How to Find the Central Idea in SAT Reading Passages
on 3 days ago
What is the Central Idea?
The central idea is the author's main point—the reason the passage exists.
Think of it like the thesis of a short essay.
How to Spot It Fast
- Check the intro & conclusion — usually where the author states the big idea.
- Ignore details at first — don't get distracted by data or examples.
- Ask: what’s the passage really about?
What Central Idea Questions Look Like
- “Which choice best summarizes the passage?”
- “The author’s primary claim is...”
- “What is the main purpose of the passage?”
Common Mistakes
- Picking a supporting detail instead of the main point
- Confusing tone with purpose
Practice on Our Platform
We tag all questions with Central Idea skills so you can:
- 🔁 Filter and practice only these
- 📉 See your central idea accuracy trend
- 📌 Review AI explanations for wrong picks
Ready to get the big picture? Let’s go.