Reading Section
(Total: ~27 Questions, 32 minutes)
This section evaluates your ability to comprehend and analyze a variety of written texts. The
passages come from different genres, including literature, historical documents, social
studies, and scientific articles. Your task is to read and respond to questions based on the
content of these passages.
Types of Passages:
• Literary Narrative: These passages are typically drawn from works of fiction, such
as novels, short stories, or plays. They may focus on character development, plot, or
themes.
• Historical/Social Studies: Passages may include excerpts from speeches, articles,
and documents that address historical events or social issues.
• Science: These passages typically discuss scientific concepts or advancements,
requiring students to understand and interpret complex ideas, charts, or data.
• Dual Passages: Occasionally, you will be asked to compare two shorter passages.
You will need to analyze both texts and their relationship to each other in terms of
tone, purpose, and argument.
Key Skills Assessed:
1. Main Idea and Theme:
• Identifying the central theme or message in a passage.
• Understanding the author's main purpose and intent behind the writing.
• Understanding how the structure of the passage contributes to the overall meaning.
2. Supporting Evidence:
• Recognizing and analyzing the evidence that supports the central idea.
• Being able to reference specific parts of the passage to support an answer.
3. Tone, Perspective, and Purpose:
• Identifying the author’s tone (e.g., serious, humorous, sarcastic).
• Understanding how the author's perspective (e.g., first-person, third-person)
influences the text.
• Determining the author’s purpose (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain).
4. Context Clues:
• Inferring the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases by examining how they are
used in context.
• Understanding the multiple meanings of words and phrases based on context.
5. Text Structure and Organization:
• Analyzing how the passage is organized (e.g., chronological, cause-and-effect,
compare-contrast).
• Understanding how the structure of the passage helps the reader understand its
message.
6. Inference and Logical Reasoning:
• Drawing logical conclusions based on evidence from the passage.
• Understanding implied meanings and ideas that are not explicitly stated.
7. Interpretation of Data and Graphics:
• Some passages include tables, graphs, or charts. You will be asked to interpret
these visual elements in relation to the passage content.
Writing and
Language Section
(Total: ~27 Questions, 32 minutes)
This section tests your ability to revise and edit written passages. The focus is on grammar,
sentence structure, punctuation, and effective communication. You'll be presented with
passages that contain errors or need improvements, and you must identify the correct
edits.
Key Skills Assessed:
1. Grammar and Usage:
• Verb Tense Consistency: Ensuring that the verb tenses are consistent throughout
the passage.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensuring that subjects and verbs agree in number
(singular/plural).
• Pronouns: Using the correct pronouns and ensuring pronoun-antecedent
agreement (e.g., ensuring that a pronoun matches the noun it refers to).
• Modifiers: Correct placement of adjectives, adverbs, and other modifying words to
avoid ambiguity.
• Parallel Structure: Making sure that similar ideas are expressed using the same
grammatical structure (e.g., using "I like swimming, hiking, and running" instead of "I
like swimming, to hike, and running").
2. Punctuation:
• Commas: Correct placement of commas, especially in lists, after introductory
phrases, and around non-essential clauses.
• Semicolons and Colons: Understanding when to use semicolons to join two
independent clauses and when to use a colon to introduce a list or explanation.
• Apostrophes: Correct use of apostrophes for possession (e.g., "Sarah's book") and
contractions (e.g., "they're").
3. Sentence Structure:
• Sentence Fragments and Run-ons: Identifying and fixing incomplete sentences
(fragments) and overly long sentences (run-ons).
• Clarity and Conciseness: Removing unnecessary words, avoiding redundancy, and
improving sentence flow. For example, "Due to the fact that" can be simplified to
"because."
• Logical Flow: Ensuring that sentences and paragraphs are connected logically.
4. Style and Tone:
• Consistency in Voice: Ensuring the writing maintains a consistent point of view
(e.g., first-person, third-person) and tone (e.g., formal, informal).
• Effective Word Choice: Identifying the most precise and appropriate word for the
context. This may involve selecting words that are clear, concise, and appropriate
for the audience.
• Rhetorical Skills: Understanding how an author uses rhetorical devices (e.g.,
ethos, pathos, logos) and how the structure of a passage supports the argument.
5. Organization and Structure:
• Logical Organization: Ensuring that ideas are presented in a clear, organized
manner.
• Transitions: Understanding how to effectively use transition words and phrases
(e.g., "however," "in addition," "on the other hand") to improve the flow of the writing.
• Coherence: Ensuring that sentences and paragraphs stick to the main topic and
that each idea logically leads to the next.
Practice Question Breakdown:
For both Reading and Writing sections, questions can focus on:
• Identifying Errors: In grammar, usage, punctuation, or structure.
• Improving Sentences: Correcting or improving sentences for clarity, style, and
grammar.
• Improving Paragraphs: Editing entire paragraphs for coherence, clarity, and logical
flow.
• Rhetorical Skills: Identifying how to improve the argument or focus of a passage.
Test-Taking Strategy for Reading and Writing:
Reading:
• Skim the questions before reading the passage to know what information you’ll
need to find.
• Focus on key details like the main idea, tone, and specific facts that are mentioned
in the questions.
• When reading, try to stay focused on what the author is trying to convey, and note
how the text is organized.
Writing and Language:
• Read the passage carefully before making any changes.
• When editing sentences, make sure the changes improve clarity and readability
without changing the meaning.
• If you’re unsure about a question, eliminate clearly incorrect answers and narrow
down your options.
Final Tips:
• Practice reading diverse materials: books, articles, essays, etc., to improve your
comprehension and analytical skills.
• Regularly review grammar rules, as this is a major part of the Writing section.
• Time management: Don’t spend too much time on one question. If you’re stuck,
move on and come back if you have time.
