30 Day Prep

Have your calculators at the ready! When you start the math section of the exam, it is crucial to ensure that you use your calculator wisely, where it is allowed. The math exam itself can be a very challenging portion of the exam, because unlike the remainder of the test, this section is structured solely in an objective way, and can only be answered in specific ways that test your knowledge of foundational math skills. To be able to do well on the math section, following the below strategies can be helpful.

1) The math test always gets progressively more difficult. The entire test is structured such that your knowledge of basic concepts is tested first, then slightly more complex ones, then even more complex ones. Generally, the order of concepts tested is as follows: foundational mathematics, algebra I, geometry, algebra II, trigonometry. If you have some questions that you see from additional categories, do not fret. They are not the most commonly observed types of questions, because standardized exams can only test up to the expected knowledge level of a student to the twelfth grade progression. Foundational mathematics would leave a student at the trigonometry or pre-calculus level in twelfth grade, so you can rest assured that no complex calculus will be present on the exam, whether you have covered it in school or not.

2) The math test does require selective and effective use of your calculator. The graphing calculator that you take with you to your exam can be a very effective tool, if used properly. Do your best to not use it on simpler questions, because it can be a time deterrent. Using your calculator in the proper ways is also important, because there are restrictions in terms of the type of calculators allowed during the test, as well as the programs that run on that calculator. If you are found in violation of any calculator bearing rules, you risk dismissal from the test, so ensure that you review those rules prior to test day.

3) Open ended math questions can have more than one answer, as some algebraic problems can have multiple solutions. The answer that you report on your sheet will always be a positive answer, because there is no capability to answer with a negative solution, so keep that in mind when you do notate your answer. Furthermore, there is a restriction on the number of decimal points allowed on the answer sheet, so always round appropriately when you do solve open ended problems in the math section.