Written by Chris Hernandez
The SAT provides a reference box at the beginning of each Math section that includes basic geometry formulas: area of a circle, circumference, area of rectangles and triangles, the Pythagorean theorem, and properties of special right triangles (30-60-90 and 45-45-90). Volume formulas for cylinders, spheres, cones, and rectangular prisms are also included.
However, these given formulas represent only a fraction of what you need to know. The majority of SAT math formulas that appear on the test are NOT provided — you are expected to have them memorized.
Algebra makes up the largest portion of SAT Math. You need to know slope-intercept form (y = mx + b), point-slope form, the quadratic formula, factoring techniques, systems of equations methods, and the rules of exponents and radicals. Percent change, ratio and proportion, and rate formulas also appear frequently.
Our comprehensive SAT math tips guide walks through the most commonly tested algebra concepts with worked examples.
Beyond what is given in the reference box, you should memorize the equation of a circle in standard form, arc length formulas, sector area, coordinate geometry distance and midpoint formulas, and basic trigonometric ratios (SOH-CAH-TOA). The digital SAT has increased the emphasis on coordinate geometry, so make sure you are comfortable with these concepts.
The SAT also tests polynomial operations, function notation and transformations, absolute value equations, and basic statistics concepts including mean, median, mode, and standard deviation interpretation. Understanding how to read and interpret data from tables and scatterplots is also tested heavily in the Math section.
For a complete overview of all math content areas, see our SAT math overview guide, which breaks down every topic by frequency and difficulty.
Do not try to memorize every formula in one sitting. Instead, integrate formula review into your daily practice. Each time you miss a problem because you did not know a formula, add it to a flashcard deck and review it daily until it is automatic. Build formula review into your SAT study plan as a regular component.
If Math is your weaker section, focused one-on-one work can make a dramatic difference. Amikka Learning's SAT prep Miami program includes personalized math coaching that targets exactly the concepts you need most. Our students consistently see the biggest score gains in Math because we focus on the formulas and strategies that appear most frequently on test day.
Christopher Hernandez, the founder of Amikka Learning, couldn't afford expensive SAT tutoring so he spent hundreds of hours studying on his own.
After
improving over 400 points and attending an Ivy League school he realized how unfair
the playing field was with tutoring: no matter how smart you were, if you couldn't
afford tutoring you were stuck.
His dream was to change this.
He began
tutoring for the SAT and quickly realized that he was a gifted tutor. His students
were loving his program and improving very fast.
Fast forward 8 years, Amikka
is a leader in the education industry and has helped thousands of students get into
their dream schools.
If you'd like a free consultation for 1-on-1 tutoring
schedule a call with our team here.
No contracts. Affordable
SAT and ACT prep.
Free Consultation
Our programs give students access to something that 99% of high schooler's will never
have ...
A team of lvy League coaches who specialize in getting students into
their dream schools. Why? So they can ultimately achieve their highest potential--no
matter who they are or where they come from.
We offer a spectrum of SAT and
ACT learning experiences with different layers of personalization and accountability
in order to find the best fit for our students and their learning styles.
