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Math Specifications

The various tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments measure the same skills and knowledge in ways that make sense for different grade levels. The Math section keeps pace with student progress, matching the scope and difficulty of work in the classroom.

The Math section focuses on key elements of algebra, advanced math, problem-solving and data analysis, and geometry and trigonometry (except for the PSAT 8/9, which doesn’t test trigonometry) that evidence identifies as necessary for college and career readiness and success. Over the course of the Math section, students answer multiple-choice and student-produced response (SPR) questions that measure their fluency with, understanding of, and ability to apply the math concepts, skills, and practices that are most essential for readiness for entry-level postsecondary work.

Standard test length:

1st module: 20 operational questions and 2 pretest questions
2nd module: 20 operational questions and 2 pretest questions
Total: 44 questions

Time per module:

1st module: 35 minutes
2nd module: 35 minutes
Total: 70 minutes (~1 minute and 35 seconds per question)
Please note that some students may be approved to test with extended time. For more information, visit Extended Time.

Table 1: SAT Math Section Content Domains and Question Distribution
Content Domain	Domain Description	Skill/Knowledge Testing Points	Question Distribution
Algebra	Students will interpret, create, use, represent, and solve problems using linear representations and make connections between different representations of linear relationships.	Linear equations in 1 variable Linear equations in 2 variables Linear functions Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables	≈35%
Advanced Math	Students will interpret, rewrite, fluently solve, make strategic use of structure, and create absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations and make connections between different representations of a nonlinear relationship between two variables.	Equivalent expressions Nonlinear equations in 1 variable and systems of equations in 2 variables Nonlinear functions	≈35%
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis	Using quantitative reasoning, students will fluently solve problems using percentages, proportional relationships, ratios, rates, and units; analyze and interpret distributions of data; use various representations of data to find relative frequency, probabilities, and conditional probabilities; fit models to data and compare linear and exponential growth; and calculate, compare, and interpret mean, median, and range, compare distributions with the same and different standard deviation, understand basic study design, and interpret margin of error.	Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units Percentages One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Probability and conditional probability Inference from sample statistics and margin of error Evaluating statistical claims: observational studies and experiments	≈15%
Geometry and Trigonometry	Students will solve problems associated with length, area, volume, and scale factors using geometric figures; determine congruence, similarity, and sufficiency using concepts and theorems about vertical angles, triangles, and parallel lines cut by a transversal; solve problems using the Pythagorean theorem, right triangle and unit circle trigonometry, and properties of special right triangles; and use properties and theorems relating to circles to solve problems.	Area and volume Lines, angles, and triangles Right triangles and trigonometry Circles	≈15%

Table 2: PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 Math Section Content Domains and Question Distribution
Content Domain	Domain Description	Skill/Knowledge Testing Points	Question Distribution
Algebra	Students will interpret, create, use, represent, and solve problems using linear representations and make connections between different representations of linear relationships.	Linear equations in 1 variable Linear equations in 2 variables Linear functions Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables	≈35%
Advanced Math	Students will interpret, rewrite, fluently solve, make strategic use of structure, and create absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations and make connections between different representations of a nonlinear relationship between 2 variables.	Equivalent expressions Nonlinear equations in 1 variable and systems of equations in 2 variables Nonlinear functions	≈32.5%
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis	Using quantitative reasoning, students will fluently solve problems using percentages, proportional relationships, ratios, rates, and units; analyze and interpret distributions of data; use various representations of data to find relative frequency, probabilities, and conditional probabilities; fit models to data and compare linear and exponential growth; and calculate, compare, and interpret mean, median, and range and compare distributions with the same and different standard deviation.	Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units Percentages One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Probability and conditional probability Inference from sample statistics	≈20%
Geometry and Trigonometry	Students will solve problems associated with length, area, volume, and scale factors using geometric figures; determine congruence, similarity, and sufficiency using concepts and theorems about vertical angles, triangles, and parallel lines cut by a transversal; and solve problems using the Pythagorean theorem and right triangle trigonometry.	Area and volume Lines, angles, and triangles Right triangles and right triangle trigonometry	≈12.5%

Table 3: PSAT 8/9 Math Section Content Domains and Question Distribution
Content Domain	Domain Description	Skill/Knowledge Testing Points	Question Distribution
Algebra	Students will interpret, create, use, represent, and solve problems using linear representations and make connections between different representations of linear relationships.	Linear equations in 1 variable Linear equations in 2 variables Linear functions Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables	≈42.5%
Advanced Math	Students will rewrite, fluently solve, and make strategic use of structure, absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, and other nonlinear equations and make connections between different representations of a nonlinear relationship between 2 variables.	Equivalent expressions Nonlinear equations in 1 variable and systems of equations in 2 variables Nonlinear functions	≈20%
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis	Using quantitative reasoning, students will fluently solve problems using percentages, proportional relationships, ratios, rates, and units; analyze and interpret distributions of data; use various representations of data to find relative frequency, probabilities, and conditional probabilities; fit models to data; and calculate, compare, and interpret mean, median, and range.	Ratios, rates, proportional relationships, and units Percentages One-variable data: distributions and measures of center and spread Two-variable data: models and scatterplots Probability and conditional probability	≈25%
Geometry	Students will solve problems associated with length, area, volume, and scale factors using geometric figures; apply theorems such as triangle sum; and solve problems using the Pythagorean theorem.	Area and volume Lines, angles, and triangles, including right triangles	≈12.5%