SAT Math Exam Syllabus

Last Updated on October 16, 2026

Given the importance of math on the SAT, it’s helpful to have a road map of what SAT math you’ll have to learn from beginning to end in your test prep. So, this article will provide an SAT exam math syllabus and walk through the types of questions you can expect to see in the SAT mathematics section and the topics on which those questions will be based. Even if you are already familiar with the math concepts tested on the SAT, you will be better positioned to determine how much time you will need to learn SAT math fully.

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

• The Basics of the SAT Math Section
  • Multiple-Choice SAT Math Questions
    • Multiple-Choice Example
  • Student-Produced Response Questions
    • Student-Produced Response Rules
      • Student-Produced Response Example
• The Major SAT Math Topics
  • Basic Arithmetic Subtopics
  • Linear Equations Subtopics
  • Quadratic Equations Subtopics
  • Exponents and Roots Subtopics
  • Inequalities and Absolute Value Subtopics
  • General Word Problems Subtopics
  • Unit Conversions and Rates Subtopics
  • Percents and Ratios Subtopics
  • Statistics
  • Geometry Subtopics
  • Coordinate Geometry Subtopics
  • Functions Subtopics
  • Trigonometry Subtopics
• SAT Math Exam Syllabus: In Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Is There an SAT Exam Syllabus for Engineering?
  • Is There an SAT Exam Syllabus for Medical Students?
  • What Topics Are in the SAT Math Section?
  • Is the SAT Math Harder Than Other Exams?
  • Can You Use a Calculator in the SAT Math Section?
• What’s Next?

Let’s start with a general overview of the SAT math section.

The Basics of the SAT Math Section

The SAT Math section consists of 2 modules, each containing 22 questions. You have 35 minutes to complete each module, for a total of 70 minutes and 44 questions. Of those 44 questions, 40 are scored, while 4 are unscored pretest questions. Because you won’t know which questions are unscored, treat every question as if it counts toward your score.

There are two SAT Math question types:

1. multiple-choice questions, which provide answer choices
2. student-produced response questions, which require you to enter your own answer

You can use a calculator throughout the entire SAT Math section. Bluebook includes a built-in Desmos calculator, and you may also use an approved handheld calculator if you prefer.

The Math section is adaptive. Your performance in the first module helps determine the difficulty level of the questions you see in the second module. As long as you are familiar with your calculator and know when and how to use it, it can be very useful for test day! With that in mind, be sure that you read up on the SAT math calculator policies before test day. Also, if you are unsure of which calculator to use, speak to some past SAT students to get some calculator recommendations.

KEY FACT:

You will see two types of questions in SAT Math: multiple-choice and student-produced response.

Let’s discuss the first major question type: multiple-choice.

Multiple-Choice SAT Math Questions

I have some very good news! Multiple-choice questions make up about 75% of the 44 questions in the SAT Math section. That’s good news because you’re already familiar with this question type. So, although you’ll still need to learn SAT-specific math strategies, the multiple-choice format itself should feel familiar.

If you need a refresher, multiple-choice questions on the SAT have four answer choices (A, B, C, D) and one correct answer.

KEY FACT:

About 75% of the questions in the SAT Math section are multiple-choice questions.

Let’s practice with an example.

KEY FACT:

The majority of SAT math questions will come in the form of multiple-choice.

Next, let’s discuss student-produced response questions.

Student-Produced Response Questions

Although student-produced response questions differ from multiple-choice questions, they test the same SAT Math concepts. Instead of selecting an answer choice, you’ll solve the problem and enter your answer directly into Bluebook. In some cases, more than one response may satisfy the conditions of the problem, so be sure to enter a valid answer that meets all of the requirements given.

KEY FACT:

About 25% of the questions in the SAT Math section are student-produced response questions.

Since student-produced response questions require you to enter your own answer, let’s review some important rules to follow.

Student-Produced Response Rules

There are a few important rules to keep in mind when answering student-produced response questions:

1. Enter your answer directly into the response field in Bluebook.
2. If more than one answer is correct, enter only one valid response.
3. Your response may be entered as an integer, decimal, or fraction when appropriate. If a decimal does not fit in the response field, follow Bluebook’s instructions for rounding or truncating it.
4. Negative answers are allowed. Bluebook permits up to 5 characters for a positive answer and up to 6 characters, including the minus sign, for a negative answer.
5. Do not enter symbols such as a percent sign, comma, or dollar sign.

Let’s practice with an example.

Student-Produced Response Example

For an Easter egg hunt, Zelda hid 186 eggs. The neighborhood children found 150 of the eggs during the egg hunt. What fraction of the eggs were not found?

Solution:

The problem gives us these two pieces of information:

Number of eggs found = 150

Total number of hidden eggs = 186

We also know that 186 – 150 = 36 eggs were not found.

Thus, we know that the fraction of eggs that were not found is 36/186.

Since this is a student-produced response question, we need to enter an acceptable form of the answer into Bluebook. We can either simplify 36/186 to 6/31 or enter an acceptable decimal equivalent

(1) Reduce the fraction:

Since both 36 and 186 are divisible by 6, we can divide the numerator and denominator by 6:

36/186 = 6/31

(2) We can convert the fraction 36/186 to a decimal value:

36/186 = 0.194

Answer: 6/31 or 0.194

Thus, 6/31 is an acceptable response. If you enter the answer as a decimal, be sure to follow Bluebook’s rules for rounding or truncating the response.

KEY FACT:

Student-produced response questions do not provide answer choices. You must solve the problem and enter your answer directly into Bluebook.

Now that we are familiar with SAT math question types, let’s discuss the major SAT math subjects you must know in order to score well on the exam.

The Major SAT Math Topics

College Board divides SAT Math into four content domains, each accounting for a different percentage of the Math section:

1. Algebra
2. Advanced Math
3. Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
4. Geometry and Trigonometry

Since College Board’s four content domains are broad, we’ve broken them down into 19 major study topics to help you organize your SAT Math preparation. These topics make up TTP’s SAT Math syllabus:

• Basic Arithmetic
• Linear Equations
• Quadratic Equations
• Exponents and Roots
• Inequalities
• Absolute Value
• SAT Math Word Problems
• Rates
• Unit Conversions
• Ratios
• Percents
• Statistics
• Probability
• Geometry
• Coordinate Geometry
• Functions
• Data Analysis
• Graphic Analysis
• Trigonometry

The list above covers the major SAT Math topics you need to know. However, because there are only 44 questions in the Math section, there is no guarantee of what you’ll encounter on test day. Thus, following a linear and structured approach to your studying is key to mastering SAT Math. Because there are so many SAT Math concepts and strategies to learn, focus on mastering one topic at a time. This approach will serve you well when you start taking SAT Math practice tests as well as on the actual SAT.

KEY FACT:

In this article, we break SAT Math into 19 major topics to help you organize your studying.

While understanding the major SAT math topics is important, the real key to success is knowing all the subtopics within each major topic. Remember, each subtopic has its own set of SAT math tips and tricks, so be sure to learn those for each subtopic. Those subtopics will make up your math syllabus for the SAT, so let’s look at them now.

Basic Arithmetic Subtopics

You can look at basic arithmetic as the foundation, or building block, for much of what you will focus on during your SAT math preparation. So, even if you are on a tight deadline, remember that you need to walk before you run! Learning foundational material is essential.

Here are some key arithmetic subtopics:

• fraction rules
• decimal rules
• basics of percents
• basics of squares and square roots
• estimation shortcuts
• PEMDAS

Now, let’s review linear equations.

Linear Equations Subtopics

Mastering algebra on the SAT exam is key because algebra plays an important role in almost all SAT math questions. For example, you’ll have to deal with algebra and equations in topics such as word problems, percents, functions, and coordinate geometry.

Here are some subtopics from linear equations:

• solving equations with one variable
• solving a system of equations for two variables
• the substitution method
• the combination method
• expressing one variable in terms of another variable
• cross-multiplication of equations
• factoring out common fractions
• when an equation produces no solution, one solution, or infinite solutions

Next, let’s discuss quadratic equations.

Quadratic Equations Subtopics

Quadratic equations share some common properties with linear equations regarding your thought process. However, solving them requires more knowledge and skill. Once again, they can be present in various math topics, such as functions, coordinate geometry, and geometry.

Some quadratic equations subtopics are as follows:

• FOILing quadratic equations
• factoring quadratic equations
• three common quadratic identities
• The Zero Product Property
• the difference of squares
• the quadratic formula
• the discriminant
• higher order polynomials

Our next topic is exponents and roots.

Exponents and Roots Subtopics

Exponents and roots may seem like a large topic (especially in the TTP SAT math course), but if you know a select number of exponent and root rules, you’ll see that much of what you learn builds on itself. So for such a topic, make sure that you get your rules on flashcards and get them memorized!

Here are some subtopics:

• combining exponential expressions — multiplication and division
• the power to a power rule
• equivalent exponents
• scientific notation
• perfect squares
• simplifying non-perfect roots
• dividing radicals
• conjugate pairs
• fractional exponents

Next, let’s look at inequalities and absolute value.

Inequalities and Absolute Value Subtopics

Inequalities and absolute value questions share some similarities with what you learn in linear equations, with some tweaks. For example, you can add or subtract inequalities, like equations, but you cannot divide by a variable unless you know the sign of that variable. Absolute value also follows these rules, but there are also specific absolute value rules you must learn and follow.

Some subtopics of inequalities and absolute value are below:

• equations and inequalities
• adding and subtracting inequalities
• multiplying an inequality by a negative number
• compound inequalities
• linear inequalities
• systems of inequalities
• absolute value equations
• solving absolute value inequalities
• solving absolute value equations

Let’s move on to general word problems.

General Word Problems Subtopics

General word problems consist of a vast array of problem types. To master general word problems, you must become skilled at translating words into equations. If you can master that skill, there is no word problem you cannot solve correctly!

Here are some of the general word problems subtopics:

• translating words into equations
• profit and loss
• determining the possible number of items
• consecutive integers
• fraction word problems
• price and salary problems
• inequality word problems
• complicated word problem formulas

Next, let’s discuss unit conversions and rates.

Unit Conversions and Rates Subtopics

Although I would not consider unit conversions and rates a huge topic, you could see a few of these questions on your SAT. For unit conversions, you may see a basic conversion, or the unit conversion may be a part of a rate problem involving time and distance, or even another type of rate question involving time and work. Either way, having an efficient way of performing unit conversions will go a long way for you on test day.

Some of the subtopics of unit conversions and rates are as follows:

• rate-time-distance problems
• average rate questions
• elementary rate questions
• rate questions not involving distance
• single-step unit conversions
• conversions involving two sets of units
• rate-time-distance questions involving unit conversions

Let’s move on to percents and ratios.

Percents and Ratios Subtopics

What people forget about ratios and percents is that they are related! In other words, a ratio can be converted to a percent, and a percent can be converted to a ratio. I’m sure you’ve learned about ratios and percents in your high school math classes, so hopefully they won’t seem so bad on the SAT.

Here are some of the subtopics:

• equivalent ratios
• the ratio multiplier
• proportions
• direct variation
• percent of problems
• “what percent” problems
• percent greater and percent less problems
• percent change

Statistics

Statistics and data analysis on the SAT cover not only the basics, like mean, median, and range, but also many graphical topics. Graphs are covered along with statistics because, in many cases, graphs are the vehicle to ask questions based on concepts learned in statistics. Note that if you have not taken a statistics course in high school, you can learn the SAT statistics material in our TTP SAT self-study course.

Here are the subtopics that you will encounter:

• average (arithmetic mean), median, and mode
• weighted average
• range and standard deviation
• relationship between range and standard deviation
• grouped data and frequency tables
• charts and graphs
• bar graph
• dot plot
• margin of error
• statistical sampling

Let’s move on to geometry.

Geometry Subtopics

If you have ever taken the SAT, you likely encountered several geometry questions. It’s a very large SAT math topic. It’s so large that most of the SAT math formulas and equations on the provided equation sheet are dedicated to geometry formulas. That said, don’t rely on the equation sheet provided for you on test day. Get your formulas on flashcards and memorize them!

Here are the subtopics you’ll need to know:

• lines and line segments
• perpendicular and parallel lines
• angles
• polygons
• triangles
• the Pythagorean theorem
• interior and exterior angles
• right triangles
• quadrilaterals and parallelograms
• rectangles, squares, and trapezoids
• circles
• inscribed and circumscribed shapes
• solid geometry (cubes, rectangular prisms, and right circular cylinders)
• areas and volumes of geometric objects

Our next topic is coordinate geometry.

Coordinate Geometry Subtopics

Some students consider coordinate geometry a topic that tests mostly on graphing. However, what many forget is that algebra plays a large role in this topic as well, and that’s good news! In other words, many skills that you learn from linear equations carry over to coordinate geometry.

Here is a breakdown of the coordinate geometry subtopics:

• the axes and the quadrants
• the coordinate plane
• slope and slope-intercept form of a line
• parallel and perpendicular lines
• determining the points of intersection
• the distance formula
• the midpoint formula
• circles in the coordinate plane
• graphing inequalities
• linear growth
• linear functions
• equation of a circle in the coordinate plane

Another large SAT math topic is functions. Let’s discuss that now.

Functions Subtopics

Functions is another SAT math topic that involves both equations and graphing. Like coordinate geometry, the topic of functions deals with equations. Instead of linear equations, though, it deals mainly with quadratic equations. Although function notation can be intimidating, with a bit of practice, dealing with functions will be just as easy as dealing with more basic algebraic equations.

The topic of functions includes the following subtopics:

• function notation
• compound functions
• graphs of functions
• word problems with functions
• shifting function graphs
• determining the intercepts of a polynomial function
• parabolas
• axis of symmetry
• the vertex form of the equation of a parabola

Our final major math topic is trigonometry.

Trigonometry Subtopics

In our experience, most students are initially scared of trigonometry in SAT math because they feel it’s one of the more advanced math concepts on the SAT. However, the nice thing about trig is that it is based on much of what you learn in geometry. So, with a solid foundation of special right triangles and a few other geometry concepts, learning trigonometry does not have to be too challenging.

Here are some trigonometry subtopics:

• trigonometric functions
• trigonometric functions of special right triangles
• complementary angles
• radian measure
• the unit circle
• sine and cosine values for common angles
• the tangent function for any angle

SAT Math Exam Syllabus: In Summary

• The SAT Math section contains 44 questions, 40 of which are scored, across 2 adaptive modules. You have 35 minutes to complete each module, and your performance in Module 1 helps determine the difficulty level of Module 2.
• You can use a calculator throughout the Math section. There are two question types: multiple-choice and student-produced response.
• College Board divides SAT Math into 4 content domains: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry.

Know the exam. Know the question types. Know which topics to study. Memorize needed formulas. Study smartly. Stay motivated. Be confident!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let’s answer some common questions about SAT math and the SAT syllabus.

Is There an SAT Exam Syllabus for Engineering?

No. Prior to 2021, students were able to take SAT Subject exams to show mastery in particular subjects pertaining to engineering, medicine, or other disciplines. Administration of the subject exams was discontinued in 2021.

Is There an SAT Exam Syllabus for Medical Students?

No. Administration of the SAT Subject exams was discontinued in 2021.

What Topics Are in the SAT Math Section?

College Board divides SAT Math into four content domains: Algebra and Advanced Math, which each account for about 35% of the questions, and Problem-Solving and Data Analysis and Geometry and Trigonometry, which each account for about 15%. In this article, we break those domains down into 19 major study topics to help you organize your preparation and build your SAT Math knowledge one topic at a time.

Is the SAT Math Harder Than Other Exams?

SAT math is no harder than the math on any other standardized college entrance exam. No exam is difficult if you are well-prepared.

Can You Use a Calculator in the SAT Math Section?

Yes. You can use a calculator throughout the entire SAT Math section. Bluebook includes an embedded Desmos scientific and graphing calculator, and you may also bring an approved handheld calculator. However, calculators with computer algebra system (CAS) functionality are not permitted. If you plan to bring your own calculator, make sure it complies with College Board’s current calculator policy and that you’re comfortable using it before test day.

What’s Next?

Knowing the SAT math subjects is a great start. Now it’s time to start reviewing and learning these topics. So, check out our article on how to prepare for SAT math.

Studying all the SAT math topics might seem a daunting task, and keeping your focus and your motivation can be difficult. So, read our article about how to motivate yourself while you study for the SAT.

You can do this!

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