Here's How to Approach The Most Common SAT Reading Question Type

When it comes to the SAT reading section, the single most important strategy for you to know is the double question strategy.

We’ve all seen the double questions in the reading section: one question, directly followed by another that asks for evidence to justify the first. 

These double questions appear around 20 times per test, making up almost 40% of the SAT reading section, so it’s crucial that you know how to confidently tackle them. 

Luckily, there’s a simple yet effective strategy you can implement to help you get these questions right and boost your score.

It’s called the ISLAM strategy, and we’re going to walk you through it today so you can answer tricky double questions with ease! 

1. Identify

Step 1 is key! How many times have you read a question stem that didn’t include any line numbers?  You pore over the passage, the answer choices, and the question stem again before realizing that the next question is the line support one.

What you need to do first is identify that you are dealing with a double question. This knowledge will help direct your approach.  My Reading strategy is to glance over all of the questions for a passage before tackling any answer choices and start at the first set of double questions. 

2. Summarize/Rephrase

SAT questions are almost always written in a far more complicated way than they need to be. 

You should always rephrase them in ordinary English. This is even more critical when it comes to double questions since there are two answers riding on your understanding of this one question.

As you go to step 3 you will need to be able to loop this question in your mind.

3. Lines

While you have the question looping in your mind, it’s time to check the line numbers given in the second question to find the line that has the answer to your question! 

Pay careful attention to the subject of the question, meaning the person or place included in it. Go through the lines one at a time and eliminate the ones that are clearly wrong.

4. Answer the second

When choosing the best answer for question two, keep in mind that your choice needs to contain the answer to the first question. Once you’ve chosen your favorite answer for the second question, you are ready for the final step!

5. Match

Almost done! Now it’s time to go back to the first question and see which answer choice matches the line that you chose from question two. If you can’t find one, your answer for #2 is wrong. Go back to step 4 and repeat.

Try the ISLAM strategy on the next SAT reading practice section you take!  Consistent usage will make the double questions easier. We promise.