Understanding the SAT Verbal section: Structure and types of questions

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Early 2024 saw a sweeping change in the SAT test format and structure. Students all over the world taking the SAT were switched from appearing for the pen and paper tests to a completely digital mode with the test cut short in length and a massive change in question types. After almost a year of said changes being introduced, there still seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the SAT test in general. Due to this reason a lot of material available in the market for SAT prep seems to be outdated. This article will guide you through the changes in the SAT verbal section: the new SAT test structure and the various question types.

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Overview of the article

• What was discarded in the SAT?
• What is the new SAT structure?
• What are the new SAT question types?

What was discarded?

The SAT Verbal, officially called the Reading and Writing section has seen a lot of changes in the new digital version of the test. Here’s what’s old and new:

1. The 750 word long passages are no longer a part of the test. Each new verbal question on the new SAT is based on one short paragraph instead which is a maximum of 150 words long.

2. Vocabulary has always been an important part of the verbal section but now it explicitly takes up about 20% of the test.

3. There are no separate sections for Reading, writing, and language on the new SAT.

4. The test is overall shorter with the SAT verbal section now divided into two modules with 27 questions each to be solved in 32 minutes each. So, the verbal section now only takes 64 minutes in total to complete.

5. Several new question types have been added to the test format while only a few older ones have been held onto.

What is the new SAT structure?

In the new SAT, the verbal section is divided into two modules: Module 1 and Module 2. Each module consists of 27 questions to be solved in 32 minutes.

One thing to remember about the digitised SAT is its adaptive nature. This means that if a student does well on Module 1 (getting around 16-19 right), they will land on a harder Module 2. If one doesn’t do as well, one lands on an easier Module 2.

What is the catch?

To get a high score, you MUST land on a harder Module 2. Here are some common mistakes students make during SAT preparation.

What are the new SAT question types?

The Reading and Writing section of the SAT is broadly divided into four question categories by the College board. In each module, questions are grouped together by these categories. The categories are as follows:

1. Information and Ideas

2. Craft and Structure

3. Expression of Ideas

4. Standard English Conventions

To make things easier and accessible from the SAT test prep perspective, In Jamboree SAT training courses, we have further divided these standard categories into specific question types.

Information and Ideas (about 26% of Questions):

This category is designed to measure the test takers comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills and knowledge along with their ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs, and line graphs).
The various question types falling into this category as per the Jamboree SAT verbal class plan are:

1. Direct Questions

2. Inference Questions

3. Main Idea Questions

4. Figure based Questions

5. Strengthen Weaken Questions

6. Poem based Questions

7. Character Descriptions

Here are some sample questions of this category for reference.

Main Idea Questions

Figure Based Questions

Inference Questions

Craft and Structure (about 28% of Questions):

This category is designed to measure the ability of the test takers for comprehension, vocabulary, analysis, synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make connections between topically related texts.

The various question types falling into this category as per the Jamboree SAT verbal class plan are:

1. Vocabulary in Context

2. Primary Purpose Questions

3. Purpose of a portion Questions

4. Structure Questions

5. Cross-text Connection Questions

6. Quotes Illustrate Questions

Here are some sample SAT verbal section questions of this category for reference.

Vocabulary in Context

Primary Purpose Questions

Cross-text Connection Questions

Expression of Ideas (about 20% of Questions):

This category is designed to measure the ability of the test takers to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals.

The various question types falling into this category as per the Jamboree SAT verbal class plan are:

1. Transition Question

2. Goal based Questions

Here are some sample questions of this category for reference.

Transition Questions

Goal based Questions

Standard English Conventions (about 26% of Questions):

This category is designed to measure the ability of the test takers to edit text to conform to core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.

The various question types falling into this category as per the Jamboree SAT verbal class plan are:

1. Subject verb agreement

2. Subject pronoun agreement

3. Comma subject rule

4. Punctuation on the SAT

5. Apostrophe

6. Listing

7. Introduction of a list or description

8. Comparison

9. Tenses

Here are some sample questions of this category for reference.

Apostrophe Rule

Listing/ Introduction of a List

Conclusion

It is imminent that a test taker familiarises themselves with the SAT test structure, question types, and the overall time before even starting out on their test prep journey. College board Various components of the SAT can be overwhelming for first time test takers to comprehend all on their own. SAT classes, and SAT training courses can become very beneficial during the process.

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