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SAT Math, topic by topic

The Math section is 19 skills in four domains. Each guide shows how College Board asks that skill, a real question for every way it is asked, and one to try with the video solution.

Algebra 5 guides

Linear equations

SAT Linear Equations Questions: The Five Types and the Fast Way Through

Linear equations in one variable are the most common question on SAT Math, and they come in five shapes. Here is each one with a real question, worked.

6 min read
Linear functions

SAT Linear Functions Questions: What Shows Up and the Fast Way Through

Linear functions are the biggest single skill on SAT Math. Here are the five ways the test asks them, with a real question for each, worked.

7 min read
Linear equations in two variables

SAT Linear Equations in Two Variables: The Five Types and the Fast Way

Lines in the xy-plane, ax + by = c word problems, parallel and perpendicular slopes. The five ways SAT Math asks them, with a real question for each.

6 min read
Systems of equations

SAT Systems of Equations Questions: The Five Types and the Fast Way

Systems of two linear equations show up on every SAT Math section. Here are the five ways they are asked, with a real question for each, worked.

6 min read
Linear inequalities

SAT Linear Inequalities Questions: The Five Types and the Fast Way

Linear inequalities are the Algebra questions students skip in practice and then miss on the test. The five ways they are asked, with a question each.

6 min read

Advanced Math 3 guides

Nonlinear functions

SAT Nonlinear Functions: Quadratics, Exponentials, and the Fast Way

Nonlinear functions are the largest Advanced Math skill on the SAT: quadratics, exponential growth and decay, vertices and transformations. Six types, worked.

7 min read
Nonlinear equations and systems

SAT Nonlinear Equations and Systems: The Five Types and the Fast Way

Quadratic equations, absolute value, rearranging formulas, line-meets-parabola systems and the discriminant. The five ways SAT Math asks them, worked.

6 min read
Equivalent expressions

SAT Equivalent Expressions: Exponents, Factoring, and the Fast Way

Equivalent expressions are the SAT Math questions that look like pure algebra and mostly are not. Five types, plus the Desmos check that catches mistakes.

6 min read

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis 7 guides

Ratios, rates and units

SAT Ratios, Rates, and Unit Conversions: The Five Types and the Fast Way

Ratios, rates, density and unit conversions are the easiest points in SAT Math to get and the easiest to give back. The five ways they are asked, worked.

6 min read
Percentages

SAT Percentage Questions: Five Types, One Equation for All of Them

Percent of, percent increase, reverse percent and chained percents. Every SAT percentage question is one equation used three ways. Five types, worked.

6 min read
Mean, median and standard deviation

SAT Mean, Median, and Standard Deviation Questions: The Five Types

One-variable data on the SAT is five calculations and two ideas. Here are the five ways mean, median, range and standard deviation are asked, worked.

6 min read
Scatterplots and models

SAT Scatterplot and Line of Best Fit Questions: The Five Types

Scatterplots, lines of best fit, and choosing linear versus exponential models. The five ways SAT Math asks two-variable data, with a question each.

6 min read
Probability

SAT Probability Questions: The Five Types and the Fraction Behind Them

Every SAT probability question is one fraction: favorable over total. Five types, including two-way tables and "given that," each one worked.

5 min read
Margin of error

SAT Margin of Error and Sample Questions: The Five Types

Sample statistics and margin of error are the SAT questions where the math is trivial and the wording is everything. Five types, each one worked.

5 min read
Statistical claims

SAT Statistical Claims Questions: Samples, Studies, and the Four Traps

Evaluating statistical claims is the rarest SAT Math skill and the fastest to learn: random sample, random assignment, and who the result covers.

5 min read

Geometry and Trigonometry 4 guides

Area and volume

SAT Area and Volume Questions: The Five Types and the Fast Way

Area, volume, surface area and the proportionality rule that turns a hard geometry question into one calculation. The five ways SAT Math asks it.

6 min read
Lines, angles and triangles

SAT Lines, Angles, and Triangles: The Six Types and the Fast Way

Parallel lines, triangle angle sums, similar triangles and the isosceles trap. The six ways SAT Math asks lines, angles and triangles, each worked.

6 min read
Right triangles and trigonometry

SAT Right Triangle and Trig Questions: Five Types and the Fast Way

Pythagorean theorem, SOH CAH TOA, special right triangles and the sine-cosine complement rule. The five ways SAT Math asks right triangles and trig.

6 min read
Circles

SAT Circle Questions: What Shows Up and the Fast Way Through

Circles appear on every SAT Math section in five shapes. Here is each one, the fast way through it, and a real question to try with the video.

6 min read

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