OFFERING IN PERSON COACHING
HOW YOU SHOULD STUDY FOR SAT
HOW YOU SHOULD STUDY FOR SAT
HOW YOU SHOULD STUDY FOR SAT
Many of the concepts on SAT Math you'll learn in your math classes in school. The concepts that are tested on the Math portion of the SAT are unique and specific.
I WILL COACH YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON YOUR MATH SAT or ACT.
MY MISSION IS TO:
- HELP YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS,
- UNCOVER AND DIAGNOSE YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES,
- IMPROVE YOUR EXAM TIME MANAGEMENT,
- HELP YOU BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE WORDING ON COMPLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS,
- PROVIDE THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS.
SAT INFO
HOW YOU SHOULD STUDY FOR SAT
HOW YOU SHOULD STUDY FOR SAT
The VERY first step in preparing for the math section of the SAT should be familiarizing yourself with exactly what's on it.
Whatever math class you're taking in school, you should be able to conquer the SAT math topics with the right approach to test prep.
SAT Math Format
Here's the breakdown of time, number of questions, and question types on the two SAT math sections.
1) No calculator SECTION: 15 multiple choice, 5 grid-ins, 25 minutes
2) Calculator SECTION: 30 multiple choice, 8 grid-ins (including one Extended Thinking question), 55 minutes
Total 58 questions, 80 minutes
You'll have access to the FORMULAS SHEET ( see the picture above) for geometry in both sections.
Both sections will begin with multiple-choice questions, each of which will feature four answer choices. Then you'll be asked for some student-produced responses, more commonly known as "GRIDS-IN"
On the calculator section, some of these grid-ins will relate to one another as part of an Extended Thinking question.
SAT Math Topics
What Are the Key Features of SAT Math?
What Are the Key Features of SAT Math?
College Board sorts the question types into these categories:
1) Heart of Algebra,
2) Passport to Advanced Math
3) Problem Solving and Data Analysis
4) Additional Topics ( only 10% of the SAT math questions)
1) HEART OF ALGEBRA
Official Topics
- 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
- Solving systems of linear equations
Summary of Tasks
- Use multiple steps to simplify an expression or equation or solve for a variable.
- Solve for a variable within functions or systems of inequalities with two variables (usually x and y).
- Determine whether a given point is in a solution set or what value would make an expression have no solution.
- Select a graph that shows an algebraic equation, or, on the flip side, choose the equation that describes a graph.
- Indicate how a graph would be affected by a given change in its equation.
2) PASSPORT TO ADVANCED MATH
Official Topics
- 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
- Functions
Summary of Tasks
- Solve equations by factoring or using other methods to rewrite them in another form.
- Add, subtract, multiply, or divide two rational expressions or divide two polynomial expressions and simplify your results.
- Select a graph that matches a nonlinear equation or an equation that corresponds to a graph.
- Determine the equation of a curve from a description of a graph.
- Figure out how a graph would change if its equation changed.
3) PROBLEM SOLVING AND DATA ANALYSIS
Official Topics
- Ratios, rates, and proportions
- Percents
- Units
- Table data
- Scatterplots
- Key features of graphs
- Linear and exponential growth
- Data inferences
- Center, spread, and shape of distributions
- Data collection and conclusions
Summary of Tasks
- Solve multi-step problems to calculate ratio, rate, percentage, unit rate, or density.
- Use a given ratio, rate, percentage, unit rate, or density to solve a multistep problem.
- Select an equation that best fits a scatterplot.
- Use tables to summarize data, such as probabilities.
- Estimate populations based on sample data.
- Use statistics to determine mean, median, mode, range, and/or standard deviation.
- Evaluate tables, graphs, or text summaries.
- Determine the accuracy of a data collection method.
4) ADDITIONAL MATH TOPICS
While 90% of your questions will fall into the Heart of Algebra, Passport to Advanced Math, or Problem Solving and Data Analysis categories, the remaining 10% will simply be classified as Additional Topics.
These topics include geometry, trigonometry, and problems with complex numbers.
Official Topics
- Volume word problems
- Right triangle word problems
- Congruence and similarity
- Right triangle geometry
- Angles, arc lengths, and trig functions
- Circle theorems
- Circle equations
- Complex numbers
Summary of Tasks
- Determine volume of a shape.
- Apply properties of triangles to determine side length or angle measure.
- Apply properties of circles to measure arc length and area.
- Solve problems with sine, cosine, and tangent.
To truly prepare for the math section of the SAT, you should make sure to review all of these topics. Some problems, furthermore, will integrate topics and require you to apply multiple skills and concepts as you work toward a solution. Multi-step problems are prevalent throughout the math section.
What Are the Key Features of SAT Math?
What Are the Key Features of SAT Math?
What Are the Key Features of SAT Math?
In addition to understanding content and format of the SAT Math section, there are some key features you should know about.
Multi-Step Problems
You may notice that several of the problem types state that they require multiple steps to solve. While wording of math questions should be straightforward, the thinking and calculations required will be relatively involved. To prepare, you'll especially want to focus on TIME MANAGEMENT and working quickly and efficiently.
To solve a word problem, you may have to combine skills from one more than one content area or use several steps to get to your answer. Word problems may present a long scenario, and you'll need to figure out what data to use and what concepts to apply to get to your answer.
Emphasis on "Real World" Applications
According to College Board, much of its purpose behind redesigning the SAT was to make the test more closely aligned with classroom learning and real world skills. As a result, the math section won't feature too many abstract reasoning questions.
Instead, the word problems will be grounded in realistic situations. Some may ask you to calculate gas left in a car's gas tank or the conversion of money from one country's currency to another. Most word problems will present scenarios that you might encounter in your life.
A Few Geometry and Trigonometry Questions
About 10% of the questions will feature GEOMETRY and/or TRIGONOMETRY. Since not everyone has studied trigonometry in school by the time they take the SAT, these questions may call for separate, SAT-specific preparation.
You should acquaint yourself with the relevant CONCEPTS AND FORMULAS, but focus most of your energies on preparing for algebra, functions, inequalities, graphs, and word problems.
A NO-CALCULATOR and a Calculator Section
For 25 minutes, you won't be able to bring out your calculator to answer any of the math questions. There's no need to worry! The problems in the 25-minute section won't require a calculator; in fact, using one on those problems would probably just slow you down.
Calculator fluency, or knowing how and when to use your calculator effectively, is an important skill on the SAT math. THE COLLEGE BOARD says, "Calculators are important tools, and...you'll need to know how - and when - to use them...The calculator is, like any tool, only as smart as the person using it. The Math Test includes some questions where it's better not to use a calculator, even though you're allowed to."
So you definitely won't need one on the shorter "no calculator" section, and you may not even need one on many of the problems in the longer "calculator" section. Answering lots of practice questions can help you get better at deciding when a calculator would be helpful and when it would just slow you down.
An Extended Thinking Problem
A few of your questions will be part of an Extended Thinking problem. Typically, this Extended Thinking problem will be part of the grid-in questions near the end of your 55-minute section.
Basically, you'll get a graph, table, or word problem scenario and then have to answer multiple questions about it.
Working together, YOU will ROCK THE MATH PORTION OF THE SAT!
Contact me at: gabrielageorgiadis@gmail.com for a free evaluation.