Prepare for the SAT: Command of Evidence Questions

As a high school student preparing for standardized tests, you might be wondering how to improve reading comprehension so you can achieve a higher score. By familiarizing yourself with command of evidence questions, you can give compelling responses to even the most complex questions on the SATs. In this article, our education nonprofit discusses the definition of command of evidence, why these questions appear on the SATs, and how to answer them.

What Is the Definition of Command of Evidence?

Command of evidence is the use of specific information that helps explain the why behind your answer. This can be used for both objective and subjective claims. For instance, if you’re giving your opinion on an answer, consider using data to support your claim. This will reinforce your ideas and make the answer more credible. These questions will appear in these SAT sections:

• Reading test
• Writing and language test
• Optional essay

Examples of Command of Evidence on the SAT

Despite differences in writing styles, each one has one unique aspect in common: the use of evidence to support their claim. By utilizing evidence, such as facts, figures, examples, details, and reasons, your reader will have a clear understanding behind your reasoning and might be more inclined to agree with you.

For example, consider these two sentences and find which one you’re more likely to believe:

Sentence A: It’s hard to get into Harvard University.

Or

Sentence B: It’s hard to get into Harvard University because it has a 5% acceptance rate.

Sentence A makes a claim without backing it up with further information. Perhaps it’s true, but we don’t know why it’s true. Is it because Harvard only accepts students with specific academic profiles? Or is it because the college only admits students from its local geographic area?

Sentence B still makes the same claim. However, it uses a statistical figure to explain the reasoning behind it. Now the reader can understand for themselves why it’s hard to get into Harvard University: because it’s a selective school.

What Does the SAT Reading Section Test You On?

According to the College Board SAT Suite, here are the ways you can use information to support your command of evidence answer:

• Reading test: Determining the best evidence in a passage for an answer to a previous question or the best evidence for a specific conclusion.
• Reading test/writing and language test: Interpreting data provided on informational charts and forming connections between the words and data.
• Reading test: Understanding how the author of an argument uses or fails to use evidence to support claims.
• Writing and language test: Revising a passage to clarify main ideas, strengthen support, or sharpen focus.

How SAT Test Scores Are Calculated

SAT scores range from 400 to 1600 and consist of three primary sections: reading test, writing and language test, and math test. Both the reading section and the writing and language test are calculated together as one section, so this equates to half of your SAT score.

Command of Evidence Subscores

A total of 18 questions on the SATs are calculated as command of evidence subscores. Ten come from the reading test, and eight belong to the writing and language section. These questions can earn you between 1 and 15 points each.

How to Prepare for Command of Evidence SAT Questions

Ensuring your SAT scores are high will require plenty of preparation ahead of time. While focusing on command of evidence questions can be beneficial, make sure to review and test yourself on the other sections as well.

Practice Answering Command of Evidence Questions

The best way to prepare for these types of questions on the SATs is to try practice tests on your own. This will give you a feel for the actual test, helping you improve your timing and manage stress when the real test day arrives. The College Board has a free, full-length SAT test you can download.

Use the Word ‘Because’ with SAT Answers

“Because” is the gateway word toward utilizing effective command of evidence. Consider the same example given above; the word “because” was used to explain why Harvard University is so hard to get accepted by. While working on your practice SAT test, check that your answers have “because” included.

Prepare for Command of Evidence in Multiple Choice

If you see a multiple-choice command of evidence question on the SAT, it’s usually accompanied by a statement. Note that it’s likely asking you to choose from several options that back up the claim of the statement, so you’ll want to read each option carefully and decide which one achieves the author’s primary aim.

Lake Zaysan in eastern Kazakhstan is considered the oldest freshwater lake in the world. It’s estimated to have been formed approximately 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. Although its exact age is debated, it is thought to be older than Lake Baikal, which is commonly referred to as the oldest lake. Lake Zaysan covers over 700 square miles and usually freezes in the winter.

Question: Which of the following supports the claim that Lake Zaysan is the oldest freshwater lake in the world?

• A. It’s estimated to have been formed approximately 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period.
• B. Lake Zaysan covers over 700 square miles and usually freezes in the winter.
• C. Although its exact age is debated, it is thought to be older than Lake Baikal.

The answer should be A, because the actual age of the lake (65 million years) is used to support the claim that it’s the oldest lake in the world.

Key Takeaways for Command of Evidence Questions

Command of evidence questions on the SAT require information, such as statistics, facts, or figures, to back up a claim. Some statements may have more than one fact or figure, so be sure to read the question prompt carefully and select the information that best supports your answer. When creating a written response (not multiple choice), incorporate the word “because” in your answer, which creates a clear segway into the supporting evidence.