Let’s talk about one of the sneakiest parts of the SAT reading questions—transitions. You know, those little words that glue one sentence to another. They’re small but powerful and can totally change the meaning of a paragraph. If you’re prepping for the SAT test and wondering how to pick the right transition word (without second-guessing yourself into a panic), you’re in the right place.
This guide breaks down the SAT Expression of Ideas section, specifically focusing on transitions—a common topic across digital SAT reading questions in the updated SAT format. Follow these 4 steps to boost your accuracy and confidence. Let’s go! 💪🏽
Step 1: Read the Passage Carefully 📖
Like always, begin by reading the entire passage. It’s tempting to jump straight to the question and the blank, but don’t do it!
Reading the passage gives you the full tone, context, and flow of ideas—especially when you’re dealing with SAT reading questions on transitions. Without context, the transition word will never make sense.
Step 2: Highlight the Sentence with the Blank ✍🏽
Locate the sentence that contains the blank. This is the sentence that will be missing a transition word and needs your attention. Once you find it, highlight it.
That sentence is going to be the bridge between:
- The previous sentence
- The following sentence
And your job is to choose the word that connects them logically.
Step 3: Analyze the Sentences Before and After the Blank 🧠
Here’s the secret sauce to transition questions:
🔎 Look at what’s happening in the sentence before the blank and what’s happening after it.
This reveals:
- The tone shift (Is it contrast, cause/effect, continuation?)
- The relationship between ideas
For example:
- If the sentence before talks about a problem and the next one gives a solution, you might need “However” or “Nevertheless.”
- If the next sentence builds on the first, you may need “Furthermore” or “In addition.”
This kind of analysis is exactly what SAT reading questions on transitions are designed to test!
Step 4: Choose the Best Transition Word ✅
Now, take your context and tone analysis and match it with the answer choices.
Here’s how to decide:
- Eliminate answers that don’t match the tone
- Look out for transitions that don’t logically connect the ideas
- Pick the one that creates the clearest and smoothest flow
✨ Reminder: Only one transition will make perfect sense based on context. That’s your winner.
Pro Tip: Practice with Real SAT Passages 📚
You can get better at spotting transitions by practicing with digital SAT prep Khan Academy materials or using the SAT suite question bank. Want to go deeper? Combine these with SAT grammar rules practice and a SAT online tutoring session for personalized strategies.
Transition questions might seem small—but getting them right can give your score a real boost!
Need Help with Transitions or Grammar Rules? Comment Below! 💬✨
Whether you’re struggling with SAT reading questions, SAT calculator skills, or just need a solid SAT math formula sheet to get your test prep in order—I’m here to help!
📥 Drop a comment below if you want tips, tutoring, or study materials to tackle the SAT test with confidence.
Let’s hit those high scores together 📈🎓
Want to level up your SAT Reading score? Check out our breakdown of each question type in this powerful 6-part series.
- Still building confidence? Our post on Information and Ideas SAT questions will help you get there →
- Want to know the exact SAT strategies that helped me jump from a 1230 to a 1410? Read my full SAT prep journey and what finally worked →