Two weeks left until the SAT. At this point, most juniors and seniors are asking: what’s left to fix in just 14 days? The answer may surprise you. Punctuation rules—often overlooked—show up on nearly every test and can swing your Reading & Writing score by 30–40 points. The good news? They’re finite, learnable, and high-yield. Let’s break them down so you don’t donate points to traps on test day.
By Jordan Blake, SAT Prep Blogger & Tutor
Why Punctuation Trips Up Even High Scorers
When I check Reddit after each test date, I see the same kinds of posts:
- “Why was my semicolon wrong?”
- “Do dashes actually count on the SAT?”
- “The sentence sounded fine with just a comma—why was it wrong?”
These are smart students, many already scoring in the 1400–1500 range. And yet punctuation still burns them. Why? Because the SAT is testing rules, not “what sounds right.”
Think of it like math. If you solve for x but the question asked for 3x + 6, it doesn’t matter that your algebra was “close.” The SAT is ruthless about precision. Grammar works the same way: a single misplaced comma or wrong connector can turn an otherwise solid essay sentence into an official error.
The Comma Splice: A Classic SAT Trap
Here’s one you’ve definitely seen before.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.
That line from Forrest Gump sounds perfectly fine in casual conversation. But on the SAT? ❌ Wrong.
Why? Because you’re trying to glue two full sentences together with just a comma. That’s called a comma splice.
How to Fix It (SAT-approved strategies)
- Comma + conjunction Life is like a box of chocolates, and you never know what you’re gonna get.
- Stronger punctuationLife is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get.Life is like a box of chocolates— you never know what you’re gonna get.
👉 Golden Rule: Commas cannot join two independent clauses alone.
Tip: Many students admit they pick answers that “flow nicely” under timed pressure. But if you catch yourself thinking “this just sounds good”—stop. Always ask: Are there two complete sentences here? If yes, do I see a real connector or stronger punctuation?
Semicolon vs. Colon: SAT’s Favorite Subtle Distinction
This one gets people all the time. Both look fancy. Both require a complete sentence before them. But their purposes differ:
- Semicolon (;) → connects two related but independent sentences.
- Colon (:) → introduces, explains, or expands on the first idea.
Example (adapted from an official SAT style)
Solar power isn’t just a win for consumers ___ it also creates sustainable jobs for workers.
- ; as a result → grammatically okay, but it just links.
- : as a result → better, because the second clause explains why solar isn’t just for consumers.
👉 Rule: Use colons when the second part clarifies or expands.
Classroom analogy: Think of a colon as a teacher saying, “Here’s what I mean by that…” It’s explanatory, not just connective.
The Dash: Flexible but Misunderstood
Dashes on the SAT scare people, mostly because they’re used inconsistently in school writing. Here’s the reality:
- A single dash can sometimes behave like a colon or semicolon.
- But the SAT far more often tests double dashes as parenthetical interrupters.
Example
Digestion — the breakdown of food into nutrients and energy — is both a chemical and mechanical process.
Remove the middle: Digestion is both a chemical and mechanical process. Still works? ✅ Then the double dashes are correct.
👉 Rule: Double dashes = parentheses. Always in pairs.
Tip: A student once wrote, “I finally stopped fearing dashes when I treated them like little parentheses instead of mystery punctuation.” That mental shift is all you need.
Core Punctuation Rules to Lock Down
- Commas cannot join sentences. You need a conjunction or a stronger mark.
- Semicolons and colons require a complete sentence before them.
- Colons must introduce or explain. Don’t throw them in unless the second part is expanding the first.
- Double dashes work like parentheses. Remove the middle, and the sentence should still work.
Why Memorization Isn’t Enough
Here’s where students go wrong: they memorize these rules, nod along, and then still miss punctuation items. Why? Because the SAT doesn’t serve them up in isolation.
Instead, the test hides punctuation traps inside natural-sounding sentences. You’ll see verbs, transitions, modifiers, even data graphs—all in the same item. Your brain is juggling comprehension, timing, and grammar at once.
👉 That’s why drilling rules in isolation is just step one. The real training comes from mixed practice where punctuation appears alongside other grammar rules.
Practice That Actually Works
Here’s a three-step approach I’ve seen push students’ Writing scores up by 40+ points in two weeks:
1. Do mixed sets, not single-skill drills
Don’t just hammer “commas” for 30 minutes. Instead, blend punctuation with transitions, verbs, and modifiers. That’s how the SAT delivers them.
2. Label every mistake
After each miss, write:
- Why did I think it was right?
- What exact rule proves it wrong?
This is like building your own personal answer key. Over time, you’ll see your blind spots.
3. Build a personal checklist
On test day, run through these quick mental checks:
- Run-on check?
- Colon explanatory?
- Dash interrupting?
Students who actually use a checklist report feeling calmer under pressure—and picking the right answer more consistently.
Case Study: A 720 → 770 Jump
One of my students last spring kept stalling at 720 on Reading & Writing. When we audited his practice tests, nearly every miss was a punctuation trap.
He started labeling errors and drilling with a checklist. By the May SAT, punctuation had gone from his biggest weakness to guaranteed points. His R&W jumped to 770—not from new vocab, not from reading speed, but from finally locking down punctuation.
👉 Lesson: punctuation is high-yield. Fix it, and you gain both points and confidence.
Timing Tips for Punctuation Questions
- Don’t overthink. If both answers are “grammatically possible,” ask: Does one explain or expand? That’s usually the colon.
- Don’t trust vibes. If your gut says “it sounds okay,” stop and run the checklist.
- Flag and return. If you’re stuck between semicolon and colon, mark it and move. Wasting 2+ minutes kills pacing elsewhere.
Final 14-Day Action Plan
Here’s how to lock this in before October:
- Day 1–3: Review the four core rules. Build your checklist.
- Day 4–7: Drill mixed sets (Bluebook + trusted tools). Focus on run-ons, colons, and double dashes.
- Day 8–10: Take one full Writing module every other day. Label every punctuation miss.
- Day 11–13: Re-do your mistakes. Create a one-page “punctuation playbook” from your own errors.
- Day 14 (test eve): Light review. Read your checklist. Don’t cram.
Quick FAQs
Q: How many punctuation questions are on the SAT?
A: Usually 4–6, but many overlap with transition or logic questions. That makes them even more valuable.
Q: Should I trust my ear?
A: No. The SAT rewards rules, not intuition. Always test for complete sentences and relationships.
Q: What’s the fastest way to practice?
A: Bluebook for authenticity, paired with adaptive review tools that force you to name the rule, not just see the answer.
Q: Can punctuation alone raise my score?
A: Yes—especially if you’re stuck in the 680–740 range. Cleaning up punctuation can be the difference between mid-700s and 760+.
Final Word
In the last two weeks before the SAT, you don’t need to reinvent your prep. You need to shore up the traps that cost you points over and over. Punctuation is one of those traps.
Master comma splices, know when to use a colon vs. semicolon, and treat double dashes like parentheses. These aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re predictable, repeatable, and guaranteed to appear.
Lock these down now, and you’ll walk into the October SAT knowing one part of the test can’t touch you.
Why I Recommend AlphaTest for Punctuation Practice
If you’re already using Bluebook, great. But many students need extra reps to turn rules into reflexes. That’s where AlphaTest has been a lifesaver for my students:
- Bluebook-style interface → scrolling, flagging, Desmos built-in.
- Adaptive drills → missed punctuation traps resurface until you nail them.
- Timing analytics → shows where you bleed seconds, especially on longer sentences.
- Hard-question packs → focus on tricky colon/semicolon vs. dash questions.
- Smart review → forces you to name the rule, not just see the correct answer.
👉 Paired with Bluebook, it becomes your daily cockpit: what to fix today, how to measure tomorrow, and when to taper.
If you’re serious about converting silly errors into guaranteed points, this is one of the fastest ways to do it.
