How to get a perfect score on the SAT reading section: tips from a 1600 scorer

I scored a perfect 1600 on my latest SAT and I'm using this video to share all my advice for the reading section (it was the hardest section for me, so I have plenty of tips to help you guys out!). [NOTE: as of 2024, the paper SAT will no longer be proctored, and this video is based off of the old SAT, but much of its advice is still applicable. Check out my new DSAT Reading section video on my channel if you want updated advice.]

Skip to:

Part 1: Before you read... 0:54
Part 2: Vocab tips 2:36
Part 3: "Daily double" (citing textual evidence) questions 4:28
Part 4: A word bank of terms to know 7:03
Part 5: Literature passage 7:32
Part 6: Debating passages 8:43
Part 7: The rest of the passages... 9:45
Part 8: Bubbling advice! 11:07

I hope you find this useful--be sure to like and subscribe for more SAT content (and geology content lmao) and comment your success stories or tips down below!

[celaine_]

You literally just made a super hard test seem like a fifth grade spelling test, thank you

[ivydprep]

Thank you for the useful content <3

Understanding the Reading Section:
Standardization Insight: The SAT reading section is designed to be approachable without any specific background knowledge, meaning all necessary information is contained within the passages. Anna emphasizes the importance of not inferring beyond the text.

Main Strategy:
Initial Approach: Skim the questions quickly before reading to identify key themes and vocab words. Answer vocab questions early to boost confidence.
Reading Introductions: Always read the introductory blurbs for context, especially useful for science passages or paired texts where understanding the debate or discussion context can provide answers to summary questions.
Author Recognition: Knowing something about the authors can provide hints about their perspectives, especially in paired passages discussing topics like women's suffrage.

Vocabulary Strategy:
Contextual Understanding: SAT vocabulary often involves common words used in challenging contexts. Anna suggests underlining vocab in questions, understanding its use in the passage, and substituting each answer choice into the sentence to find the best fit.

Two-Part Questions Strategy:
Effective Technique: For questions requiring evidence support, Anna recommends circling passage quotes and matching them with the corresponding questions. This helps ensure the selected evidence directly supports the answer, streamlining the process and reducing the risk of incorrect assumptions.

Specific Passage Tips:
Fictional Passages: Engage with the narrative to better understand character motivations and thematic elements.
Debate Passages: Identify and understand each author's perspective before comparing them. Focus on one passage at a time to maintain clarity.
Science and Social Science Passages: Handle data and graphs carefully, ensuring accurate interpretation in relation to the passage's content. Avoid applying external knowledge.

General Advice:
Preparation: Engage with challenging texts and AP courses to enhance comprehension skills.
Execution on Test Day: Bubble in answers at the end of the section to maintain focus and ensure ample time for all questions.

[jimmy]

I hope both sides of your pillow are always cool

[jonahabraham]

That tip on two-part questions is probably the best SAT tip I've ever gotten. Thanks.

[tomisin]

You don't understand how blessed you are for this

[faiyazmahmudnirob]

Tomorrow's my SAT exam and trust me, this was the best video that I have seen so far for the Reading Section. Thank you Anna!!

[AnN-wyfi]

u seem rly genuine and u don't give off the vibes that u just made this video to boast so thank u for that

[hadley]

there are 2 types of 1600 scorers:
Those who tried really hard in prep, do really well in school, and then share people their tips and how they did it

and the kid who is just really smart and did not prep and has no clue how to help people because they just. chose. the. right. answer.

[howardhu]

Not me watching this less than a week from my sat test😅

[elijahf]

This helped me get a 770 on reading bringing my superscore to 1570!! Thanks :)

[thanasimamais]

The Sat reading section was like torture to me. I would get 20+ questions wrong all the time! But with alot of hard work and dedication I ended up getting a 690 on it. You can do this guys!!!

[raman]

I'm an SAT tutor and this taught me a few excellent tips I've never seen or thought of...especially those intimidating 2- question-evidence ones. Impressive! Thx!

[BilkulBhaiBilkul]

Manifesting a 1560+ when I have only got 1510 twice on the practice tests lol.... Great Video! I too thought it meant UNDERMINE.. Until I searched it now... Thank you so very much!

[acid]

I've learned more in this 12-minute video than a whole year dedicated to SAT prep class...TYSM

[noecazares]

My SAT is tomorrow morning, thank you, wish me luck.

[mmdh]

Super helpful! I’m not exaggerating if I said this one of the most valuable videos about SAT on YouTube. Thanks a lot! Wish me luck for December’s SAT :)

[benitotinaj]

PSAT is tomorrow and this helped so much. You’re the best.

[ispeakbinary]

It's 2 am and my Test is 8am. Watching your video gives me a boost and confidence for the exam.

[earliertripod]

Notes:
-All the information you’ll need will be on the test, whether it’s in the passage or the little introduction brief
-Before reading the passage, skim the questions to see if there’re any summary/theme questions, and take note of the vocab words
-Remember to read the title/little introduction
-For vocab questions, read the whole sentence, plus maybe the sentences before and after for context. Then substitute in each answer
-Know what certain terms are (7:04)

For two-part questions:
-Look at the second part and highlight all the quotes in the passage
-Then read the first question (only the question) and try to see which quote answers every part of the question
-Compare the quote to the first question’s answers

For the literature passage:
-Try to be engaged/to have fun
-Read challenging books beforehand

For the debate passages:
-Read the first passage and answer all the passage-1-specific questions while it’s still fresh in your mind
-Repeat for passage 2

-Especially for the Science-based passages, don’t infer anything. Use the passage/graphs to back up each answer

[MeganChan]

ur an angel for this omg- i came to youtube to take a break from studying for the SAT but I somehow ended up here LOL