The Mathematics Section (70 minutes in total)
- 25 minute section with 20 Multiple Choice questions
- 25 minute section with 8 Multiple Choice questions and 10 Student Produced questions (”Grid-Ins”)
- 20 minute section with 16 Multiple Choice questions
Topics Covered:
- Numbers and Operations
- Algebra I, Algebra II and Functions
- Geometry
- Statistics
- Probability
- Data Analysis
Scoring: 200-800 points
The Mathematics Section has two types of questions:
- Multiple Choice Questions (examples here)
- Grid-In Questions (examples here). Grid-Ins have no answer choices provided, instead you solve the problem and fill in your answer on a special grid.
Additional notes on Grid-Ins:
- Make sure to read and understand the directions before taking the exam. You do not want to waste valuable testing time trying to understand the rules for the first time on test day (example here).
- Grid-Ins allow you to enter your answer in multiple formats (e.g., whole number, decimal, or fraction). For example, if you obtain 1/2, you can grid 1/2 or if you obtain 0.5, you can grid 0.5 – both are correct answers. The grid holds numbers from 0 to 9999.
- If there is a range of possible correct answers, your gridded response must lie within the range. For example, consider a problem for which all numbers between 7 and 8, exclusive of both 7 and 8, are correct answers. For this question, although 7.9977 is within the range (7 < x < 8), the rounded value of 8.00 is not within the range and therefore would be an incorrect answer.
May I use a calculator?
Yes, you may use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. The College Board recommends that you use a graphing (or at least a scientific) calculator for the SAT. Keep in mind that it’s possible to solve every question without a calculator.