You've picked your SAT test date. Are you ready for the math section?

Learn exactly what to expect when you take the SAT and start honing your skills with some SAT math practice. Each sample question includes an explanation, so you can see how to crack it!

SAT Math: What to Study & Review

Here's the 4 categories of math concepts that are tested on the SAT:


  1. Algebra
  2. Advanced Math
  3. Problem Solving & Data Analysis 
  4. Geometry & Trigonometry

That’s it! Of these categories, Algebra and Advanced Math make up the largest part of the test, each delivering 7–8 questions per module. Geometry & Trigonometry and Problem Solving & Data Analysis make up the smallest part—there will only be a maximum of 16 questions (about four questions a piece in each module) for these two concepts on the SAT.

How the Test is Organized

The SAT Math section is made up of two modules organized in the same way. Here's what you can expect on each of them.


SAT Math Modules
Calculator allowed
35 minutes
22 questions per module:
  • Includes questions from all 4 math categories
  • Combination of multiple-choice and "fill-in" questions
  • ~30% of questions come in the form of word problems

About Fill-ins

Some Math questions will require you to produce your own answers. Although the format of these questions is different from that of the multiple choice questions, the mathematical concepts tested aren’t all that different.

Which SAT math formulas do I need to memorize?

The SAT does not provide helpful math formula references or hints during the test, so it's important to study them in advance. While there are quite a few geometry formulas to memorize, geometry itself isn't a major focus on the exam. If it's been a while since you've taken a geometry class, make sure to review the key formulas—especially the ones you find yourself forgetting during practice. That said, you'll likely get more value from focusing your prep time on Algebra and Advanced Math, which make up a larger portion of the test.

What kind of calculator should I bring?

If you have a graphing calculator, great. If you don’t, don’t sweat it! There is a graphing calculator built into the Bluebook application so you will have one handy should you need it. If you do decide to use a graphing calculator, keep in mind that it cannot have a QWERTY-style keyboard on it (like the TI-95). Also, you can't use the calculator on your phone. On test day, you will have to turn your phone off and put it underneath your seat. To verify that your specific calculator is approved for test day, check the website.

These SAT math questions and explanations come straight from our book On test day, you'll answer questions in Module 1 and then, based on your performance, move either to an easier Module 2 or a harder Module 2. Questions 1 and 4 are from Module 1, Questions 2 and 5 are from the easier Module 2, and Questions 3 and 6 are from the harder Module 2. This should give you a good sense of how these sections may differ.

Multiple Choice Practice

Solve each problem and choose the correct answer from the choices provided.

sample sat question 1

Answer: (D)

The question asks for an equation in terms of specific variables. There are variables in the answer choices, so plugging in is an option. However, that might get messy with three variables. All of the answer choices have n on the left side of the equation, so the other option is to solve for n . To begin to isolate n , multiply both sides of the equation by n to get w = ( n )(5 t – 3). Divide both sides of the equation by 5 t – 3 to get w / (5 t – 3) = n . The correct answer is (D).

sample sat question 2

Answer: (C)

The question asks for an equation that represents a given situation. Translate the information in Bite-Sized Pieces and eliminate after each piece. Translate 2 times a number z as 2 z . Eliminate (A) and (D) because they do not contain this term. Choices (B) and (C) correctly translate 6 less than as – 6 and equals –15 as = –15. However, 6 should be subtracted from 2z, not from –15, so eliminate (B). The correct answer is (C).

sample sat question 3

Answer: (A)

The question asks for the number of solutions to an equation. Divide both sides of the equation by 75 to get x = – x . The only value that makes this true is 0, so the equation has exactly one solution, and (A) is correct.

Fill-In Practice

Approximately 11 of the 44 Math questions you encounter across both modules will require you to write your answer in five characters or fewer (six, if you're using a negative sign). If a fraction would be too long to write this way, write the decimal equivalent instead. Write mixed numbers as improper fractions or decimals, and do not enter symbols (like %, $, or a comma) in your answer.

sample sat question 4

Answer: 12/20 or 0.6

The question asks for a probability based on data in a table. Probability is defined as # of outcomes that fit requirements/total # of outcomes . Read the table carefully to find the numbers to make the probability. There are 200 total textbooks, so that is the total # of outcomes . Of these 200 textbooks, 120 are new textbooks, so that is the # of outcomes that fit requirements . Therefore, the probability that a textbook chosen at random is a new textbook is 120/200.  This cannot be entered into the fill-in box, which only accepts 5 characters when the answer is positive. All equivalent answers that fit will be accepted, so reduce the fraction or convert it to a decimal. The correct answer is 12/20, 0.6, or another equivalent form.

sample sat question 5

Answer: 44

The question asks for the value of an expression given an equation. When an SAT question asks for the value of an expression, there is usually a straightforward way to solve for the expression without needing to completely isolate the variable. Since 4 y is four times y and 16 is four times 4, multiply the entire equation by 4 to get (4)( y – 4) = (4)(11). The equation becomes 4 y – 16 = 44. The correct answer is 44.

sample sat question 6

Answer: 105

Use the formula T = AN , in which T is the Total , A is the Average , and N is   the Number of things . Start by finding the mean of the four integers given in the question. There are 4 values, so N = 4. Find the Total by adding the four integers to get T = 114 + 109 + 106 + 111 = 440. The average formula becomes 440 = ( A )(4). Divide both sides of the equation by 4 to get A = 110. The question asks for the smallest integer that results in the full data set having an average less than that of the four integers shown, which is 110. Start with the next smallest integer, 109, for the average, and solve for the fifth integer in the data set. The average formula becomes T = (109)(5), so T = 545. The total of the first four integers was 440, so the fifth integer is 545 – 440 = 105. The question also states that the mean of the entire data set is an integer and that all of the integers are greater than 101, and 105 meets both of these conditions. To see whether a smaller integer meets all of the conditions given in the question, try an average of 108. The Total is now T = (108)(5) = 540, and the fifth integer is 540 – 440 = 100. This is not greater than 101, so 100 is too small. Thus, 105 is the smallest integer that meets the conditions, and it is correct.

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