Digital SAT Grammar Rules Cheat Sheet

If you’ve ever felt that grammar can be a roadblock on your Digital SAT journey, rest assured you’re not alone. Grammar doesn’t have to be scary, especially when you know exactly what the test expects.

Today, let’s talk about the essential rules you need to master, drawn from in-depth insights and the requirements of the digital format. These tips will help you boost your confidence and your scores!

Why Grammar Matters on the Digital SAT

Grammar shows up in the Reading and Writing section to see if you can communicate effectively. It’s more than just memorizing rules—it’s about clarity and precision. Even subtle errors can distract from the message you’re trying to convey.

On the Digital SAT, each question stands alone, so every single prompt is a chance to demonstrate your mastery of written English. When you know the rules, you can spot mistakes and correct them with ease.

Looking for extra practice beyond grammar? You might enjoy our Reading Speed Tips for the Digital SAT to help boost your overall performance.

Mastering Sentence Structure

A well-structured sentence flows naturally and conveys ideas with clarity.

• Subject-verb agreement is where most students trip up. If a subject is singular, its verb must be singular; if it’s plural, use a plural verb.
• Watch out for prepositional phrases in between the subject and verb—don’t let them confuse you.
• Consistent verb tense is another biggie. Jumping from past to present tense mid-sentence or within the same passage can cause confusion and lower your score.
• Run-ons occur when two full thoughts mash together without proper punctuation, and these are usually accompanied by Comma splices, which happen when you link them with just a comma. A simple strategy is to use a period, semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (like “and” or “but”).

Punctuation: The Glue of Your Sentences

Punctuation is crucial, taking up around 4 questions per each module.

• Commas help separate items in a list or set off nonessential phrases (which add detail but aren’t critical to the main idea). Make sure to watch out for conjunctions and transitions.
• Semicolons join two complete ideas that connect closely. Use them sparingly; otherwise, you risk sounding choppy.
• Colons come before explanations or lists. For instance, you might say, “There are three reasons the Digital SAT is easier to give: less paper, quicker setup, and faster scoring.”
• Apostrophes help form possessives or contractions. “It’s” always means “it is,” while “its” is the possessive form, as in “The dog ate its food.” Mixing those up can cost you points – these appear quite often in the test, so make sure you're not missing out on these easy points.

Clarity and Precision with Agreement and Modifiers

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is about ensuring pronouns match their nouns in both number and clarity. If the question makes you refer back to “children,” choose “they,” not “it.” And avoid vague pronouns: if you choose “it,” make sure you can tell exactly which noun “it” refers to.

Modifiers have to be placed in the right spot. If a descriptive phrase is at the beginning of the sentence, make sure it modifies the subject that comes immediately after. For instance, “Rushing to the test center, the student realized she forgot her ID” correctly modifies “the student,” not “the test center.”

Practical Strategies for Exam Day

Read the entire sentence before rushing to an answer. Sometimes the second half of the sentence reveals the trick or error you need to correct.

Process-of-elimination is your friend: identify wrong answers first. Pay attention to keywords and phrases that set up a certain structure, such as “however” (contrast), “therefore” (cause-effect), or “for instance” (example).

During practice, replicate real conditions by timing yourself. Shorter modules in the Digital SAT mean more time for each question, but pacing is still essential. Use official digital practice tests to become comfortable with the interface and tools, especially the annotation function if you like highlighting tricky areas or leaving quick notes for yourself.

Keep Exploring

At SATinsiders, we want you feeling confident not just about grammar but about every section of your test. Now that you’ve got these grammar fundamentals locked down, remember to explore more resources:

• Get insights on Reading Section Time Management for better pacing.
• Dive into our in-depth Advanced Desmos Calculator Guide if you want to know about the hidden functions and question-specific applications.

Each click brings you closer to a more prepared, more self-assured version of you. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and personalized practice reminders. It’s all about making sure your Digital SAT experience is smoother, easier, and more successful.

You’ve got this—happy studying, and see you on test day!