SAT Critical Reading Quick Reference Card

Reading Section: At-a-Glance Rules

Keep this reference card by your desk during revision. Each rule comes directly from SAT patterns identified across hundreds of practice tests.

Answer Selection Rules

• The answer must be directly supported by the text – not just logical

• Eliminate answers that contain absolute words: "only", "never", "all", "always"

• The best answer addresses the question completely, not just partially

• For "main purpose" questions, the answer covers the whole passage, not just one part

Vocabulary in Context Rules

• Ignore the word's most common meaning; use only the passage context

• Substitute each answer choice back into the passage and read the sentence

• The correct answer fits the tone and register of the passage

Evidence Pair Rules

• Answer the first question, then check if your evidence choice supports it

• If you can't find supporting evidence, reconsider your first answer

• "None of the above"-style answers are rare but appear occasionally