Mastering Transition Questions on the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and HSPT

Interestingly, most standardized tests will assess your student's ability to recognize how to use transition words or phrases correctly in context. This requires several skills that many students struggle with. As your student prepares for tests like the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or the HSPT, it is important to prep for these important writing questions by learning the range of transitions that are used and how to identify which is the most relevant to the given passage.

These questions aren’t just about memorizing fancy words — they’re about understanding how ideas connect. Helping your child build confidence with transitions can make a significant difference in their reading and writing scores.

🧠 What Are Transition Questions?

On standardized tests, transition word questions test your student's ability to:

• Understand how ideas in a passage are related

• Choose the most logical word or phrase to connect two sentences or ideas

Students are typically asked to identify whether a transition signals:

• Continuation (e.g., furthermore, in addition)

• Contrast (e.g., however, nevertheless)

• Cause & Effect (e.g., therefore, as a result)

• Progression (e.g., next, then)

🔍 Key Strategy for Success

Before choosing a transition word, students should:

1. Read the sentence BEFORE and AFTER the transition

2. Determine the relationship between those two ideas

3. Ask: Are they continuing, contrasting, or showing a cause/effect?

📌 Pro Tip: If a sentence works without a transition, that might be the correct answer!

🛠️ Common Transition Types & Examples

➕ Continuers 

• Also, Furthermore, In addition, Moreover

🔥 Cause & Effect

• Thus, Therefore, Because, As a result

⚖️ Contradictors

• However, Yet, Although, Nevertheless

📌 Examples & Clarification

• For example, That is, In other words

📈 Progression

• Finally, Eventually, First

Being familiar with common transitions is the first step to answering these questions correctly.  

📌 Pro Tip: Start recognizing how transitions are used in any piece of writing you are currently reading and use those as model sentences in the future.

🗓️ Upcoming PSAT, SAT, ACT, and HSPT Dates

• PSAT: October 2025 (exact dates vary by high school)

• SAT: October 4, November 1, December 6 (2025)

• ACT: September 6, October 18, December 13 (2025)

• HSPT: October and November 2025 (exact dates vary by high school)

💡 Want Your Student to Practice?

Seeley Test Pros and LEAP offer expert guidance in test prep, including strategies for these tricky transition questions. Let us help your student build test-taking confidence and score success.

📧 Reach out today to learn about fall workshops and tutoring options. Check out our upcoming schedule of PSAT/SAT, ACT, and HSPT classes or inquire about one-on-one tutoring here.