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Beat the New SAT with Math: Things You Must Know

Beat the New SAT

The New SAT debuting this March 2016 is divided into two sections; Evidence-based Reading & Writing and Math. If you are planning to take the SAT this spring then you must buff up your “Math” reading skills in addition to your Math skills. Not only that the math component has been increased to 50% but also many Math questions will be very wordy, calling for reading skills.

You must also be aware of the important changes to the math section.

Let’s take a look at the major changes in the math section

 

Math with and without a calculator

On the old SAT you were allowed to use your calculator for the whole math section but it is not so on the new SAT. The Math Test on the redesigned SAT is divided into two sections: one that allows you to use the calculator and the other that does not allow you to use the calculator.

The ostensible reason for not permitting you to use the calculator on one of the sections is to make you learn to solve math questions with your math skills and math skills alone. You should develop the habit of carrying out simple mathematical operations–addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and solving simple algebraic equations without using a calculator.

 

Geometry and Trigonometry

On the old SAT, the geometry questions constituted up to 35% of the math portion, but on the new SAT it has been reduced to less than 10%. Though the geometry questions will be fewer on the new SAT, the College Board has decided to include more geometry formulas in the reference section which is at the beginning of the section. It has also included the volume formulas for sphere, cone, and pyramid.

Trignometry, which was never a part of the old SAT math section is a new addition to the test. On the new SAT, trigonometry will account for about 5% of the math questions, testing you with challeging questions under the “Additional Topics in Math” domain.

Algebra

Algebra has always been a part of the Math Section on the SAT but this time it will constitute a larger proportion on the New SAT. Further, the questions asked on the new SAT may be much trickier, and you will require higher skills to solve linear equations & system of equations or to create linear equations and other non-linear equations as required by the questions. Many questions of this sort will fall under “Passport to Advanced Math” domain.

 

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