SAT Math: PR Strategy

How to divide time

• All questions are weighted equally

• DO NOT prioritise more difficult questions, for they do not equate to more points

• Slow down and ensure you can answer the questions carefully and accurately

What to do if there is no way you can answer

• Skip

• Only return if you have answered every question with 100% certainty that they are correct (unlikely)

• Don’t be afraid to leave 1-2 blank

• Haste ruins math, quality over quantity

Math POOD

• generally given in order of increasing difficulty, with some variation

  • (resets with the grid-in portion, separate order of increasing difficulty)

• Knock out the questions that you PERSONALLY find the easiest

  • comfortable topics, you know exactly how to attack

  • applicable strategic techniques

  • skip overwhelmingly lengthy word problems or confusing concepts

  • knock out questions you know immediately

Ballparking

• If a question lays out certain criteria for the correct answer, such as a particular range or limitation, eliminate answers that do not fit this criterion

Ballparking approach

• After reading the question, eliminate any answers that are immediately invalidated by the question’s criteria

• Most “ballpark-able” answers are way too big or way too small

Before solving…

• Read the final question

• Ballpark

How to Read the Final Question Carefully

• Check for key words to understand what type of equation will be necessary

• Determine which values will be involved and how

Bite-Sized Pieces

• Take each individual step in solving the equation at a time

• Write down the steps as you go

• After each step, eliminate answer choices based on the steps you complete

• Ex: If you are about to divide an answer as a final step, eliminate all valyes that are greater than or euqal to the value you have at your current step

• This can allow you to skip the final step

How to compartmentalize questions into bite-sized pieces

• if multiple things are happening in a question, break down into equations, variables or units

• tackle the most straightforward pieces first

• write as you go

Word Problem Approach

• Read the Final Question

• Skim the Answers for Clues to the Approach or for POE

• Bite-sized pieces

Test your calculator

• Use a multiple operations equation and hit enter without parentheses to test that it works

Concepts that are benefitted by calculator use

• more complex arithmetic

• decimals

• fractions

• percentages

• square roots

• graphs

Calculator arithmetic approach

• Type in values carefully

• Rely more on your understanding, then supplement with calculator when necessary

First Step to solve any problem after reading the question and ballparking

• Set up equation or problem on paper to avoid confusion

• Make a plan before any calculation based on the question

Calculator memory/ ANS button

• Rather than relying on the calculator’s storing capacities, jot down values as they are solved, clear the calculator, and re-input the values as needed

Reducing/Converting to Fractions on a Calculator

• “Answer —> Fraction”

Reduced Fractions/Decimals on Grid-Ins

• Don’t waste time converting or reducing on grid-ins if it isn’t required

When the calculator is worthless…

• DO NOT use it beyong avoiding careless mistake

• If a question is wordy or difficult to read/set up, but the actual solving requires little to no complex calculation, save time and do it yourself

Geometry Ball Parking

• Caution

• Figures not always drawn to scale, do not ball park based on your perception of the diagrams, but with information given by the question

How to use the calculator as a tool, not a crutch

• only use when you are certain about question comprehension and equation set up

• if you don’t understand, move on… tha calculator can’t save you

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