SAT Reading, Writing, and Essay

Course Overview: The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice exam created and administered by the College Board.  This course will provide you with test-taking strategies, in-class exercises, and an opportunity to learn how to succeed on the reading, writing, and essay portions of the exam from an experienced SAT instructor.

Materials: Practice exam and homework materials will be provided. For reading and writing classes, please bring a writing utensil and notebook for note-taking. For essay writing classes, please bring a laptop.

Instructor: Bahar A, Harvard graduate school of education, ED.M.

Sample of the SAT Class Syllabus

DAY 1: General Introduction To The SAT and SAT Writing Section

  • SAT Overview 
    • Instructor will use word map to show sections of the SAT and how those sections are scored.
    • Students will learn how to set appropriate score goals using a target score range or a maximum effective score formula.
    • Students will learn “study smart” strategies through a SAT pyramid diagram that consists of foundational knowledge, strategies that work, and simulated practice. Students will also have an opportunity to discuss test-taking best practices and challenges through a seminar-style peer discussion.  
  • SAT Writing Section
      • Students will learn about the structure of the writing section and scoring.
      • Students will learn about the three problem types on the SAT writing section—mechanics, wording, and flow. 
        • In-Class Exercises: Students will complete in-class mechanics and wording problems. Students will then have an opportunity to ask questions about problems they missed and review them with the instructor. 

Day 2: SAT Writing Section

  • Review: Instructor will review in-class mechanics and wording problems from the previous class with students and answer questions regarding problems students had difficulty with.
  • SAT Writing Warm-Up: Students will complete a writing and mechanics warm-up. Upon completion, instructor will review problems students and answer questions.
  • Flow Problems:  Students will learn how to identify flow problems and strategically answer them using the “relevant up/down check.” Students will complete in-class flow (along with mechanics and wording) problems in-class. Students will then have an opportunity to ask questions about problems they missed and review them with the instructor.

Day 3: SAT Reading 

  • Introduction To SAT Reading

Students will learn about the structure of the reading section.

Students will learn about the four problem types on the SAT Reading—broad, line reference, evidence, and follow-up evidence—and how to identify and solve them. 

    • Students will learn the 5-Step Approach To SAT Reading. 
  • In-Class Exercises: Using the 5-Step Approach, students will complete in-class exercises. Upon completion, the instructor will review the correct answers with students and answer questions regarding problems students had difficulty with. 
  • Homework: Students will complete the rest of the passages in the Princeton Review booklet using the 5-step Approach taught in class.

Day 4: SAT Reading

  • Review homework: Instructor will review homework with students and answer questions regarding problems students had difficulty with.
  • In-Class Exercises: Using the 5-Step Approach, students will complete in-class exercises. Upon completion, the instructor will review the correct answers with students and answer questions regarding problems students had difficulty with. 
  • Homework: Students will complete the rest of the passages in the Princeton Review booklet using the 5-Step Approach taught in class.