Compare two passages on a related topic and identify agreement/disagreement.
Summarize each passage first, then decide whether the authors agree, disagree, or only partly overlap.
Core Idea
Summarize each author's main claim separately, then check whether those claims point in the same direction, opposite directions, or only partially overlap.
Understanding
Most students look for obvious signal words like "however" or "in contrast" to spot disagreement. But on the SAT, two authors often partially agree — they might accept the same basic fact while disagreeing about its cause or significance.
Before comparing, write a one-sentence summary of each text's position. Keep the summaries simple: "Author 1 says X causes Y" and "Author 2 says Z causes Y." Then ask: do both summaries support the same conclusion, or not?
Watch for answer choices that overstate the disagreement. If Text 2 says "the link may not be as direct," that's not the same as saying the link doesn't exist. The SAT rewards precise reading of degree.
Worked Example
Text 1:
A 2023 study of 1,200 college students found that those who consistently slept fewer than six hours per night scored an average of 10 percentage points lower on final exams than peers who slept seven or more hours. The researchers concluded that sleep deprivation directly impairs the memory consolidation needed for academic success.
Text 2:
Sleep-deprived students tend to perform worse academically, but the link may not be as direct as it appears. Students who sleep less often do so because they are managing heavy workloads, part-time jobs, or anxiety — factors that independently affect academic performance regardless of sleep duration.
Which choice best describes the relationship between the two texts?
Select an answer to see the explanation