SAT Practice Test 2026: 100 Scholastic Assessment
Test Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. The word mitigate most nearly means:
A. Increase
B. Reduce
C. Ignore
D. Predict
Answer: B. Reduce
Rationale: Mitigate means to make something less severe, harmful, or painful.
2. Although the experiment produced promising results, the researchers remained
______ about drawing conclusions.
A. cautious
B. careless
C. enthusiastic
D. certain
Answer: A. Cautious
Rationale: The word “although” creates a contrast. Promising results would make
researchers interested, but they would remain cautious before making conclusions.
3. The novel was initially criticized for its unusual structure. ______, later critics praised
the author for experimenting with narrative form.
A. Similarly
B. Nevertheless
C. Therefore
D. For example
Answer: B. Nevertheless
Rationale: “Nevertheless” signals a contrast between the initial criticism and later praise.
4. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. The students studies every evening.
,B. The students studying every evening.
C. The students study every evening.
D. The students has studied every evening.
Answer: C. The students study every evening.
Rationale: The plural subject “students” requires the plural verb “study.”
5. The scientist recorded the results carefully, ______ she wanted other researchers to
be able to reproduce the experiment.
A. because
B. but
C. although
D. unless
Answer: A. Because
Rationale: “Because” correctly introduces the reason the scientist recorded the results
carefully.
6. A researcher surveyed 500 students about their preferred study methods. Which
information would best support the claim that students prefer studying in groups?
A. The students came from several schools.
B. 62% reported that group study was their preferred method.
C. The survey was conducted in September.
D. The students were between 15 and 18 years old.
Answer: B. 62% reported that group study was their preferred method.
Rationale: This directly provides quantitative evidence supporting the claim.
7. The passage states that Maya practiced the piano for two hours every day despite
having little free time. What can reasonably be inferred?
A. Maya disliked music.
B. Maya was committed to improving her skills.
C. Maya had no other responsibilities.
D. Maya had already mastered the piano.
, Answer: B. Maya was committed to improving her skills.
Rationale: Practicing consistently despite limited free time suggests dedication and
commitment.
8. Which choice best completes the sentence?
The new transportation system reduced traffic congestion. ______, commuters reported
shorter travel times.
A. In contrast
B. As a result
C. Nevertheless
D. For instance
Answer: B. As a result
Rationale: Shorter travel times logically follow from reduced congestion, so “as a result”
is appropriate.
9. Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?
A. The researcher collected three types of data, temperature, pressure, and humidity.
B. The researcher collected three types of data: temperature, pressure, and humidity.
C. The researcher collected three types of data; temperature, pressure, and humidity.
D. The researcher collected three types of data temperature, pressure, and humidity.
Answer: B.
Rationale: A colon correctly introduces a list that follows a complete clause.
10. The museum’s new exhibit features paintings by several artists. ______, it includes
sculptures from the same period.
A. However
B. In addition
C. Instead
D. Otherwise
Answer: B. In addition
Rationale: “In addition” appropriately adds another related feature to the exhibit.
Test Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. The word mitigate most nearly means:
A. Increase
B. Reduce
C. Ignore
D. Predict
Answer: B. Reduce
Rationale: Mitigate means to make something less severe, harmful, or painful.
2. Although the experiment produced promising results, the researchers remained
______ about drawing conclusions.
A. cautious
B. careless
C. enthusiastic
D. certain
Answer: A. Cautious
Rationale: The word “although” creates a contrast. Promising results would make
researchers interested, but they would remain cautious before making conclusions.
3. The novel was initially criticized for its unusual structure. ______, later critics praised
the author for experimenting with narrative form.
A. Similarly
B. Nevertheless
C. Therefore
D. For example
Answer: B. Nevertheless
Rationale: “Nevertheless” signals a contrast between the initial criticism and later praise.
4. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. The students studies every evening.
,B. The students studying every evening.
C. The students study every evening.
D. The students has studied every evening.
Answer: C. The students study every evening.
Rationale: The plural subject “students” requires the plural verb “study.”
5. The scientist recorded the results carefully, ______ she wanted other researchers to
be able to reproduce the experiment.
A. because
B. but
C. although
D. unless
Answer: A. Because
Rationale: “Because” correctly introduces the reason the scientist recorded the results
carefully.
6. A researcher surveyed 500 students about their preferred study methods. Which
information would best support the claim that students prefer studying in groups?
A. The students came from several schools.
B. 62% reported that group study was their preferred method.
C. The survey was conducted in September.
D. The students were between 15 and 18 years old.
Answer: B. 62% reported that group study was their preferred method.
Rationale: This directly provides quantitative evidence supporting the claim.
7. The passage states that Maya practiced the piano for two hours every day despite
having little free time. What can reasonably be inferred?
A. Maya disliked music.
B. Maya was committed to improving her skills.
C. Maya had no other responsibilities.
D. Maya had already mastered the piano.
, Answer: B. Maya was committed to improving her skills.
Rationale: Practicing consistently despite limited free time suggests dedication and
commitment.
8. Which choice best completes the sentence?
The new transportation system reduced traffic congestion. ______, commuters reported
shorter travel times.
A. In contrast
B. As a result
C. Nevertheless
D. For instance
Answer: B. As a result
Rationale: Shorter travel times logically follow from reduced congestion, so “as a result”
is appropriate.
9. Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?
A. The researcher collected three types of data, temperature, pressure, and humidity.
B. The researcher collected three types of data: temperature, pressure, and humidity.
C. The researcher collected three types of data; temperature, pressure, and humidity.
D. The researcher collected three types of data temperature, pressure, and humidity.
Answer: B.
Rationale: A colon correctly introduces a list that follows a complete clause.
10. The museum’s new exhibit features paintings by several artists. ______, it includes
sculptures from the same period.
A. However
B. In addition
C. Instead
D. Otherwise
Answer: B. In addition
Rationale: “In addition” appropriately adds another related feature to the exhibit.
