finder.” This gives us a specific BOSS solution to which to
compare the answer choices.

Step 5: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) “That guy Morrow was about as sensitive as a

toilet seat."
B) "Boy, I hate it when somebody yells "Good luck!" at
me."
C) "They're nice and all."
D) "I don't care if it's a sad good-by or a bad good-by,
but when I leave a place I like to know I'm leaving
it."

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Fault-finder.” This most closely matches answer choice (A).

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE
Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Music bands, like the UK-based band The Rolling

Stones or U.S.'s The Eagles, are groups of musicians
who agree to create music together: perhaps for similar
taste in music, to convey certain shared messages, or to
leverage the synergy of their musical skills. Regardless of
the reasons, music bands always involve some level of
collaboration among the members. Based on a recent
series of interviews with various bands, a music
journalist claims that this can be challenging for
musicians who are often used to having complete
control over their compositions.
Which quotation from the interviews best illustrates the
journalist’s claim?
A) "The first band I joined had many exceptionally
skilled musicians, and we all got along well, but
because we struggled with sharing the limelight
and attributing the songs, the band didn't stick
together."
B) "We create music together, but that doesn't mean
all songs are equally the work of all of us. Many of
our songs are primarily driven by whoever initially
brought the idea to the group."
C) "Having been a band member for several years, it's
sometimes hard to remember what it was like to
create music alone without the band's support.
But that support enhances my personal creativity
rather than restricting it."
D) "Sometimes an external musician will choose to
collaborate with us on a piece, but all of those
pieces fall within the broader themes of the work
the band creates independently.

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 Political scientists have long debated the impact of
negative campaign advertisements on voter attitudes. To
investigate this, researchers conducted a study during a
local election campaign. They divided participants into
two groups: Group A was exposed to a series of negative
campaign ads targeting a candidate, while Group B was
not exposed to any campaign ads. The researchers then
assessed the participants' attitudes towards the targeted
candidate immediately after the election.
Which finding from the study, if true, would most
directly weaken the claim made by those who argue that
negative campaign ads have no impact on voter
attitudes?
A) Participants in Group A, who were exposed to
negative campaign ads, held more negative
attitudes towards the targeted candidate
immediately after the election compared to their
attitudes prior to the campaign.
B) Participants in Group B, who were not exposed to
any campaign ads, held similar attitudes towards
the targeted candidate immediately after the
election as they held prior to the campaign.
C) Participants who reported being undecided at the
start of the study were equally likely to develop
positive or negative attitudes towards the targeted
candidate, regardless of exposure to negative
campaign ads.
D) Participants who reported being strong supporters
of the targeted candidate prior to the study held
even more positive attitudes towards the candidate
immediately after exposure to negative campaign
ads.
The answers to these SAT practice questions can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW
KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #22—Highlight The Claim: The SAT Reading section
includes Command of Textual Evidence Questions, which test the ability to use textual
evidence from a passage to support, weaken, or illustrate a claim.
● Common question types: The main question types include support questions (support
the claim), weaken questions (weaken the claim), and illustrate questions (illustrate the
claim).
● Highlighting the claim: A key strategy is to highlight the claim, hypothesis, or
argument in the passage. This helps you to focus on the relevant parts of the text and
ignore extraneous content.
● Using digital tools: Highlighting the claim makes it easier to find evidence to support,
weaken, or illustrate the claim. You should use the “Annotate” button in the College
Board’s Bluebook app for highlighting.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #23:
KISS (Keep It Simple &
Straightforward) Poems

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Poem Questions
The SAT Reading section will present students with at least a few questions that contain poems.
Most students believe that they need to search for deeper meaning in poems. While that may be
true in your high school English classes, it is not true on the SAT.

Deeper Meaning in Poems

Most high school students look for deeper meaning when they read poems. Why?

In high school, English teachers reward students who find deeper meaning in poems that go
beyond the words on the page. Therefore, it is learned behavior that has been rewarded in the
past. However, you must change your behavior on the SAT.

On the SAT, test question writers punish students who find deeper meanings that go beyond the
words on the page in poems. Remember Reading Expert Strategy #4–Make Inferences, Not
Assumptions. This means that every correct answer must be supported by evidence in the text.
This is true even for questions that contain poems.

KISS Poems
Keep It Simple & Straightforward (KISS) with respect to poems on the SAT Reading section.
This means that you must read the words in a poem literally. Do not make assumptions that go
beyond the scope of what is on the page. Make inferences rather than assumptions for all SAT
Reading questions, including poem questions.

On the SAT, don’t search for deeper meaning in poems—just read the words literally. Real
progress begins when students get literal with the words on the page.

KISS (Keep It Simple & Straightforward) Poems to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s KISS Poems together on an SAT Reading question. On Expert Examples such as the one
below, I purposely do not show you the entire problem all at once. This is because I want to
show you my step-by-step approach. That way, you can follow the same steps when you take the
Digital SAT.

Step 1: Read the Question

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

The following excerpt is from Maya Angelou's poem "Still I

Rise":

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Step 3: KISS Poems

KISS (Keep It Simple & Straightforward) for this poem. The author states that she will “rise”
despite any negative hate.

Step 4 - Write Down Your BOSS Solution on Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Resilient

This gives us a specific BOSS solution to compare the answer choices to.

Step 5 - Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

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 A) To emphasize the enduring strength and
resilience of the speaker
B) To convey the harmful impact of negative words
and actions
C) To highlight the speaker's willingness to forgive and
rise above hatred
D) To express the speaker's determination to seek
justice and equality

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Resilient.” This most closely matches answer choice A.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE
Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The following text is from Langston Hughes' 1923

poem "Dreams." In this poem, the speaker reflects on
the importance of dreams and how they shape our lives.
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

A) To emphasize the significance of holding onto
dreams as they provide hope and purpose in life.
B) To illustrate the struggles of a broken-winged bird
and its inability to fulfill its potential.
C) To criticize those who give up on their dreams and
settle for a mundane existence.
D) To describe the fleeting nature of dreams and their
tendency to disappear if not pursued actively.

The following text is adapted from Emily Dickinson’s

poem “‘Hope’ is the Thing with Feathers.”
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
What is the main idea of the text?

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 A) The speaker is discussing the appearance of a bird
outside her window.
B) The speaker is describing the persistent quality of
hope as a metaphorical bird.
C) The speaker is reflecting on the sadness of losing a
pet bird.
D) The speaker is describing the beauty of birdsong.

The answers to these SAT practice problems can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #23—KISS Poems: For poem questions on the SAT,
keep your interpretations simple and straightforward. This means reading the words of
the poem literally and making inferences based on the text, without making
assumptions.
● SAT poem questions—literal interpretation: On the SAT Reading section, you will
encounter multiple questions with poems. Unlike high school English classes, the SAT
rewards literal, straightforward interpretation of poems.
● High school vs. SAT approach: In high school English classes, students often learn to
seek deeper meanings in poems. Do not search for deeper meanings. On the SAT, this
approach can be detrimental as the test penalizes assumptions that go beyond the text.
● Literal reading for SAT success: Succeed in answering SAT poem questions by
sticking to a literal understanding of the poem's words. Avoid searching for
interpretations that are not directly supported by the text.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #24:
Understand The Writing Goal

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Text Structure and Purpose Questions
The SAT Reading section includes a specific question type called Text Structure and Purpose.
These questions test your ability to analyze the structure of a text or determine the main purpose
of a text. You will be presented with at least 3-4 Text Structure and Purpose questions on the
SAT Reading & Writing modules.

Most Common Question Types

Below are the most common SAT question types related to Text Structure and Purpose.

Main Idea Questions: Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
Sentence Function Questions: Which choice best describes the function of the underlined
sentence in the text as a whole?
Overall Structure Questions: Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?

How To Answer Main Idea Questions

The most effective method to answer main idea questions correctly is to use Reading Expert
Strategy #3–Understand The Main Idea. If you recall, we covered this strategy in detail at the
beginning of the Reading Expert Strategies.

Typically, it is not necessary to write down the main idea of every SAT Reading passage. There
is one exception to this rule: when the SAT Reading question is specifically asking what the main
purpose of the passage is.

Example: Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

When you see the above question on the SAT, you should write down the main idea of the
passage. Write down the main idea prior to looking at the answer choices. By doing so, this main
idea will also serve as your BOSS solution. You will then have a solid BOSS solution to compare
the answer choices against.

How To Answer Sentence Function & Overall Structure Questions

The most effective method to answer sentence function and overall structure questions correctly
is to Understand The Writing Goal. Understanding the author’s message is already built-in to
many Expert Strategies. The main way to understand the writing goal is to create a BOSS
solution. BOSS helps Understand The Writing Goal because you must synthesize your own
answer prior to looking at the answer choices.

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 Example: Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a
whole?

One important note: Many students read only the underlined sentence to try to save time. Do not
make this mistake. You must read the whole passage (not just the underlined sentence). The
function of the sentence will often relate to the sentence before or after it, or even to the passage
as a whole. To have the full context necessary to Understand The Writing Goal, you must read
the whole passage. Even if the question is just asking about the function of a single sentence, you
must still read the whole passage.

Understand The Writing Goal

Below is a list of the most common writing goals that sentences within passages can have. Use
these writing goals (or functions) as BOSS solutions as you are answering text structure and
purpose questions.

SENTENCE FUNCTION DESCRIPTION

Support/Oppose The sentence functions to support/oppose a

claim, assertion, or hypothesis in the passage.

Introduce/Conclude The sentence functions to introduce/conclude

an item in the passage.

Expand, Elaborate, or Explain The sentence functions to expand, elaborate,

or explain an item in the passage.

Illustrate, Describe, or Exemplify The sentence functions to illustrate, describe,

or exemplify an item in the passage.

Generalize The sentence functions to generalize an item

in the passage.

Highlight The sentence functions to highlight an item in

the passage.

Foreshadow The sentence functions to foreshadow an item

in the passage.

Summarize The sentence functions to summarize an item

in the passage.

Red Alert: “Prove”

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If you see the word “prove” on an SAT Reading answer choice, it is automatically incorrect!
“Prove” can never be the correct answer on a Text Structure and Purpose, or any other SAT
Reading question for that matter.

It is impossible for an author, a sentence, or a passage to “prove” anything. SAT Reading

passages are excerpts or short pieces, not exhaustive studies or reports. They do not provide
enough evidence to conclusively prove a point. Proofs typically require extensive data, research,
and analysis. This is beyond the scope of brief SAT Reading passages. In summary, avoid the
word “prove” on SAT Reading at all costs.

Understand The Writing Goal to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Understand The Writing Goal together on an SAT Reading question. On Expert Examples
such as the one below, I purposely do not show you the entire problem all at once. This is
because I want to show you my step-by-step approach. That way, you can follow the same steps
when you take the Digital SAT.

Step 1 - Read The Question

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined

sentence in the text as a whole?

Step 2 - Read The Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

The following excerpt is from "The Autobiography of an

Ex-Colored Man", an 1912 novel by James Weldon Johnson,
an African American author. In this part, the narrator
describes his experience of listening to a street musician in a
Southern city.

As I wandered through the streets, I stumbled upon a

small crowd gathered around a street musician. He was
an elderly man, his face weathered by years and his
hands roughened by work, but when he played his
violin, it was as if he spoke through it. The melodies
were tinged with a sadness that seemed to echo the
stories of his life. Each note was drawn with a
tenderness and an understanding that only comes with
age and experience. The crowd was hushed, captivated
by the music that flowed from his instrument.

Step 3 - Understand The Writing Goal

The writing goal (or function) of the underlined sentence is to highlight the musician’s emotional
musical performance.

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Step 4 - Write Down Your BOSS Solution On Scratch Paper
For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Highlight emotional music

This gives us a specific BOSS solution to which to compare the answer choices.

Step 5 - Compare Your BOSS Solution To The Answer Choices

A) It underscores the transformative power of music in

creating a communal experience.
B) It highlights the street musician's skill and the
emotional impact of his performance.
C) It contrasts the musician's appearance with the
beauty of the music he creates.
D) It proves the musician's struggles were far worse
than the struggles of other street musicians.

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Highlight emotional music.” This most closely matches answer
choice B. Of note, answer choice D has the word “prove” in it. Therefore, it is automatically
incorrect.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE
Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

The following text is adapted from Langston Hughes'

1959 poem "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)."
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the
text?
A) It presents a series of questions exploring the
possible outcomes of a deferred dream.
B) It describes a vivid scene of a sun-dried raisin and
contrasts it with the rotting meat.
C) It recounts a personal experience of a dream
deferred.
D) It depicts the gradual decay and transformation of
a dream over time.

The dodo bird was native to Mauritius, where it had no

natural predators. In the 17th century, sailors
introduced invasive species such as pigs and rats, far
from their original habitats and the ecological checks
and balances there. However, interactions between
invasive species and native species can result in dramatic
changes, even extinction. By the late 17th century, the
dodo bird was completely extinct, a fact attributed to
the invasive species that destroyed their nests and
competed for food resources.

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 Which choice best describes the function of the third
sentence in the overall structure of the text?
A) It presents a hypothesis that explains the
extinction of the dodo bird.
B) It offers a general principle that is exemplified by
the discussion of the dodo bird and the invasive
species.
C) It proposes an alternative theory for the cause of
dodo bird extinction.
D) It provides context that explains why the invasive
species were introduced to Mauritius.

The answers to these SAT practice problems can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Prep Expert Reading Strategy #24 - Understand The Writing Goal: It is important to
comprehend the author's writing goal. Text Structure and Purpose questions test the
ability to analyze the structure of a text or determine its main purpose. Common types
of these questions include Main Idea, Sentence Function, and Overall Structure.
● Main Idea Questions: To answer these effectively, use the Reading Expert Strategy
#3–Understand The Main Idea. Write down the main idea before looking at the answer
choices. Use the main idea as your BOSS solution to compare against the given answer
choices.
● Sentence Function & Overall Structure Questions: For both of these question types,
understanding the author's writing goal is crucial. Read the entire passage for full
context, not just the underlined sentence.
● Common Sentence Functions: Sentences within passages can support, oppose,
introduce, conclude, expand, explain, illustrate, describe, exemplify, generalize,
highlight, foreshadow, or summarize an item in the passage.
● Avoid the "Prove" Trap: On the SAT, answer choices that suggest a sentence or
passage "proves" something are automatically incorrect. SAT Reading passages are not
exhaustive enough to conclusively “prove” anything.

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 Prep Expert Reading Strategy #25:
Simplify The Other Passage’s
Response

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 PREP EXPERT STRATEGY
Cross-Text Connections Questions
The SAT Reading section includes a specific question type called Cross-Text Connections. These
questions test your ability to draw reasonable connections between two texts on related topics.
You will be presented with at least two to three Cross-Text Connections questions on the SAT
Reading and Writing modules.

Most Common Question Types

Below are the most common types of cross-text connections questions:

Text 2 response to Text 1: Based on the texts, what would the author of Text 2 most likely say
about Text 1?
Text 1 response to Text 2: Based on the texts, what would the author of Text 1 most likely say
about Text 2?

Simplify the Other Passage’s Response

To correctly answer Cross-Text Connections, Simplify The Other Passage’s Response. Cross-Text
Connections questions almost always ask about one passage’s response to the other. Therefore,
you should simplify the response in your own words. This will create a powerful BOSS solution
to compare the answer choices against.

Here is the standardized approach I recommend to Simplify The Other Passage’s Response on
Cross-Text Connections questions:

Step 1: Read the question.

Step 2: Read Text 1.
Step 3: Read Text 2.
Step 4:* Simplify the other passage’s response (creating a BOSS solution)

*If the question is asking about Text 2’s response, Text 2’s response should be the one you are simplifying
to create a BOSS solution. If the question is asking about Text 1’s response, Text 1’s response should be the
one you are simplifying to create a BOSS solution.

Simplify The Other Passage’s Response to maximize your SAT Reading score.

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 PREP EXPERT EXAMPLE

Consider the following Prep Expert Example:

Let’s Simplify The Other Passage’s Response together on an SAT Reading question. On Expert
Examples such as the one below, I purposely do not show you the entire problem all at once. This
is because I want to show you my step-by-step approach. That way, you can follow the same
steps when you take the Digital SAT.

Step 1: Read the Question

Based on the texts, how would Dr. Lydia Zheng and her
team (Text 2) most likely respond to the debate about
Planet Nine discussed in Text 1?

Step 2: Read the Passage & Ignore Answer Choices

Text 1
Astronomers have long debated the existence of Planet
Nine, a hypothetical planet in our solar system beyond
Neptune. Some suggest it explains the peculiar orbits of
distant objects in the Kuiper Belt. Others argue that these
orbital anomalies can be accounted for without invoking a
new planet. This ongoing debate has yet to reach a
consensus in the scientific community.

Text 2
Astronomer Dr. Lydia Zheng and her team have proposed a
different explanation for the orbital irregularities of Kuiper
Belt objects. They argue that these anomalies are the result
of gravitational interactions with passing stars and the
galactic tide, rather than the presence of a ninth planet.
Zheng's team suggests that these external gravitational forces
are often underestimated in their impact on distant objects
in the solar system.

Step 3: Simplify the Other Passage’s Response

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Dr. Lydia Zheng and her team have a different explanation for the orbital anomalies presented in
Text 1. They believe the anomalies are due to “gravitational interactions with passing stars.”

Step 4 - Write Down Your BOSS Solution On Scratch Paper

For our BOSS solution, let’s write down the following on our scratch paper:

Gravitational forces from stars

This gives us a specific BOSS solution to compare the answer choices to.

Step 5: Compare Your BOSS Solution to the Answer Choices

A) By supporting the theory that a ninth planet is

responsible for the orbital anomalies in the Kuiper
Belt
B) By suggesting that the debate is irrelevant since the
Kuiper Belt objects are influenced by factors other
than a ninth planet
C) By arguing that the orbital patterns of Kuiper
Belt objects can be better explained by the
influence of external gravitational forces
D) By recommending that astronomers should focus
more on the study of Neptune's influence on the
Kuiper Belt rather than a hypothetical ninth planet

Remember, our BOSS solution was “Gravitational forces from stars.” This most closely matches
answer choice C.

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 PREP EXPERT PRACTICE
Try applying this Prep Expert Strategy yourself to the following SAT practice questions:

Text 1
When pharmaceutical companies seek to acquire
smaller biotech firms, they often argue that the
acquisition will accelerate drug development and
benefit patients. However, researcher James Frazier
examined this claim by analyzing a series of past
acquisitions and concluded that drug development
actually slows down after such acquisitions.
Text 2
Business analysts Carol Grant and Mark Sutton
contend that studies on the impact of acquisitions on
drug development often overlook long-term effects,
which can be beneficial. Using the case of the biotech
sector in Germany, they demonstrated that over an
extended period (more than five years in their study),
the resources of larger pharmaceutical companies can
expedite drug development.
Based on the texts, how would Grant and Sutton (Text
2) most likely respond to Frazier’s findings (Text 1)?
A) They would suggest that the financial dynamics of
the pharmaceutical industry negate the benefits of
acquisitions.
B) They would propose that Frazier compare the
near-term effect of acquisitions on drug
development with the effect of similar acquisitions
in another industry.
C) They would recommend Frazier investigate
whether the projected effect on drug development
persists over an extended period.
D) They would argue that acquisitions have a
different impact on drug development in the
biotech industry than in other industries.

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 Text 1
Psychologists have long debated the nature versus
nurture question: whether human behavior is primarily
influenced by genetics or environmental factors. The
debate centers around determining which factor plays a
more significant role in shaping an individual's traits
and behaviors. Despite extensive research, a conclusive
answer has remained elusive.
Text 2
In their recent study, researchers Mark Johnson and
Sarah Chen shed light on the nature versus nurture
debate by examining the interplay between genetics and
environment in the development of intelligence. They
argue that both factors are crucial and interact with
each other rather than operating independently. Their
findings suggest that genetic predispositions can
influence how individuals respond to environmental
factors and how these interactions shape intelligence.
Based on the texts, how would Johnson and Chen (Text
2) most likely respond to the ongoing debate discussed
in Text 1?
A) By proposing that nature and nurture are not
mutually exclusive and interact in shaping human
behavior
B) By asserting that genetics play a negligible role
compared to environmental factors in determining
human behavior
C) By suggesting that the question of nature versus
nurture is no longer relevant in modern
psychology
D) By recommending further research to conclusively
determine whether genetics or environment has a
greater impact on human behavior

The answers to these SAT practice problems can be found in the back of this book.

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 PREP EXPERT REVIEW

KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Reading Expert Strategy #25—Simplify The Other Passage’s Response: Simplify
the other passage’s response to create a powerful BOSS solution for comparison with
the answer choices.
● Cross-Text Connections questions: These questions test the ability to draw
connections between two texts on related topics.
● Common types of questions: These include determining what the author of Text 2
would likely say about Text 1, and vice versa.
● Standardized approach: The Prep Expert approach involves reading the question,
both texts, and then simplifying the response of the text being queried about. The text
to simplify depends on which text’s response is being questioned.

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists
“Vocabulary is a matter of word-building as well as word-using."
– David Crystal

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab Word Lists
We have compiled data-driven lists of the most common vocabulary words that appear on SAT
Reading. Learning these words will help you comprehend SAT Reading passages, questions, and
answer choices better. This is one of the most effective ways to raise your score on SAT Reading.

We recommend memorizing the vocabulary words using Prep Expert Reading Strategy #5–Use
The 7-Repetition Method For Vocab. But you may memorize the words using any method you
prefer. You may want to review the words regularly, create flashcards, or incorporate them into
quizzes.

Many of the words may seem straightforward. This is intentional. The Digital SAT does not test
as many obscure vocabulary words as the old paper-based SAT did. However, just because you
think a word is “easy” does not mean that you should skip learning it. Test your knowledge.
Cover the synonym/definition and articulate the definition yourself. Many students believe they
know what a particular vocabulary word means, but when they are asked to articulate the
definition of the word themselves, they are unable to come up with one. If you can’t create your
own definition of a given vocabulary word, then you do not fully understand the meaning of the
word. Therefore, you must learn the given synonym or definition.

The goal is to make sure you understand the meaning of all of the words in these lists prior to
your official Digital SAT test day. If you achieve this goal, your SAT Reading score will
skyrocket!

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 1
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Memoir Autobiography A historical account or autobiography written from personal knowledge
2 Dexterity Skill Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands
3 Harvest Crop or Gather The process/period of gathering in crops or To obtain or acquire
something, often with effort/skill
4 Degrade Deteriorate To decline in physical condition or To humiliate, belittle, or demean
someone
5 Emerge Arise Move out of or away from something and become visible
6 Divert Redirect Cause someone or something to change course or turn from one
direction to another
7 Retrospect Recollection The act of looking back or reflecting on past events, experiences, or
situations
8 Forge Build Create something strong, enduring, or successful
9 Inane Silly Silly; stupid
10 Impudent Rude Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent
11 Vulgar Crude Lacking refinement or good taste, offensive or inappropriate
12 Invigorate Energize Give strength or energy to
13 Malevolent Evil Having or showing a wish to do evil to others
14 Disparage Belittle Regard or represent as being of little worth
15 Impartial Fair Fair and just in judgment or decision-making, considering all relevant
factors objectively
16 Prosaic Mundane Ordinary, lacking imagination or excitement
17 Pilgrimage Journey A pilgrim's journey
18 Ratify Approve To formally approve or confirm something, usually by a vote or
signature
19 Elusive Evasive Difficult to find, catch, or achieve
20 Subtle Slight Delicate, elusive, or not immediately obvious

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 2
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Narrative Story A spoken or written account of connected events; a story
2 Predatory Exploitative Seeking to exploit or oppress others
3 Evoke Bring Out Bring or recall a feeling, memory, or image to the conscious mind
4 Candor Honesty The quality of being open and honest
5 Ideal Perfect Satisfying one's conception of what is perfect; most suitable
6 Suppress Repress To prevent the expression or occurrence of something
7 Renounce Relinquish To formally give up, reject, or disown something, such as a claim,
belief, or title
8 Deviate Diverge Depart from an established course
9 Pivotal Crucial Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of
something else
10 Disdain Contempt Consider to be unworthy of one's consideration
11 Prudent Wise Showing good judgment and caution, especially in practical matters
12 Domestic Homely Of or relating to the running of a home or to family relations
13 Abstain Refrain Choose not to do something
14 Perceptive Discerning Having or showing keen insight, understanding, or awareness
15 Fortuitous Lucky Fortunately happening by chance or accident rather than design
16 Overburdened Overwhelmed Load with too great a burden
17 Tenuous Fragile Weak, slender, or fragile, lacking strength or substance
18 Hackneyed Trite Lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite
19 Annotate Comment Add notes giving explanation or comment
20 Effectual Effective Successful in producing a desired or intended result

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 3
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Aberration Anomaly A deviation from the normal or typical
2 Yield Surrender or To surrender to authority or To produce a result
produce
3 Frugal Thrifty Living in a simple, thrifty, or sparing manner, often avoiding
unnecessary expenses or waste
4 Peripheral Outer On the edge of something, not centrally important
5 Replicable Duplicable Capable of being replicated or reproduced, often in a scientific or
experimental context
6 Stimulus Trigger A factor or event that incites activity or development
7 Monarch Ruler A sovereign head of state, especially a king or queen
8 Wary Cautious Cautious, watchful, or suspicious of potential danger or problems
9 Cosmic Galactic Relating to the universe or cosmos
10 Juvenile Youthful Relating to young people
11 Tangible Concrete Objects or qualities that are physical, material, or substantial in nature,
as opposed to abstract
12 Stoic Unemotional A person who is unaffected by or indifferent to pleasure or pain,
showing self-control
13 Rhetoric Oratory The art of using language effectively and persuasively, often with the
aim of influencing others
14 Fanciful Imaginative Over-imaginative and unrealistic
15 Condescending Patronizing Looking down upon others or considering oneself as more
knowledgeable or important
16 Transient Temporary Temporary or passing, not lasting or permanent
17 Circuitous Indirect Longer than the most direct way
18 Inexplicable Unexplainable Unable to be explained or accounted for
19 Censure Disapprove Formal disapproval or criticism
20 Harbinger Precursor A herald of something to come, often serving as a sign or indication of
future events

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 4
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Brazen Bold Bold and without shame
2 Stately Majestic Dignified and impressive in appearance, manner, or size
3 Infrastructure Framework Basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (i.e. buildings,
roads, etc.)
4 Nefarious Evil An action or activity that wicked or criminal
5 Aide Assistant A person who helps in particular work
6 Adhere Stick To remain attached or connected to something
7 Contrite Regretful Feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done
wrong
8 Entitled Privileged Believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special
treatment
9 Pretentious Showy Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is
actually possessed
10 Abstract Conceptual Existing in thought but not having physical existence
11 Inhibit Stop Hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process
12 Correlate Relate To establish a connection or correspondence between elements, factors,
or phenomena
13 Superficial Shallow Concerned only with surface appearances and lacking depth or
substance
14 Twentieth 1900s The period from 1901 to 1999
century
15 Ascend Rise Go up or climb
16 Undermine Weaken To weaken, sabotage, or subvert from below or secretly
17 Adversity Hardship Difficulties or misfortune
18 Porous Permeable Capable of allowing the passage or diffusion of substances through
pores or openings
19 Dismissive Disregardful Feeling that something is unworthy of consideration
20 Profound Deep Having deep meaning, significance, or insight

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 5
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Rudimentary Basic Basic or undeveloped, lacking complexity or sophistication
2 Cultivate Develop Prepare and use land for crops or gardening or To promote the growth
and development
3 Capitulate Surrender To cease resisting or fighting; to admit defeat or accept an unfavorable
outcome
4 Dynamic Energetic Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress
5 Acquire Obtain Buy or obtain an object or asset
6 Contemplate Ponder To think deeply or carefully about something
7 Alleviate Relieve Make suffering less severe
8 Vigor Energy Physical or mental strength, energy, or vitality
9 Satire Mockery A literary or artistic work that uses irony, humor, or exaggeration to
criticize or mock
10 Colonial Settler Relating to the control exerted by one country over another as a colony
11 Aboriginal Indigenous Being the first inhabitants of a region
12 Conceal Hide To hide or keep something or someone from being seen, discovered, or
known
13 Inconsequential Trivial Not important or significant
14 Whimsical Fanciful Playfully quaint or fanciful, having a sense of unpredictable or
fantastical charm
15 Chronicle Record A factual written account of important events
16 Foster Encourage Encourage the development of something, especially something
desirable
17 Invasive Intrusive Tending to spread prolifically and harmfully
18 Infamy Disgrace The state of being well known for some bad quality or deed
19 Facetious Witty Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor
20 Intrigue Fascination Arouse the curiosity or interest of; fascinate

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 6
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Concede Admit Admit that something is true after first denying or resisting it
2 Disengage Detach Separate or release from something to which they are attached
3 Decipher Interpret Convert a text written in code, or a coded signal, into normal language
4 Ambivalent Conflicted Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas
5 Arid Dry Having little or no rain; too dry or barren
6 Diligent Industrious Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties
7 Surmise Speculate To make an educated guess or inference based on limited evidence or
intuition
8 Hybrid Mixed Made by combining two different elements; a mixture
9 Institution Establishment An established organization, society, or establishment, typically with a
specific purpose
10 Indigenous Native Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place
11 Prevail Triumph Prove more powerful or superior; predominate
12 Cognitive Mental Relating to mental processes or activities involved in knowing,
understanding, and perceiving
13 Assess Evaluate Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality
14 Thwart Hinder To prevent or hinder the accomplishment of something
15 Adulation Flattery Excessive admiration or praise
16 Repudiate Reject To reject, disown, or refuse to accept something, often due to
disagreement or disapproval
17 Altruistic Selfless Acting or behaving in a manner that seeks to benefit others
18 Intrepid Fearless Fearless or courageous in the face of danger, challenges, or difficult
situations
19 Hierarchical Ranked Arranged in order of rank
20 Passive Inactive Not actively participating or involved in a particular activity

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 7
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Myriad Numerous A countless or extremely great number
2 Grapple Wrestle Engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons; wrestle
3 Insidious Stealthy Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
4 Concerted Collective Jointly arranged or carried out
5 Provoke Incite To incite or stimulate a response, often deliberately
6 Posit Postulate Assume as a fact; put forward as a basis of argument
7 Vindicate Exonerate To clear from blame, suspicion, or doubt, proving one's innocence or
correctness
8 Conceive Imagine Form a mental representation of; imagine
9 Recant Retract To officially withdraw or renounce a belief or statement previously
made
10 Materialism Consumerism A tendency to consider material possessions as more important than
spiritual values
11 Underscore Emphasize To emphasize or highlight the importance or significance of something
12 Refute Disprove To prove a statement, argument, or belief to be false or incorrect
13 Obfuscate Confuse Render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible
14 Obscure Unclear Difficult to understand, ambiguous, or vague
15 Distinct Unique Recognizably different from something else of a similar type
16 Excavate Dig Make a hole or channel by digging
17 Fastidious Meticulous Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
18 Expend Spend Spend or use up a resource such as money, time, or energy
19 Linguist Language expert A person who studies or is skilled in languages, especially the structure,
history, and usage
20 Induce Cause To persuade, influence, or convince someone to do something or adopt a
certain course of action

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 8
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Culminate Peak Reach a climax or point of highest development
2 Disperse Scatter Distribute or spread over a wide area
3 Refugee Exile A person who has been forced to leave their home country due to war,
persecution, or disaster
4 Oblige Require Make legally or morally bound to do something
5 Constitute Comprise Be a part of a whole
6 Laudatory Praiseworthy Expressing praise and commendation
7 Rebut Refute Offers arguments or evidence in response to a claim or accusation,
contradicting or disproving it
8 Progressive Forward-thinking Characterized by or advocating progress, change, or improvement
9 Protagonist Hero The main character or hero in a story or play
10 Immutable Unchangeable Unchanging over time or unable to be changed
11 Assurance Guarantee A positive declaration intended to give confidence
12 Credence Credibility Acceptance or belief in the truth, validity, or reliability of something
13 Anguish Sorrow Severe mental or physical pain or suffering
14 Fabricate Construct Invent or concoct, typically with deceitful intent
15 Conceptual Theoretical Based on ideas or concepts
16 Benign Harmless Not causing harm or injury; not malignant or dangerous
17 Diminish Reduce To lessen or lower in value, quality, or degree
18 Civilian Nonmilitary A person not in the armed services
19 Nebulous Vague In the form of a cloud or haze; hazy
20 Enigma Mystery A person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand

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Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 9
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Emulate Imitate To imitate or copy the actions, behavior, or style of someone or
something
2 Imperceptible Unnoticeable Impossible to perceive
3 Reign Rule Period of time during which a monarch or ruler holds power
4 Ebullient Enthusiastic Cheerful and full of energy
5 Artificial Synthetic Made or produced by human beings
6 Potency Strength The state or quality of being potent, powerful, or strong
7 Atypical Unusual Deviating from the usual or typical characteristics or traits
8 Amicable Friendly Characterized by friendliness and absence of discord
9 Conform Obey Comply with rules, standards, or laws
10 Discern Perceive Perceive or recognize
11 Latent Hidden Existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed
12 Contemporary Modern Belonging to the present time or occurring in the same period
13 Nuance Subtlety A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound
14 Acquaintance Associate A person one knows slightly
15 Conjecture Hypothesis An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information
16 Exonerate Acquit Absolve someone from blame for a fault or wrongdoing
17 Clairvoyant Psychic A person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive future
events
18 Inherent Intrinsic Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic
attribute
19 Lucrative Profitable Producing a great deal of profit
20 Explicit Clear Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 10
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Conspicuous Obvious Standing out so as to be clearly visible
2 Dormant Inactive In a state of rest or inactivity
3 Contentious Controversial Causing or likely to cause an argument
4 Multidisciplinary Interdisciplinary Combining several academic disciplines or professional specializations
in an approach
5 Equanimity Composure Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a
difficult situation
6 Disconcerting Disturbing Causing one to feel unsettled
7 Unanimity Consensus Agreement or consensus among all participants
8 Disposition Temperament A person's inherent qualities of mind and character
9 Pathogen Germ A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease
10 Attrition Erosion The process of reducing something's strength through sustained attack
11 Consolidate Merge To combine or merge separate elements, entities, or parts into a single,
unified whole
12 Linear Sequential Arranged in or extending along a straight line
13 Foreground Front The part of a view that is nearest to the observer
14 Preoccupied Absorbed Engrossed in thought; distracted
15 Encapsulate Summarize Express the essential features of something succinctly
16 Polarize Divide Divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of
opinions or beliefs
17 Decentralized Distributed Organized or structured in a way that disperses or distributes power,
authority, or control
18 Revelation Discovery A surprising or remarkable disclosure or discovery, often bringing new
understanding or insight
19 Emigrate Depart Leave one's own country in order to settle in another
20 Proponent Advocate A person who advocates a theory, proposal, or action

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 11
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Germinate Sprout To begin to grow or develop
2 Indifference Apathy Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy
3 Notion Idea A conception of or belief about something
4 Nineteenth 1800s The period from 1801 to 1899
Century
5 Erode Deteriorate Gradually wear away something by natural agents
6 Awe Wonder A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear
7 Cogent Persuasive Clear, logical, and convincing
8 Twenty-first 2000s The period from 2001 to 2099
century
9 Broad Expansive Wide-ranging or comprehensive in scope or general in nature
10 Circumvent Bypass To find a way around or bypass an obstacle, rule, or restriction
11 Derive Originate From To obtain or receive something from a source or origin
12 Coalesce Merge Come together to form one mass or whole
13 Tranquilly Calmly In a calm, peaceful, and serene manner
14 Deceptive Misleading Giving an appearance or impression different from the true one
15 Depravity Corruption Moral corruption; wickedness
16 Neglect Ignore Fail to care for properly
17 Furtive Sneaky Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or
trouble; secretive
18 Breadth Extent The quality of being comprehensive or inclusive, covering a wide range
of topics or ideas
19 Beneficiary Recipient A person who derives advantage from something
20 Toil Labor Hard and continuous work or labor

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 12
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Brevity Conciseness Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech
2 Parasitic Leeching Exploitative or benefiting at the expense of others
3 Synthesize Combine To combine or integrate different elements or ideas to form a coherent
whole
4 Corollary Deduction An inference that can be drawn from existing information or knowledge
5 Esteemed Respected Highly respected
6 Vitality Energy Liveliness, energy, or the capacity for survival and growth
7 Digress Deviate Leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing
8 Infallible Perfect Incapable of making mistakes or being wrong
9 Verisimilitude Realism The appearance or semblance of truth or reality in a work of fiction or
art
10 Palliate Soothe To alleviate or reduce the severity of something
11 Allocate Distribute Distribute resources for a particular purpose
12 Gratuitous Unwarranted Uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted
13 Livestock Animals Farm animals regarded as an asset
14 Impractical Unrealistic Not suitable for a situation
15 Attribute Characteristic A quality or feature regarded as a characteristic
16 Diverge Deviate Separate from another route and go in a different direction
17 Ablate Eradicate Remove by erosion or vaporization
18 Commissioned Ordered Give an order for or authorize the production of
19 Assertion Claim A confident and forceful statement
20 Monotonous Tedious Lacking in variety or variation; dull and repetitive

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 13
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Precede Come before To come before something else in time, order, or rank
2 Plethora Abundance A large or excessive amount of something
3 Innate Inborn Possessed from birth; inherent or present in an individual from the
beginning
4 Exemplary Model Serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind
5 Confer Consult Have discussions; exchange opinions
6 Languish Suffer Lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble
7 Advocate Support Publicly recommend or support
8 Alloy Blend A metal made by combining two or more elements
9 Succumb Surrender To give in or yield to pressure, temptation, or a superior force
10 Disparate Different Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison
11 Equitable Fair Fair and impartial
12 Volition Choice The power or ability to make a conscious choice or decision
13 Desolate Bleak A place deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness
14 Pernicious Harmful Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way
15 Migratory Nomadic Pertaining to the act or process of migrating or moving from one place
to another
16 Precipitous Steep Dangerously high or steep, referring to a steep incline
17 Elicit Draw Evoke a reaction, answer, or fact from someone
18 Reciprocate Repay To respond to a gesture or action with a similar one, to give or take
mutually
19 Panacea Cure-all A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases
20 Monetary Financial Relating to money or currency

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 14
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Mundane Ordinary Lacking interest or excitement; dull
2 Novel New New or unusual in an interesting way
3 Garrulous Talkative Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters
4 Miniscule Tiny Extremely small; tiny
5 Emit Radiate Produce and discharge something, especially gas or radiation
6 Impose Enforce Force something unwelcome to be accepted or put in place
7 Bleak Desolate Gloomy, dismal, or depressing, often describing a situation, outlook, or
atmosphere
8 Decry Condemn Publicly denounce
9 Pragmatic Practical Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is practical
10 Deliberate Intentional Done consciously and intentionally or Characterized by careful
consideration or discussion
11 Eighteenth 1700s The period from 1701 to 1799
century
12 Bureaucracy Administration A system of government in which decisions are made by state officials
13 Paradigm Model A typical example or pattern of something; a model
14 Acoustic Auditory Pertaining to sound or hearing
15 Fortify Strengthen To strengthen or reinforce something
16 Premature Early Occurring or done before the usual or proper time; too early
17 Impervious Resistant Not allowing fluid to pass through
18 Mitigate Alleviate Make less severe, serious, or painful
19 Palpable Tangible Able to be touched or felt
20 Remnant Residue A small remaining part of something, often after the majority has been
used/destroyed

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 15
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Misconception Misunderstanding A view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking
or understanding
2 Symbiotic Interdependent A mutually beneficial relationship between different organisms or
individuals
3 Marginal Negligible Of minor or lesser importance, significance, or influence
4 Imminent Approaching About to happen
5 Assiduous Diligent Showing great care and perseverance
6 Deleterious Harmful Causing harm or damage
7 Empirical Observational Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience
rather than theory
8 Novice Beginner A person new to and inexperienced in a job or situation
9 Evanescent Vanishing Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or
disappearing
10 Benevolent Kind Well-meaning and kindly
11 Aerial Airborne Existing or operating in the air
12 Anachronistic Outdated Contradicting or inconsistent with the time in which something exists or
occurs
13 Confound Confuse Cause surprise or perplex
14 Extol Praise Praise enthusiastically
15 Innocuous Harmless Not harmful or offensive
16 Impenetrable Unbreakable Impossible to pass through or enter
17 Intricate Complex Elaborate or highly detailed
18 Credulity Gullibility Willingness to believe or trust too readily
19 Pioneer Trailblazer A person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or
area
20 Acclaim Applaud Applaud or praise enthusiastically

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 Prep Expert SAT Vocab: List 16
# WORD SYNONYM DEFINITION
1 Prevalent Common Widespread in a particular area or at a particular time
2 Ephemeral Fleeting Lasting for a very short time
3 Intrinsic Essential Being an integral part of something; inherent or existing within it
4 Modicum Bit A small quantity of a particular thing, especially something desirable or
valuable
5 Delegate Assign Entrust a task or responsibility to another person
6 Hinder Impede Create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or
obstruction
7 Subsequent Following Coming after or following in order or time
8 Abolish Annul Formally put an end to a system or practice
9 Ostensible Apparent Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so
10 Aesthetic Artistic Pertaining to beauty or art
11 Complementary Matching Combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize each other's
qualities
12 Melancholy Sadness A feeling of pensive sadness
13 Reverence Respect Deep respect or admiration for someone or something
14 Conventional Traditional Following commonly accepted standards, norms, or expectations
15 Jubilation Joy A feeling of great happiness and triumph
16 Pedantic Academic Characterized by a narrow or rigid adherence to formal rules or
academic conventions
17 Apathetic Indifferent Showing or feeling no interest or enthusiasm
18 Vitriolic Bitter Harshly critical or caustic, characterized by malice
19 Tolerate Endure To accept, endure, or allow something that is disliked or disagreeable
20 Demonstrative Expressive Expressing feelings, emotions, or affection openly OR
Serving as conclusive evidence

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SAT Practice Question Answers
“Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect."
– Vince Lombardi

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 SAT Practice Question Answers
Below are the answers to the SAT practice questions in this book.
#1 C #21 A #41 B

#2 C #22 C #42 B

#3 C #23 B #43 A

#4 B #24 B #44 A

#5 A #25 B #45 A

#6 A #26 C #46 B

#7 C #27 A #47 A

#8 D #28 B #48 B

#9 D #29 B #49 C

#10 D #30 A #50 A

#11 C #31 C

#12 A #32 C

#13 B #33 A

#14 C #34 A

#15 D #35 C

#16 D #36 C

#17 B #37 D

#18 B #38 B

#19 D #39 D

#20 A #40 A

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Thank You For Reading & Good Luck On Your SAT!

~ Dr. Shaan Patel

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