Concision means expressing ideas in as few words as possible without losing meaning. Precision means choosing the exact right word. The Digital SAT frequently tests both — asking you to eliminate wordiness or select the most precise option.
Core Concepts
Redundancy
Redundancy uses different words to say the same thing:
- "advance forward" → "advance" (forward is redundant)
- "past history" → "history" (all history is past)
- "completely unanimous" → "unanimous" (unanimous already means complete agreement)
Wordiness
Wordy phrases can be shortened:
- "due to the fact that" → "because"
- "at this point in time" → "now"
- "in the event that" → "if"
- "has the ability to" → "can"
Precision
Choose the word that most exactly conveys the intended meaning:
- "The scientist studied the cells" vs. "The scientist analysed the cells" — "analysed" is more precise if she examined them in detail.
Strategy Tips
Tip 1: Shorter Is Usually Better
On the SAT, if two choices convey the same meaning, the shorter one is typically correct.
Tip 2: Eliminate Repetition
If the meaning is already conveyed, additional words are unnecessary.
Tip 3: Choose Active Voice
"The team completed the project" is more concise than "The project was completed by the team."
Tip 4: Match the Level of Specificity
If the context calls for a specific word, don't settle for a vague one.
Worked Example: Example 1
Original: "The reason why the experiment failed is because the temperature was too high."
Revised: "The experiment failed because the temperature was too high."
Worked Example: Example 2
Which is most concise?
A) "He made the decision to leave." B) "He decided to leave." ✓
Key Takeaways
Eliminate redundancy — don't say the same thing twice.
Cut wordy phrases — use simple, direct language.
Choose precise words that match the intended meaning.
When in doubt, the shorter, clearer option is usually correct.
