Understanding the History Passages on the SAT

When preparing for the SAT, students may be surprised to find that there are history-related questions on the Reading and Writing section. However, unlike a traditional history test that might ask you to recall dates or events, the SAT’s history passages are not designed to test your factual knowledge of history. Instead, they are focused on evaluating your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills, particularly when engaging with historical texts. 

How Many History Passages Are On The SAT?

You will have either two or three history passages in the SAT Reading and Writing section. 

SAT Reading and Writing Passage Breakdown

Passage Origin	Passage Type	Questions
Literature (American and world literature)	1 passage	10
History or Social Studies	2 passages or 1 paired passage and 1 paired passage set	10-11
Science	2 passages or 1 paired passage and 1 paired passage set	10-11

You will either see two history passages or one passage and a paired passage. A paired passage involves two related texts that are presented together, often offering different perspectives or approaches to a similar theme or topic. After reading both passages, test-takers are asked to compare and contrast the viewpoints, arguments, or styles of the authors. 

Paired passage questions may ask you to identify where the passages agree or disagree, how one author might respond to the other’s argument, or to interpret information from both texts. These passages are designed to assess your ability to synthesize information across multiple sources and think critically about differing perspectives.

What Are SAT History Passages?

The history-related passages on the SAT are part of the Reading and Writing section, and they can appear under a variety of formats. These may include excerpts from foundational texts like the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, or various speeches and writings by important historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King Jr. International documents and global conversations about governance, freedom, and human rights are also sometimes featured.

These passages can be challenging because they often feature older writing styles. Texts written in the 18th and 19th centuries, for example, might use archaic language or complex sentence structures. You may also encounter arguments that are more subtle or nuanced than in modern writings. However, the goal of these sections is not to confuse you; it’s to assess your ability to engage with these types of texts as a reader. Rather than testing your memorization of historical details, the SAT’s history passages are more concerned with how you interpret the information and recognize the author’s purpose in context. 

What Do The SAT History Passages Ask About?

The questions in the history passages of the SAT Reading and Writing test are not actually about what happened in history. You don’t need to know when certain legislation was passed or when a speech was given. Instead, they focus on how well you can analyze, interpret, and understand these historical texts. This is why strong reading comprehension skills, rather than an in-depth knowledge of historical facts, are crucial for performing well in this section.

Given that the SAT is focused on reading comprehension, the types of questions you will see related to the history passages often ask you to interpret the text on a deeper level. Common types of questions include:

• Main Idea: You might be asked to determine the main idea or argument of a passage. These questions are testing whether you can grasp the overall purpose of the historical document, even if it’s expressed in dense or old-fashioned language.
• Purpose of a Paragraph: Some questions might ask why a particular paragraph or sentence was included. These questions focus on the structure of the document and whether you can see how each part contributes to the overall argument or message.
• Word in Context: Historical texts sometimes use words in ways that differ from how we use them today. You may encounter questions that ask you to infer the meaning of a word or phrase based on how it is used within the passage.
• Analyzing Arguments: You might be asked to identify how an author builds their argument or supports their claims. For example, a question could focus on the types of evidence used or the rhetorical strategies employed.
• Author’s Tone and Style: Some questions may ask you to assess the tone or style of the writing. Is the author being formal, persuasive, or perhaps even sarcastic? Understanding tone is especially important in historical documents, as the writer’s style can give clues to their intention.

Tips for Studying and Test-Taking

Since the history passages on the SAT focus on reading comprehension, your study strategy should include regular practice with historical texts. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively.

Familiarize Yourself with Historical Texts

 While the SAT doesn’t require you to memorize facts, being comfortable with the types of documents that might appear can make a big difference. Read speeches, political essays, and foundational documents from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. The more you expose yourself to these older writing styles, the more comfortable you will be interpreting them under time constraints.

Work on Vocabulary in Context

One of the most important skills for the history passages is the ability to understand words in context. Historical documents may use vocabulary that has shifted in meaning over time, and the SAT loves to test this, especially since the full Vocabulary section was eliminated. Practice by looking up challenging words and seeing how they are used in various contexts, particularly in historical writing.

Understand the Structure of Arguments

Many SAT history passages are argumentative, meaning the author is trying to convince the reader of something. Practice recognizing how arguments are constructed. Look for thesis statements, supporting evidence, and rhetorical devices. Knowing how to identify these elements will help you answer questions about the passage’s purpose and structure.

Practice Summarizing Passages 

After reading a historical document, try to summarize the main points in a few sentences. This helps reinforce your understanding and ensures you’re focusing on the big picture rather than getting lost in difficult language.

Time Management

On the SAT, you have limited time to answer questions, so it’s important not to get bogged down on any one passage. Practice under timed conditions to get a sense of how long you can afford to spend on each question.

Practice Paired Passages

For passages that come in pairs, practice identifying similarities and differences in the perspectives or arguments presented. These types of questions can be tricky because they require you to synthesize information from two different texts.

Preparing For The SAT History Sections And More

Lots of students worry about the history sections of the Reading and Writing portion of the SAT, but you don’t have to be one of them! One of the best ways to become more confident and comfortable with these passages is to work on SAT prep with a dedicated tutor. Here at Prep Expert, our SAT classes will prepare you for the whole exam. You’ll learn test-taking strategies that will help you ace this portion of the test, even if history isn’t your favorite subject. Check out our SAT course catalog and see just how we can help you improve your SAT Reading and Writing outcomes!