before being appointed secretary of the department of veterans affairs in 2009, retired general eric k. shinseki (has served) as army chief of staff from 1999 until 2003
the correct answer is (served) but why isn’t it (had served) ? he is talking about an action in the past and another one which happens before.
Were both “served” and “had served” answer choices?
no only served, but i was looking for had served and i wondered if it were there i would probably choose it, and made a mistake
They’re both correct. It could be “had served,” but since that wasn’t an option… They wouldn’t both be there because there would not be a single correct answer.
Did you try eliminating the obviously wrong answers to narrow it down? You seem to be having lots of questions about the writing section.
yes i do have a lot, and i most of the questions i ask i get right but it takes me some time to get it down. if i understand better what is wrong it will help me finish quicker.
this is my second sat, in the last one i had six answers wrong in the writing section but i need to improve it
Well that’s good, that you can eventually puzzle them out! Seems like you’re studying pretty effectively, then. Good luck 
thank u!