The New SAT Exam: Type and Format of Math

Multiple-choice questions - The most common type of SAT Math question

The new SAT has 55 math questions in total. The number of multiple-choice questions is forty-five (45). Obviously, a bulk of math questions are multiple-choice in nature. Each multiple-choice question has one or more sentences followed by 5 answer choices. The answer choices are from (A) to (E). The right answer choice has to be marked on a separate sheet provided. After figuring out the right option for the given multiple-choice question, simply go to the corresponding number on the answer sheet and darken the oval that answers the question best. Please note that since answer sheets are evaluated using optical machines, you must follow the instruction of filling in the oval correctly. Failure to follow the instruction may result in Incomplete or incorrect reading by the machine.

5 Tips for Achieving a High Score on Multiple-choice SAT Questions

1. Even though answering all questions may help you get higher score, answering the question correctly is more important. Focus on getting the right answer without wasting too much time on any question. Remember that very few students answer all questions, and therefore it is ok to leave a few questions unanswered if you don’t have enough time or don’t know the right answer.
2. Make intelligent guesses when you are not 100% sure of the correct answer. You should approach each question using the concepts and strategy that you have learned at TargetSAT. Making a "guess" on a problem should be the last resort for a time-consuming or difficult question. If you have no idea of the correct answer, DO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION.
3. Make sure you have filled in the correct answer on the accompanying answer sheet. Making a mistake in transferring your answer may be disastrous and ruin your performance. Instead of moving back and forth between the test and answer sheet, note the correct answers on the test and transfer all of your answers at one time insuring you are filling in the right answer for each question.
4. Put a mark (?) next to any question that you did not answer. Later, if time permits, come back to those questions and attempt to solve them. Often you will get the right answer in your second attempt, even though you couldn’t make much headway the first time.
5. Some questions involve answer choices that involve Roman Numerals. The best strategy for these questions to clearly determine whether each Roman Numeral statement is true or false. Thereafter choose the right answer from (A) to (E) that includes correct Roman Numerals and excludes wrong Roman Numerals.

Grid-In questions - The other type of SAT Math question

SAT Math: Grid-In questions
In the SAT math test, “grid-In” or “student produced response” questions are one of the two types of questions asked. Even though the topics and sub-topics tested in grid-in or student produced responses are same as that of multiple-choice question, the format of answer is different. For each of these grid-in questions, test-takers have to come up their own answer, and fill that in a grid as shown in Figure 1. Out of the 55 questions in the exam, 10 questions are grid-in or student produced response type. In other words, 20% of all SAT math questions are grid-in type.

What Does Grid-in Answers Look Like?
The student produced response question format includes one or more statements that provides given information and asks a question. However there is no 5 choice options followed by those statements. Instead there is a grid-in of 4 columns that can accommodate numbers from 0 to 9999. The grid-in format can also accommodate decimal (.) or fraction (/). The grid-in answer cannot include a negative number (e.g. –3.3), or an answer with a variable (e.g. x, y).

5 Tips for Achieving a High Score on Grid-in SAT Questions

1. Always remember that a grid-in answer will never include a negative sign or a letter, or comma, or a variable. Therefore if you get an answer including these symbols then you need to re-check your answer.
2. Since the grid-in answer is evaluated by an optical reading machine, it is extremely important to fill in the ovals correctly. Failure to fill in right oval, or filling two ovals in same column will be nullified by the machine and you will lose points for that question.
3. Make sure you don't make one of the most commonly-made mistakes by careless test takers. Pay special attention to: (a) never darken two ovals in one column, (b) a slash or decimal must not be marked in the same column as the digit, (c) no negative or unacceptable characters are allowed in the column ovals.
4. Always begin a non-zero answer in the left-most column. See answer 1 above and note that 700 started in the first column and not in the second column.
5. Convert a mixed fraction in an acceptable form. A mixed fraction can be written as a decimal number or a proper/improper fraction.

Final Advice on Grid-in Testing on SAT Math Tests
Familiarity with grin-in type questions by practice and repetition of concepts for these answers is the key to success in this type of problem solving challenge.  Learn the basic concepts and right methods by watching lessons and then practice with example and exercise problems. The more you practice better you will become at taking test. Our online video SAT Math Prep course is made to help you with that. Check out free samples, and register for the full course. And we assure you that you will reach your 100% potential. Good luck!