5 Smart Strategies to Boost Your Digital SAT English Score

By Laura Whitmore

The Digital SAT has introduced a faster-paced format with more complex English questions, and many students are finding it harder to finish on time—let alone score high. The good news? With the right strategies, the English section becomes much more manageable.

In this post, I’m sharing five practical tricks that consistently help students move through the test more efficiently and accurately. Whether you're aiming for a higher score or just trying to keep up with the new format, these tips can make a big difference.

Don’t feel like reading? My YouTube video’s got you covered!

  1

 Read the Last Sentence First

For questions about the main idea, tone, or purpose of a passage, skip to the last sentence before reading the rest. That final line often gives you the clearest summary of what the author is trying to say. Then, match key words or phrases from that sentence to the answer choices. Look for synonyms or similar meanings. If the last sentence talks about how something “wasn’t clear,” an answer like “few reliable transcriptions” is likely the right direction.

You don’t always need to read the whole passage—just be smart about where you focus your time.

  2

 Select the Only One Option that Separates Two Complete Sentences

On grammar questions, glance at the answer choices before anything else. If only one choice can separate two complete sentences - that is probably the correct one! Thus, in this case, the answer is the option with a semicolon since a semicolon can separate two independent clauses.

Do a quick check: does each half of the sentence have a subject, verb, and complete thought? If so, the semicolon probably works. This saves time and prevents second-guessing.

  3

 Play Positive vs. Negative on Vocabulary

Vocabulary-in-context questions can feel overwhelming, especially when the answer choices include unfamiliar words. But here’s the trick: you don’t need to know every word. Just figure out whether the sentence needs a positive or negative word based on context.

For example, if a sentence talks about something becoming “inaccessible” because of “discontinued software,” that’s clearly negative. So even if you don’t know all the options, you can eliminate the positive ones. “Defunct” is the right fit here—not because you use that word every day, but because it fits the tone best out of the 4 options.

  4

 Find Words That Signal Difference

On note-taking or summary questions, read the question closely before diving into the notes. If it asks you to highlight a difference, focus on answer choices that use contrast words like unlike or whereas.

Students often assume “compare” means looking for similarities, but on the SAT, “compare” can mean similarities or differences. Pay close attention to what the question is really asking and pick the word that matches the logic. It’s a fast way to eliminate wrong answers.

  5

 Eliminate Transitions That Do the Same Thing

Transition questions can be sneaky. The trick is to eliminate choices that serve the same purpose. For example, if two transitions are both cause-and-effect (like “accordingly” and “consequently”), they can’t both be right—so they’re likely both wrong. Instead, look at what the sentence is actually doing. Is it showing contrast? Is it building to a final goal? In one example, the passage talked about someone’s ultimate goal, so “ultimately” was the best fit.

Being able to quickly spot the function of the transition saves time and helps students avoid second-guessing.

SAT English doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. These five strategies are all about working smarter, not harder. They help students move more efficiently through each module and reduce those time-pressure mistakes that can bring down a score.

And remember, success comes from consistent practice—not just cramming before test day. If you're looking for a way to build these skills at your own pace, our  Self-Paced Digital SAT English & Math Courses  are a great next step.

Happy prepping!