SAT Grammar Hacks That Actually Work: 10 Strategies That Can Boost Your Score Fast

By Laura Whitmore

If you’re aiming for a high score on the SAT English section, mastering grammar rules is essential—but it’s not just about memorizing rules. It’s also about learning how to apply them quickly and confidently under timed conditions. Many students lose valuable points or run out of time simply because they’re unsure of what to look for.

I’ve narrowed down the most time-saving grammar strategies that really make a difference. These are the same strategies I teach my students at Strategic Test Prep and the ones I used personally on test day. Here are the top 10 grammar hacks that can help you move faster and more accurately through the English modules—especially Module 2, where time tends to run tight.

Not in the mood to read? My YouTube video’s got you covered!

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1. Eliminate Duplicate Answer Choices ❌

When you see two answers that are functionally the same—like a period and a semicolon—you can safely eliminate both. They both separate two complete sentences, so if both appear as answer choices, neither is likely the correct answer. Focus on the differences between the remaining options instead.

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2. If You See a Semicolon in the Passage, Use It ✅

Sometimes a semicolon is used to separate items in a list, especially when those items already contain commas. If the passage already includes a semicolon between list items, don’t overthink it—stick with the semicolon option. It’s usually correct.

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3. No Commas Between Descriptions and Names 🙅

If a descriptive phrase comes directly before a name (like “the chemical compound aluminum oxide”), you don’t need commas. Try reading the sentence aloud. If you naturally pause, you might need a comma. If not, leave it out.

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4. Use “Majority Rules” for Apostrophes 👑

Apostrophe questions can be confusing, but there’s a quick trick. If two of the answer choices show the same apostrophe placement (like before the "s"), eliminate the ones that look different. Then decide whether the noun is singular or plural. Remember:

• Apostrophe before the “s” = singular possession

• Apostrophe after the “s” = plural possession

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5. Pick the Only Option That Separates Complete Sentences 🥇

If only one answer choice can properly separate two complete sentences (like a semicolon or a period), it's probably the right one. A comma alone between two complete sentences is a grammar error called a comma splice. Also, a comma followed by a FANBOYS word (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) can work—if both sides are full sentences.

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6. If You See a Dash, Pick the Dash 👀

When you see a dash used to set off a phrase, and the structure seems balanced, go with the dash. The SAT often uses two dashes to enclose non-essential information. You can always review it later, but this strategy works most of the time.

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7. Choose the -ing Verb Around Question 20 or 21 👈

Near the end of Module 2—usually around question 20 or 21—students often run into a grammar question with -ing verb forms in the answer choices. If the sentence includes extra descriptive information between the subject and the main verb, the -ing option is often correct. It helps maintain sentence structure without disrupting the main clause.

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8. Use the Pronoun Trick for Verb Agreement 😉

When the answer choices are different verb forms, use “he” and “they” to check for subject-verb agreement. Replace the subject with “he” for singular or “they” for plural and see which verb fits. This simple test helps you catch agreement errors quickly, even if the sentence is long or complex.

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9. Watch Out for Lead-In Sentences 🫣

Some questions start with an introductory phrase (the “lead-in”), followed by a comma and a blank. Your job is to make sure the subject that follows the comma makes sense with the lead-in. For example, if the lead-in describes someone analyzing films, the subject should be a person or group capable of doing that—like “critics,” not “a youth” or “a technique.”

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10. Two-Part Questions: Punctuation + Transition ✌️

The toughest grammar questions often combine punctuation and transition word choices. Use a two-step approach:

1. Ignore the transition word at first and figure out whether you’re dealing with two complete sentences. If so, you’ll need a semicolon, colon, or period—not a comma.

2. Decide where the transition belongs. If the second sentence contrasts with the first (look for phrases like “doesn’t” or “however”), the transition word should appear at the beginning of that second sentence.

Pro tip: If one of the options has a transition word with no punctuation after it, eliminate it right away—it’s never correct.

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These 10 hacks and strategies are designed to help students move through grammar questions efficiently and free up time to tackle more time-consuming reading questions. I always recommend using these strategies on your first pass through the module and then circling back to double-check grammar questions with any leftover time.

Want to go deeper with strategies like these? Check out our Digital SAT Self-Paced English Course. It covers grammar rules in more detail, dives into reading comprehension strategies, and includes transition questions—so students can build a strong overall approach to the English modules.

If you're serious about improving your SAT score, learning how to think through grammar questions quickly and accurately is a game changer. These strategies are a great place to start.

Happy prepping!