Essential Vocabulary for the Digital SAT: Mastering Transitions

One of the trickiest parts of the SAT Reading and Writing section isn’t the long passages — it’s the tiny words that hold everything together. Transitional words and phrases may look simple, but on the Digital SAT, they play a huge role in determining whether a sentence flows logically or falls flat.

Understanding Transitions Questions is key to scoring high in the Expression of Ideas domain. These questions test your ability to choose the most logical connector between two sentences (or parts of one). The right transition clarifies relationships between ideas — contrast, cause, example, sequence, or conclusion. Let’s break down how to tackle them effectively.

How to Approach Transitions Questions

Top scorers tend to follow three simple but powerful steps:

1. Understand both sides of the blank.
   You can’t pick the right transition unless you know how the two parts relate. Read carefully before and after the blank.
2. Identify the relationship.
   Are the ideas contrasting, continuing, showing cause and effect, or giving an example? Spotting this relationship is half the battle.
3. Evaluate the choices.
   Eliminate transitions that don’t reflect the relationship you identified. If one stands out as the most logical connector, that’s your answer.

Example:

Trilobites were marine arthropods that thrived for over 270 million years before suddenly vanishing from the fossil record. While the exact reasons for their extinction remain unknown, a number of compelling theories have emerged. ______ one hypothesis suggests that their extinction was the result of environmental changes such as fluctuations in sea levels, global cooling, and oxygen depletion.

Which choice completes the text most logically?
A. Still
B. Consequently
C. Fittingly
D. For instance

The sentence after the blank presents a specific example of a “compelling theory.” The best transition is (D) For instance.

Transition Categories

When stuck, think of transitions as belonging to families. Each category signals a specific type of relationship between ideas.

1. Effect Transitions

Show a result or consequence.
Examples: therefore, consequently, as a result, for this reason

DNA can often be contaminated by environmental factors such as skin cells or dust. Therefore, forensic analysts must take precautions to prevent false readings.

2. Continuation Transitions

Add a new but related idea.
Examples: moreover, in addition, likewise, similarly

The film Inception is praised for its narrative complexity. In addition, it’s admired for its striking visual effects.

3. Time & Process Transitions

Show order, time, or steps in a process.
Examples: next, subsequently, currently, finally

Navajo weavers first shear the wool from their sheep. Next, they hand-spin and dye the fibers before weaving intricate patterns.

4. Contrast Transitions

Show difference or opposition.
Examples: however, nevertheless, by contrast, instead

In many cultures, guests wait to be served by the host. However, in Indonesia, guests often serve themselves from communal dishes.

5. Illustration & Emphasis Transitions

Highlight or explain with examples.
Examples: for instance, indeed, in fact, particularly

In 1968, Paris students protested government policies. For instance, they painted witty slogans and staged street performances.

6. Conclusion & Summarization Transitions

Restate or sum up an idea.
Examples: overall, ultimately, in other words, in conclusion

Descartes believed true knowledge begins with doubt. In other words, he trusted only what was absolutely certain.

Transitions on Previous Digital SAT Tests

To prepare strategically, it helps to know which transitions the College Board actually uses — and how often. Below are compiled data tables showing every transitional word or phrase that has appeared on official Digital SAT tests, the number of times it appeared, and how often it was correct.

Table 1 – Common Transitions

Transition	# Appeared	# Correct	Type
soon	1	0	time/process
specifically	14	4	illustration/emphasis
still	3	1	contrast
subsequently	2	0	time/process
that is	3	1	conclusion/summarization
that said	2	1	contrast
then	2	2	time/process
there	1	1	place
therefore	10	2	effect
though	1	1	contrast
thus	7	2	effect
to conclude	1	0	conclusion/summarization
to that end	1	0	effect
today	1	0	time/process
ultimately	2	1	conclusion/summarization

Table 2 – Frequently Tested Transitions

Transition	# Appeared	# Correct	Type
however	19	6	contrast
in addition	7	3	continuation
in any case	1	0	other
in comparison	5	0	contrast
in conclusion	5	0	conclusion/summarization
in contrast	3	1	contrast
in fact	7	3	illustration/emphasis
in many cases	1	1	other
in other words	13	1	conclusion/summarization
in particular	2	0	illustration/emphasis
in sum	2	0	conclusion/summarization
in the first place	1	0	time/process
in turn	1	0	time/process
increasingly	1	1	time/process
indeed	11	2	illustration/emphasis
lastly	2	0	time/process
later	2	2	time/process
likewise	13	1	continuation
meanwhile	5	1	contrast
moreover	7	1	continuation
nevertheless	18	2	contrast
next	6	2	time/process
nonetheless	1	1	contrast
nowadays	1	0	time/process
previously	2	2	time/process
rather	2	0	contrast
regardless	8	0	other
second	1	1	time/process
secondly	3	0	time/process
similarly	18	3	continuation
on the contrary	4	0	other

Table 3 – Transitions from Additional Digital SAT Tests

Transition	# Appeared	# Correct	Type
accordingly	2	0	effect
actually	1	0	other
additionally	9	3	continuation
admittedly	1	0	contrast
afterward	1	1	time/process
alternately	1	0	other
alternatively	2	1	other
as a result	13	6	effect
besides	2	0	other
by comparison	2	1	contrast
by contrast	11	5	contrast
consequently	8	2	effect
conversely	2	0	contrast
currently	1	1	time/process
earlier	3	1	time/process
elsewhere	1	0	other
finally	2	1	time/process
first	1	1	time/process
first of all	1	0	time/process
firstly	1	0	time/process
fittingly	2	1	other
for example	21	5	illustration/emphasis
for instance	12	2	illustration/emphasis
for this reason	6	3	effect
furthermore	5	0	continuation
granted	4	1	contrast
hence	3	1	effect

Trends on the Digital SAT

Two key insights from official SAT data:

1. All transition answers are conjunctive adverbs.
   You won’t see “because,” “although,” or “while” — only transitions like however or therefore. This means you don’t have to worry about grammar; all choices will fit structurally.
2. Some transitions appear often — others rarely.
   Master the common ones (like however, therefore, for instance), but don’t ignore oddballs that might show up. Perfect scorers know both.

Beyond the Basics: Nuance Matters

Sometimes you’ll face two transitions from the same category — that’s where precision counts.

Example:

Both alligators and crocodiles are semi-aquatic reptiles, but there are key differences between them. Alligators prefer freshwater habitats. ______ crocodiles can live in both saltwater and freshwater.

Choices:
A. Nevertheless
B. By contrast
C. In conclusion
D. For instance

Both (A) and (B) show contrast — but “nevertheless” implies going against an expectation, which isn’t set up here. The correct answer is “By contrast.”

This subtle difference separates good scores from great ones.

Final Takeaway

To ace transition questions:

• Understand the logic, not just the vocabulary.
• Memorize the main transition categories and their key examples.
• Study real Digital SAT data (see tables above).
• Practice recognizing relationships between ideas quickly and confidently.

Transition mastery doesn’t just help your SAT score — it improves your writing clarity, too. Because in both the test and real-world communication, the right word makes all the difference.

The Reading and Writing section is challenging, but with the right approach, you can master it. Good luck!

Sign up for free now to access personalized study plans, practice tests and questions, vocabulary and tutorial bank, mistakes review, personalized tests and college admission tools and resources.