Here’s a practical roadmap to raise your Digital SAT Reading & Writing (RW) score, broken down by what actually moves the needle on this new adaptive format.

1. First, Diagnose Your Starting Point

Before grinding random questions, take a full Bluebook practice test (College Board’s official app). Digital SAT is adaptive—your Module 2 difficulty depends on Module 1 performance—so you need to practice under realistic conditions.

Analyze your score report by domain:

• Craft & Structure (vocab, function/purpose, cross-text connections)
• Information & Ideas (central ideas, inferences, command of evidence)
• Standard English Conventions (grammar, punctuation, usage)
• Expression of Ideas (rhetorical synthesis—the new note-to-prose questions)

Action: Identify which 2 domains are bleeding the most points. You’ll prioritize those first.

2. Master the Format-Specific Strategy

The Digital SAT is NOT the old paper SAT. Every passage is 25–150 words with exactly one question.

Timing: 54 questions in 64 minutes = ~71 seconds per question. Budget:

• Grammar/Punctuation: 30–45 seconds (look for the error pattern)
• Vocab in Context: 45–60 seconds (process of elimination based on connotation)
• Reading Comprehension: 60–75 seconds (predict the answer before reading choices)

Adaptive Strategy:

• Module 1: Treat every question as high-stakes. Missing “easy” questions here locks you out of the harder (but higher-scoring) Module 2.
• Module 2 (Harder): If you get here, answers will be subtler. Focus on precise wording—eliminate anything that adds a detail not in the text.

3. Domain-Specific Tactics

Standard English Conventions (Quick Wins)

These are your “money questions”—fast and objective.

• Memorize the comma rules: Introductory clauses, nonessential clauses, items in a list, FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) between independent clauses.
• Subject-verb agreement & pronoun clarity: Read the sentence aloud in your head; your ear catches “the group of students are” faster than analysis.
• Practice: 10–15 Khan Academy grammar questions daily. Track your error patterns (e.g., “I always miss semicolons”).

Craft & Structure (Vocab & Function)

• Vocab in Context: Don’t just memorize lists. When you miss a word, create a sentence frame using the specific context from the question. E.g., if “elusive” was the answer, write: “The scientist found the cure elusive after years of failed experiments.”
• Function/Purpose: Read the highlighted portion first, then the context around it. Ask: “Is this supporting a claim? Introducing a counterargument? Providing evidence?” Match that verb to the answer choices.
• Cross-Text Connections: These give you two short texts. Read the question first to know what relationship to look for (agreement, disagreement, generalization vs. specific example). Then skim Text 1 for the claim, Text 2 for the response.

Information & Ideas (Inference & Evidence)

• Command of Evidence: Find the answer to the question first, then pick the quote that supports it. Don’t work backwards from the quotes.
• Inference: The answer is a paraphrase or logical consequence of the text. If the passage says “crowds thinned after the rain started,” the inference is “weather affected attendance,” not “people hate rain” (too extreme) or “the event ended” (unsupported).

Expression of Ideas (Rhetorical Synthesis)

This is the new question type unique to the Digital SAT: you get bullet-point notes and must choose the best sentence using them.

• Check the goal: Does the prompt ask you to introduce the topic, emphasize a contrast, or highlight a result?
• Eliminate: Any answer that leaves out a required note or adds outside information.
• Concision: When two answers look correct, the one with fewer words (while retaining all required info) is usually right.

4. The Review Loop (Where Growth Happens)

Don’t just take practice tests—interrogate them.

The “Why I Missed It” Log: For every mistake, categorize it:

1. Content gap (didn’t know the grammar rule)
2. Careless error (misread “except” as “accept”)
3. Time pressure (rushed and didn’t check all options)
4. Trick answer (fell for extreme language like “always” or “never”)

Fix Protocol:

• Content gap → Study the rule, then do 5 targeted questions immediately.
• Careless → Circle key words (EXCEPT, NOT, BEST) during practice to build the habit.
• Time pressure → Skip and flag harder reading questions; secure all grammar points first.

5. Week-by-Week Action Plan

Weeks 1–2: Foundation

• Complete Bluebook Tests 1 & 2 (simulated conditions).
• Drill 20 grammar questions daily; memorize all punctuation rules.
• Build vocab: 10 words/day using context sentences from SAT practice questions.

Weeks 3–4: Strategy

• Focus on your weakest domain (from diagnostic).
• Practice Module 1 strategy: Slow down on questions 1–15 to ensure you qualify for Hard Module 2.
• Master Rhetorical Synthesis (Khan Academy has specific practice for this).

Weeks 5–6: Endurance & Adaptivity

• Alternate between Bluebook Tests 3 & 4 and QAS tests (official past exams).
• Review every single mistake within 24 hours.
• Practice “blitz” sessions: 11 questions in 14 minutes (simulating module pressure).

6. Recommended Resources

• Official: Bluebook app (non-negotiable), College Board Question Bank (filter by domain).
• Third-party: Erica Meltzer’s Digital SAT English (grammar rules), Khan Academy (free, aligned).
• Vocab: Quizlet SAT lists, but prioritize words from official practice tests over random lists.

What’s your current score range, and which domain feels hardest right now?

If you tell me whether you’re scoring in the 400s (grammar focus needed), 500s (strategy/timing issues), or 600s (precision/advanced inference), I can give you a more targeted drill set. Also, are you struggling more with the time pressure or with understanding the passages?

Boosting your score on the Digital SAT (DSAT) Reading and Writing section requires a shift in strategy from the old paper-and-pencil test. Because the DSAT uses shorter passages with one question each, your focus should be on pattern recognition and grammar mastery.

Here is a step-by-step actionable guide to increasing your score.

Phase 1: Secure the "Easy Points" (Grammar)

Roughly 40-45% of the Reading and Writing section focuses on Standard English Conventions. These are the most "hackable" points because the rules never change.

1. Master Punctuation Rules:
   • The Semicolon (;): Used ONLY to join two independent sentences.
   • The Colon (:): Must follow a complete sentence, but can be followed by a list, a word, or another sentence that explains the first.
   • The Dash (—): Used in pairs for non-essential info (like commas) or singly to act like a colon.
   • The Comma (,): Learn the "comma splice" error. You cannot join two full sentences with just a comma.
2. Identify Subject-Verb Agreement: Locate the "real" subject. Ignore prepositional phrases (e.g., in "The box of chocolates is on the table," the subject is box, not chocolates).
3. Verb Tense Consistency: Look at the surrounding sentences. If the paragraph is in the past tense, the answer is likely in the past tense.

Phase 2: Master the "Transitions" (Expression of Ideas)

These questions ask you to pick the best bridge between two sentences (e.g., However, Therefore, Additionally).

• Categorize the Transitions: When you see a transition question, group the options:
  • Contrast: However, Nevertheless, Conversely.
  • Cause/Effect: Therefore, Thus, Consequently.
  • Addition: Moreover, Additionally, Furthermore.
  • Example: For instance, Specifically.
• The Strategy: Read the sentence before the blank and the sentence after. Determine the relationship before looking at the choices. If the sentences agree, eliminate all "Contrast" options.

Phase 3: Tackle "Words in Context" (Vocabulary)

The DSAT loves high-level academic vocabulary.

• Don't Just Memorize Lists: Learn how words function in context. Focus on secondary meanings (e.g., "address" can mean "to speak to" or "to deal with").
• Use the "Positive/Negative" Filter: If the passage describes a successful experiment, eliminate any answer choices with negative connotations.
• Use Context Clues: Look for "trigger words" like although (indicates an opposite) or similarly (indicates a synonym).

Phase 4: Strategic Reading for "Information & Ideas"

For the longer "Main Idea" or "Evidence" questions, do not read the passage like a novel.

1. Read the Question First: Know exactly what you are looking for (e.g., "Which choice best supports the claim?") before you read the text.
2. The "Notes" Questions (Rhetorical Synthesis): You will see questions that provide a list of bulleted notes and ask you to achieve a specific goal (e.g., "The student wants to emphasize the difference between...").
   • The Hack: Ignore the bullet points. Only read the "Goal" (the last sentence). Then, find the answer choice that accomplishes that specific goal. This can save you 60 seconds per question.
3. Identify the "Pivot": Most DSAT passages have a "pivot" word like but, yet, or however. The information after the pivot is usually the most important for finding the correct answer.

Phase 5: The Action Plan (Weekly Schedule)

• Step 1: Take a Diagnostic. Download the College Board Bluebook App and take Practice Test 1. This identifies your weak areas.
• Step 2: Drill on Khan Academy. Use their Digital SAT Reading and Writing course. It is the only official partner of the College Board.
• Step 3: Build an Error Log. For every question you miss, write down:
  • Why did I get it wrong? (Misread the question? Didn't know the grammar rule?)
  • What is the specific rule I need to remember?
  • How will I identify this question type next time?
• Step 4: Take a Full Practice Test every 2 weeks. Mimic testing conditions exactly.

To give you more specific advice, I need to know a bit more about your current situation:

1. What was your score (or estimated score) on your last practice test or PSAT?
2. Which specific question types do you struggle with most (e.g., the hard vocabulary, the science passages, or the grammar)?
3. How much time do you have before your actual test date?