Digital SAT Math Section: What’s Changed and How to Excel.

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Knowing what to expect on a test is one of the most important elements of preparation. This guide focuses specifically on the Math section of the digital SAT. We’ll go over the structure of the section, give an overview of the content tested, and discuss some key strategies to help you succeed.

What does the Digital SAT Math Test cover?

Now, to dive more deeply into what is covered on the Digital SAT Math Test. This section is organized by the four major question categories, with a breakdown of the skills and concepts tested in each and sample questions that students might encounter on the test.

Unlike the Reading and Writing Test, Digital SAT Math Test question categories don’t appear as distinct sections on the test; rather, questions that fall into each category are mixed up throughout the exam. The main organizing principle of the Digital SAT Math Test is a general move from easier questions to more difficult ones. 

This means that as students work through the test, they should remember to bank time for the questions at the end—they’re likely to need it!

Algebra

Questions that fall within the Algebra category account for about 35% of the test, or about 13-15 questions across two modules. This makes it one of the most common question types on the test.

Although students will see some Algebra questions in the harder second half of each module, these are largely considered a little easier than Advanced Math questions. Algebra questions will largely be testing skills covered in mostly Pre-Algebra and Algebra I courses.

What skills are tested in Algebra questions on the Digital SAT Math Test? This is College Board’s official list of Algebra question topics:

  • Linear equations in one variable
  • Linear equations in two variables
  • Linear functions
  • Systems of two linear equations in two variables
  • Linear inequalities in one or two variables.

Advanced Math

The next category of question on the Digital SAT Math Test is Advanced Math, which, as the title suggests, tends to be a little more challenging than the Algebra questions. About 35% of questions students encounter will fall into this category, which accounts for about 13-15 individual questions across two modules.

What skills are tested in Advanced Math questions on the Digital SAT Math Test? This is College Board’s official list of Advanced Math question topics:

  • Equivalent expressions
  • Nonlinear equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables
  • Nonlinear functions

Problem-Solving & Data Analysis

The third category that questions on the Digital SAT Math Test might fall into is Problem-Solving & Data Analysis. This is a wide-ranging category, into which most charts, graphs (ones not in the xy-plane, at least), and tables will fall into.

Percentage-wise, these questions account for a smaller portion of the total questions than the previous two categories we’ve considered. Only about 15% of the questions on the Digital SAT Math Test fall into this category, which equates to about 5-7 questions across two modules. These questions are pretty well spread out across the test.

What skills are tested in Problem-Solving & Data Analysis questions on the Digital SAT Math Test? This is College Board’s official list of Problem-Solving & Data Analysis question topics:

  • Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units
  • Percentages
  • One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread
  • Two-variable data: models and scatterplots
  • Probability and conditional probability
  • Inference from sample statistics and margin of error
  • Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments

Geometry & Trigonometry

This brings us to the final question category in our deep-dive into the content of the Digital SAT Math Test. This category used to be called “Other Topics in Mathematics,” though now it has been narrowed to simply “Geometry & Trigonometry.”

Like Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, Geometry & Trigonometry questions account for 15% of all math questions, about 5-7 across two modules. Let’s dive into the content covered in this category.

What skills are tested in Geometry & Trigonometry questions on the Digital SAT Math Test? This is College Board’s official list of Geometry & Trigonometry question topics:

  • Area and volume
  • Lines, angles, and triangles
  • Right triangles and trigonometry 
  • Circles

How to Improve Your Score on the Digital SAT Math Test

There are a number of strategies that can be utilized quickly in order to improve standardized test scores, but ultimately, the best route is giving yourself enough time to properly prepare for the test.

The Digital SAT Math Test covers a wide variety of topics–since study time is limited, it’s important for students to focus their attention on 1) areas where they need the most improvement and 2) areas that show up the most frequently on the test.

This is where Socrato can help—we  diagnostic Digital SAT test. This is a great way to begin studying, as it gives students an estimated score and helps them determine which specific areas they might need improvement in.