Are you stressed out about the SAT math section? While the test is adaptive, don’t worry. There are great new strategies you can apply to help you pass your test, especially when it comes to using the calculator that’s built-in to the test. The test only covers Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and SOME Geometry questions. There are no questions regarding proofs, so don’t sweat it if you’re unfamiliar with them. By the way, you can practice all of these questions types for free on Khan Academy! Here are our top tips for acing the math section:
1. Get Familiar with Desmos!
Besides knowing your basic math skills, did you know that you can use Desmos for just about any question that has an equal sign? That skill applies to most of the questions on the exam. You can also use the slider tool to help you answer questions that contain expressions. You just need to understand that the “x” intercept represents solutions. There are many YouTube and Tik Tok tutorials out there on using Desmos to answer hard questions.
Remember, you can also set up equations from word problems and then ask Desmos to solve the rest for you! This applies to systems of equations, linear equations, inequalities, and more!
Students should practice pacing themselves and employ strategies such as picking numbers and backsolving when answering complex questions. Utilizing such tricks saves time while guaranteeing they reach the right solution on every question; additionally, practicing such strategies allows for the identification of areas needing improvement.
But wait, there’s more! Desmos can simplify fractions and switch to decimal mode with the click of a button. You just have to know where to find it 🙂 Click on the upper left corner that’s highlighted in blue to switch things around. Try it out! 
2. Read the last sentence first to understand what’s being asked of you.
I recommend starting by reading the last sentence first. This will give you a clue as to what the question is asking you for. Then, as you read it, you’ll understand what to set up. Next, as you approach the math section, be sure to allow enough time for each question and skip any questions that are taking too long. Don’t be afraid to guess – there’s no penalty for that.
Because the SAT does not penalize incorrect answers, make sure you answer every question. Even if you know the correct response already, taking a guess could boost your score by at least two points per guessed question. On average, each multiple-choice question takes roughly one minute to solve; monitoring your pace can help determine when using a calculator or pencil and paper is more suitable. So don’t rely on just Desmos to help you answer questions. You can also bring your own Ti-84 calculator – and yes, you can totally program it!
3. Get the Easy Questions Out of the Way
Math students often spend too much time tackling difficult questions while neglecting easier ones, leading to lower scores overall. The best way to get a good score is to actually focus on the easier questions and leave the hard ones for last or guess them entirely. But remember, use Desmos! We recommend our full SAT course to help you understand the material in-depth.
The SAT math section is structured to present questions in ascending order of difficulty, from easy questions to more challenging ones.
Remember, answering an incorrect SAT question costs one point; therefore, it is better to lose one on a difficult question rather than sit there trying to figure it out and waste precious time.
4. Try Different Solving Methods
Ultimately, the SAT is a logic test. If you’re working too hard to solve a problem, then it’s probably the wrong method. For instance, you can pick numbers or use Desmos sliders to solve difficult expressions. Here are some tips you can try with this method:
For instance, when responding to questions that pose as inequality “at most” or “no more than,” try plugging different numbers until one makes sense. You can also use the answer choices and backsolve these types!
The big thing is to take practice tests on the Bluebook app and use Khan Academy as much as you can to try and improve your score.
5. Time yourself with practice tests and practice questions!
As time becomes an ever more valuable commodity when taking on the SAT math section, every second counts. Without knowing all of its shortcuts, spending more than a minute per question could significantly decrease your score.
If you still need more assistance, consider consulting a test prep tutor that can guide you through in-depth strategies and help you stay motivated and focused.
