Never Miss Another SAT Transition Question

Main Idea

SAT transition questions test the relationship between the sentence before the blank and the sentence containing the blank. According to the presenter, mistakes generally come from one of two problems:

1. Misunderstanding the passage.
2. Not knowing what relationship each transition choice signals.

The recommended approach is to read the whole passage carefully, identify the relationship between the sentences, and only then select a transition.

Recommended Method

• Read every word from beginning to end. Don’t stop once you think you know the answer; a small detail may change the relationship.
• Treat a semicolon like a period when identifying the sentences around the blank. On the SAT, each side of a semicolon can function as a separate sentence.
• Decide on the relationship before looking at the choices. Naming the likely category first can help prevent distractors from steering your interpretation.
• Check that the chosen word or phrase fits both the relationship and the passage’s specific wording.
• If you forget a transition’s meaning, try putting it into a simple sentence and noticing what kind of relationship naturally follows. The presenter recommends memorizing transition words when possible, since this fallback method may not always work.

The Eight Transition Categories

The categories below appear in the order the presenter gives them, with frequency figures and other statistics reported in the video.

1. Subverting expectations — 28.63% of answer choices

   • The second sentence goes against what the first sentence led you to expect.
   • Look for opposing ideas or language, such as barren versus fertile.
   • Common transitions: however, nevertheless, by contrast, on the other hand, instead, and granted.

2. Zooming in — 16.5%

   • The second sentence gives a specific example or adds detail about the first.
   • Common transitions: for example, for instance, to illustrate, and specifically.
   • Shared subject matter does not automatically mean the second sentence is an example; check the actual logical relationship.

3. Swapping — 15.55%

   • The sentences make related or parallel points and could be switched without changing the passage’s meaning.
   • Common transitions: in addition, additionally, moreover, furthermore, similarly, and likewise.
   • Use the “Could I swap these sentences?” test. The presenter says this category is a frequent distractor, particularly on harder questions.

4. Cause and effect — 15.17%

   • The second sentence happens or follows because of the first.
   • Test it by asking whether you can sensibly say, “Because of the first sentence, the second sentence happened.”
   • Common transitions: as a result, thus, accordingly, consequently, and therefore.

5. Sequence — 12.35%

   • The passage describes events or steps in a timeline or order.
   • Look for dates, time markers, or a progression of events.
   • Common transitions: meanwhile, next, then, ultimately, lastly, and later.

6. Restatement — 7.4%

   • The second sentence repeats the first idea in different words, adding no new information.
   • Common transitions: in other words, in conclusion, and in summary.
   • The presenter reports that this category was correct only once in 51 appearances in the question bank, so it is usually a distractor.

7. Confirmation — 3.32%

   • The second sentence adds information that supports or confirms the first.
   • Common transitions: indeed, in fact, and of course.
   • Although uncommon, the presenter says this category was correct about 57% of the time when it appeared.

8. Frequency — 0.87%

   • The second sentence describes how often something happens or a trend over time.
   • Common transitions: sometimes, increasingly, more often, in many cases, intermittently, and again and again.
   • The presenter says it was correct five out of six times it appeared in the question bank.

Additional Cautions

• A transition word’s category can depend on context. For example, then can signal sequence or cause and effect.
• Two choices may belong to the same broad category. The presenter says that when multiple options do this, they are usually all wrong, though not invariably. Nuances can distinguish them: granted often introduces a concession, while however signals a more direct contrast.
• Newer questions may use longer, context-specific phrases instead of short transitions. Solve them the same way: identify the relationship first, then check that the phrase accurately describes the passage. With these choices, also verify what phrases such as “this characterization” refer to.
• The presenter recommends memorizing a flashcard set of transition words and their categories, then practicing until the method becomes reliable.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Speaker: James Lu, the video’s presenter, who explains the strategies and examples.
• Sources referenced: The presenter’s review of 173 questions in the official College Board question bank, SAT-style examples discussed in the video, and the presenter’s observations from official SATs and work with students.