What are some common SAT questions?

Hi! I've been studying for the SAT and I want to know what type of questions are usually asked. Are there any recurring themes or concepts that I should really focus on when I'm prepping for the exam?

There are certain themes and concepts that you'll encounter across the various sections of the SAT. While the specific questions will vary, understanding these recurring concepts can help you focus your preparation. Here's a breakdown of some common question types by section:

1. Reading and Writing:

a. Main Idea and Purpose: Questions may ask you to identify the main idea of a passage, the author's purpose, or the tone.

b. Vocabulary-in-Context: These questions will test your understanding of a word's meaning based on the context in which it is used within a passage.

c. Inference: You'll encounter questions that require you to make inferences based on evidence provided in the passage.

d. Evidence Support: Some questions ask you to identify specific textual evidence that supports the answer to a previous question.

e. Rhetorical Strategy and Logical Reasoning: You'll be asked about rhetorical techniques used by the author, such as why certain examples or arguments were chosen.

f. Grammar and Punctuation: The Writing section will have questions testing your knowledge of grammar rules, such as subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, sentence structure, and punctuation.

2. Math:

a. Algebra: Questions include solving linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, and manipulating expressions.

b. Problem Solving and Data Analysis: This concept requires you to interpret information from graphs, charts, or tables, as well as applying ratios, percentages, and proportions to solve word problems.

c. Advanced Math: You'll encounter questions related to quadratic or exponential functions, rational expressions, and other higher-level algebra topics.

d. Geometry: Geometry questions will require you to apply your knowledge of circles, triangles, and angles, as well as coordinate geometry.

e. Trigonometry: You'll need to know basic trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, and tangent) and their applications in right triangles.

f. Statistics and Probability: Expect questions that test your understanding of basic statistics and probability concepts like mean, median, mode, range, and probability calculations.

As you prepare for the SAT, ensure you have a solid grasp of these recurring themes and concepts. Practice plenty of sample questions and take full-length practice tests to familiarize yourself with the test format and identify areas where you need to focus your studies.

For some handy SAT-prep resources, I'd recommend checking out CollegeVine's series of free blog posts on the SAT, some of which even contain sample questions! You can access them here: https://blog.collegevine.com/category/standardized-tests/sat/

Good luck!