How to Beat the Hardest Inference Questions on the SAT
- Laura (Heslin) Whitmore
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
By Laura Whitmore
Inference questions are some of the hardest on the SAT English section. If you’ve ever felt confused or second-guessed your answer on one of these, you’re not alone! These “Logically Completes the Text” questions tend to show up later in the English modules, and they trip up even high-scoring test-takers.
Whether you’re taking the SAT yourself or supporting someone who is, the strategies below can make a big difference—potentially raising English scores by 80+ points when practiced consistently.
Want to skip the reading? Head over to my YouTube video instead!
1. Save Inference Questions for Last
These questions are among the most time-consuming on the SAT English section. That’s why I recommend saving them for last. Just like we tell students to skip the hardest math problems and come back to them, the same logic applies here.
I advise starting with question 27 and working backwards, saving inference questions (often around question number 12 to 15) for the end. That way, you don’t burn time early on and you’re tackling these questions with whatever time remains.
Everyone has a different approach, but this strategy helps most students feel more in control of their pacing.
2. Read the Whole Passage (Yes, Really)
For many SAT reading questions, there are shortcuts. You can often look for keywords or focus on specific lines. But with inference questions, that won’t work.
These questions are based on the full logic and structure of the passage, so you need to understand the entire context. Skimming might lead to a wrong answer, even if it feels close. I always recommend reading the whole passage carefully and looking for key shifts in tone, logic, or time.
3. Use Smart Annotation Strategies
Inference questions often deal with a lot of information—dates, comparisons, and science-heavy language. One of the most effective ways to stay focused and make sense of the data is by annotating. I teach students two go-to methods:
Timelines – Use these when a passage includes multiple dates, historical references, or sequences of events. Drawing a timeline can help you visualize what changed and when.
T-Charts – These are great for passages that compare two people, groups, theories, or outcomes. A quick two-column chart helps keep track of contrasting details, which makes it easier to spot the author’s logic.
These tools are simple but powerful. They help students stay organized and avoid losing track of the point the passage is making.
4. Look for the Pattern in “What Changed?”
A common theme in many inference questions is this: something wasn't true before, and now it is. What happened in between?
For example, a passage might describe a region that used to have one type of animal, but now has a mix. Or a civilization that moved locations. Or a scientific finding that challenged earlier beliefs.
In all of these cases, the correct answer will logically explain why that change happened. If the passage describes a timeline, look for answers that explain how something new entered the picture. If it’s comparing two things, the right answer often reflects a clear takeaway from that comparison.
5. Practice with Real Examples
To really improve on inference questions, you need to practice with real, high-quality examples—and understand why the right answer is right.
In our Self-Paced English Course, there’s an entire lesson devoted to these types of questions. I break down real examples from official-style SAT questions, showing exactly how to use timelines, T-charts, and process of elimination strategies to get them right.
It’s one of the most popular modules in the course because it takes something that feels vague or intimidating and makes it concrete and doable.
Bottom Line
Inference questions don’t have to be scary. With the right execution strategy, smart annotation techniques, and targeted practice, they become just another question type you can master.
If you’re prepping for the SAT or guiding someone who is, I highly recommend building these strategies into your study routine. And if you want guided support, our self-paced course is a great place to start.
You’ve got this—and we're here to help every step of the way.
Happy prepping!
