What Is on the SAT Math Section?
SAT Math tests four content domains: Algebra and Advanced Math, which the College Board says make up about 35% of the section each, and Problem-Solving and Data Analysis and Geometry and Trigonometry, at about 15% each. The section has 44 questions in two 35-minute modules, most of them multiple choice, and a calculator is allowed on every question. The focus is on linear and nonlinear equations and functions, with a smaller share of data, percentages, probability, geometry and trigonometry.
SAT Math at a glance
| Domain | Share of the section | Questions on the test |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | About 35% | 13 to 15 |
| Advanced Math | About 35% | 13 to 15 |
| Problem-Solving and Data Analysis | About 15% | 5 to 7 |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | About 15% | 5 to 7 |
Shares come from the College Board's Math specifications and question counts from its Math section overview. A few more facts about the section:
- Length: 44 questions in 70 minutes, split into two modules. Each module has 22 questions, 2 of which are unscored pretest questions.
- Order: questions from all four domains appear in both modules, arranged from easiest to hardest.
- Context: about 30% of questions are set in a science, social studies or real-world scenario.
- Calculator: allowed throughout. Bluebook has a built-in Desmos graphing and scientific calculator, or you can bring an approved one.
The skill names below are the College Board's own, from its page on content domains. The sample questions are written by us to show the style, and the answers follow each one.
Algebra
Algebra is about linear relationships: equations, functions and inequalities whose graphs are straight lines. The College Board lists these skills:
- Linear equations in one variable
- Linear functions
- Linear equations in two variables
- Systems of two linear equations in two variables
- Linear inequalities in one or two variables
Expect to write an equation from a word problem, interpret slope and intercept in context, and solve systems by substitution, elimination or graphing.
Sample (multiple choice). A climbing gym charges a one-time fee of $40 plus $25 per month. Which equation gives the total cost C, in dollars, for m months?
- A) C = 40m + 25
- B) C = 25m + 40
- C) C = 65m
- D) C = 25m - 40
Answer: B. The $25 repeats every month, so it multiplies m. The $40 is paid once, so it is the constant.
Sample (student-produced response). If 3(x - 4) = 2x + 5, what is the value of x?
Answer: 17. Distribute to get 3x - 12 = 2x + 5, then subtract 2x and add 12.
Advanced Math
Advanced Math covers nonlinear relationships, above all quadratics and exponentials. The College Board's skills are:
- Nonlinear functions
- Nonlinear equations in one variable
- Systems of equations in two variables
- Equivalent expressions
You will factor and expand expressions, solve quadratics, read features of a graph such as its vertex or intercepts, and tell exponential growth from linear growth.
Sample (student-produced response). The function f is defined by f(x) = x² - 6x + 5. What is the greater of the two values of x for which f(x) = 0?
Answer: 5. The expression factors as (x - 1)(x - 5), so f(x) = 0 when x = 1 or x = 5.
Sample (multiple choice). Which expression is equivalent to (x + 3)² - 9?
- A) x² + 6x
- B) x² - 6
- C) x² + 6x + 18
- D) x² + 9x
Answer: A. (x + 3)² is x² + 6x + 9, and subtracting 9 leaves x² + 6x.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
This domain tests quantitative reasoning with real data. The College Board lists:
- 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
Many of these questions include a table or graph, so practice reading the axes and units before you calculate anything.
Sample (multiple choice). A jacket regularly priced at $80 is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?
- A) $20
- B) $55
- C) $60
- D) $65
Answer: C. 25% of $80 is $20, and $80 - $20 = $60.
Sample (reasoning style). A survey of 200 randomly chosen students at one high school finds that 60% prefer a later start time. A question in this style might ask what the result supports. The sound conclusion is limited to students at that school, because the sample was drawn only there.
Geometry and Trigonometry
This domain shares the smaller 15% slice with Problem-Solving and Data Analysis. It covers:
- Area and volume
- Lines, angles and triangles
- Right triangles and trigonometry
- Circles
The Math reference sheet in Bluebook includes facts such as the 360 degrees of arc in a circle and the 180-degree angle sum of a triangle, and you can open it at any time during the section. Knowing the Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles and the equation of a circle without looking them up still saves time.
Sample (student-produced response). A right triangle has legs of length 6 and 8. What is the sine of the angle opposite the side of length 6?
Answer: 0.6, or 3/5. The hypotenuse is 10, since 6² + 8² = 100, and sine is opposite over hypotenuse: 6/10.
Sample (multiple choice). A circle in the xy-plane has the equation x² + y² = 49. What is its radius?
- A) 7
- B) 24.5
- C) 49
- D) 98
Answer: A. In the form x² + y² = r², r² = 49, so r = 7.
Question formats
The College Board says about 75% of SAT Math questions are four-option multiple choice. The rest are student-produced responses, where you type your own answer. Some of those questions have more than one correct answer, and you enter just one. Our digital SAT format guide explains the entry rules, including how to type fractions, decimals and negative numbers.
How to practice SAT Math
Because Algebra and Advanced Math together make up about 70% of the section, solid work on linear equations, systems, quadratics and functions pays off on most questions. After that, spend time on percentages and on reading tables and graphs carefully.
NextGen AI Digital SAT Prep has 6,000+ SAT-style practice questions in Math and Reading and Writing, each with an explanation, plus 2,182 flashcards. It is free to download with daily free limits; see what the app includes. For a weekly schedule, read our SAT study plan.
Sources
All pages read on November 7, 2026. Sample questions on this page are original and are not taken from College Board materials.
- The Math Section: Overview, College Board
- Math Specifications, College Board
- What Are Content Domains?, College Board
- Student-Produced Responses, College Board
- How the SAT Is Structured, College Board
- SAT Calculator Policy, College Board
- Bluebook Test Directions, fall 2026, College Board
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