SAT Strategy

1. When should you plug in numbers?

When the problem contains variables but no specific numbers.

2. When should you plug in answer choices?

When the answers are numerical and working backward is easier.

3. When should you graph instead of solving algebraically?

When the problem involves equations, systems, inequalities, or intersections.

4. What SAT Math tool should you use whenever possible?

Desmos.

5. Should you try solving with Desmos before doing lengthy algebra?

Usually yes.

6. If a problem can be solved in under 20 seconds with Desmos, should you use it?

Yes.

7. What should you do before solving a long math problem?

Ask yourself, "Can Desmos do this faster?"

8. When is plugging in numbers NOT a good idea?

When an exact algebraic solution is quicker.

9. When should you estimate instead of calculating exactly?

When the answer choices are far apart.

10. What should you do if you're stuck after about 45 seconds?

Try a different strategy.

11. Should you reread the question before choosing an answer?

Yes.

12. What is the SAT often asking besides solving?

The value the question actually asks for.

13. Common mistake: solving for x when the question asks for...?

Another expression like x + 2 or 2x.

14. If the question asks for the y-intercept, what should you report?

The y-value where x = 0.

15. If two answer choices are very similar, what should you do?

Carefully reread the question.

16. What does the SAT reward more than cleverness?

Accuracy.

17. On Reading & Writing, should you read every answer before choosing?

Yes.

18. What should you eliminate first?

Clearly wrong answers.

19. How many wrong answers can you usually eliminate immediately?

At least one or two.

20. Is process of elimination a guessing strategy?

No, it's a scoring strategy.

21. If you're between two answers, what usually separates them?

One contains a subtle error.

22. Should you assume the SAT includes trick questions?

No, but it includes tempting wrong answers.

23. What makes a trap answer convincing?

It's almost correct.

24. What kind of Reading answer is usually wrong?

One that goes beyond the passage.

25. Should outside knowledge influence Reading questions?

No.

26. What should support every Reading answer?

Evidence from the passage.

27. If an answer says "always" or "never," what should you do?

Be skeptical.

28. If an answer exaggerates the author's claim, it's probably...?

Wrong.

29. Should you choose an answer because it "sounds smart?"

No.

30. What is the SAT testing in Reading?

Careful reading, not opinions.

31. When should you skip a question?

When you're making no progress.

32. Is it okay to guess before moving on?

Yes.

33. Why should you never leave a question blank?

There's no penalty for guessing.

34. Should you spend four minutes on one hard question?

No.

35. Easy questions are worth the same as hard questions.

True.

36. What is the goal of time management?

Maximize total points.

37. If you're running out of time, what should you prioritize?

Easier questions.

38. What should you do after finishing a module early?

Check flagged questions.

39. Should you double-check calculations?

Yes.

40. What causes most math mistakes?

Small arithmetic or sign errors.

41. What is the most common algebra mistake?

Dropping a negative sign.

42. What should you check after solving an equation?

Whether your answer makes sense.

43. If you get an impossible answer, what should you suspect?

A calculation mistake.

44. When should you substitute your answer back into the problem?

When it only takes a few seconds.

45. On geometry problems, should diagrams always be drawn to scale?

No.

46. Can the SAT intentionally draw misleading diagrams?

Yes.

47. Should you trust the numbers more than the picture?

Yes.

48. If the problem says "not drawn to scale," what does that mean?

Don't estimate using the picture.

49. When should you draw your own diagram?

If none is provided.

50. What should you do before opening Desmos?

Decide exactly what you need to graph.

51. Desmos strategy: Graph equations exactly as written.

True.

52. Desmos strategy: Use intersections instead of solving systems manually.

True.

53. Desmos strategy: Click the vertex instead of completing the square.

True.

54. Desmos strategy: Zoom out if you can't see the graph.

True.

55. Desmos strategy: Check graph window if the graph looks strange.

True.

56. Multiple Choice: When should you plug in answer choices? A) Every problem B) Only numerical answer choices C) Never D) Only geometry

B

57. Multiple Choice: Which answer is most likely wrong? A) Directly supported by the passage B) Slightly exaggerates the author's claim C) Matches the evidence D) Fits the paragraph's purpose

B

58. Multiple Choice: Which should you trust more? A) The diagram B) Your intuition C) The given information D) The picture

C

59. Multiple Choice: What should you do first on a long algebra problem? A) Expand everything B) Ask if Desmos can solve it C) Guess D) Skip immediately

B

60. Multiple Choice: If you're stuck for a minute, what's usually best? A) Keep trying forever B) Skip and return later C) Randomly choose C D) Restart the test

B

61. What is the SAT's favorite math trap?

Asking for a value related to x instead of x itself.

62. What is the SAT's favorite grammar trap?

An answer that's grammatically correct but doesn't fit the sentence.

63. What is the SAT's favorite Reading trap?

An answer that's true but doesn't answer the question.

64. Should every word in an answer choice matter?

Yes.

65. What should you do if one word makes an answer incorrect?

Eliminate it.

66. Is the longest answer usually correct?

No.

67. Is the shortest answer always correct?

No.

68. How should you choose between two grammatically correct answers?

Pick the clearer and more concise one.

69. What's the best mindset during the SAT?

Every question has one objectively best answer.

70. What should you do after every practice test?

Review every missed question and understand why you missed it.

71. What's the fastest way to improve your SAT score?

Analyze mistakes instead of just taking more practice tests.

72. What should you write down during review?

Why you got the question wrong and how to avoid that mistake.

73. If you guessed correctly on a question, should you review it?

Yes.

74. What's the goal of SAT strategy?

Get the most points with the least wasted time.

75. What is the #1 SAT rule?

Don't make the test harder than it needs to be.