SAT Math Test Taking Tips!

1) Categorize problems into three categories:

1) Problems that are “no brainer” or very simple such as, Solve for X: 3X=6.

2) Problems that you know you can solve but might take some time.

3) Problems you are unsure of how to solve or are overly complex.

Go through the test and complete all of category 1, then category 2 and finally category 3. This is by far the easiest way to increase your score. Here are some general guidelines:

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Category 1: Calculate the angle when it’s 180-x or equal, read the graph, read the table, basic percentage problems, absolute value.

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Category 2: Basic plane geometry, exponential growth/decay, word problems, basic algebra, systems of linear equations, right triangle problems, per hour/per minute and other conversion problems, exponent simplification, imaginary numbers, probability

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Category 3: Synthetic Division, more advanced algebra, more advanced plane geometry, geometry and algebra involving fractions.

2) Be sure to complete all steps of a problem. For example, you might have to do some complex algebra to learn that John averages 3 books a week, when the question asks how many books he can read in 4 weeks. You will often, if not always, see the “halfway finished” answer listed as a choice. Look out for it! Remember to finish!

3) It might be easier to look at the answers first and plug them in rather than attempt to solve a problem.

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4) Always make sure your answer seems logical. For example, if you’re asked to simplify something and your answer is negative, and the original was positive something is off.

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5) Sometimes you can interpolate an answer by plugging in numbers such as 0,1,100 or even a billion into an equation. When plugging in a billion its more a of a placeholder to say, “this is going to be a very large number.” Know that Sqrt(2)  is about 1.4 and Sqrt(3) is about 1.7.

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6) Watch out for volume vs area vs perimeter tricks. These are often two step problems, finding one side and then the full answer.