SAT Math study guide
SAT Math · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The SAT Math section is one part of the SAT, a college-admission test administered by the College Board through its SAT Suite of Assessments. It is taken by high school students preparing for college applications, and it can be taken on a national weekend test date or during in-school testing. The Math section is one of the two main scored sections of the test, alongside the Reading and Writing section. Its content is organized into four types of math: Algebra; Advanced Math; Problem-Solving and Data Analysis; and Geometry and Trigonometry. Topics on this exam: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry. The SAT Math study guide has 4 sections and about 1,027 words.
01Algebra: Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Systems
Algebra questions test your ability to translate relationships into equations and then manipulate them without losing equivalence. Know slope-intercept form y = mx + b, standard form, point-slope form, and how to solve linear equations and inequalities. For systems, recognize that two lines can intersect once, be parallel with no solution, or be the same line with infinitely many solutions. Watch for distributing a negative sign across parentheses, dropping a term when combining like terms, and forgetting to flip the inequality sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative number.
251 words, about 1 min02Advanced Math: Quadratics, Functions, and Exponential Models
Advanced Math emphasizes nonlinear relationships. For quadratics, know factoring, completing the square, the quadratic formula, and the connection between roots, x-intercepts, and factors. For functions, understand notation such as f(a), domain restrictions, composition, and transformations like shifts and stretches. For exponentials, distinguish growth from decay and recognize models of the form a(b)^t, where b 1 means growth and 0 < b < 1 means decay.
280 words, about 1 min03Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Rates, Percents, and Statistics
This domain tests proportional reasoning and data interpretation. Be comfortable with ratios, rates, unit conversions, percent change, weighted averages, probability, and summary statistics. Know how mean, median, mode, range, and standard deviation respond to adding or changing data values. In scatterplots, interpret slope as a rate of change and recognize that correlation does not prove causation.
241 words, about 1 min04Geometry and Trigonometry: Shapes, Angles, and Right Triangles
Geometry questions require careful use of angle relationships, triangle properties, similarity, the Pythagorean theorem, area and volume formulas, and circle facts. In coordinate geometry, know distance, midpoint, slope, and equations of lines and circles. For right-triangle trigonometry, use SOH-CAH-TOA and recognize special triangles such as 30-60-90 and 45-45-90. Radian and degree conversion is also fair game.
255 words, about 1 min