How Digital SAT English Differs From Legacy Paper SAT
On the Digital SAT, there are no longer any long 800-word reading passages with 10 questions each. Instead, every single question features its own brief passage (typically 25 to 150 words). Questions appear in a predictable sequence: Vocabulary and Structure first, then Central Ideas and Graphs, followed by Grammar Conventions, and ending with Rhetorical Synthesis notes.
The 4 Reading & Writing Domains
1. Craft & Structure (approx. 28% / 13–15 Questions)
Tests vocabulary in context, text structure, author’s point of view, and relationships between two paired texts.
2. Information & Ideas (approx. 26% / 12–14 Questions)
Tests central ideas, details, textual command of evidence, and quantitative command of evidence (interpreting bar graphs, scatterplots, tables).
3. Standard English Conventions (approx. 26% / 11–15 Questions)
Tests grammar mechanics: sentence boundaries, semicolons, colons, subject-verb agreement, and modifier placement.
4. Expression of Ideas (approx. 20% / 8–12 Questions)
Tests Rhetorical Synthesis (student bullet-point notes) and transitional words between sentences.
The 15-Second Rhetorical Synthesis Hack
Rhetorical Synthesis questions present a list of 4–5 bullet points from a student's research notes. Do NOT read the bullet points first!
Need Detailed Punctuation Rules?
Read our dedicated guide on commas, semicolons, dashes, and dangling modifiers.