The SAT has always provided a reference sheet to help students tackle the math portion of the exam, but how has it changed since the exam’s digital transformation?
In this article, we’re breaking down what’s on the digital SAT formula sheet—and what isn’t. Read on for Piqosity’s SAT formula sheets, covering many of the crucial formulas that test-takers are expected to remember ahead of SAT test day.
Math on the Digital SAT
The digital SAT Math section tests four distinct content categories: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem Solving & Data Analysis, and Geometry & Trigonometry.
While the Reading & Writing portion presents categories as different sections of the test, categories are shuffled throughout the SAT Math test. SAT math questions are organized by difficulty instead, with a gradual move from easier questions to more difficult ones.
As covered in the graphic above, around 70% of math questions that students encounter fall under Algebra and Advanced Math, which cover topics from Algebra I & Algebra II courses. The remaining ~30% of questions fall under Problem Solving & Data Analysis, normally covered across math and science courses, and Geometry & Trigonometry, which students typically learn in Geometry and Pre-Calculus.
As for the types of questions students encounter on the digital SAT Math portion: about 70% of math questions are basic equations and problems, while about 30% are word problems (which contextualize mathematical problems, capped at 50 words in length). “
One major update to the SAT format is that calculators are now allowed throughout the whole SAT Math test, a contrast to the two distinct “No Calculator” and “Calculator” portions of the pencil-and-paper Math SAT. With a total of 70 minutes to answer 44 questions, students have about 95 seconds per math question—this allots more time to input problems into the calculator for those longer, multi-step questions.
Note: Although the math section covers the same content and allows calculator use throughout, it is still divided in half. A key aspect of the digital SAT format is that each section has a “normal” Module 1 that is the same for every test-taker, and an “adaptive” second Module that is easier or harder (depending on the tester’s Module 1 performance).
Together with permitting calculators and providing scratch paper (as many sheets as you need), College Board gives test-takers another resource to help them on the math section: a Digital SAT formula sheet!
What’s on the Digital SAT Formula Sheet?
The reference sheet on the SAT includes formulas to help students complete math questions. While these are formulas that students should already be familiar with, the availability of a formula sheet will help them solve problems more efficiently and correctly—they won’t need to dig in their memory for a formula they don’t immediately recall.
The digital SAT formula sheet largely covers geometric formulas and principles:
As you see in the image above, the SAT math formula sheet only includes formulas that are helpful on Geometry & Trigonometry questions.
The Digital SAT math reference sheet includes formulas for solving circumference, the area of circles, rectangles, and triangles, and the volume of rectangular prisms, cylinders, spheres, cones, and pyramids. This sheet also includes the pythagorean theorem as well as a breakdown of the angles in special right triangles.
Key Formulas Not on the Digital SAT Formula Sheet
Since the digital SAT formula sheet only provides some essential formulas used in geometry problems, what are the formulas you’re expected to know throughout the rest of the SAT math test?
Algebra Formulas You Should Know
The Digital SAT Math Test’s Algebra questions cover linear equations, functions, and inequalities. Students should be familiar with all basic forms of representing lines and linear growth, including:
- Standard Form
- Point-Slope Form
- Slope-Intercept Form
- Slope
Digital SAT Advanced Math Formulas
The Advanced Math questions on the SAT draw from Algebra and Algebra II courses. Students should be familiar with linear and quadratic systems of equations, polynomials, nonlinear functions, exponential functions, radicals, absolute value equations, and more higher level algebra concepts.
Some of the Advanced Math functions and formulas students should make sure to know ahead of the SAT are:
- Quadratic equations (Standard, Quadratic, and Vertex Forms)
- Factoring polynomials
- Rules of radical operations
- Properties of radicals
- Exponential functions
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis Formulas
The SAT’s Problem-Solving and Data Analysis questions cover topics from percentages to probability to chart and graph analysis. These questions are the SAT’s equivalent to ACT science questions, covering students’ basic knowledge of understanding data that’s represented in different ways.
SAT-takers should be familiar with formulas and methods for analyzing data sets, such as finding averages, calculating percentages and probabilities, and converting values between percentages, fractions, and decimals.
Geometry & Trig Formulas Not on the Digital SAT Formula Sheet
As you now know, the SAT math reference sheet consists of only formulas that cover Geometry & Trigonometry topics; however, it doesn’t include the full extent of formulas and definitions you’ll need to know for this section.
Geometry and Trigonometry SAT questions draw mainly from Geometry and Pre-Calculus courses. To be informed when you face these questions, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of angles, circles, and triangles, including:
- Equation of a circle
- Length of an arc
- Area of a sector
- Angles in parallel & intersecting lines
- Finding sin, cos, and tan
- Types of triangles
- Angles in triangles
- Surface Area of 3D Shapes
How to Prepare for the Digital SAT Math Test
Knowing what is and isn’t on the digital SAT formula sheet will help you approach the math portion more prepared! The formula sheets above are a great resource to help you study for the exam. Our advice is to jot down some of these key formulas from your memory as soon as you get your scratch paper! If you make your own reference sheet, you won’t have to dig through your memory in the midst of the exam.
If you want to do better on digital SAT math questions, the tried-and-true method is a cycle of taking a practice test, studying your weak concepts using lessons and practice questions, then repeating with another practice test through test day! Then, you can study and retake the SAT if you still aren’t at your goal score.
If you’re looking for an abundance of affordable resources to help you on your math (and reading) SAT journey, Piqosity is here to help. Along with our full-length, online ELA and Math courses for grades 5-11, we offer full SAT, ACT, and ISEE test prep courses, each of which includes 12 practice exams, dozens of concept lessons, personalized practice software, and more.
In addition to our new digital SAT course, we’re also offering two free digital PSATs! These DPSAT practice tests are designed to help you prepare ahead of time for the October exam’s format, available for anyone who signs up for a Piqosity community account.
Our free community account allows you to try out all of Piqosity’s features—no credit card required! When you’re ready to upgrade, Piqosity’s year-long accounts start at only $89.
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