How to Manage Your Time on the SAT Reading Section

A good timing strategy is key to success on the SAT or ACT. Because each section has a different time limit and number of questions, you’ll want to time them separately. Let’s look at how to manage time during the reading section.

Spend 13 minutes on each passage.

The SAT reading section has 52 questions and 5 passages to be completed in 65 minutes. This comes out to about 13 minutes to read and complete the questions for each passage. So, when your watch says 13 minutes have passed, move on to the second passage. When 26 minutes have passed, move on to the third passage, and so on. This strategy ensures that you don’t miss the opportunity to answer any questions; the SAT reading section does not go in order from easiest questions to most difficult questions, so you really want to take the time to try to answer everything. 

Take 4-5 minutes to read the passage.

Within these 13 minutes per passage, you’ll want to spend about 4-5 minutes reading the passage itself. Remember, you don’t get points for reading the passage, so this part should not take up too much of your time. 

Answer the questions for 7-9 minutes.

Do a quick run-through of the questions related to the passage you just read. Which ones are easiest? Do you know any answers right away? Eliminate the obviously wrong answer choices and select the correct answers. If there are any you don’t know, put a star next to the question and come back to it before you move on to the next passage. Review your answers, transfer them to your bubble sheet, and try the questions you didn’t understand the first time. 

Do NOT skip out on reading the passage!

Don’t fall victim to the “I just won’t waste time reading the passages” strategy. While you don’t want to spend all 13 minutes reading the passage, it is imperative that you do actually read the passage. The new SAT asks more questions about the main ideas and purposes of the passages, and without reading them, you won’t be able to answer these questions correctly.

Take practice tests and try to stick to this schedule to nail down your time management strategy before the real SAT. As long as you study hard and prepare to answer the questions in a timely manner, you’ll set yourself up for success on the SAT. 

If you’re looking for more help getting ready for the SAT, schedule a call with one of our test prep experts to see what we can do together.