By Steven Darby - January 20, 2025
The SAT has evolved significantly, and the Math section now emphasizes practical, real-world applications and essential skills needed for college and career success. As of 2025, the SAT is fully digital, incorporating adaptive testing and allowing the use of calculators throughout the Math section. Here’s what parents need to know to support their student’s success on the updated SAT.
The Math section is designed to test skills that students will use in real-life situations, from academic coursework to professional settings. Questions are structured to simulate problem-solving scenarios where a single calculation often isn’t enough.
Key Features:
Calculator Usage: Students can use a calculator for the entire Math section. They may bring an acceptable calculator or use the built-in digital graphing calculator.
Adaptive Format: The digital SAT adapts to a student’s performance, presenting questions tailored to their skill level.
Real-World Applications: Many questions require students to analyze situations, identify essential elements, and apply mathematical reasoning to solve problems.
The Math section dives deeply into three primary content areas:
Heart of Algebra: Mastery of linear equations and systems.
Problem Solving and Data Analysis: Developing quantitative literacy and interpreting data.
Passport to Advanced Math: Manipulating complex equations and exploring functions.
Additional topics include geometry and trigonometry, selected for their relevance to college readiness and career success.
The SAT Math section is scored on a scale from 200 to 800. Most questions are multiple-choice, but approximately 22% are grid-in questions, requiring students to calculate and input their answers manually.
Key Grid-In Instructions:
Responses must fit within the grid space provided.
Answers can be written as decimals or fractions.
Mixed numbers must be converted to improper fractions.
The grid accommodates up to four decimal places and accepts positive numbers and zero.
The digital SAT’s adaptive structure and online interface can be unfamiliar to many students. Encourage your child to use official College Board practice tests to gain confidence.
Provide access to high-quality resources such as Khan Academy’s SAT prep or professional academic coaching to ensure consistent and targeted study sessions.
Help your student identify areas where they excel and those needing improvement. An initial diagnostic test can provide valuable insights.
Encourage your student to think critically and use logical reasoning when tackling multi-step problems.
Encourage the use of calculators effectively. Students should know when it’s beneficial to rely on a calculator and when mental math or estimation might be quicker.
At Peak Learning Solutions, we specialize in equipping students with the strategies and confidence they need for the SAT and beyond. Our academic coaching focuses on building foundational skills and effective test-taking techniques tailored to each learner’s needs.
Contact us today at 720-737-9221 or visit www.peaklearningsolutions.com to learn more about how we can support your student’s success. Conveniently located at 6143 S Willow Dr, Greenwood Village, Colorado, we proudly serve students from Cherry Creek High School, Arapahoe High School, George Washington High School, and more.