The third and the fourth sections on the SAT test the math skills of the students. The third section is the shorter one and doesn’t allow the use of calculators. The fourth and the longer section allows calculator usage. Together these sections contribute towards the 200-800 Math score. The SAT Math section requires the students to apply the math skills they have learnt in high school in real life situations like their job or personal life and also in College Math, Science, and Social courses. The topics tested include Algebra, Arithmetic, Geometry and Data Interpretation.
The two sections on the SAT Math Test are:
This section has 20 questions that need to be answered in 25 minutes. This section assesses the students’ math fluency and understanding of concepts. The problems in this section of course do not require the use of calculators.
This section has 38 questions to be answered in 55 minutes. According to the College Board, the student should decide when and how to use the calculator on this section. Not all the questions will require the use of calculators. The students who use their problem solving skills may complete the section faster than those who use calculators.
The major topics covered in SAT math could be classified as:
The questions in this area include linear equations, graphs, inequalities, and functions. The topics covered are Solving linear equations and linear inequalities (in these expressions, x is a constant or the product of a constant), Interpreting linear functions, Linear inequality and equation word problems, Graphing linear equations, Linear function word problems, Systems of linear inequalities word problems, and Solving systems of linear equations.
These questions test on non – linear equations like quadratic expressions, word problems, polynomials, and exponents. The topics include Solving quadratic equations, Interpreting nonlinear expressions, Quadratic and exponential word problems, Radicals and rational exponents, Operations with rational expressions and polynomials, Polynomial factors and graphs, Nonlinear equation graphs, Linear and quadratic systems, Structure in expressions, Isolating quantities, and Functions.
These questions test on ratio, units, percentages, rates, and data from charts and graphs. The topics include Ratios, rates, proportions, Percent’s, Units, Table data, Scatterplots, Key features of graphs, Linear and exponential growth, Data inferences, Center, spread, and shape of distributions , and Data collection and conclusions.
This includes Geometry, Trigonometry, and Complex Numbers.
The raw score on the math section is equal to the number of questions the student gets correct on both the sections. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 10 to 40. Say if the student gets all the 58 questions correct, then the scaled score is 40. This is called the Test Score. This Test score is further converted into the section score that ranges between 200- 800.
Different Question types in SAT Math Test
45 questions on the math section are multiple choice questions with four answer choices each.
13 questions in the math sections are grid in questions which do not have any answer options. The student has to solve the question and enter the answer in the grids in the answer sheet.
| Section | No. of questions | Multiple Choice Questions | Grid in Questions | Time allotted | Scores |
| Calculator | 20 | 15 | 5 | 25 minutes | 200 to 800 |
| No Calculator | 38 | 30 | 8 | 55 minutes |
| Math | Question SAT MCQ-1 |
- Jwalika
- Jwalika
My journey at Manya started when I took the diagnostic test and got a score of 1260. A score improvement of at-least a 100 points was promised and I ended up bettering my score by a massive 280 points! This is due to the wonderful training given by Manya. Teachers who are always ready to help, staff who are always ready to make you feel comfortable, facilities that make you want to be there all the time - Manya has everything needed to make the SAT journey an incredible one for every student. I thank my trainers, Harini ma'am(math) and Raji ma'am(verbal), for their support and fantastic teaching. I have never enjoyed math or english more. And it was these small things that ultimately made me get a 1500+ score.
- Valli Vikram
- Valli Vikram
Enrolling in Princeton review set the right preparation path for me.. From the very beginning, Hemanathan sir and Usha mam knew exactly what my weak points were and helped me improve them. They taught me all the content needed to take the SAT, as well as tips, tricks, and shortcuts to use on exam day. The supplementary Princeton review text books were extremely useful as well, as they helped me master concepts using drills and exercises. The Princeton review website itself had 30 practice tests (or something close to that number), so I had ample practice before the actual test day. It was my teachers help, strategies, and constant feedback that helped me reach my target score on my first try.
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First and foremost, I'd like to thank you for all the support you've provided me with, Thank you so much to Raji Ma'am, Priya Ma'am, and Siddarth Sir, for all their help with verbal. A huge thank you for all the support they have given me to improve my verbal score. I found the online portal to be extremely useful and the feedback provided after each test (of which there was plenty!) invaluable. The constant testing helped me strengthen my weak areas, and the feedback sessions, especially those for math, were very helpful. I would also like to thank the faculty and management at Manya for providing such a wonderful environment for learning. Every day I would come home with a new concept in my head and a smile on my face. Thank you so very much !
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Thank you Princeton Review. The coaches were extremely helpful, and their guidance made it possible for me to achieve such a good score. I am immensely grateful for their endless support and dedication. The classes were extremely helpful. I received a lot of meaningful suggestions and advice from the coaches. The material provided was also very useful in preparing for the test.
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- Subhrajyoti Pradhan
It will be an understatement if I said that Princeton Review is just an institute where I took SAT classes. Really I had never explored the possibility of studying abroad and considered it merely as a dream. However at Princeton Review I saw the possibility of that dream becoming a reality. My teachers not only gave me the very vital tips and tricks that helped me through my SAT, but also motivated me throughout my time there. Not being an exceptional student yet getting offered scholarship from ten universities from USA including Stony Brook, Florida tech and Washington University are all courtesy my teachers at Princeton Review. Finally I would once again like to thank the trainers for their consistent help even outside class. None of this would have been possible without them.
A good score on the SAT math depends on the course and the college the student wants to apply to. While a 780-800 could mean 99th percentile, a 750 on the math section corresponds to 96th percentile. The student should plan to score more than the average requirement mentioned by the university to be on the safer side.
If the student has taken the SAT multiple times, then Colleges that use superscore would choose the best of the scores from the EBRW and the Math sections even if these scores come from different tests.
It may be difficult to score 800 on math but a perfect score is possible. You may have to get all the questions correct for the perfect score.Â
The use of the calculator in the last section depends on the discretion of the student. With practice, the student will understand when to use the calculator. Too much dependence on the calculator could be time consuming.
No SAT Math Test does not include Calculus.
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The class is not only extremely helpful in improving SAT performance but is genuinely fun. I felt like I was friends with my teacher rather than a student. The class is engaging and I always have a good laugh with my teacher in every session. He explains each topic so well that everything is very easy to understand.
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It’s really good actually I was preparing sat coaching it was awesome and I have wait for the exam so the facilities have gave me good coaching
Have been doing SAT coaching here. The teacher is very friendly, patient, and attentive. The strategies that the teacher have taught me have been invaluable and my test scores have improved quite rapidly.
Have been doing SAT coaching here. The teacher is very friendly, patient, and attentive. The strategies that the teacher have taught me have been invaluable and my test scores have improved quite rapidly.
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