SAT Math Section Tips

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Get on target

Familiarize yourself with the directions ahead of time.

Familiarize yourself with the directions ahead of time.

Take your pick

Good news — the test does not require you to memorize formulas. Commonly used formulas are provided in the test book at the beginning of each mathematics section. It is up to you to decide which formula is appropriate.

Math formulas are provided in the test book so no need to memorize formulas.

A matter of facts

Read the problem carefully. Note the key words that tell you what the question is asking. Ask yourself the following questions before you solve each problem: What is the question asking? What do I know?

Read the problem carefully. What is the question asking? What do I know?

Luck of the draw

With some problems, it may be useful to draw a sketch or diagram of the given information.

With some problems, it may be useful to draw a sketch or diagram.

Check your head

Use the test book for scratchwork. You are not expected to work out the solution in your head. You will not receive credit for anything written in the booklet, but you will be able to check your work easily later.

Use the test book for scratchwork. You will be able to check your work easily later.

Process of elimination

Eliminate choices. If you don't know the correct answer to a question, it's sometimes easier to find the wrong answers than the correct one. On some questions, you can eliminate all the incorrect choices.

Eliminate choices. On some questions, you can eliminate all the incorrect choices.

Seeing is believing

All figures are drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated.

All figures are drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated.

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