Your first step in preparing for the math section of the digital SAT should be familiarizing yourself with exactly what's on it. Whatever math class you're taking in school, you should be able to conquer the SAT math topics with the right approach to test prep. Let's start this guide by reviewing the overall format of the math section of the SAT.
Digital SAT Math Format
Math will be your second section on the digital SAT, right after Reading and Writing. SAT Math is split into two modules. Each module lasts 35 minutes and contains 22 questions. This means the entire SAT Math section is 70 minutes long and contains 44 questions. You can use a calculator for the entire section!
Of the 44 questions, 33 are multiple-choice questions with four answer choices. There will also be 11 grid-in questions where you aren't given any answer choices and must enter in your own answer.
You'll also have access to the following reference information for geometry in both modules:
Digital SAT Math Topics
The digital SAT no longer tests reading skills in the Math section. Compared to the paper version of the SAT, the digital format instead features more concise, straightforward questions that focus on your mathematical understanding rather than your reading ability.
Here are the types of questions you'll see on SAT Math:
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Algebra (13–15 questions): Develop, analyze, or solve linear equations and inequalities as well as systems of equations.
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Advanced Math (13–15 questions): Create, interpret, or solve a variety of problem types, such as quadratic equations, polynomial operations, or absolute-value equations.
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Problem Solving and Data Analysis (5–7 questions): Answer prompts about ratios, rates, or proportions; convert units; calculate percentages; analyze data with one or two variables; or infer data and evaluate claims from statistics.
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Geometry and Trigonometry (5–7 questions): Solve problems involving perimeter, area, or volume; angles, triangles, or trigonometry; and circles. The digital SAT has nearly double the number of geometry and trigonometry questions as the paper version (15% of the section as opposed to the previous 8%).
Here's a more detailed list of the 24 main subjects SAT Math covers:
Basic Algebra
- Linear functions
- Single variable equations
- Systems of linear equations
- Absolute value
Advanced Algebra
- Manipulating polynomials
- Quadratic equations
- Dividing polynomials
- Exponential functions
- Function notation
- Solving exponential equations
- Solving exponential equations
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
- Ratios and proportions
- Scatterplots and graphs
- Categorical data and probabilities
- Experimental interpretation
- Median, median, mode, standard deviation
Additional Topics
- Coordinate geometry - lines and slopes
- Coordinate geometry - nonlinear functions
- Geometry - circles
- Geometry - lines and angles
- Geometry - solid geometry
- Geometry - triangles and polygons
- Trigonometry
- Complex numbers
The majority of questions (over half) will be on algebra, so this is the subject you should focus most of your studying on.
A maximum of 15% of questions will cover geometry and trigonometry, and these questions will ask only basic questions on these subjects, so if you haven't taken classes in either of them, you should still be able to learn the information you need to know fairly easily.
SAT Math Practice Questions
One of the best ways to really understand what's tested on SAT Math is to work through sample problems. In this section, we go over four sample problems, one from each of the main content focuses of SAT Math. These practice problems are all official practice problems from Khan Academy, so they're made by the same people who'll create the SAT Math questions you'll see on exam day.
Algebra Practice Question
For this question, you need to solve the linear equation. To find the value of x, we need to isolate the x-term. There are currently two x's in the equation, so let's start by adding "x" to each side. This gets us: 1/2 + 5x = 2.
Next, let's subtract 1/2 from each side to get the x on its own. That gets us: 5x = 1.5.
Almost there! Now, divide each side by 5: x = 0.3.
Success! However, the answers are all given in fractions, so you'll need to divide them to see which corresponds with 0.3. Because 0.3 is less than 1/2, we can already estimate that Answer A looks like the only possible answer. Put 3/10 in your calculator, and it comes out to 0.3! That means Answer A is the correct answer.
Problem Solving and Data Analysis Practice Question
This question is all about unit conversion. We know that Detroit had a population of about 670,000 and an area of 138.7 square miles. We need to find out the number of people per square mile.
In math, "per" generally means "divide" so our equation is number of people/square miles or 670,000/138.7.
This equals about 4,831, which means Answer C is the correct answer.
Advanced Math Practice Question
This practice problem tests your skills in exponential graphs. We're given a function and asked to select which response is true.
To start, since the base of the exponent, 1.08, is greater than 1, we know that the value of y increases as x increases. That means we can already eliminate answer choices C and D.
In this function, as x increases by 1, y is multiplied by 1.08 and gets larger. With each multiplication, the change in y as x increases also gets larger. This means y increases at an increasing rate, so B isn't correct. That leaves answer choice A, which is the correct answer.
Geometry and Trigonometry Practice Question
This question tests your knowledge on volume. We need to substitute the values of the length, width, and height into the formula to calculate volume, V.
V=l*w*h
For l=6 feet, w=4 feet, and h=1 foot, the volume in cubic feet = (6)(4)(1). This equals 24, which means Answer Choice C is correct.
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How You Should Study SAT Math
Many of the concepts on SAT Math you'll learn in your math classes in school. This doesn't mean that classwork will prepare you enough to perform well on the SAT, though. SAT Math questions test the above concepts in a unique, SAT-specific way. In order to prepare and learn to be speedy in your time management, you'll want to practice and get familiar with the wording with high-quality practice questions.
Official practice tests will also help you uncover and diagnose your strengths and weaknesses. If you find yourself consistently stumped by function questions, for example, you'll know to focus your energy and studying there. Even if you haven't taken an advanced algebra or trigonometry class yet in school, you can still prep for these questions by studying SAT concepts and questions.
If you're strong in math and looking to achieve a top score, you want to approach the math section in a strategic way. PrepScholar co-founder and SAT perfect-scorer Allen Cheng shares the techniques he used and how they can help you score at or near 800 on your SAT math.
What's Next?
Are you scoring on the low side on math and hoping to break 600? Here are the steps you need to take to score a 600 or more on the SAT math.
Looking for book recommendations specific to the math section? Here are our suggestions for the best prep books for SAT Math, along with a few pointers on how to use them most effectively.
Want to make sure you're solid on math basics before diving into SAT Math? Check out our refresher articles on solving inequalities, adding and subtracting fractions, multiplication, perfect squares, and the distributive property.
