Punctuation: How to Crush These Question Types on the ACT® & SAT®

Punctuation is tested on the English section of the ACT®, the Writing section of the SAT®, and the Reading & Writing module on the DSAT®. However, the particular types of punctuation marks tested are dependent on the test taken. 

In this post, we’ll unpack which punctuation marks are tested on each of these tests, how they may appear, and how you can help your students totally crush these question types!

ACT®: Usage and Mechanics

ACT® English punctuation falls under the Usage and Mechanics domain. Punctuation questions are presented as editing options for correcting an element of a sentence or an entire sentence. Tests takers will evaluate each of the answer choices provided, and decide which of those options is the most appropriate choice.

Test takers can expect to be tested on almost the entire gamut of punctuation marks, which includes: commas, colons, semicolons, dashes, apostrophes, periods, question marks, and exclamation points.

SAT®: Standard English Conventions: Conventions of Punctuation

SAT® Writing punctuation falls under the Standard English Conventions domain and the Conventions of Punctuation concept. Just like on the ACT® English section, punctuation questions on the SAT® Writing section are presented as editing options for correcting an element of a sentence or an entire sentence. Tests takers will evaluate each of the answer choices provided, and decide which of those options is the most appropriate choice.

Test takers can expect to be tested on colons, dashes, semicolons, commas, and apostrophes. 

DSAT®: Standard English Conventions: Boundaries

DSAT® Reading and Writing punctuation falls under the Standard English Conventions domain and the Boundaries skill. 

Unlike the ACT® and SAT®, the DSAT® directly asks the question, “Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?“ to prompt the test taker to evaluate each of the answer choices provided, and decide which of those options is the most appropriate choice.

Test takers can expect to be tested on colons, dashes, semicolons, commas, and apostrophes.

Punctuation Rules to Follow:

Below, we’ve provided the basic rules of punctuation as well as some tips and tricks for each of the abovementioned punctuation marks tested on the ACT®, SAT®, and DSAT®.

  • Comma (and appropriate conjunction) - There are two methods for combining sentences using a comma:

  1. With a FANBOYS conjunction (And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So) joining two complete clauses.

  2. Alone, separating two complete clauses. 

The comma is used to help readers avoid misunderstanding the structure and pacing of a sentence. A comma signifies to the reader that a complete clause has ended, and the conjunction indicates that another complete clause has begun.

  • Colon - A colon must come after a complete clause, no matter if you’re introducing a list, providing an explanation, or introducing a quote. 

If the colon is replaced with a period, and the remainder of the sentence cut, the reader would still be left with a complete sentence. A colon simply allows a writer to offer further context to a complete clause while giving purpose to the words that follow.

There are just three acceptable uses for the colon:

  1. After a complete clause to introduce a list of items

  2. After a complete clause in order to elaborate

  3. To introduce a quotation

  • Semicolon - The semicolon is typically used to separate two complete clauses that are also related in both meaning and grammatical form. Basically, any two sentences that should be connected by a semicolon are corresponding, grammatically complete sentences that make more sense to the reader when joined together.

Since a semicolon must have a complete clause on either side of it, semicolons are interchangeable with periods. 

This means two things when the semicolon is being tested:

  1. A semicolon is only correct when used to connect complete clauses if it can be replaced with a period.

  2. Students will never be asked to choose between a semicolon and a period in the same set of answer choices.

  • Dash - Dashes are only tested in two ways:

  1. To set off a nonessential clause (just as a comma could).

  2. To introduce a list or an explanation (just as a colon could).

When using dashes to set off a nonessential clause, remember that the information inside of those dashes is always extraneous, meaning it cannot be the subject of the sentence. If you can remove the information set off by dashes and still have a complete clause, the dashes are being used correctly. 

When using dashes to introduce a list or an explanation, it’s important to remind students that there must be an independent clause before the dash. In this fashion, dashes are used to tack on information that emphasizes or explains the preceding complete clause.

Side Note: It is important to remind your students that dashes and commas cannot be mixed and matched; they must stick together when used in pairs. If you decide to set off a nonessential clause with a dash, you must end that clause with a dash before finishing the sentence, and the same goes for commas.

  • Apostrophe - Apostrophes are tested in two ways:

  1. Possessive of a singular noun (e.g.,. business’s)

  2. Possessive of a plural noun (e.g.,. businesses’)

However, apostrophes are also very often tested alongside plural nouns; test makers want to make sure that test takers know that you cannot create a plural noun by adding an apostrophe, and you cannot make a possessive noun by adding -s or -es. 

  • Period - The period is the full stop of the punctuation family. It is, more often than not, the best way to correct a run-on sentence. A period placed between two separate sentences―after the first complete clause, but before the start of the second complete clause―avoids a long and wordy run-on sentence.

  • Question Marks and Exclamation Points - These punctuation marks are more of a rarity than the rest. That said, test takers still need to be prepared for them all the same.

  • Question marks are used when asking a direct or rhetorical question. 

  • Exclamation points are used to provide emphasis or express a strong feeling. However, they are also a particular style choice that are only used appropriately when they match the tone of the text. For instance, if the writing is formal or academic, an exclamation point would not be an appropriate choice.

Understanding basic punctuation and grammar rules, as well as knowing which punctuation marks to prepare for before the test, will no doubt help your students be fully prepared to crush punctuation questions and improve their performance on the ACT® English, SAT® Writing, or DSAT® Reading and Writing sections.

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Matt McCorkleACT® English, DSAT® Reading and Writing, SAT® Writing, Test-Prep Strategies, Test-Prep Advice, Test Prep