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SAT Reading and Writing skill page

SAT Command of Evidence Practice

Learn how to connect claims to the exact sentence, result, or detail that proves them.

Practice Command of Evidence in Dolphin Try examples
12-18 min practice time 3 examples on page Information and Ideas
Practice time 12-18 min
On-page examples 3 examples
Best for Information and Ideas

What this tests

What to know for this SAT skill

Practice examples

Try a few SAT-style questions

Example 1 Easy

A passage says a city added bus-only lanes and average bus trip times dropped by 12%. Which evidence best supports the claim that the lanes improved travel times?

  1. The city added bus-only lanes.
  2. Average bus trip times dropped by 12%.
  3. Some riders preferred trains.
  4. The lanes were painted red.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: Average bus trip times dropped by 12%.

The claim is about improved travel times, so the evidence must show a change in travel time.

Example 2 Medium

A study found that students who took weekly practice quizzes retained 20% more material after a month. Which claim is best supported?

  1. Practice quizzes can support long-term retention.
  2. Students dislike weekly quizzes.
  3. All tests should be replaced by quizzes.
  4. Monthly studying is better than weekly studying.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: Practice quizzes can support long-term retention.

The study links weekly quizzes to better retention after a month, so that claim is directly supported.

Example 3 Hard

A novel is told through letters from several characters, and each letter leaves out information that another letter later reveals. Which claim is best supported?

  1. The novel uses multiple viewpoints to create uncertainty.
  2. The novel is written in a single narrator voice.
  3. The novel avoids conflict between characters.
  4. The novel explains every event immediately.
Show answer and explanation

Answer: The novel uses multiple viewpoints to create uncertainty.

The passage describes multiple letter writers and delayed information, which supports the idea of uncertainty through multiple viewpoints.

Avoid these traps

Common mistakes on this skill

Picking true but irrelevant evidence

Evidence must support the specific claim in the question, not just repeat a true passage detail.

Overstating the passage

Avoid answers with extreme words if the evidence only supports a narrower claim.

Ignoring data wording

When a chart or statistic is involved, match the exact direction and comparison shown.

Study plan

How to practice this skill in Dolphin

  1. Underline the claim or task in the question.
  2. Find the specific detail, statistic, or sentence that addresses that claim.
  3. Eliminate answers that are true but do not prove the claim.
  4. Choose the answer with the closest evidence-to-claim match.
Practice Command of Evidence in Dolphin

Related practice

Build the surrounding skills

SAT Words in Context PracticeSAT Transitions PracticeSAT Punctuation PracticeSAT Reading and Writing skill hub

FAQ

Questions about SAT Command of Evidence Practice

What does Command of Evidence mean on the SAT?

It means using details, data, or passage statements to support a claim accurately.

Are evidence questions always about quotes?

No. Evidence can come from wording, data, comparisons, research findings, or a specific passage detail.

How do I improve at evidence questions?

Practice naming the claim first, then choosing only the detail that directly proves that claim.