SAT Transition Words Cheat Sheet: Every Transition by Type (2026)

SAT transition words are the linking words you choose in Digital SAT Transitions questions: however, therefore, for example, likewise, granted, and more. Each word does one job. It adds, contrasts, shows a result, gives an example, stresses, orders, compares, sums up, or admits a point. Name the job first. Then pick the word that does that job.

Short answer: the cheat sheet below lists the common SAT transition words sorted by job, with a 3-second test for each group. Under it you will find how the SAT asks these questions, a 4-step method, and 6 questions from The Test Advantage question banks with answers.

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Question banks: October 2026 English question bank

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SAT transition words cheat sheet (all 9 jobs)

Read across each row. The 3-second test is a plain word you can drop into the blank. If the plain word makes sense, the row's transitions have the right job.

Job	SAT transition words	3-second test: does this plain word fit the blank?	Tiny example
Addition	also, in addition, moreover, furthermore, additionally, besides, what's more, beyond that	"and also." The new point pushes the same way as the last one.	The park is free. Moreover, it is open all night.
Contrast	however, by contrast, in contrast, on the other hand, instead, rather, nevertheless, nonetheless, even so, still, yet, that said, conversely, in reality	"but." The second idea goes against the first, or breaks what you expected.	The plan looked simple. However, it failed.
Cause and effect	therefore, thus, hence, consequently, as a result, accordingly, for this reason, as such, in turn, in doing so, to that end	"so." The first idea is the reason. The second is the result.	It rained all week. As a result, the game moved.
Example	for example, for instance, specifically, in particular, namely, to illustrate	"for one." The second idea is one case, or the exact detail, of the first.	Some birds use tools. For example, crows bend wire into hooks.
Emphasis or clarification	indeed, in fact, that is, in other words, to be exact	"really" or "put another way." The second idea says the same thing, but stronger or clearer.	The rock is heavy. In fact, it weighs 5 tons.
Sequence, time, or place	first, next, then, later, afterward, finally, meanwhile, previously, eventually, to date, at that time, concurrently, there	"after that," "at that time," or "at that place."	First, mix the dough. Next, let it rise.
Similarity	likewise, similarly, in the same way, by comparison, in a similar way	"in the same way." A new subject does the same thing as the last one.	Cats groom daily. Likewise, rabbits keep clean.
Conclusion or summary	in sum, in short, overall, in conclusion, ultimately, to sum up	"all in all." The second idea wraps up everything above it.	Costs fell and sales rose. In short, it was a good year.
Concession	granted, admittedly, of course, to be sure, true	"sure, but." The writer admits a point against their own claim, then keeps going.	The phone is slow. Granted, it is cheap. Still, it lags.

One rule to tape next to the sheet: if two choices do the same job (like therefore and thus), neither can be the one right answer. Cross out both.

SAT transition words list (A to Z)

Here is every transition from the cheat sheet above in A to Z order, 73 words and phrases in all. Find a word here, then check its job in the table and run the 3-second test.

• A: accordingly, additionally, admittedly, afterward, also, as a result, as such, at that time
• B: besides, beyond that, by comparison, by contrast
• C: concurrently, consequently, conversely
• E: even so, eventually
• F: finally, first, for example, for instance, for this reason, furthermore
• G: granted
• H: hence, however
• I: in a similar way, in addition, in conclusion, in contrast, in doing so, in fact, in other words, in particular, in reality, in short, in sum, in the same way, in turn, indeed, instead
• L: later, likewise
• M: meanwhile, moreover
• N: namely, nevertheless, next, nonetheless
• O: of course, on the other hand, overall
• P: previously
• R: rather
• S: similarly, specifically, still
• T: that is, that said, then, there, therefore, thus, to be exact, to be sure, to date, to illustrate, to sum up, to that end, true
• U: ultimately
• W: what's more
• Y: yet

One warning: a word can only be right if its job matches the link between the two sentences. Knowing the list does not replace that check.

What are the most common SAT transition words?

Contrast and cause-and-effect words are right most often. We checked 99 unique transition questions in four monthly question banks on The Test Advantage (September 2026, June 2026 US, December 2025, and August 2025). We sorted each correct answer into one of the jobs above.

Job of the correct answer	Questions (out of 99)	Words that were right most often
Contrast	29	on the other hand, by contrast, in contrast, instead
Cause and effect	24	hence, consequently, accordingly, as such
Example or specifics	14	specifically, for example
Sequence or time	13	then, finally, next, later
Emphasis or clarification	8	indeed, that is
Concession	4	of course, admittedly, granted
Place ("there")	3	there
Similarity	2	likewise, similarly
Addition	2	moreover

The surprise is addition. Words like moreover, in addition, and furthermore showed up as a choice 25 times in those 99 questions. They were right only 2 times. On the SAT, an addition word is usually a trap. Pick it only when the new sentence truly adds a same-direction point.

This is a count from our banks, not an official College Board number. The job labels are our own. Still, it tells you where to spend practice time: contrast, cause and effect, and examples first.

How do SAT transition questions work?

Each one is a short passage with a blank and four transition choices. All 178 transition questions we pulled from five TTA banks use the same wording: "Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?"

Transitions is a skill in the Expression of Ideas domain. College Board says that domain "measures the ability to revise texts to improve the effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals" (College Board, The Reading and Writing Section). Its content domains page lists Transitions next to Rhetorical Synthesis in that domain.

College Board's Skills Insight guide shows how the skill gets harder. At the lowest score band, students "determine the most effective transition word or phrase to establish a logical relationship between two contrasting or exemplifying statements (e.g., 'however,' 'for example')." At the higher bands, the words move to "emphasis, clarification, or concession (e.g., 'in other words,' 'that is,' 'admittedly')" and to "elaborative or additive" statements such as "what's more" and "beyond that."

So the easy questions test however and for example. The hard ones test admittedly, that is, and subtle addition. The words get fancier, but the job test from the cheat sheet still works.

Two more facts from College Board's Reading and Writing Section page help with timing. The passages "range from 25 to 150 words." Questions that test similar skills "are grouped together and arranged from easiest to hardest." That means transition questions come in a cluster, and the last one in each cluster tends to be the hardest.

How to answer an SAT transition question in 4 steps

1. Cover the choices. If you read the four words first, they all start to sound fine.
2. Read the sentence before the blank and the sentence after it. On harder questions, read two sentences back. The link is sometimes to an older idea.
3. Say the job in plain words. Put but, so, and also, for one, or sure, but into the blank. Use the 3-second tests from the cheat sheet.
4. Uncover the choices and match the job. Cross out every choice with a different job. Cross out pairs that do the same job. One choice should be left.

This takes about as long as reading the passage twice. It is faster than rereading four choices that all "sound okay."

6 real SAT transition questions with answers

These come from The Test Advantage question banks. For each one we checked the answer key in our database and solved the question ourselves. Try each before you open the answer.

Question 1 (cause and effect, easy)

Source: June 2026 SAT Reading and Writing Question Bank (free), Transitions set.

If you were to view the Pantelleria volcano in Italy from above, you might notice that its low profile and gently sloping sides make it look a bit like a shield lying flat on the ground. ______ it makes sense that Lydia Jennings and other volcanologists classify Pantelleria as a shield volcano.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A) By contrast,
• B) For instance,
• C) However,
• D) Therefore,

Show the answer

D) Therefore. Try "so" in the blank: it looks like a shield, so it is called a shield volcano. Reason, then result. That is cause and effect. A and C signal contrast, but nothing is opposed here. B would need sentence 2 to be one case of sentence 1, and it is not.

Question 2 (contrast, easy)

Source: June 2026 SAT Reading and Writing Question Bank (US).

In the 1974 movie The Scarlet Blade, a character screams. ______ the sound of the scream was not made by the actor pictured on screen. It's the Wilhelm Scream, a sound effect that has been used in over 200 movies.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A) Similarly,
• B) For example,
• C) However,
• D) As a result,

Show the answer

C) However. Try "but": a character screams, but the actor did not make the sound. You expect the scream to come from the actor, and the next sentence breaks that. D is the trap. Nothing in sentence 1 causes the sound to come from someone else.

Question 3 (example, easy)

Source: June 2026 SAT Reading and Writing Question Bank (free), Transitions set.

Many poetry anthologies include only a single poem from each poet, but Heid E. Erdrich's New Poets of Native Nations includes generous selections from each poet. ______ Erdrich includes multiple poems from Eric Gansworth and Sy Hoahwah. This allows readers to engage with a wide range of each poet's work.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A) However,
• B) In addition,
• C) Now,
• D) For example,

Show the answer

D) For example. Sentence 1 makes a general claim: generous selections from each poet. Sentence 2 names two poets with several poems each. That is one case of the claim. B is the addition trap. Sentence 2 does not add a new point. It proves the old one.

Question 4 (similarity, medium)

Source: December 2025 SAT Reading and Writing Question Bank.

Formerly known as the Indiana Territory, Indiana was granted statehood by a vote of the US Congress on December 11, 1816, making Indiana the 19th US state. By comparison, as one of the nation's original thirteen colonies, Connecticut became a state when it ratified the US Constitution on January 9, 1788. ______ New York attained statehood by ratifying the Constitution, becoming the 11th US state on July 26, 1788.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A) Nevertheless,
• B) For example,
• C) Likewise,
• D) Therefore,

Show the answer

C) Likewise. Connecticut became a state by ratifying the Constitution. New York did the same thing. New subject, same action: similarity. This is the "read two sentences back" question. If you compare New York only to Indiana, the sentence looks like a contrast and A seems right.

Question 5 (concession, hard)

Source: December 2025 SAT Reading and Writing Question Bank.

Modernista architects championed nature in their designs. ______ the dramatic archways and stone turtle statues of Sagrada Família, a Modernista basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí, couldn't exactly grow in a forest. Still, one sees natural influences in Gaudí's penchant for curves (rather than right angles) and plant- and animal-inspired flourishes.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A) Granted,
• B) Similarly,
• C) Furthermore,
• D) Thus,

Show the answer

A) Granted. The writer admits a point that cuts against the claim: stone arches and statues are clearly built, not grown. Then "Still" brings the claim back. Admit, then keep going: that is concession. B fails because sentence 2 is not a new thing doing the same job. C and D fail because sentence 2 neither adds support nor follows as a result.

Question 6 (contrast, full-sentence choices, medium)

Source: September 2026 SAT Reading and Writing Question Bank.

Plant species known as metal hyperaccumulators can help remove heavy metal pollutants from soil. Alternanthera sessilis, or Brazilian spinach, for instance, can absorb a large quantity of chromium and store it safely in its roots and shoots. ______ its roots may not reach far enough into the soil and could leave trace amounts of chromium.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A) Moreover, the plant is potentially useful in removing accumulated metals;
• B) On the contrary, a pollutant such as chromium can be removed from the soil;
• C) That said, the plant may not always be able to remove all of the pollutant;
• D) For this reason, the plant has useful applications in soil quality restoration;

Show the answer

C) That said, the plant may not always be able to remove all of the pollutant; Here the choices are whole clauses, not single words. Read what comes after the blank first: the roots may leave some chromium behind. That is a limit on the praise. Only C sets up a limit. A and D keep praising the plant, which clashes with the words after the semicolon. B uses "on the contrary," which would mean the earlier claim was false.

Common traps on SAT transition questions

• The addition trap. Moreover and in addition fit almost any blank if you read fast. In our 99-question count they were right 2 times out of 25. Ask: does the new sentence add a new point, or does it prove, limit, or result from the old one?
• The "sounds smooth" trap. Your ear likes any transition that reads well. The SAT rewards the one with the right job. Say the plain word ("but," "so," "for one") before you look.
• The one-sentence trap. Some blanks link back two sentences, as in Question 4. If the job seems unclear, read one more sentence back.
• Contrast vs. concession. However turns the argument. Granted admits a point and keeps the argument. Look for a "Still" or "But" right after a concession.
• Example vs. specifics. For example gives one case. Specifically narrows the same idea to its exact detail. Our guide to specifically vs. for example shows the difference on real items.
• Emphasis vs. addition. In fact and indeed make the same point stronger. They do not add a new point. See indeed as a transition word for three practice questions on this one.

For five more mistakes students make on this question type, read SAT transition questions: 5 mistakes to avoid.

Many transition words are conjunctive adverbs, and the SAT also tests the punctuation around them. Our page on adverbs on the SAT shows when however needs a semicolon.

How to practice SAT transition words for free

1. Start with the free Transitions lesson notes. The Transitions lesson notes cover this one skill. They are free, and you need a free account to open them.
2. Work the free question bank. The June 2026 Reading and Writing Question Bank is free. It has 230 questions, and 40 of them are transition questions. You can try sample questions without an account.
3. Move to real monthly banks. The SAT Question Bank hub groups the Digital SAT banks by test month, with separate English and Math banks.
4. Test yourself under real timing. Create a free account and take one full-length adaptive SAT section free, with a real Module 1 to Module 2 route and a scaled score.

Keep the cheat sheet next to you for the first week. After that, practice without it. The goal is to name the job before your eyes reach the choices.

How we built this page: the cheat sheet groups are based on the transition types named in College Board's Skills Insight guide, plus a conclusion group. The 6 practice questions and the 99-question count come from The Test Advantage question banks, read on September 29, 2026. For every question shown, we checked the database answer key and solved it ourselves, and both agreed. The Test Advantage is not affiliated with College Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common SAT transition words?

Contrast and cause-and-effect words are right most often. In 99 unique transition questions from four Test Advantage monthly question banks, the correct answer was a contrast word 29 times (such as on the other hand or by contrast) and a cause-and-effect word 24 times (such as hence or consequently). Example words like specifically and for example came next, with 14.

Is there a printable SAT transition words cheat sheet?

Yes. The cheat sheet table on this page sorts SAT transition words into 9 jobs, with a 3-second test and a tiny example for each. To print it, open your browser's Print menu (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) and choose Save as PDF.

How do you answer SAT transition questions?

Use 4 steps. Cover the choices. Read the sentence before and after the blank, and on hard questions one more sentence back. Say the job in plain words, such as but, so, and also, or for one. Then uncover the choices and keep the one that does that job.

Are moreover and furthermore usually right on the SAT?

Usually not. In our count of 99 SAT transition questions, addition words like moreover, in addition, and furthermore appeared as a choice 25 times and were correct only 2 times. Pick one only when the new sentence adds a new point that pushes the same way.

What is the difference between however and granted on the SAT?

However turns the argument: the next idea goes against the last one. Granted admits a point against the writer's own claim, and then the writer keeps going, often with still or but right after. College Board lists concession words like admittedly among the harder Transitions skills.

Where can I practice SAT transition questions for free?

Start with the free Transitions lesson notes on The Test Advantage (a free account is needed to open them). Then work the free June 2026 Reading and Writing Question Bank, which has 40 transition questions. A free account also includes one full-length adaptive SAT section.

Related Concepts

SAT transition words Digital SAT College Board Expression of Ideas Transitions skill Reading and Writing section contrast transitions cause and effect transitions concession The Test Advantage

Related Guides

Sources and Citation Targets

• College Board: The Reading and Writing Section
• College Board: Content Domains
• College Board: Skills Insight for the SAT Suite
• The Test Advantage blog
• Canonical URL