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SAT Math Section

Format Of The SAT Math Test

The SAT math test, also known as the quantitative section, contains 44 questions measuring your knowledge of mathematical concepts and operations. The questions are primarily multiple choice, although ten do require student-produced answers.

The test is divided into three timed subsections:

• 25 minutes (20 multiple choice)
• 25 minutes (8 multiple choice and 10 student produced)
• 20 minutes (16 multiple choice)

SAT Math Question Categories

The SAT math test focuses on four general categories:

• Number and operations
• Algebra and functions
• Geometry and measurements
• Data analysis, statistics and probability

Each of these four categories assesses your skill in applying appropriate math formulas (the Pythagorean Theorem, for instance). Because these formulas are listed at the beginning of the test booklet, you do not need to memorize them. However, you do need to understand how and when to use them.

Although you will be given many of the math formulas you will use, you must be able to understand and apply them quickly enough to finish within the allotted time.

Scoring the SAT Math Test

As with the other two other sections of the SAT exam (the reading comprehension section and the essay & writing section), 800 is the highest score you can get on the math portion. The national average is 515.

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