SAT Math tips: pacing, the calculator, grid-ins and common traps

• Four content domains: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry.
• Two modules: the second is easier or harder depending on how you did in the first (College Board).
• Two question formats: about 75% four-option multiple choice and about 25% student-produced response, where you type your answer (College Board).

Because Module 1 decides Module 2, careless errors early are expensive. Slow down slightly on the first module's easier questions; they're the cheapest points on the test.

The Digital SAT has a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, and you can also bring an approved calculator (College Board). It's available for the whole Math section. Use it to:

• Check arithmetic in multi-step problems, where slips are most common.
• Graph equations to find intersections, zeros and maximums, often faster than algebra. For a system like $y = 2x + 1$ and $y = x^2 - 2$, graphing both shows the intersection points straight away.
• Test answer choices quickly by substituting them.

Don't reach for it for simple steps you can do faster in your head, and practise with the same calculator you'll use on test day.

Student-produced responses follow strict rules (College Board directions):

If there's more than one correct answer, enter just one.

When a question has variables in the answer choices, pick an easy number and test it. Example: a phone plan costs $40 to join plus $25 a month. Which expression gives the cost for $m$ months? Try $m = 2$: the real cost is $40 + 25 + 25 = 90$. Only $40 + 25m$ gives 90, so you can rule out $65m$ (which gives 130) without any algebra.

The same trick works for percentages: use 100 as the starting amount.

Many wrong answers on SAT Math are correct answers to a different question. Common traps:

• Solving for $x$ when the question asks for $2x$ or $x + 3$.
• Giving the answer in the wrong units (minutes instead of hours).
• Choosing the value of the expression rather than the value of the variable.

Before you choose, reread the last line of the question and check your answer fits it. Our linear equations guide has more practice with "what is the value of" questions.

The reference sheet gives area and volume formulas, special right triangles and a few facts such as the number of degrees in a circle. It saves you memorising those, but it won't tell you which formula a question needs, and it doesn't include algebra rules like the quadratic formula. Know your algebra and when to use each formula.

Do mixed sets of questions, not just one topic at a time, and take at least one full timed Math section. TutorAura has a free Digital SAT Math practice test with two adaptive modules, a calculator and the reference sheet, plus a breakdown of your results by domain and skill.