SAT Reading & Writing study plan

SAT Reading & Writing · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Craft and Structure & Standard English Conventions

Identify the function of a sentence, paragraph, or structural element in a passage and label it with a purpose verb (e.g., 'qualifies,' 'illustrates,' 'concedes').
Distinguish between an author's main claim and supporting evidence in 10 short passages.
Apply the four comma rules (introductory element, nonessential clause, items in a series, compound sentence) to 20 original sentences.
Correct subject-verb agreement errors when a prepositional phrase separates the subject from the verb.

A 25-item error log covering structure and punctuation misses, each with a one-line rule restatement.

Week 2

Trace how an author develops an argument across a multi-paragraph passage by mapping claims to evidence.
Contrast words with similar denotations but different connotations and justify the better fit in context.
Resolve pronoun-antecedent agreement and ambiguous pronoun reference in 15 sentences.
Fix verb-tense shifts and dangling or misplaced modifiers in 15 sentences.

A one-page argument map of a 600-word passage plus 20 corrected convention items.

Week 3

Locate and state the central idea of a passage in a single sentence without copying the author's phrasing.
Select the specific textual evidence that best supports a given claim from four options.
Paraphrase data presented in a short table or graph and connect it to the passage's argument.
Infer an unstated assumption behind a claim and describe what would weaken it.

A 10-question evidence-and-central-idea set with written justifications for each rejected option.

Week 4

Distinguish quantitative data questions that require reading the figure from those that require combining figure and text.
Summarize a two-paragraph passage in under 25 words.
Apply semicolon, colon, and dash rules to join or introduce clauses correctly.
Identify and fix sentence fragments and run-ons in 20 items.

A timed 15-question mixed set (information/ideas plus conventions) scored with a written review of every miss.

Week 5

Choose the transition word that matches the logical relationship (contrast, cause, addition, concession) between two sentences.
Revise a sentence to eliminate wordiness while preserving meaning.
Reorder or combine sentences so that a paragraph flows logically from claim to support.
Add or delete a sentence based on whether it serves the paragraph's stated purpose.

A revised 3-paragraph draft with tracked edits and a rationale note for each change.

Week 6

Select the most precise word among near-synonyms to match a passage's tone and register.
Write topic sentences that state a paragraph's purpose and check that each supporting sentence advances it.
Identify the rhetorical purpose of a transition or aside and revise it to fit the author's stance.
Match a conclusion or opening to the passage's overall structure.

A 12-question expression-of-ideas set with a one-sentence reason for each selected answer.

Week 7

Complete a full-length timed section under test conditions and record pacing per question.
Classify every error by domain and subskill to find the two weakest areas.
Re-solve each missed question without looking at the original explanation.
Build a personal rule sheet for the five most frequent error types.

A scored full section with an error taxonomy table and a ranked list of the top three weaknesses.

Week 8

Drill the top three weakness areas until accuracy exceeds 80 percent on a 20-item set.
Complete two timed mixed sets and hold pacing within the target per-question time.
Review the rule sheet and confirm retention with a self-quiz.
Finalize a test-day strategy for question order and time checkpoints.

A final score report comparing full-section results from weeks 7 and 8 with a written test-day plan.

Week 2: Score at least 80 percent on a 20-item conventions set and complete an argument map for one full passage.

Week 4: Score at least 75 percent on a timed 15-question mixed set covering information/ideas and conventions.

Week 6: Score at least 80 percent on a 12-question expression-of-ideas set and submit a fully revised paragraph draft.

Week 7: Complete one full timed section with every error classified by domain and subskill.

Week 8: Exceed the week-7 full-section score and demonstrate 80 percent accuracy on weakness drills.