The SAT Verbal section is made up of two scored components:
| Section | Content Focus | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | Reading comprehension, evidence-based reasoning, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, vocabulary in context, and rhetorical skills | 64 minutes (two modules of 32 minutes each) |
The Reading and Writing section is organized into four key content domains:
Information and Ideas: This domain assesses your ability to comprehend, analyze, and reason with information. It involves identifying, interpreting, evaluating, and synthesizing information from written passages as well as from informational graphics such as tables, bar graphs, and line graphs.
Craft and Structure: This area evaluates your understanding of vocabulary and your skill in analyzing and reasoning about texts. It focuses on interpreting the meaning of important words and phrases in context, examining texts from a rhetorical standpoint, and connecting related texts by topic.
Expression of Ideas: This domain measures your ability to revise and improve written material to enhance clarity, coherence, and rhetorical effectiveness.
Standard English Conventions: This section tests your proficiency in editing text to conform to the rules of standard English, including grammar, sentence structure, usage, and punctuation.
Within each domain, questions are further broken down into specific skills. These skills may be assessed through various question types, with each skill typically featuring uniquely worded questions.
| Domain | Skill | Distribution |
| Craft & Structure |
| ≈28% (13-15 questions) |
| Information & Ideas |
| ≈26% (12-14 questions) |
| Standard English Conventions |
| ≈26% (11-15 questions) |
| Expression of Ideas |
| ≈20% (8-12 questions) |
Two Modules: The section is split into two equal modules, each containing a mix of reading and writing questions. The second module adapts in difficulty based on your performance in the first.
Question Types: Multiple-choice questions based on passages from literature, historical documents, social sciences, and natural sciences. Passages may include charts or graphs.
Skills Tested:
Reading comprehension and interpretation
Evidence-based reasoning
Vocabulary in context
Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
Editing for clarity, style, and rhetorical effectiveness
Number of Questions: 54 multiple-choice questions total (27 per module)
Passages: 4–5 passages, some with data representations
Focus:
Interpreting meaning, tone, and structure
Analyzing arguments and evidence
Applying grammar and usage rules in context
Improving sentence clarity and style
The Verbal score combines reading and writing skills into a single score ranging from 200 to 800.
This score accounts for 50% of the total SAT score.
Questions are scored based on correct answers only; there is no penalty for guessing.
The SAT Verbal score is a critical factor in college admissions, especially for humanities and social science majors.
Competitive applicants often aim for scores above 650 to strengthen their applications.
Strong verbal skills also support academic success beyond the SAT, enhancing critical reading and effective communication.
Tutoring Space builds core skills in critical reading, analytical reasoning, and language precision, preparing students not only for the SAT but also for success in academic and real-world communication.
