When preparing for the SAT, most students focus heavily on the math and reading sections, but the SAT Writing and Language Test often becomes the silent score booster—or the score killer. The good news? The SAT writing section doesn’t test obscure grammar rules. Instead, it focuses on a predictable set of grammar and style principles that you can master with practice.
In this guide, we’ll break down the essential SAT writing tips, grammar rules you need to know, and proven strategies to maximize your score. If you’re a U.S. high school student aiming for a competitive college, this article will help you strengthen one of the most overlooked sections of the SAT.
Understanding the SAT Writing Section
Before diving into grammar rules, let’s quickly review the format of the writing section:
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Number of Questions: 44
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Time: 35 minutes
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Format: Passage-based multiple-choice
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Skills Tested: Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, word choice, and logical flow of ideas
Every question is linked to a passage, and your job is to spot and fix errors or choose the option that improves clarity and precision.
Why Grammar Matters on the SAT
The SAT doesn’t test every grammar rule under the sun. Instead, it focuses on:
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Rules most relevant to academic writing in the U.S.
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Errors that affect clarity and meaning
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Common mistakes high school students make in essays and formal writing
Think of it this way: The SAT wants to see if you can write like a college-ready student.
Essential Grammar Rules for SAT Writing
Let’s break down the most important rules you must master.
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
Rule: The verb must agree with the subject in number (singular/plural).
✅ Example:
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The students are ready for the test.
❌ Wrong: The students is ready for the test.
SAT Tip: Watch out for prepositional phrases between subject and verb.
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The cost of textbooks is high.
Extra Examples:
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The group of students is planning a trip. (Correct)
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The group of students are planning a trip. (Wrong)
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Neither of the answers is correct. (Correct)
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Neither of the answers are correct. (Wrong)
Mini Practice Question:
Q: The list of items (is/are) on the table.
Answer: is → Subject is “list” (singular), not “items.”
2. Pronoun Agreement & Clarity
Rule: Pronouns must clearly refer to a noun and agree in number/gender.
✅ Example:
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Every student must bring his or her calculator.
❌ Wrong: Every student must bring their calculator.
SAT Tip: Be careful with vague pronouns like it, this, or they.
Extra Examples:
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Each of the girls brought her book. (Correct)
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Each of the girls brought their book. (Wrong)
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The committee made its decision. (Correct)
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The committee made their decision. (Wrong)
Mini Practice Question:
Q: If a student wants to succeed, (he or she/they) must study regularly.
Answer: he or she → “Student” is singular.
3. Verb Tense Consistency
Rule: Maintain the same tense unless there’s a clear time shift.
✅ Example:
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She studied all night and felt confident in the morning.
❌ Wrong:
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She studied all night and feels confident in the morning.
SAT Tip: Always match tense to the timeline of the passage.
Extra Examples:
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She was studying when the phone rang. (Correct)
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She was studying when the phone rings. (Wrong)
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Yesterday he played football, and today he is playing basketball. (Correct)
Mini Practice Question:
Q: By the time we arrived, the train (left/had left).
Answer: had left → Action completed before arrival.
4. Parallelism
Rule: Items in a list or comparison must follow the same grammatical form.
✅ Example:
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She likes reading, writing, and running.
❌ Wrong:
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She likes reading, writing, and to run.
SAT Tip: Look for lists after words like and, or, but.
Extra Examples:
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The coach asked players to run, jump, and stretch. (Correct)
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The coach asked players to run, jump, and to stretch. (Wrong)
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She is smarter than he is. (Correct)
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She is smarter than him is. (Wrong)
Mini Practice Question:
Q: The company values honesty, creativity, and (working hard/hard work).
Answer: hard work → Matches noun form.
5. Modifier Placement
Rule: Descriptive words or phrases must be placed next to what they describe.
✅ Example:
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Running to school, the student dropped his backpack.
❌ Wrong:
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Running to school, the backpack fell off the student.
SAT Tip: Watch for misplaced modifiers—they create illogical sentences.
Extra Examples:
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While driving to school, John saw an accident. (Correct)
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While driving to school, the accident surprised John. (Wrong)
Mini Practice Question:
Q: Running late for class, (the book was left behind/Emily left the book behind).
Answer: Emily left the book behind → Subject must match action.
6. Punctuation Rules
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Commas → Separate items in a list, after introductory phrases, and with nonessential clauses.
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Semicolons → Connect two related independent clauses.
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Colons → Introduce lists, examples, or explanations.
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Dashes → Emphasize or insert additional information.
✅ Example:
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The SAT tests three areas: reading, writing, and math.
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Comma Example:
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Correct: My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting.
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Wrong: My brother who lives in Texas is visiting.
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Semicolon Example:
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Correct: I love math; it challenges me.
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Wrong: I love math, it challenges me.
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Colon Example:
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Correct: She has two goals: graduate college and travel.
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Mini Practice Question:
Q: Choose the correct sentence:
a) I bought apples; oranges, and bananas.
b) I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
Answer: b → Commas for lists, not semicolon.
7. Conciseness & Redundancy
Rule: The SAT favors clear, concise writing.
✅ Example:
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Many students believe college is important.
❌ Wrong: -
Many students believe that college is something that is very important.
Extra Examples:
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Wordy: The reason why she left is because she was tired.
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Correct: The reason she left is that she was tired.
Mini Practice Question:
Q: Which is better?
a) At this point in time, we need to leave.
b) We need to leave now.
Answer: b → Shorter & clearer.
8. Idioms & Word Choice
Rule: Some phrases must be used in a particular way.
✅ Example:
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She is interested in science.
❌ Wrong: -
She is interested on science.
SAT Tip: Idiom errors are common in the writing section.
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Correct Idioms:
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Capable of
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Different from
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Interested in
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Mini Practice Question:
Q: She is responsible (of/for) finishing the project.
Answer: for → Correct idiom.
9. Transitions & Logical Flow
Rule: Transitions must logically connect sentences and paragraphs.
✅ Example:
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However, some students prefer to study at night.
❌ Wrong:
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Therefore, some students prefer to study at night.
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Contrast → however, although, whereas
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Cause/Effect → therefore, thus, consequently
Mini Practice Question:
Q: Choose correct transition:
He didn’t study; (therefore/however) he failed.
Answer: therefore → Shows cause/effect.
10. Sentence Structure: Fragments & Run-Ons
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A sentence must have a subject and verb.
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Avoid run-ons by separating ideas with punctuation.
✅ Example:
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The exam was tough, but she passed.
❌ Wrong:
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The exam was tough she passed.
Extra Examples:
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Fragment: Because I was late.
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Correct: I missed the bus because I was late.
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Run-on: She studied hard she passed.
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Correct: She studied hard, and she passed.
Mini Practice Question:
Q: Which is correct?
a) The book was on the table. Left by John.
b) The book, left by John, was on the table.
Answer: b → Complete sentence.
Proven SAT Writing Tips
Here are strategies to maximize your score:
1. Learn the Patterns
The SAT recycles the same grammar rules. Focus your study on the top 10–12 rules above instead of memorizing every detail.
2. Don’t Overthink
If an option looks overly wordy or complicated, it’s usually wrong.
3. Read the Whole Sentence
Don’t just focus on the underlined portion; check context.
4. Eliminate Wrong Answers
On grammar questions, there’s usually only one correct option. Use elimination to narrow down.
5. Practice with Real SAT Tests
The College Board’s official practice tests are the best resource.
Example SAT Writing Questions
Question 1:
The students in the classroom (is/are) preparing for the exam.
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Correct Answer: are
Question 2:
The committee has finished (its/their) decision.
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Correct Answer: its
FAQs About SAT Writing Tips
Q1. How many grammar rules are tested on the SAT Writing section?
About 10–12 core grammar rules repeatedly appear, including subject-verb agreement, punctuation, pronouns, and modifiers.
Q2. Is vocabulary important in SAT writing?
Not as much as in the reading section. Vocabulary questions are rare, but word choice and idioms matter.
Q3. Can I skip reading the entire passage?
No. Even though you’re focusing on grammar, context is critical for tense, transitions, and clarity.
Q4. How much time should I spend per question?
About 45 seconds per question. Keep moving and avoid getting stuck.
Q5. What’s the best way to improve fast?
Practice with official SAT practice tests, review your mistakes, and focus on the top grammar rules.
Conclusion
Mastering the SAT writing section is about predictability. The test doesn’t reward creativity—it rewards accuracy, clarity, and control over grammar rules. By focusing on the essential grammar principles, practicing consistently, and learning to spot common traps, you can quickly boost your writing score.
Remember: A strong writing score can push your overall SAT score higher, improving your chances of admission to competitive U.S. colleges. Use these SAT writing tips, keep practicing, and walk into test day with confidence.