How to Prepare for the Math Section of the SAT
Readiness for College Board SAT Math Exam
Nov 11, 2008
The SAT is a reasoning test developed and proctored by the College Board to aid colleges and universities in making admission and financial aid decisions.
The SAT covers three areas of logical reasoning and critical thinking:
- Critical reading
- Writing and grammar
- Mathematical reasoning
This article will focus on how to prepare for the mathematical reasoning section of the SAT I: Reasoning Test.
SAT Math Section Scoring
For each correct response to a multiple choice question, one raw point is given. For each incorrect response to a multiple choice choice question, one quarter of a raw point is deducted. No points are awarded or deducted for an omitted question.
For each correct response to a student produced respone question, one raw point is given. No points are awarded or deducted for incorrect or omitted student produced response questions.
Essential Math Courses
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra II
If a student was not successful in Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II individual remedial tutoring is recommended prior to taking the SAT. Mastery and understanding of basic algebra and geometry skills is essential for students to be successful and score above the 50th percentile on the SAT math test.
Pre-calculus is a helpful course to either have completed or to be taken concurrently while preparing for the SAT math section. Although topics in pre-calculus are not included on the SAT and pre-calculus skills are not needed to solve any of the questions on the SAT math section, some students might find the experience of a pre-calculus course helpful as it combines geometry and algebra skills.
Math Topics on the SAT
- Number and operations
- Algebra and functions
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Probability
- Data Analysis
Types of SAT Math Questions
The mathematical reasoning sections include two types of questions: multiple choice and student produced responses.
Multiple choice questions include five potential answers and the best answer must be chosen from among the possibilities. What makes the multiple choice SAT math questions challenging is that some of these questions include responses such as, "Cannot be determined based on the information given." While questions including possible answers such as these have been reduced in the last few years, the few SAT math questions that do utilize quantitative reasoning continue to challenge students.
Student produced response questions provide open-ended math questions with a small grid for students to fill in their answers. Spaces are provided for four characters or numbers. Mixed numbers cannot be used, therefore improper fractions or decimals must be used when responding to the student produced response math questions on the SAT.
Many, though not all, student produced response questions are word problems.
Strategies for Solving Multiple Choice Questions
Multiple choice questions need to be answered quickly and correctly. Helpful strategies for multiple SAT math questions include:
- Estimating the answer mentally to quickly eliminate some of the choices
- Translating word problems into mathematical expressions
- Using common sense
- Utilizing a calculator
- Answering the easy questions first
Keep in mind that the multiple choice SAT math problems appear in order of difficulty. While this organization is subjective to a certain degree, questions 1 - 5 should be relatively easy and straight forward, while questions 20 - 25 should be more challenging and may require multiple steps to arrive at the answer.
Strategies for Student Produced Response Questions
To be successful on the student produced response questions, students should quickly skim the questions and answer the questions they are confident about first. Then, with any questions that remain, students can start from the beginning of the section and work their way through the remaining questions, keeping in mind that math questions are ordered from least difficult to most challenging.
If time is running short, students can guesstimate answers for the student produced response math questions as no points are deducted for incorrect responses.
Succeeding on the SAT Math Section
- Take and master Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II
- Know what math topics will be on the SAT
- Understand both types of SAT math questions
- Use effective strategies for solving multiple choice math problems
- Use efficient strategies to answer as many student produced response SAT math questions as possible
Preparing for the SAT math test takes dedication and practice, but taking the right math classes before taking the SAT and using appropriate math problem solving strategies can improve student readiness for the College Board's SAT math exam.
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