Tests Uncovered: Passages for Context in Redesigned SAT Writing

This week we are taking a look at the move towards Passages for Context on the redesigned SAT Writing section.

What does this section look like?

The redesigned SAT Writing section has 44 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 35 minutes. The questions appear in 4 passages, each of which has 400–450 words. Portions of each passage are underlined and numbered to match the questions.

Example:¹

How much of the test is Writing?

A student’s overall SAT score is made up of two 2 main section scores: Reading/Writing and Math. The Writing Test is half of the Reading/Writing score, meaning it’s 25% of a student’s total SAT score.

Certain questions from the Writing section are also used to generate “cross-test scores.” The College Board is still working on this feature, but it’s safe to say that the redesigned SAT score report will draw from your writing performance in several different ways.

How does this compare to the current SAT?

The redesigned SAT Writing section looks more like the current ACT English Test than the current SAT Writing section. Gone are the single, stand-alone sentences testing a student’s ability to quickly spot grammar errors. Now, students must consider questions in context. In other words, they must read full passages.

If you’ve spent time preparing for the current SAT Writing section, don’t despair. A lot of the skills that were tested on the current exam are still relevant. They’re just presented in a new way.

What does this mean for students?

While passage-based writing questions may sound intimidating, we’re betting many students will find them much more manageable. For starters, students can use the passages to get a feel for grammar and tone. With context, spotting and correcting grammar errors is much easier.

The redesigned SAT Writing section has also eliminated the most difficult type of stand-alone questions: the Identifying Sentence Error questions in which students had to spot where the error was in a sentence without any context or corrections to consider. On the redesigned exam, students will have plenty of context for each question (from both the passage and suggested corrections in each answer choice). More context means more clues so students can “hear” the right answer.

Will the Writing section contain Passage for Context on the PSAT?

Yes. Every PSAT will include a Writing section with Passages for Context. It will also contain 4 passages and make up 25% of your PSAT score.

¹The College Board, The Official SAT Study Guide (New York: The College Board, 2105), 351.