Digital SAT - Types of Questions in Reading and Writing

Overview of Digital SAT Reading and Writing Sections

The Digital SAT, being smarter and shorter, consists of two modules that combine both reading and writing sections. Each module has 27 questions that need to be attempted in 32 minutes.

The results for both modules will be presented in a percentile manner, and the test is computer-adaptive.

Types of Questions in Digital SAT Reading Section

Digital SAT reading questions must be practised online from authenticated web portals so that students can be well-prepared, confident and do not waste time in practising long subjective questions that were part of the old SAT version. Check out the digital SAT reading question types along with what the examiner is trying to evaluate in you.

1. Reading Comprehension Questions

Digital SAT 2025, under this category of questions, assesses a candidate's ability to analyse and interpret information. It tests the basic and deep understanding level of the student. Students are recommended to read a lot of contextual texts on various genres while preparing for these types of questions.

• Passage-Based Questions: Under this, students will be required to know the main idea and tone of the mentioned text. For example, if the passage is about a historical leader,

• Then the question will be: “What motivates the character’s action?”

Tip: The best way to overcome this kind of question difficulty is to read newspapers, scientific articles, and novels to familiarise yourself with the writing styles of different authors.

• Detail and Inference Questions: Under this, the student should be able to analyse or judge what is implied in the text but not given, or what can be inferred. For example, the question will be like: “Why does the author emphasise the harshness of summer?”

Tip: Students will easily be able to attempt this question if they have highlighted the keywords and phrases and can connect the information.

• Vocabulary in Context Questions: These questions evaluate a student's ability to understand the context, specific word, or phrase used in the text. For example, the question will be, In the sentence “The lawyer’s discovery was a watershed moment”,; What does “watershed” mean?

Tip: To excel in these types of questions, students should maintain their journal of vocabulary journal and should build it regularly. Write the meaning of words, make sentences, and also note their synonyms and antonyms.

2. Textual Evidence Questions

Under this category of digital SAT 2025 reading questions, students will be assessed on their ability to support the given claim and evaluate comparisons within the text. The two different types of Digital SAT reading questions, textual evidence questions, are as follows:

• Supporting Evidence Questions: When you have to support a claim or an idea in the given text, the question will be like: “What supports the claim that temperature change can have adverse effects?”

Tip: As you read the text, mark the references to save time.

• Contradiction and Comparison Questions: You will be required to identify the way two paragraphs have contrasting viewpoints. The question will be like: “How does passage B contradict passage A's stance?”

Tip: Give a gist of the viewpoints of each passage to compare effectively.

3. Function and Structure Questions

Digital SAT reading questions have shorter questions as the candidates do not have to read long passages; instead, the questions are framed with shorter paragraphs. These questions assess the candidate's ability to evaluate the author's intention and the way the thoughts are organised.

• Author’s Purpose and Tone: These questions check the ability to recognise the tone and purpose of the text. The question will be like: “Why does the author use a humorous tone in the passage?”

Tip: Students should familiarise themselves with different tones such as narrative, persuasive, and critical, along with positive and negative.

• Text Structure and Organisation: This checks the student's ability to recognise the way the author’s thoughts are organised and the way information is presented. The question will be like: “What is the purpose of the third paragraph?”

Tip: Break down the paragraph into an introduction, body, and conclusion to know its
structure.

Types of Questions in Digital SAT Writing Section

Digital SAT reading and writing questions should be practised from authenticated online portals to score in the high percentile. Digital SAT writing questions are evaluated within the same module of the SAT, and digital SAT writing question types are discussed below.

1. Grammar and Usage Questions

These digital SAT writing questions evaluate the candidate's ability to analyse, edit, and improve written context. Students can excel in Digital SAT writing question types by improving their English fundamental knowledge of sentence structure, punctuation, and word usage, and applying effective strategies.

• Sentence Structure and Syntax: This question will evaluate the candidate's ability to make grammatically correct sentences. For example: The cricket team, along with its captain, (is/are) preparing for the match. The answer is “is” because the word team is singular.

Tip: Excel in grammar concepts: subject-verb agreement.

• Punctuation and Mechanics: This question will check the candidate's ability to highlight correct punctuation marks like commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and apostrophes. The question will be like this: correct the punctuation mark: The writer said, “It is an interesting fact”. The correct answer is “The writer said, 'It is an interesting fact.”

Tip: Excel in the grammar concept: punctuation

• Word Choice and Style: In this category, you will be required to select the most appropriate word or phrase. The question will be like this: The student’s argument was very convincing. Replace “very convincing” with “compelling” for conciseness.

Tip: Build vocabulary

2. Improving Paragraph Questions

These types of digital SAT writing questions will improve the candidates' writing style in terms of flow and clarity.

• Organisation and Flow: Under this category, the SAT will ask the candidate to replace a particular sentence of the paragraph for better clarity. The question will be like: Is this logically connected, or select the right sentence that makes it logical?

Tip: Read the paragraph like a story, and connect each dot.

• Relevance and Support: Under this category, the candidate will be asked to remove details that are not necessary. For example: “While discussing climate change, the author discusses his vacation to the beach”. Should this detail of personal experience be removed? Yes, it should be removed as vacation is not part of the crucial discussion on climate change.

Tip: Each sentence should support the main idea.

• Transitions and Coherence: One of the important categories of digital SAT writing question types, these questions will evaluate candidates' ability to use accurate transitional words like "also," "however," "so," "furthermore," and so on.

Tip: Familiarise yourself with a list of transitional words.

3. Revision and Editing Questions

Under this category of digital SAT writing questions, the candidate is evaluated on showcasing a writing style that is clear, concise, and effective.

• Clarity and Precision: The question will be based on checking if the sentence is easy to understand. So the candidate will have to make appropriate choices in selecting the answer by selecting the option that makes the sentence easy to understand.

Tip: Avoid the use of vague terms.

• Redundancy and Conciseness: This type of question will ask you to remove any type of repetition.

Tip: Have a direct approach.

• Consistency in Style and Tone: You have to make sure that the same tone aligns with the passage.

Tip: Read authenticated English texts and learn the art of recognising different tones.

Key Strategies for Answering Digital SAT Reading and Writing Questions

Digital SAT reading and writing practice questions can be taken from authenticated SAT portals and official websites. Students have to make a dedicated effort to score high percentile. Although you are now aware of different digital SAT reading and writing question types, some general strategies that can help you excel in your exam are given below:

1. Effective Reading Techniques

Although practising different digital SAT reading and writing questions is mandatory, students should take some time to read authenticated English texts published in newspapers like The New York Times and The Boston Times, and enhance their knowledge on generic topics like history and culture. Some of the reading techniques that always help are as follows:

• Skimming and Scanning: This helps in quick reading and finding the keywords.

• Annotating Passages: highlighting particular words and phrases will help in answering the questions quickly, hence managing time.

2. Writing Skills Enhancement

As the SAT is digital, the online SAT does not require you to write essays until you have selected that in particular. Adapting and understanding accurate and refined writing styles can be done by reading authenticated English articles published by native authors.

• Practice Grammar Rules: Subject-verb agreement, punctuation, and modifiers are some compulsory concepts to learn.

• Developing Editing Skills: Practice will make you perfect. Regular practice in editing and getting it evaluated by an expert trainer will help you overcome all your weaknesses.

Also Read:
Digital SAT Main Idea Vs Main Purpose
Top 10 Tips to Boost Your SAT Reading Score

Conclusion

Digital SAT, being online, is a smart way of evaluating students for their college readiness. Students are recommended to give themselves dedicated time to prepare for the SAT.

1. Preparing for the Digital SAT

To be well prepared, read different novels and journals on social science topics. Make a study schedule and follow it consistently for excellent results.

• Practice Tests and Resources: Use the official web portal of the College Board.

• Tips for Success: Prepare a study timetable, maintain consistency in preparation, regularly attempt mock tests, review the mistakes, and learn the concepts.

About the Author:

Pooja Aggarwal: She is an experienced SAT/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS/PTE trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students to achieve their English language goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalised instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of English language exams in a supportive and engaging environment.