Getting into your dream college is no small feat, and your SAT math score can be the key to unlocking those doors—not to mention securing those crucial scholarships and financial aid. Whether you’re starting from scratch or trying to boost an already solid score, this guide will help you plan, focus, and improve your SAT math skills in just 30 days.
We’ll walk through the key math skills, starting with the simplest concepts and building up to the more challenging topics. Along the way, you’ll also get tips to manage your time, tackle problem-solving, and optimize your prep to maximize your score. Ready to dive in?
The first week is all about building a strong foundation. We’ll focus on the topics that are straightforward but appear frequently on the SAT. The goal is to master these early so you feel confident moving into more complex material later on.
Day 1-2: Data Representations
Start by reviewing data representations—graphs, tables, and charts. You’ll often be asked to interpret or analyze data from these formats, and it’s one of the easier areas to score points on.
Day 3-4: Percentages and Ratios, Rates, and Proportions
Next, work on percentages, ratios, and proportions. These concepts often show up in word problems, and mastering them is key to doing well on many questions. Practice setting up equations for word problems involving these topics.
Day 5: Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities
Linear equations and inequalities are fundamental SAT math concepts. Make sure you’re comfortable solving for variables and working through linear equations, whether they appear in pure algebra problems or word problems.
Day 6: Isolating Quantities and Unit Conversions
Unit conversions and isolating variables in equations are simple but often overlooked skills. Practice converting between units and rearranging equations to isolate variables.
Day 7: Linear Relationship Word Problems
Word problems can be tricky, but with linear relationships, it’s often about setting up the right equation from the information given. Break down the question into smaller parts, and make sure you understand what is being asked before you start solving.
By now, you’ve built a solid foundation. Let’s move into some essential algebra and geometry skills. These are slightly more advanced but manageable once you’ve mastered the basics.
Day 8-9: Graphs of Linear Equations and Functions
Being able to graph linear equations and understand the properties of these functions is crucial. You should be able to identify slope, intercepts, and graph straight lines based on an equation.
Day 10: Probability and Relative Frequency
Probability is a common topic on the SAT, and it’s not as hard as it sounds. Focus on understanding basic probability principles and relative frequency (how often something occurs compared to the total number of outcomes).
Day 11-12: Factoring Quadratic and Polynomial Expressions
Factoring quadratics and polynomials might seem intimidating, but with practice, they become second nature. Focus on recognizing patterns (difference of squares, perfect square trinomials) and breaking down expressions.
Day 13-14: Congruence, Similarity, and Angle Relationships
Geometry questions involving congruent and similar shapes are common. Focus on triangle properties, parallel lines, and angle theorems. These skills will also help with more advanced geometry topics later.
Now that you’re feeling confident with the basics, it’s time to tackle more complex topics. Don’t forget to mix in timed practice sessions to get comfortable with the pressure of test day.
Day 15-16: Radical, Rational, and Absolute Value Equations
Radicals, rational expressions, and absolute value can trip people up. Focus on simplifying radical expressions, solving rational equations, and understanding how absolute values work in both equations and word problems.
Day 17-18: Exponential Growth and Graphs
Exponential functions show up more often in advanced SAT math questions. Be sure you know how to graph exponential growth and recognize exponential decay in word problems.
Day 19-20: Circle Theorems and Circle Equations
Circle theorems are key to answering geometry questions involving circles. Review the relationships between angles, chords, tangents, and arcs, and make sure you can apply the circle equation: \( (x – h)^2 + (y – k)^2 = r^2 \).
Day 21: Quadratic and Exponential Word Problems
These word problems may seem tough, but they often follow patterns. Focus on understanding how to apply quadratic and exponential equations to real-world scenarios.
In this final week, we’ll pull everything together with some of the most advanced topics. The key here is to practice applying your knowledge to more complex problems while refining your problem-solving speed.
Day 22-23: Solving Systems of Linear Equations
Practice solving systems of equations both by substitution and elimination. This will help with more complicated questions involving multiple variables and equations.
Day 24-25: Area and Volume
Review the formulas for the area of various shapes (triangles, circles, etc.) and the volume of 3D shapes (cylinders, spheres, etc.). These questions are usually formula-based, so knowing the formulas is half the battle.
Day 26-27: Right Triangle Trigonometry and Unit Circle
Trigonometry might sound scary, but SAT trig questions typically focus on the basics: sine, cosine, tangent, and the Pythagorean theorem. Get comfortable with these concepts and how they apply to right triangles.
Day 28: Quadratic Graphs and Linear Systems
Review how to graph quadratic functions and solve quadratic systems. Knowing how to quickly identify key features of a parabola (vertex, axis of symmetry, roots) will give you a big advantage.
Day 29: Polynomial and Nonlinear Graphs
Polynomials and nonlinear functions can be a bit tricky, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of them. Focus on graphing higher-degree polynomials and recognizing how changes to the equation affect the graph’s shape.
Day 30: Final Review and Timed Practice
On your final day, take a full-length timed SAT math section. Focus on keeping a steady pace, avoiding careless errors, and applying the strategies you’ve learned over the past month. Review any mistakes afterward and pinpoint the areas where you can make your final improvements.
You’ve got this! With a solid plan and a bit of persistence, you’ll see your SAT math score improve, and those college and financial aid dreams will be within reach. Keep focused, and remember: every bit of progress counts.
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