Advanced Math on the SAT

SAT Math · Axiom Academy

Unit 4: Passport to Advanced Math Master the math skills that account for nearly 30% of your SAT score Why Advanced Math Matters on the SAT The SAT Math section isn't just about arithmetic and basic geometry. It's testing your ability to recognize patterns, manipulate expressions, and solve complex equations. This is called the "Passport to Advanced Math" because these skills are the foundation for college-level mathematics. The Big Picture: Advanced Math Topic Breakdown Here's how the ~18 Advanced Math questions break down on a typical SAT: What You'll Master in This Unit Three methods to solve: factoring, quadratic formula, and completing the square. When to use each strategy. Add, subtract, multiply polynomials. Factor by grouping. Recognize special patterns like difference of squares. Rational & Radical Expressions Simplify complex fractions. Convert between radicals and exponents. Solve radical equations. Growth and decay models. Half-life and doubling time. Real-world applications in science and finance. Master f(x) notation, composition of functions, and transformations (shifts, stretches, reflections). Solve systems with parabolas and circles. Determine number of solutions graphically and algebraically. Your SAT Advanced Math Strategy Quadratics almost always factor on the SAT (or use the formula) Look for structure—patterns hide everywhere Substitution is your friend for complex expressions Know when to estimate vs. calculate exactly

This is the written version of the interactive lesson above. See the full SAT Math course.