Top 5 Tips for SAT Math Success

1. Make Friends With Desmos

The SAT has the Desmos graphing calculator built in. Learn what it does and practice with it. Many difficult-sounding problems become absolutely obvious when you just graph the equation, for example. Without Desmos, those questions would require a much deeper understanding of the math, and probably knowing some formulas, too. Even if you DO know the "real" math, you'll be faster and more accurate by using Desmos. Our online course X Factory Test Prep: Streamlined SAT Math has an entire Module devoted to the many ways you can outsource the math to Desmos.

2. Use Your Calculator as a Tool, Not a Crutch

Most students underuse their calculator. Beyond basic arithmetic, it can:

• Test answer choices quickly

• Graph functions and find important parts of graphs (much like Desmos!)

• Handle repetitive or messy "order of operations" calculations efficiently, without mistakes

• Apply algebraic and geometric formulas and theorems in seconds

• Find solutions to ANY equation

When used strategically, the calculator eliminates entire methods and entire opportunities for mistakes. It even eliminates the need to know formulas and some theorems. So YES, you absolutely should bring your TI-84 Plus calculator to the test – it's my pick for the best functionality. It does a lot of things that Desmos doesn't. We're going to talk a LOT about this, so stay tuned. For a head start, learn more here.

3. Learn To Feel OK with Not Knowing the Math

This one sounds strange, but it's true! Some SAT Math questions are designed so that doing the full math is actually the slowest option. Plugging in values, working backward from answers, or checking choices directly can often get you to the right answer faster — even if you don’t remember the "real" math. Not knowing the “traditional” method doesn’t mean you’re stuck! "I don't know" just means to shift gears and use one of your backup strategies.

4. Speed Comes From Decisions, Not Practice Alone

If you know how you’re going to approach a problem the moment you see it, you're naturally going to be faster. If you’re deciding what to do mid-problem, you’ll waste time – and time is limited. The fastest test-takers aren’t faster at math. They’re faster at choosing the right strategy. Learn which types of questions send you straight to the calculator, or to Desmos, or to a different strategy. Learn which types are best to solve the "real" way, if you know it.

5. Don't Take The Bait

The test makers figure out the answers produced when people make common mistakes, and they put those answers in the choices to trap you. Don't fall for it. In some cases, you can judge the questions by its placement in the module. Early questions tend to have simpler solutions. If you find yourself using a very simple method — something you would have done in 3rd grade — on a question that's late in the module, you probably missed something. Keep the psychology of the test in mind, to catch those mistakes and fix them.

The Big Takeaway

Notice that not one of these tips said "Break out the textbooks and relearn the last 3 years of math." SAT Math isn’t about relearning everything. It’s about using the right tools, recognizing patterns, and choosing efficient strategies.

If you’re short on time or want a smarter approach, learning how to think about the test can make all the difference.