1. In total there are 48 separate reading based questions. Eight of them will be short reading passages, while the other 40 will be from longer passages. 
2. The questions are divided into three sections. The first two are 24 or 25 questions with 25 minutes available to answer, while the last 18 or 19 questions must be completed in 20 minutes. 
3. A double passage combination will be used for test takers to compare and contrast two passages of text. 
4. Also, there may be individual passages that are not related at all. 
5. Long passage questions are usually 60 to 90 lines and are connected to as few as six questions or as many as a dozen questions. 
6. Long double passages may be 70 to 90 lines and contain 9 to 12 questions. 
7. History, communication, science, economics, psychology, politics, and literature are some of the topics that may be used in passages. 
8. There will only be one double long passage on the entire SAT. 
9. There will be many different types of passages and questions used - some are meant to be extra confusing.

1. In total, there will be nineteen questions split into three separate sections - 8 questions, 5 questions, and 6 questions. 
2. The first two take place during a 25 minute session, whereas the last takes place in a separate 20 minute session. 
3. The answer choices are not random and many words will appear over and over again to confuse students. 
4. Paying attention to the exact sequence of a question is very important. 
5. There will be single word and double word answer blanks available. 
6. One quarter of a point is deducted for wrong answers, which means guessing is not a good idea here. 
7. There are five difficulty levels of questions - one through five difficulty level. 

The last questions on the sentence completion section require a mastery of complex vocabulary skills. The only way to do well is to know a lot of words really well. The last questions are meant to be difficult and they will be. If a test taker can eliminate two or more choices, it may be a good idea to take the gamble for the points. However, it is wise to remember that a quarter point is taken away for each wrong answer while skipped questions neither give or take away points.

SAT Math Difficulty

Some students worry about the math section of the SATs, but a high score is easy to achieve when the math section is understood for what it really is - a way to use a "universal language" (math) to find out more about the test taker. 

SATs are not based on your knowledge of math and other subjects. Rather, the SAT is more about how a person takes a test, which can reveal more about a person than a knowledge-based test. While there are a lot of math questions on the SAT, most of the problems are basic. 

Because math is a universal language taught in classrooms everywhere, it is a good way for the makers of the SAT to test various aspects of a person's abilities beyond simple memorization of facts and recital of information. 

The SAT tests how a person follow directions. It can be a good way to tell if people read carefully and actually comprehend the information they take in. The SAT can also show how well a person deals with stress and whether or not they can think with creativity. 

Critical thinking is the cornerstone of the modern education system, and the SAT is actually a carefully constructed way to test how well someone does with this necessary skill. Colleges and universities can use this information to make sure a student is a good fit with their learning institution. 

In actuality, the math portions of the SAT are usually based on 7th to 9th grade math. Even for those that are not good with numbers, it is simplicity itself to get a high math score on the SAT by knowing more about the actual test and testing process. And this is what colleges and universities are looking for in students - the ability to look at a problem and come up with the best answer possible. 

The people who make the tests are required to come up with questions that are "tricky" or "sneaky." They do this to make sure the test accurately finds people who are college material. In fact, students taking this test are expected to fit a certain bell curve. In order to stay employed, they need to make sure they create test questions that "trip up" certain students who do not read carefully and understand the instructions. 

SAT Bell Curve

The Bell Curve is a scale that is seen over and over in different situations. In the case of the SAT, it is graded with a score of 200 to 800 - a perfect score. The makers of the test expect some people to fail miserably, some people to do okay (the middle or top of the bell) and less people to do really well. 

When people who take the test do not fit the bell curve, it is a sign that the test is either too easy or too difficult, something that will not help a college or university attract the right type of students. Because of this, test makers strive to ensure the test results are a bell curve in most instances. 

The Bell Curve is a great method to reflect people who take the SAT. While some people will invariably fail miserably, there is another small group of individuals who will do really well at the SAT. Therefore, the test is designed so that most people will fall somewhere in the middle - between the 200 and 800 extremes. 

Because of this, questions are weighted differently on the exam to best reflect a bell curve. So, while a person may get 8 out of 9 questions in one section and go from 580 to 590, in another section getting 8 out of 9 questions may cause them to drop from 740 to 710 - a larger difference. 

Knowing this, a person taking the test for the first time should expect to fall more on the left end of the bell curve. However, with practice and experience, it is easy to increase SAT scores quite dramatically. 

What is a Good SAT Score?

A high score on the SAT is important for many different reasons. Scoring a 200 will make it difficult to get in most colleges - even state colleges - while an SAT score of 800 does indeed open more doors and can lead to more opportunities in life. For some a score in the low 500s is enough, but for others striving for perfection is a necessity. 

Either way, studying and preparing for the SAT can increase the chances of a high score quite dramatically. By preparing and learning how to study for the SAT, students can increase their score to accurately reflect their mental abilities. Another aspect to consider is career possibilities. For example, someone wanting to be a novelist or journalist will want to score higher on the English section of the SAT while the math portion may not be as important. 

However, with any career choice that is made, a high SAT course can open doors to many universities that can really expand and improve a person's life. Educational opportunities are treasures to be won. Getting a high score on the SAT through preparation can be a way to increase the odds of having a great college experience. 

Are There a Lot of  Math Questions on the SAT?

The SAT math section is split into three sections. In total, there will be 54 math questions that are graded. There is one section of multiple choice questions (25 minutes), one section of multiple choice and grid-ins (25 minutes) and a final section of multiple choice that is 20 minutes. 

How SAT Questions are Arranged 

When taking the SAT math test, it is important to know that the questions go from easier questions to the more difficult ones. For example, on the 25 minute multiple choice section, the first 7 or 8 questions will be very easy while the rest will get progressively more difficult. Smart test takers use this knowledge to their advantage when taking the SAT. The second section with grid-ins is a little different, with questions one to three the easiest while the next four will be slightly harder and the last two will be the hardest. The cycle then starts over with 3 easy questions. 

Number of Math Sections on the SAT

When taking the SAT math section, it should be noted that there is always a section that is secret until the day of your test. Whether it is Math, Critical Reading, or a Writing test, you will not know beforehand. Because of this, it is crucial to make sure you study for all sections of the test as if they would definitely be on the test. 

The good news about this extra section is that it will not count toward the final score. When taking practice SAT tests it may be noticed that they are missing this experimental or variable section in the test. Additionally, if someone does really poorly on a section, there is a chance that it will be the variable section that does not count toward the final score. 

Math Concepts Tested With the SAT?

The math used in the SAT is average 7th to 9th grade math. It consists of arithmetic (numbers), algebra (variables), basic geometry (shapes and graphs), statistics (charts and data) and other questions like logic or sequencing questions. This means there is no trigonometry, calculus or advanced geometry on the SAT math test. This is great news for those who are studying for the math SAT because they can concentrate on just those math concepts that will be on the test, which are easier than some of the more advanced math equations out there. Additionally, it is important to remember that on the SAT sometimes it is more about following directions more than getting the right answer. 

Points for SAT Math Questions?

Every correct question is worth 1 full point while incorrect answers are worth ¼ (.25 of a point.) Each wrong answer will bring down your raw score (from 200 to 800) while skipping a question will not increase or decrease your SAT math score. 

The first thing to realize is that SAT math is not the same as the math you learned in school. They are the same, of course, but people taking the SAT math section need to realize that it is more about the way the questions are asked on the SAT. Here are some things to consider before taking the math section of the SAT. 

SAT Math: What Works for You?

When it comes to solving math problems, there is more than one way to come to the same (correct) answer. The important thing to remember for test takers is that they should use whatever works best for them. For those who haven't yet gotten an 800 on the math section of the SAT, we will have some tips and techniques to help ace the math portion of the SAT. By studying and learning from the advice we give as well as using our practice tests, a person can radically increase their score on the math part of the SAT. 

It should be noted that the techniques we give you may not work well for school assignments where the teacher wants to know if a student understands the whole process of getting to a particular answer. Having said that, when taking the SAT math section, it is all about getting the correct answer no matter how you get there. This is good news for those who know shortcuts that can give them math answers quickly so they can finish the entire test - and ace it as well. 

To achieve the highest score, the trick is to NOT answer all of the questions on the test. Instead, a person should only answer those questions they absolutely know they are going to get correct. This may not always be possible, but by using good judgement, a person should be able to pick out which answers they feel most confident about on a test. 

For example, if there's a question that is extremely difficult, it may be better to skip it rather than take the time to try to figure it out. The time taken to solve the unfamiliar problem could be better spent answering easier questions for a guaranteed full point at the end of the test. Having said that, once you finish the other questions, it makes sense to go back to any questions you skipped if you have the time left. Then again, if you find trouble with a problem and do not understand it completely, it is better to skip it rather than guess and try to answer it. 

Pacing on the SAT Math Section

Another important aspect of taking the SAT math portion that should be considered is pacing. For example, no more than one third of the time given should be taken on the easy questions while a third of the time is used to try to solve the medium and hard questions on the test. 

While these divisions of time are good for some, the exact amount of time spent on each section will vary from student to student. For those who have tested around 600 and do not think they can do much better, it may be possible to skip the hardest questions on the test in order to get the highest score possible. 

Instead of spending time on problems that are not understood, the time is better spent reviewing other answers to make sure they are correct, which can help the overall final score of the SAT math section. If the concept or question is totally understood it is okay to answer the tougher questions, but even those who have tested over 600 should be careful when taking the math portion of the SAT. 

While skipping some difficult questions is a good idea, it is important for a test taker to keep up with how many questions have been skipped. Taking a look at the test paper bubble sheet can give a person a good idea of how many questions have been skipped. When getting to the end of the test, it may sometimes be worth it to go back and try skipped questions again, but knowing whether or not this is a good idea is most important. 

SAT Math Section: Should You Guess on the Test?

This is a question that many people who are about to take the SAT ask. The answer depends on the person taking the test, of course, but there are some general rules that apply. 

• Elimination - If one or more answer choices can be eliminated for certain, it is usually a good idea to take a guess. The chances are that your score will slowly go up. A pure guess has a one in five chance of resulting in a full point on the test while if you eliminate two answers, the chance of getting the right answer goes up to one in three. 
• Pacing - For those who adequately pace themselves during the test, taking the time to go back and guess on an answer if some options can be eliminated is easier and may result in a higher overall SAT score. 
• Really Tough Questions - Some questions may be hard to understand or about concepts that are not known about. In these cases, it is usually a very good idea to skip the question entirely rather than try to guess the answer. 

One of the biggest problems with people taking the SAT math portion is careless mistakes. Even smart students who study sometimes make careless mistakes that cost them points on their overall SAT score. It is important to remember that the SAT is more about testing the way you take tests rather than how much knowledge you have. To do this, the SAT test makers use tricky questions to try to get students to score lower. 

Some common careless mistakes include not ordering operations correctly, assumptions about a number (like whether or not it is a prime number), or even something simple like forgetting a negative sign in front of a final answer. Other common SAT math mistakes include subtracting instead of adding or solving a problem for the wrong variable. Because SAT math questions are random, it can be difficult to notice when you are consistently making careless mistakes. 

It should be noted that the wrong answers are not just random answers. They are usually created to intentionally trip up or confuse people taking the test. In fact, a lot of the wrong answers may seem correct depending on how a person interprets the question being asked. SAT test makers have been doing this for years to great effect. Over the years, they have learned common mistakes that people make and intentionally offer answer choices that are close but not correct. 

The problem with making careless mistakes on the SAT is that a person could be making them and think they are doing well when in actuality they are going to get a low overall score on the SAT math section. Because of this, it is important to read questions carefully and know exactly what they want as an answer. The best advice to overcome this is to be careful when taking the SAT math portion and know the test makers are out to trick you. 

SAT Rules & Tips

Below are some tips and techniques to help prevent careless mistakes when taking the math portion of the SAT.  None of these rules are set in stone, but they make a good foundation for anyone who is serious about getting a higher score on the math section of the SAT. 

• Read Slowly - Reading the questions slowly and carefully will help make sure the question is understood completely. Sometimes, a single word change can make the entire question different. Because of this, the slower a person reads the more they are able to comprehend what is actually being asked in the question. This increases the chance of a person getting the correct answer to the SAT math question. 
• Know When to Solve and When to Skip - Knowing whether or not a problem is easily solvable is important for those who want to score high on the SAT math section. For problems that are easy to solve - even if they are complex - a person should jump into the question and solve it. However, if the equation isn't known or the question isn't totally understood, it's probably better to skip it at first. Knowing the difference is important for those who want to get the highest score possible on the SAT math section. 
• About 10 Seconds - If it takes less than around ten seconds to solve a complex math question on the SAT, chances are the answer is wrong. Easy questions on the SAT are easy and difficult ones are extremely hard. If it does not seem difficult, a person may be answering the question incorrectly. It is also important to remember that test makers intentionally try to make difficult questions seem easy so that students who do not read carefully and comprehend fall for a wrong answer. If it seems too easy and is not supposed to be easy, there is probably some trickery going on and it is recommended to read the remainder of the question. 
• Read it Again - Questions should be read twice before they are answered. This is because the people who make the SAT test like to give a series of steps then throw a curve ball and ask something entirely different. For those who do not read the entire question carefully, the chances are high that the wrong answer will be chosen. 
• Write it Down - One important thing that a lot of people forget when taking the math portion of the SAT is to write their work down. Doing this can help you make sure the math is being done correctly. This may seem like a very simple step - and it is - but employing this practice can dramatically increase the chances of getting an answer correct. Additionally, having the problem written down allows a person to go back and double check the work more easily. All of this adds up to help for the SAT math section. 
• Calculators Help - Because calculators are allowed, a calculator should be used instead of doing math mentally. This can help increase the chances you are going to get the correct answer. While some people may be impressed by those who can crunch large numbers in their mind easily, the fact is that the SAT math test is all about getting the right answer, not showing off "rain man" math skills. This is why having a calculator and using it even for simple arithmetic is important. 
• Idiots are Wise - While some people with superior math skills may think that using a calculator makes a person less intelligent or mentally adept, the truth is that using the calculator is actually the smarter choice when dealing with the math section of the SAT. There are no witnesses when taking the test so showing off mental math abilities does not make sense at all. Using a calculator may seem like something that is not needed, but when it comes to the SAT math portion, it is a wise choice indeed. 
• About Guessing - On the multiple choice math sections of the SAT, the general rule is that if one or more answers can be definitely removed as possibilities, it may be a good idea to take a guess depending on the odds. For the easier questions on the beginning of the test this is the case even more. When no options can be eliminated, however, it is a good idea to skip the question rather than try to answer it. 

Why are all these tips important? When taking the SAT it is easy to become confused and make a simple mistake. From stress to nervousness there are a lot of feelings at play when taking the SAT - even for those who seem calm, cool and collected on the outside. Because of this, simple mistakes like adding instead of subtracting or forgetting a negative sign can be easily made even by the most careful people. This is why taking the time to prepare for the SAT math section is so important for those who want to do as best as they can. Remember that sometimes it is not about getting a perfect 800, but each person getting the best possible score that they can. This is what makes the SAT such a useful and frustrating test. 

As was previously mentioned, using a calculator is a key component to getting the highest score possible on the math section of the SAT. Because of its importance when taking the SAT, it is a good idea to become familiar with using it. The easiest way to do this is to use it often for the weeks leading up to the test. The more a calculator is used, the more comfortable and easy to use it will become for a person. For example, the location of the + and * buttons should be noted carefully so that one is not pressed instead of the other, which can offer up quite a different answer, but more importantly a wrong answer which will lower your overall score. 

There are advanced functions like square root, cube root and parentheses that are needed. However, it should be noted that a graphing calculator is not needed, although they are allowed when taking the test. Also important to note is that batteries are usually taken out of a calculator to clear the memory before a test is taken so that there is no cheating when taking the test. 

Another thing that is important to remember when using a calculator for the SAT math section is that hitting the wrong button - a 5 instead of a 6 for instance - is common. Because of this, it is a good idea to enter numbers slowly and double check them. Being familiar with the calculator being used helps make this easier and quicker, which is important when taking a timed test. For those that do use a graphing calculator, it is recommended to not clear the screen but keep old work around so that it can be referred to if needed when double checking work at the end of the test if there is time. 

The last thing to take note of when using a calculator with the math portion of the SAT test is that most only display around 10 digits. However, on the SAT test, most answers are only three or four digits long. When this happens, it is important to read the question carefully to see whether the answer is meant to be rounded up. Additionally, a person should never round up when not specifically instructed to do so in the text of the question. As always, it should be noted that the makers of the SAT math test intentionally try to trick the person taking the test and this is one way in which they routinely do it. 

Using a calculator during the SAT math portion makes it a little easier, but there are also pitfalls that should be avoided. By knowing what they are and working to avoid them, a person can really increase their overall math score on the SAT. From becoming familiar with the calculator to using it slowly and carefully, there are a lot of actions that can be taken to increase the odds of getting a high score on the math section of the SAT. 

For those not familiar with the grid-in section of the SAT math section, they are questions in which an answer is put into the bubble. These are the rules from the SAT math test so that you can become familiar with them. We are going to add our opinions on them in parentheses.   

Rules for Grid-ins on the SAT Math Section

• Mark no more than one circle in any column. (This is important to understand and comprehend fully.) 
• You will only receive credit if the circles are correctly filled in. (Because of this, a person should take their time and make sure the circles are filled in appropriately.) 
• Answers can be gridded in any position if they are shorter than the columns provided (For example, a person can start their answers in any column provided.)
• It is not required to write your answer in the boxes provided at the top, but it is suggested. (When something is suggested, it is usually a good idea to follow the advice and that is the case in this situation.)
• Some problems can have more than one correct answer.  If so, pick only one to grid in. (Knowing the right answer is important, of course, but following directions and only filling in one grid is even more important.)
• Answers cannot be negative (This is a key clue that should save some people a long time if a negative answer comes up.) 
• Mixed numbers must be gridded as improper fractions (Understanding fractions - basic math - is important for those taking the SAT. Brushing up on fractions is a good idea for those who never had math as a strong area of knowledge.) 

There are other rules about decimals and rounding up or down that should be followed closely as well. The good thing about grid-ins on the SAT math section is that they do not cause a person to lose points for wrong answers. Because of this, grid-ins should always be answered. After doing the work, even if the answer is not 100% definitely correct, it is a good idea to take the chance and guess with a grid-in. 

Here are some other things to take into consideration when taking the math section of the SAT. It should be noted that these are tips the test makers DO NOT want people to know about. 

• Zero - Marking an answer 0.4 instead of .4 will be considered wrong, which is an important thing to note when answering grid-in questions on the math section of the SAT. 
• Far Left First - Answers should ALWAYS be started in the far left column. This is not something required by the test, but it forces a person to carry out decimals as far as possible. Additionally, it can help a person stop from putting the 0 in front of a decimal, which would make an answer incorrect and worth no points. 
• Fractions - When it comes to fractions on the grid-in sections of the SAT math portion, it should be noted that they do NOT need to be reduced. Additionally, decimal or fraction form is acceptable when giving a grid-in answer. Because of this, time spent not reducing a fraction down can be spent answering other questions and increasing the overall score. 
• It Should Fit - When filling in a grid-in answer, it is vital that the answer fit in the number of spaces provided. Because of this, really large numbers that do not fit in the given amount of spaces cannot be correct. 
• Use Boxes First - Before bubbling the answers, the boxes should be filled out first. This is because careless mistakes are common when taking the math portion of the SAT. Anything written in the boxes does not count for an answer, so it is a good way to make sure an answer that is bubbled is done so correctly. 

Additional Grid-in Tricks:

Here are some other things to note when taking the grid-ins on the math section of the SAT.

• No Negatives or Symbols - Negative numbers and math symbols are never used as grid-in answers. Knowing this can help a person know whether or not their answer is even close to being correct. For example, some questions may ask a person to disregard the percentage symbol when writing an answer. So, an answer that is 15% should be written in as 15 and not .15. This is a common mistake that many people make when taking the grid-ins section of the SAT. 
• Decimals not Fractions - Sometimes a test question will be given that has an answer in fraction form that will not fit into the bubbles. In these cases, the number should be switched to decimal form in order to fit on the grid-in bubbles. This is another way that test makers try to trick people taking the math section of the SAT so the bell curve is followed when people take the test. 

Overall Rule for Grid In Sections 

The most important thing a test taker can do is trust themselves when they do the work required to get an answer and are confident that it is correct. Frequently, people taking the SAT math section will second guess themselves out of nervousness or frustration and end up getting a lower score than they actually could get. Because of this, it is important for a person to trust their gut when answering questions on the math section of the SAT. Additionally, as mentioned, the fact no points are lost with a wrong answer on the grid-ins section means that a person should guess as long as they can make an educated guess about the correct answer. This is the single most important factor about improving a math score on the SAT. 

Preparing for the actual day of the test is important for those who want to do well on the SAT. One of the biggest factors that most people face when taking the SAT math portion is the actual stress before the test even starts. Learning how to recognize and deal with this pre-test stress is an important part of getting a great score on the SAT math section. The test makers know they have stress working for them which makes their tricky questions even trickier. 

From panic attacks to hormones getting out of whack, there are a lot of ways physical aspects of the body can cause a person to get a lower score than they normally would when taking the SAT under the best of conditions. Because of this, learning how to deal with stress before the test is a great way to increase the overall score. While a lot of stress is because of physical things that are out of the control of most people, there are techniques and tips that can help. Beyond studying and prepping for taking the SAT, we have some additional tips to help students deal with stress. 

Checklist for SAT Math Test 

• Don't Panic - Staying calm is of utmost importance when taking the SAT. Knowing when to skip a problem instead of starting to sweat over it is important for keeping a person's overall stress level down. Staying calm, cool and collected during the test enables a person to make sure they don't make careless mistakes, which are quite common when dealing with the SAT questions. 
• Do NOT Cram - Cramming the night before - instead of getting rest and sleep - can do more harm than good. While this may not seem correct, enough studies have been done to show that getting enough rest and not cramming the night before can actually help a person improve their SAT score. Because of this, it is important for a person to get their mind off the test the night before. Whether this means watching movies or playing video games or reading, something should be done to not think about the SAT and the test the next day. Having said that, going to get and getting a good night of sleep is important. 
• Get Good Sleep - As mentioned, making sure a person gets a full night of uninterrupted sleep is important when taking the SAT. Because the test makers try to trick those taking the test, those who are half-asleep or not well rested will be more prone to making mistakes. While getting enough sleep is important for many reasons, the next tip is also crucial for those who want to do the best they can on the SAT math section. 
• Get Up Early - If a person wakes up less than an hour before the test and rushes to take it, there is a good chance they will make simple mistakes that could be avoided. A person needs to make sure they give their mind enough time to "wake up" in the morning so that they are at their best when taking the test. This tip goes along with the next one as well - eating right. 
• Have a Good Meal - Eating a good, healthy meal - and having enough time to eat it and enjoy it - can go a long way in helping make sure a person is calm and able to take the SAT test to the best of their ability. Another good idea is to bring a snack to the test. During a break, a boost can be just what a person needs to be more mentally alert when answering questions that were designed to be confusing. An energy bar can be a great way to get a boost during a break on the test. 
• Utilize Breaks Given - While some may think that not taking a break is a good idea, there are many ways that taking a break from a test can help a person do better. While breaks may seem like a short amount of time, it can be just what a body and mind needs to energize and prepare for the next section of the test, whatever it might be. Learning how to stay calm and relax during a break is also important. 
• Prepare the Night Before - From pencils to calculator to what is going to be worn the day of the test to what is going to be had for breakfast, the more a person prepares for a test the night before. By doing this, a person can make sure they have very little to stress out about the day of the test. This can go a long way in helping them prepare mentally for the grueling work ahead. 

Getting a high score on the SAT math section is not easy and takes everything for a person to do well. 

• Whole Numbers are basic numbers used for counting. For example, 0, 1, 2, 124, 4297...  Whole numbers are:
  • From zero up to infinity (positive)
  • Positive (except for zero, which has some special rules and considerations.)
  • Never a fraction
  • Never contain a decimal
• -Integers: Just like whole numbers, but also includes negatives.  Some examples are -4, -3, -416, and also 0, 1, 2, etc.  Integers are:
  • Negative or positive up to infinity
  • Only "counting numbers" 
  • Never a fraction
  • Never contain a decimal

• Odd Numbers: Examples are 1, 5, 9, 11, as well as their negatives -1, -5, -9 and so on. Odd numbers are
  • Always positive or negative
  • Only Integers (no decimals or fractions)
  • Not divisible by 2 evenly. 
• Even Numbers: Examples are 0, 2, 4, 8, and so on into infinity. There are even negative numbers as well. Even numbers are
  • Always positive or negative
  • Only integers (no fractions or decimals)
  • Always evenly divisible by two (2_)
• Consecutive: When you see this word on the SAT math section, it simply means something - "in a row." For example an SAT question might ask for "three consecutive numbers" (like 7, 8, 9) although they may also ask for more specifics like "four consecutive odd numbers." Because of this, it is important to not assume right away when the word consecutive is seen. Instead, reading the question carefully and understanding what is being asked for will increase the chances of successfully answering the question and getting points for a high math score on the SAT.  It should also be noted that consecutive numbers will be integers. 

TIP: Test takers should remember that "consecutive numbers" will be integers. Having said that, there are cases the integers may be in an odd location (like a fraction), but as long as the question is read carefully, this will be explained and understood.

BONUS TIP: If a question on the SAT math section asks for "four consecutive numbers" and the  question requires algebra to solve, set up the equation to use X as the smallest number.  The next number will be x + 1, then x + 2  and so on for every consecutive number.  If the question asks for consecutive even numbers or consecutive odd numbers, set up x for the smallest number, but then use x + 2 for the second number, x + 4  for the third number, and so on.  Even for consecutive odd numbers, you still use x + 2, x + 4, and so forth. Plug a number in to further see how this works. 

• Real Numbers: These are all numbers in existence except for imaginary numbers. The explanation is simple, but occasionally test takers will read too much into the question asking for a "real number" and miss the whole point of the question, getting it wrong and lowering the overall SAT math score. 
• Rational Numbers: These are "any number that can be written as x / y  where x and y are integers." To further explain...
  • A rational number will be a repeating decimal like .99, a terminating decimal like   .324, or a fraction - 2/9 or 43 / 7 
  • In algebra problems, if the question specifies that the variable will be an integer, something like 5/x would be a rational number.
  • Irrational numbers are ones like π or √2  -- numbers that do not end and cannot be written as fractions.
• Positive Numbers: These are simply numbers that are greater than zero, reaching to infinity. 
• Negative Numbers: These are numbers that are less than zero - again to infinity in this direction. 
• Digits: These are the basic numbers 0 through 9.  Digits are like the numbers on a cellphone. A sample question might ask "When a four-digit number is added to a two digit number, the result will always be …" The answer will be one of the digits 0 through 9.  
• Distinct: Distinct numbers are "separate" or "different" than others. If a question asks, "In a fraction where x and y are both distinct integers, what happens when..." So, the test makers are looking for two separate numbers, not the same one for both x and y. 

• Divisible: This means a number can be evenly divided. For example, 49 is divisible by 7 without a remainder. 
• Divisor: This is the number that will go into the other number.  For example, in the equation "36 ÷ 4" the divisor would be the number 4.  Some refer to this as the number "outside the bridge" when doing long division.  On the other hand, the dividend is the number "under the bridge."                     
• Sum/Difference/Product/Quotient: These are the answers for math.  The sum is for addition problems, the difference uses subtraction, the product is found with multiplication, and the quotient is found using division. 

• Special Rules for the number zero (0)
  • Zero is NOT positive OR negative
  • Zero is an even number
  • Zero is a real, rational, integer. 
  • Zero is  a whole number, and a digit
  • Zero is a multiple of every number 
  • Anything multiplied by zero is zero

1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Multiply
4. Divide
5. Add
6. Subtract

1. Parentheses
2. Exponents
3. Multiply/Divide
4. Add/Subtract

• A number is even - It is divisible 2
• The sum of the digits is a multiple of 3 - It is divisible by 3
• The last two digits are divisible by 4 - - It is divisible by 4
• A number ends in 5 or 0 - It is divisible by 5
• The sum is a multiple of 3 and it is an even number - It is divisible by 6
• The sum of the last three numbers are divisible by 8 - The entire number is divisible by 8
• The sum of the numbers is a multiple of 9 - The number is divisible by 9
• The number ends in zero - The number is divisible by 10
• The number is divisible by both 3 and 4 - The number is divisible by 12

• What is the remainder of 14551 when it is divided by 31?
• What is the 105th letter in the repeating sequence: B, C, D, E, F, G...
• For the sequence of numbers: 1, -2, 3, -4, 5, -6, 1, -2, 3, -4, 5, -6, … what is the sum of the first 50 numbers in the sequence?

• Break it Down - The best advice is to break it down into individual phrases. For commas, periods and the word and, draw a line to separate the sections of the question. At every stop, it is important to make sure that whatever is asked for is given before proceeding to the rest of the question. 
• Disregard - Occasionally an SAT word problem will include information that is not needed to get an answer. However, there is a good chance that if the information is used the answer will be wrong, bringing down the overall score on the math section of the SAT. Because of this, it is important to read carefully and disregard any information that is not needed.
• Step by Step - After the question is broke down into its segments and unnecessary information taken out, the next step is to move through the problem section by section to get the final answer, which should be available as a multiple choice answer. If the answer expected is not given, it may be a good idea to skip the question and come back to it if there is time after working through all the other problems. 
• Check Work - Before putting down the final answer, read the question one more time. While this takes a little time, double checking work on arithmetic word problems is a good idea to make sure no "stupid mistakes" are made. Word problems are intentionally made to be confusing, which is why it is a good idea to take them slowly. 

• Inequality questions have a range of answers. 
• When multiplying or dividing a negative number, it is important to switch the direction of the sign of the numbers. 

1. Recognize where the strategy can be used
2. Substitute a number for the variables in the problem
3. Using numbers, solve the equation to get the answer and place a circle around it for later reference.

• Never use a 0 or 1 for the variable
• Never use a 2 if there are exponents present
• Avoid numbers that will cancel each other out
• Choose different numbers for each variable to prevent them cancelling each other out
• Use numbers that are easy to work with, even if they are unrealistic numbers

• Trick Questions - As with other sections of the SAT, it is crucial to be aware of and look for trick questions throughout the exam. The test makers know how stressful the SAT can be and they use this to their advantage when coming up with deliberately confusing questions for the exam. 
• Simple Math - Remember that the math used in the SAT is all basic math, concepts that should be known. If they are not, refreshing the memory about basic math skills - especially algebra - is a good idea for many reasons. It can give practice for the actual test and help stimulate the mind. 
• Check Answers - After first arriving at an answer, it is important to check the answer to make sure it is correct. Doing this takes a little time, but a correct answer will be rewarded with a full point while an incorrect answer will only be a fraction of a point, which affects the overall math score on the SAT. 
• Skip Entirely - For some questions on the algebra section of the SAT, it is advisable to skip it entirely and not go back. This is especially true for students who are easily confused by word problems, simultaneous equations or any other math concept used on the SAT. As a wrong answer will bring the overall score down on the SAT and a skipped one will not, it sometimes makes sense to skip a question and not go back. 
• Skip and Go Back - In other cases, when a question is skipped because it is taking too long to answer, it makes sense to go back and answer it fully. Knowing when to go back to a question to try to answer it with a fresh mind is an important skill to have for those who want to get the highest SAT math score possible. 
• Read Carefully - Reading and comprehending each question is vitally important to getting a high score on the SAT math exam. Because test makers intentionally try to trick test takers, it is always a good idea to ask whether or not the question may be intentionally confusing and go over it with a fine toothed comb, reading carefully and more importantly comprehending what the question wants as an answer. 

1. Look at the signs to determine whether to add or subtract.
2. Simplify the number then add or subtract as needed. 

Simply put, negative exponents are those that are "flipped." So, if a negative exponent appears in a denominator in a problem, it is simply necessary to move the numerator to make it a positive or negative depending on the question. 

When a denominator has a square root it will not appear that way in the answer choice on the SAT math section. Most of the time, numbers with a square root in the denominator will be rationalized so that they have a whole number as the denominator. The process to achieve this is quite simple. 

SAT test makers will occasionally try to trick test takers by putting variables into square root questions. However, the trick is to solve these just like normal square root problems. The numbers may be a bit more confusing, but the basic rules of math still apply and never change. 

Whenever the word average is seen in a word problem on the SAT, it is important to write down the number of separate equations that will need to be solved. Averaging questions can be tricky by nature, so it is important to read them carefully and make sure the question is understood correctly. 

Translations in Word Problems

1. Organization is important. When taking the SAT math section, keeping work neat will help make sure that the final answer is correct and the full point is received for the question. This also helps make it easier to fix mistakes that may be made because of the ability to backtrack and see work that has been done. 
2. Knowing the value of the number of the answer choice is will also be important for making sure the correct answer is picked. Rereading problems slowly and with comprehension will make sure that the right answer is picked. 
3. The answer should be true for each and every part of the question. Some of the types of questions that are most difficult have different requirements for the right answer and more than one of the answers on the multiple choice section will appear to be correct while only one will be the actual correct answer. The answer should be true for all the requirements in the question. 
4. When an answer that works is found, it is a good idea to move on to the next one. This is only the case where there is 100% certainty that the answer selected is the correct and final answer. 
5. Keep your work neat and organized.  This is the only form of insurance you have, and the only way you can possibly notice if you made an easily fixable careless mistake.
6. Know what number the answer choice represents.  This goes back to one of our first rules, rereading the bottom of the question before answering.  You want to make sure that you're looking for the correct thing.  If the question states "A hamburger and soda cost $4.75.  If the soda costs $.75 less than the hamburger, how much does the hamburger cost?"  you need to make sure that you're looking for and answering the cost of the hamburger, not the cost of the soda.
7. Make sure your answer is true for ALL parts of the question.  Some of the questions in which it is most convenient to Use the Answer Choices are long and complicated with many elements to satisfy.  The answer you select must be true for all of them, not just one or two.
8. Stop when you get an answer that works.  Unlike ITOS, when you Use the Answer Choices, there can only be one right answer.  When you find it, you're done.  Move on.  Don't waste time checking the other guys.  They're wrong.  Is that clear enough?

1. Choose one variable and change it to a number
2. Using that number next solve for the other variables in the question's equation
3. With those numbers, finish the math required by the original question
4. Choose which answer matches what is gotten with the numbers

• A union is asked for with the symbol ∪ and refers to all numbers within the sets 
• An intersection is asked for with the symbol ∩ and refers to only the numbers that are shared by both sets.

1. Follow the directions and write out the sequence until the answer is achieved
2. Memorize two sequence forumlas

1. Drawing - When a question describes something, it is a good idea to draw it. The picture does not have to be "art quality," but scratching it out on paper will give the test taker a good idea of what the question wants. Geometry is visual math and should be treated as such. Again, it should be stressed that the drawing does not need to be perfect as long as it helps with the final answer and getting a full point. 
2. Scale - If an object in a question is drawn to scale or not is very important information to have. Usually, questions are drawn to scale but occasionally they will not be so as to trick the person taking the test. If the question does not state otherwise, the figure will be drawn to scale. When figures are NOT drawn to scale, it is a good idea to only trust facts and actual numbers explicitly given in the question and not rely too much on the picture or graph. 
3. Fill It All In - On Geometry questions on the SAT there is occasionally a picture with no labels. These sometimes come with questions that seem difficult to solve. They will either give you a general concept that is understood but the solution or how to solve it is not known. Or there may be no comprehension about the question at all. In either case, it is a good idea to re-read the question carefully and slowly, trying to comprehend as much as possible with each and every word. A good way to help is to fill in everything that is known about a picture with a question on the SAT. Most of the time, seeing the information in visual form will help with getting the correct answer. 
4. Formulas - It is important to memorize as many formulas - all of them preferably - as possible. Not memorizing the formulas is a big mistake that many students make. Even if a cheat sheet is present, knowing the formula takes less time than looking it up. Also, knowing the formula can make it quicker and easier to solve problems because of the way the brain works. 

• The number of degrees of arc in a circle is 360.
• The measure in degrees of a straight angle is 180.
• The sum of the measure in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.

• 3, 4, 5
• 5, 12, 13
• 8, 15, 17
• 7, 24, 25

Again, it should be stressed that trigonometry will not be needed on the SAT math section. When it appears that trig is needed, they may be trying to trick the person taking the test. Usually, the Pythagorean Theorem will work for these types of problems. Having said that, there are times when trig may come in handy on the SAT for getting answers more quickly. So, for those familiar with trigonometry should use it if it can help.

• The number of degrees in a circle is 360°.
• The area of a circle is πr2.
• The circumference of a circle is 2πr or πd.

Each of the following questions has a word or group of words missing. Four alternative words are given; you have to find the best answer choice to make the sentence make complete sense