What will the new math section look like?
- Format: 2 sections
- Calculator Section
- Questions: 30 multiple-choice, 8 grid-ins
- Time: 55 minutes
- No Calculator Section
- Questions: 15 multiple-choice, 5 grid-ins
- Time: 25 minutes
What’s changing in the math section?
Calculator Use: On the new SAT students will not be able to use the calculator for one of the math sections. These questions will test how well students understand the rules of math. See question 1 in Sample Questions.
Real-World Situations: Many of the new math questions will ask students to apply mathematical reasoning to situations in business, science, or the social sciences. See question 2 in Sample Questions.
Multi-Step Grid-In: In the calculator section, there will be a word problem with multiple parts. It will ask students to answer at least two grid-in questions related to a real-world situation. These questions will be worth slightly more points than the other questions on the exam. See question 3 in Sample Questions.
Less Geometry: Because the new SAT will focus more heavily on algebra and data analysis, there will be less geometry. Questions that test angles, triangles, volume, and area will make up no more than 10% of the new exam.
Pre Calculus Added: The new SAT has added more advanced concepts: trigonometry, complex numbers, and radians. These questions will account for fewer than 6 questions on the test.
What’s staying the same in the math section?
Question Format: The new SAT will still contain both multiple-choice questions and grid-ins (“student-produced responses”).
Algebra and Data Analysis: These classic concepts make up a large part of the new exam. Just like the current SAT, the new SAT will contain functions, formulas, and algebraic equations. There will also be plenty of questions that test data analysis topics, including ratios, charts and graphs, averages, and percentages.
