The PSAT Writing Section
| Length | Question Types |
| One 36-Minute Section | 20 Improving Sentences 14 Identifying Sentence Errors 5 Improving Paragraphs |
PSAT Writing Multiple-Choice Questions
The Identifying Sentence Errors and Improving Sentences questions are based on single, unrelated sentences on a variety of topics. The Improving Paragraph questions are based on a brief passage.
In terms of scoring, if you get a multiple-choice question right, you earn 1 point. If you get it wrong, you lose ¼ of a point. If you omit the question, you neither gain nor lose any points.
STRATEGY SESSION:
Kaplan's 4-Step Strategy for the SAT Writing Multiple-Choice Questions
STEP 1: Read the Whole Sentence, Listening for the Mistake
STEP 2: If You Clearly Hear the Mistake, Choose It and Move On
STEP 3: If Not, Read Each Underlined Choice and Eliminate Choices That Contain No Errors
STEP 4: Choose From the Remaining Choices