The SAT Mathematics Test comes right after the reading and writing and language section on the SAT. SAT is accepted by universities worldwide for admission to Bachelor's courses and is taken to judge the college readiness of the students. The SAT Maths section consists of two parts - one in which you cannot use the calculator and the other where you can use calculators to solve mathematical problems.
The SAT Math Section is further divided into four categories such as Heart of Algebra; Problem Solving and Data Analysis; Passport to Advanced Math; and Additional Topics in Math. Well, the first thing before beginning our SAT preparation is to understand each and every section thoroughly. In this article, we are going to look at SAT math topics in-depth, including its format, scoring, types of questions, preparation tips and more.
Overview of SAT Mathematics Section
The SAT exam lays special emphasis on the mathematics section which happens to be one of the vast parts covered on the SAT. You need an ample amount of time to devote and practice the sections thoroughly to score well on the test by practising SAT Math Practice Test. Here is an overview of the SAT Math section:
Parameter |
Details |
---|---|
Duration |
80 minutes |
Number of Questions |
55 |
Types of Questions |
Multiple-choice questions Free-response questions |
SAT Math Sections |
Maths test (with the calculator) Maths test (without a calculator) |
SAT Math Score Range |
200-800 |
What is Tested in SAT Mathematics?
The questions in the SAT Mathematics section check your ability to use the ideas of mathematics in different settings. Understanding and utilising mathematical relations in useful ways is the target of this section. Besides that, it aims to check the following:
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Concept of Mathematics
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Procedural skills
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Fluency of mathematics
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Ability to apply the concepts for finding real-life solutions
There are 11 to 13 questions from numbers and operations, 19 to 21 from algebra and functions, and 14 to 16 questions from geometry and measurement and data analysis, statistics and probability. The Maths questions that come on the SAT exam have moderate difficulty levels and the questions are more difficult in the second half of each section.
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SAT Math Format & Question Types
The format of Scholastic Aptitude Test Math is such that there is provision for the use of calculators in one section and in the other section you need to solve the problems without a calculator. A total of 38 questions are to be solved with a calculator in 55 minutes which gives you 1.5 minutes per question and the ones without a calculator give you 1 minute on average. So, you need to be very quick with your oral or written calculations when attempting the SAT Mathematics section.
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Out of 20 questions on SAT Math, you will get 15 multiple-choice questions and 5 grid-in questions.
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The remaining 38 questions comprise 30 multiple-choice questions and 8 grid-in questions.
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In the 13 grid-in questions on SAT Math, you will have to answer all questions on your own and fill the grids printed on the answer sheets with the correct answers.
Type of Question |
Number of Questions |
Duration |
---|---|---|
SAT Math Questions with Calculator |
38 |
55 |
SAT Math Questions without Calculator |
20 |
25 |
SAT Math Syllabus
The SAT math syllabus is vast and generally consists of SAT Math topics you have covered in your secondary and higher secondary school. Overall, these are the SAT Math topics:
SAT Math Syllabus |
|
---|---|
Linear equations and linear inequalities |
Graphing linear equations |
Interpreting linear function |
Solving systems of linear equations |
Linear function word problems |
Systems of linear inequalities word problems |
Quadratic equations |
Nonlinear expressions |
Quadratic and exponential word problems |
Polynomial factors and graphs |
Radicals and rational exponents |
Operations with rational expressions and polynomials |
Nonlinear equation graphs |
Linear and quadratic systems |
Functions |
Isolating quantities |
Structure in expressions |
Percentage |
Ratio, rates, and proportions |
Units |
Table Data |
Scatterplots |
Key features of graphs |
Linear and exponential growth |
Data inference |
Centre, spread, and shape of the distribution |
Data collection and conclusions |
Volume word problems |
Right triangle word problems |
Congruence and similarity |
Right triangle geometry |
Angles, arc lengths, and trig functions |
Circle theorems |
Circle equations |
Complex Number |
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SAT Maths Score Calculator
SAT maths score calculator helps students to calculate the score received in the mathematics section of SAT. It is used to convert raw scores into scaled scores. The average SAT score ranges on a scale of 200 to 800. There is no negative marking in SAT maths section. Students get 1 mark each for each correct answer.
Below is a chart that converts SAT maths raw score to SAT scaled score:
SAT Raw Score |
SAT Scaled Score |
---|---|
0-1 |
200 |
2 |
210 |
3 |
230 |
4 |
240 |
5 |
260 |
6 |
280 |
7 |
290 |
8 |
310 |
9 |
320 |
10 |
330 |
11 |
340 |
12 |
360 |
13 |
370 |
14 |
380 |
15 |
390 |
16 |
410 |
17 |
420 |
18 |
430 |
19 |
440 |
20 |
450 |
21 |
460 |
22 |
470 |
23-24 |
480 |
25 |
490 |
26 |
500 |
27 |
510 |
28-29 |
520 |
30 |
530 |
31 |
540 |
32 |
550 |
33-34 |
560 |
35-36 |
580 |
37 |
590 |
38-39 |
600 |
40 |
610 |
41 |
620 |
42 |
630 |
43 |
640 |
44 |
650 |
45 |
660 |
46-47 |
670 |
48 |
680 |
49 |
690 |
50 |
700 |
51 |
710 |
52 |
730 |
53 |
740 |
54 |
750 |
55 |
760 |
56 |
780 |
57 |
790 |
58 |
800 |
Practice Tests for SAT Mathematics Test
SAT Practice Tests for SAT Mathematics section is a must for students who wish to score well in the section. Here are a few facts which highlight the importance of SAT practice tests for the preparation for SAT Mathematics section:
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The tests help in increasing the solving speed of students. SAT Mathematics has 58 questions to be solved within 80 minutes, and each question matters.
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Practice tests will help the students in understanding the distribution of the types of questions. Since distribution can differ per test, an approximate idea could be helpful to strategise the SAT test attempt.
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Students can use the practice tests to know which types of questions, and topics, pose a challenge for them, and which are their strengths.
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Students can strategise to attempt questions based on their strong areas first. They can allocate time to solve these, which they will be able to estimate from practice tests.
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Scores are scaled according to the difficulty level of the question, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Students can understand how to answer even for their weak topics, as every correct answer counts.
How to Improve Your SAT Math Score?
Perfection takes time and patience. Scoring high in the SAT examination in itself can be a rigorous process. While the SAT Math topics pose challenges for students, they can be easily overcome with proper and prior guidance and practice. Your motivation and preparation will help you to gain a perfect score of 700-750 on the SAT. Here are some quick tips to score high in SAT Math:
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First, you will have to understand where you are lagging. Are you slow in understanding mathematical concepts or slow in the management of time? Utilise your time to first learn how to work on your weaknesses when it comes to SAT Math topics.
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While practising for SAT Math, take a timer in hand and see how much you can complete and within what time.
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Concentrate on every mistake you make while solving the sums and then go back and revise the concepts. This will help you to clear your basics and help you reach advanced Mathematics levels.
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Be very strict with yourself if you know you have problems having clarity on the SAT Math content. The SAT Math syllabus is huge ranging from algebra to geometry to data interpretations. So, wherever you find loopholes in your preparation, just fill them up with extra effort.
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Increase your efficiency so that you are left with extra time for revision.
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Memorise what you can. For SAT Mathematics, this would include rules and formulae which will save you a lot of time be it during preparation or on test day.
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Take SAT practice tests to understand where you stand and it will also help you to get a real feel of the examination.
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Understand what is asked of you in the question before you go ahead attempting it. It will prevent you from making silly mistakes and calculation errors.
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Use the calculator judiciously as the answers in the calculator will come in decimals whereas in the question it may ask fractions. So, do not waste too much time using the calculator. Remember that every sum has been created in a way that can be solved without the calculating device.
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Don't get discouraged if you are unable to attempt a question. Remember that there is no negative marking in the SAT Examination.
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Have a clear concept of how to fill in the grid-in answers. Per column, you need to fill one circle.
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