The Digital SAT Math Section
By the Cheetah Prep team
Math is the second section on the digital SAT. It has 44 questions across two 35 minute modules, and you can use the built in Desmos calculator on all of it. Here is what it covers and how it is built.
Four Content Areas
Algebra and Advanced Math make up the bulk of the section, roughly 70 percent together. Algebra is linear equations, inequalities, and systems. Advanced Math is quadratics, exponentials, and other nonlinear functions. The rest is Problem Solving and Data Analysis, which is ratios, percentages, probability, and reading charts, and a smaller slice of Geometry and Trigonometry.
The on screen reference sheet gives you 12 geometry formulas, but nothing for algebra or advanced math, which is where most of the questions live. Those you have to know cold.
Multiple Choice and Grid-Ins
About three quarters of the questions are multiple choice. The last quarter are student produced responses, often called grid ins, where you type your own answer instead of choosing. There is no penalty for a wrong grid in, so never leave one blank.
The Desmos calculator is a real advantage here. It graphs equations, solves systems, and finds intersections and roots in a couple of clicks. It will not set up a word problem for you, so it is a speed and accuracy tool, not a shortcut around the math.
Put this into practice
The Digital SAT Math Section: Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you use a calculator on the whole digital SAT Math section?
- Yes. The built in Desmos calculator is allowed on all 44 Math questions, and you can also bring an approved handheld one.
- How many questions are on digital SAT Math?
- 44 questions, split into two modules of 22, with 35 minutes for each module.
- What are grid-in questions on the SAT?
- Student produced responses where you type your own answer instead of picking a choice. They are about a quarter of the Math section and carry no penalty for a wrong answer.
More on the digital SAT