How You'll Get Stuck in SAT - ACT Math Questions, and What To Do About It PDF

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HowYou'llGetStuckinSAT/ACTMathQuestions,andWhattoDoAboutIt
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How You'll Get Stuck in SAT/ACT Math

Questions, and What to Do About It
Posted by Courtney Montgomery | Nov 10, 2015 8:00:00 AM
ACT MATH, SAT MATH
So youve been staring at one math problem for what feels like forever, or maybe youve
gone through your solve and none of the answer choices match what you found. Or
maybe you just feel like somewhere along the way you made a huge mistake.
Well, never fear! Right now you might be stuck on a math problem, but weve all been
there and there is always a way to recover. Well walk you through both how to
recognize when youre stuck (its not always obvious until too late) and what to do about
it when it happens.
Overall Test Structure
http://blog.prepscholar.com/stuckinsatactmathwhattodo
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Overall Test Structure

The SAT math section and the ACT math section are designed and structured dierently.
Though many principles of how to solve a math problem (and how to get out of a math
bind) will hold true for both tests, there are some unique pitfalls and benets hidden in
each test.
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So lets look at a little background and structure for both the SAT and the ACT to give a
better foundation for the kinds of ways you can get stuck on a math problem and how
to get out of it.
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About the SAT Math Section

The SAT math section requires that you put your mathematical knowledge to work in
ways that may seem strange or unfamiliar to you. Most SAT math questions won'tlook
like the kinds of questions you see on your math tests in school and this may be a
challenge to deal with at rst. But while the questions may be unusual, each and
every math topicused on the test is one that you are likely familiar with and have
studied for a number of years.
If youre not used to the structure of the SAT, there are two main ways you can nd
yourself trapped into the no-mans-land of selecting wrong answers: by
overestimating the diculty of each question or by underestimating the diculty
of each question. (Yikes!)
Some students get so turned around by the twisting and unusual presentation of the
questions that they forget the fact that they will be familiar with most, if not every topic
on the SAT math section. This kind of student tends to panic and either make wild
guesses or leave many questions blank that shelikely could have solved.
Other students, however, go in the complete opposite direction and underestimate how
tricky the questions on the SAT can be. Many questions (though not all) are set up in
ways that will steer anyone who isnt paying close attention o the right track. And all
the answer choices on the multiple choice section are most often generated by common
student errors, so it can be easy to fall for the many bait answer choices available.
In the next section, well show you how to tell when youre falling into one of these traps
and how to get out of it.
About the ACT Math Section
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About the ACT Math Section

The ACT math section will occasionally give you a question that is set up in a strange or
unfamiliar way, but for the most part, ACT math questions will be fairly
straightforward. Do you know how to set up and solve for an average? Do you know
what a rational number is? A signicant portion of your ACT math questions will look
just like the ones you've seen in school. Though many ACT math questions are far from
easy, the presentation of the questions is not specically designed to trick or trap you.
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ACT math questions are challenging mostly for two reasons: you will be on a much
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stricter time crunch than you would be on the SAT (see our article on the dierences
between ACT math and SAT mathfor more detail on this)and the topics in question
may be more obscure to you. For instance, most students will be far less familiar with
trigonometryor sequencesthan they are withsingle variable equations, butthese are
all topics that will be on the ACT.
Because the ACT math section must be completed quickly, it's crucial that you realize
when youre going down the wrong mathematical path. So lets take a look at how to
spot it when it happens.
Time is a precious resource on both tests, so it's important to change course quickly if
something's going wrong.
How to Tell When Youre Stuck (or Going Down the
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How to Tell When Youre Stuck (or Going Down the

Wrong Path)
Almost every math question on both the ACT and theSAT can be solved in 30
seconds or less.If youre familiar with the material, you can absolutely solve almost
every single math question with plenty of time to spare.
In addition, each and every question on the test is designed in such a way that a
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student can solve it without a calculator. Though you should use a calculator on the
test to boost your speed and accuracy, always keep in mind that you dont technically
need one.
How does this knowledge help you? Well, if you nd youre going down the rabbit hole
and need 30 steps to solve a problem, or if you start getting bizarre strings of decimals
or weird root systems, then stop! If the problem is taking two or three minutes to
solve or you think it would literally be impossible (or just really, really dicult) to
solve without a calculator, then something went wrong and you should stop and go
back to the beginning.
Lets look at a few examples of ACT and SAT problems and some common student
errors to see this in action.
Lets say you got to this problem and were going so quickly through the test that
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you misread the word area and thought you were supposed to solve for the
perimeter instead. This may seem like an obvious mistake right now, but never
underestimate the eects of adrenaline and fatigue on your ability to think
logically. Its all too easy (and all too common) to make a mistake like this on the
test and pay the price in lost time if you do.
But if you read area as perimeter, then you would see that the perimeter of
10
triangle DFH was 10, which would mean that each side was
= 3.33.
3
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Hmm. This is already mighty suspicious. Rememberyou should be able to solve

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any question without a calculator, so if you have decimal points, they will almost
always be 0.5 or, more rarely, 0.25. To get a decimal of 0.33 is suspect.
But if you kept going, you would nd that each side of triangle DFH is made up of
two sides of the smaller triangles. This would mean that the side of each smaller
triangle was:
3.33
= 1.67
2
Now a red alert should be sounding in your head! Youve gotten two weird
decimal values in a row and you still havent found your answer yet. Its a good idea
to pause and see if youve made a mistake somewhere before you waste time
going any further.
[Note: the way to actually solve the problem is to either nd the area of each small
10
triangle = 2.5and multiply by the total number of small triangles, or to set
4
up a proportionof the area of DFH to AFK. Either way, your nal answer will be E,
62.5]
Now lets take a look at another example,
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Last time, we said that perhaps you simply misread the problem. This time, maybe
you thought you knew enough about the topic to solve the problem, but ended up
stuck halfway through.
For instance, lets say you were familiar enough with quadratic equations to
recognize that this was one, but didnt know a whole lot else about them. Well it
says that the value of x is -3, so that must mean we replace x with -3 and solve from
there, right?
x2 + mx + n = 0
32 + 3m + n = 0
9 + 3m + n = 0
Hmm. Well this doesnt look promising. We could try to isolate m to nd its value,
in which case we would say:
3m + n = 9
3m+ 9 n
m = 3 n
3
But we still dont know the value of n, so that doesnt help us much. We could try to
factor it, but without knowing the value of n, we still cant nd m. Were well and
truly stuck.
[Note: the way to solve the problem is by understanding how factoring quadratic
equations works at its core. If -3 is the only value for x, then it must mean that our
quadratic factors out to be a square. Our factors must therefore look like: (x + 3)(x
+ 3) for x to equal -3 since x + 3 = 0 => x = 3. If we properly distribute (x + 3)2, we
will get x2 + 6x + 9 = 0, which means the answer is C, m = 6.]
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+ =
=
Sometimes, youll be able to see pretty quickly (as with our rst example) when youre
going wrong, and sometimes it will take a few steps before you hit a wall (as with our
second example). But, as you get more practice solving SAT and ACT math questions,
youll start to get instincts to feel when youve taken a left turn somewhere, and this is
the point at which you must take a step back.
But what do you do once you realize youve run into a problem? Lets take a look.
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We can save this, not to worry. Well...probably. Pretty sure. (Gross)
What to Do When Youre Stuck

As you go through your test, answer your questions by following these steps:
Step 1: Always Answer the Easiest Questions First

As a general rule of thumb when taking the either the SAT or the ACT, always root out
and answer the questions you can complete the fastest and with the most condence.
Remembereach and every question is worth one point, so it doesnt matter if it was
the easiest problem or the hardest. No one is judging how you complete your test, so
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dont feel you have to ignore the simpler problems for the sake of the more dicult
ones. Get your points where you can and keep moving forward.
The ACT math section is arranged in ascending order of diculty, so the earliest
questions will also be the "easiest."
The SAT is a little more complicated, since the math portion of the test is divided into
threesectionstwo entirely multiple choice and one combination multiple choice and
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grid-in. SATmultiple choice questions are also arranged in order of ascending

diculty (so the early questions will also be "easiest"), but thediculty
levelresets for the grid-in section. This means thatthe rst question on the grid-in
portionwill be much easier than the last multiple choice question in that math section.
Be especially careful in the combination multiple choice and grid-in SAT math section for
this reason.
If any question starts to give you trouble or seems to be taking a long time, mark it and
come back to it only after youve completed all of your easy questions. Once youve
identied these potential problem questions, approach them based on why they were
problematic in the rst place.
Step 2: If You Can See Your Error, Redo the Problem

Once youve identied that youre going down the wrong track, stop working and read
the question again. Did you try to nd the wrong variable? For instance, did you solve for
a instead of 2a, the perimeter instead of the area? Did you write down the wrong values
for your givens? Or did you realize you simply dont know enough about, for instance,
functionsto solve the problem?
If you can spot your error and correct it in a few seconds, go ahead and start over
and solve the problem again the right way. If you really think you can solve the
problem this time, then its denitely worth your time to work through it again.
If you cant spot why or how you went wrong (just that you did), move on to the next
step.
Step 3: If You Can't See theError, Find an Alternative Solivng Method

Sometimes you might know enough about the topic (or are just familiar enough with the
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test) to see that you don't know how to solve a particular problem in the traditional way.
Now is a good time to turn to one of your alternate solving methods, namely
plugging in answersor plugging in your own numbers.
Lets say that you went up against this question:
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Maybe you didnt know where to begin, or maybe you attempted the problem and
felt that you started getting trapped in the algebra. Well luckily, there is almost
always another way to solve any ACT or SAT question!
In this case, we have variables in both the problem and in the answer choices,
which is a key feature for a PIN question. With that in mind, we can pick our own
value for x and nd the answer choice that corresponds to this value.
Lets say that we said x = 2. (Why 2? Why not!)
Now we nd the value of our given function.
x+1
x3 x
2+1
23 2
3
6
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1
2
Now we need to nd which answer choice is equivalent to 1 , when we use the
2
same value of x (x = 2).
Answer choice F gives us:
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1 1
x2 x3
11
4 8
1
8
This does not match our found value of 1 , so we can eliminate answer choice F.
2
Answer choice G gives us:
1 1
x3 x
11
8 2
3
8
This does not match our found value of 1 , so we can eliminate answer choice G.
2
Answer choice H gives us:
1
x2 1
1
41
1
3
This does not match our found value of 1 , so we can eliminate answer choice H.
2
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Answer choice J gives us:

1
x2 x
1
42
1
2
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This does match our found answer of 1 , so we can keep answer J in the running.
2
We should still test answer choice K, however, just to make sure we do not have
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any duplicate correct answers.
Answer choice K gives us:

1
x3
1
8
This does not match our found answer of 1 . We can eliminate answer choice K.
2
This leaves us with only one answer that matches what we found as our given
when x = 2. This means that answer choice J (and only answer choice J) must be
correct.
Our nal answer is J, 12

x x
Step 4: If Your Alternate Solve Doesn't Work,Move On

Sometimes taking a standardized test means learning to let go of a question. Your time
is precious and limited, so if you can solve two questions in the time it takes you to
solve one, its always best to solve the two. If you nd yourself trapped on a question
and cant nd any way to solve it, let it go (for now).
If youre taking the ACT, bubble in your best guess answer, but do so lightly enough that
you can come back and change it later, time permitting. If youre taking the SAT, simply
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skip the question for now (dont bubble in a guess!) and come back later.
If you have time after youre done with the rest of your questions, come back to
any that you had to skip or bubble a guess on. Sometimes all you need is fresh eyes,
and then the method to solve the problem will become apparent.
If you still cant nd the correct answer in any of the traditional ways, you can try to
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strategically eliminate answer choices until youve at least narrowed down your odds.
For more information on how to do this, check out our guides for how to best guess on
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the SAT math section (coming soon!) and how to best guess on the ACT math section
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(coming soon!). Otherwise, simply let it stay blank (if taking the SAT) or stick with your
rst guess answer (if taking the ACT).
Learning to let go of a problem can be just as important as learning when to stick with a
problem and try an alternate solving method. The more you practice, the better you'll
get at balancing these techniques.
The Take-Aways
The more practice you have with taking standardized tests, the more skilled youll
become at spotting your mistakes and heading them o at the pass. So dont despair if it
seems like an impossible task right nowyoull get better at it.
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Be sure to practice on quality ACT and SAT study materialsand stop if you feel any
misgivings while solving any particular question. Rememberif it takes more than 30
seconds, or you think you would absolutely need a calculator, youre probably on the
wrong track. Take a breath, back up, and see where and how you can resolve the
problem. And dont be afraid to let a question go if you need to. One question wont
matter too much in the long run, but getting stuck for ve minutes will absolutely take
away time from other questions and have a detrimental impact on your nal score.
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Whats Next?
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Worried about your math formulas? Learn which formulas you'll need to memorize
for the ACT, which formulas you'll need to know for the SAT, and how to put your
formulas to their greatest eect on both the ACT and the SAT.
Running out of time on your math sections? Learn how to beat the clock on both the
ACT and the SAT so you can reach your greatest potential in the time allowed.
Trying not to procrastinate? Our guide will help you beat those procrastination urges
and get you back on track.
Want to get a perfect math score? Check out how to get a perfect 36 on the ACT math
section or a perfect 800 on the SAT math section.
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Check out our best-in-class online SAT prep program. We guarantee your money
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SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

How You'll Get Stuck in SAT/ACT Math

Posted by Courtney Montgomery | Nov 10, 2015 8:00:00 AM

ACT MATH, SAT MATH

Overall Test Structure

Overall Test Structure

About the SAT Math Section

About the ACT Math Section

About the ACT Math Section

How to Tell When Youre Stuck (or Going Down the

How to Tell When Youre Stuck (or Going Down the

Hmm. This is already mighty suspicious. Rememberyou should be able to solve

Now lets take a look at another example,

We can save this, not to worry. Well...probably. Pretty sure. (Gross)

What to Do When Youre Stuck

Step 1: Always Answer the Easiest Questions First

grid-in. SATmultiple choice questions are also arranged in order of ascending

Step 2: If You Can See Your Error, Redo the Problem

Step 3: If You Can't See theError, Find an Alternative Solivng Method

Answer choice J gives us:

any duplicate correct answers.

Answer choice K gives us:

Our nal answer is J, 12

Step 4: If Your Alternate Solve Doesn't Work,Move On

Want to improve your SAT score by 240 points?

Ask a Question Below

Get an email when we reply to your comment

Improve With Our Famous Guides

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT

Score 800 on SAT

Score 800 on SAT

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT

Score 600 on SAT

Score 600 on SAT

Should You Take the New SAT in

What SAT Target Score Should You

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT

Expert Guide to the New 2016 SAT

FIND OUT HOW

Most Popular Articles

4 Amazing Recommendation Letter Samples for Students

SAT Test Dates: Full Guide to Choosing (2016, 2017)

New 2016 SAT: What's a Good Score?

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 130

ADVANCED PLACEMENT 121

ACT GENERAL INFO 120

SAT/ACT SCORE TARGET 35

SAT VERSUS ACT 22

SAT GENERAL INFO 140

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 130

ACT GENERAL INFO 120

ADVANCED PLACEMENT 121

SAT SUBJECT TESTS 34

SAT VERSUS ACT 22

SAT/ACT SCORE TARGET 35

Customize your test prep for maximum