DSAT Prep – Math Section Basics

The DSAT Math Section

The Digital SAT (DSAT) is composed of two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. The Math section assesses a test-taker’s ability to solve real-world and academic math problems using algebra, data analysis, geometry essentials, and function reasoning. The exam is fully digital and can be taken on a laptop, tablet, or school managed Chromebook. A calculator is allowed for every question on the section, and students may use the provided on-screen graphing calculator or bring their own approved device on the day of their exam. Questions are concise, visually clean, and more focused on practical problem‑solving than esoteric math knowledge.

Test Format

Test-takers have 70 minutes to complete the Math section of the SAT. There are 44 questions, which means students have roughly 95 seconds per question. Approximately 33 questions have a multiple-choice answer, while roughly 11 questions ask for a student-produced response. According to the College Board, the creator of the SAT, approximately 30% of all Math questions are set in context (e.g., also known as ‘word problems’). These questions require test-takers to consider a situation dealing with science, social studies, or the real world, and apply their math knowledge, along with an understanding of the context, to determine the correct answer.

Adaptive Structure

When the SAT transitioned to a digital exam in 2023 (2024 for students in the United States), the test became computer adaptive. A computer adaptive exam changes the difficulty of questions in real time based on the answers a test-taker provides. The Math section of the SAT is divided into two modules:

Module 1
This module contains 22 mixed‑difficulty questions to be completed in 35 minutes. How a student performs on the first module determines the difficulty of the questions they will receive on their second module.
Module 2
This module contains 22 questions to be completed in 35 minutes, and the difficulty level of the questions adjusts based on a student’s Module 1 performance. If a student performs well on their first module, they will receive more challenging questions on their second module. If, however, they struggle on their first module, they will receive less challenging questions on their second module.

Math Content Areas

The SAT Math section focuses on four general categories, or skill domains:

Algebra
Advanced Math
Problem Solving and Data Analysis
Geometry and Trigonometry

We will examine each skill domain below.

Algebra questions typically make up between 13-15 questions on the Math section. They measure the ability to fluently analyze, solve, and create both linear equations and inequalities as well as analyze and solve equations and systems of equations using multiple mathematical techniques. Students should expect to encounter the following types of questions:

Linear equations in 1 variable
Linear equations in 2 variables
Linear functions
Systems of 2 linear equations in 2 variables
Linear inequalities in 1 or 2 variables

Advanced Math questions typically make up between 13-15 questions on the SAT. They focus on the math needed for advanced study in disciplines such as science, economics, technology, engineering, and math. These questions measure skills and knowledge necessary for progressing to more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of absolute zero, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other nonlinear equations. Students should expect to encounter the following types of questions:

Equivalent expressions
Nonlinear equations in 1 variable
Systems of equations in 2 variables
Nonlinear functions

Problem Solving and Data Analysis questions typically make up between 5-7 questions on the SAT. These questions measure a test-taker’s ability to apply quantitative reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships, as well as to understand and apply unit rate and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable data. These questions allow a student to demonstrate their quantitative literacy by showing a command of math that resonates through college courses, career training and preparation programs, and everyday life. Students should expect to encounter the following types of questions:

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

Geometry and Trigonometry questions typically make up between 5-7 questions on the SAT. These questions assess a test-taker’s ability to solve problems focused on geometry or trigonometry. Students should expect to encounter the following types of questions:

Area and volume formulas
Lines, angles, and triangles
Right triangles and trigonometry
Circles

Key Changes from the Previous SAT

As mentioned previously, the SAT underwent an important transition to a digital exam in 2023, and as part of this, several changes were made to the Math section of the exam. The previous version of the SAT featured separate calculator/no-calculator sections, with the calculator section featuring 38 questions to be completed in 55 minutes and the no-calculator section featuring 20 questions to be completed in 25 minutes. Students were given 75 seconds per question on the no-calculator section and 87 seconds per question on the calculator section. Additionally, there were long reading passages within math questions and questions involving complex numbers. In addition to an overall Math section score ranging from 200-800, test-takers received several subscores and cross-test scores.

The Math section of the digital SAT features questions that are shorter with more direct wording and was specifically designed to provide a faster, adaptive testing experience. A calculator may be used on the entire section; students may use the provided on-screen calculator or bring their own College Board-approved device. Students have 70 minutes to answer 44 questions, for a total of 95 seconds per question. Test-takers can flag questions they wish to review and move backwards and forwards through a given module. Students receive one Math section score that falls on a scale between 200-800.

The digital SAT emphasizes clarity and practical reasoning. Word problems are short (generally fewer than 50 words), and many questions contain integrated visuals, such as graphs, scatterplots, and tables. Students can expect to be tested on linear, quadratic, and exponential modeling, but the main focus on the SAT Math section is to emphasize using real-world math to quickly interpret the provided data.

Preparation Guidance

With consistent preparation, the SAT is an exam that can be understood and mastered, even the notoriously challenging Math section. Students should first ensure that any preparation materials they use are applicable to the most current version of the SAT, as using outdated materials may lead to wasting time preparing for things that are no longer on the exam. Many students utilize study guides or prep books from established test prep professionals. Other students prefer group courses, whether in-person or online, and some students chose to prepare via a customized private tutoring program designed specifically to address their unique test-taking needs.

In addition to professional guidance, students should also become familiar with the official Bluebook app. This is the app that is used to take the SAT, and students should familiarize themselves with navigating through the app, as well as using the built-in graphing calculator. Students can take several free practice exams through the app and in addition to viewing their unofficial score and learning which questions they missed, they can receive detailed explanations for why a certain answer was right or wrong, providing excellent opportunities to work both on content knowledge and time management.