Short answer: SAT Math tests four areas. Algebra and Advanced Math each make up about 35% of the section. Problem-Solving and Data Analysis and Geometry and Trigonometry each make up about 15%. All four appear in both modules.
Based on College Board’s published test specifications, checked November 10, 2026.
The four domains at a glance
| Domain | Share | Questions (of 44) |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | about 35% | 13 to 15 |
| Advanced Math | about 35% | 13 to 15 |
| Problem-Solving and Data Analysis | about 15% | 5 to 7 |
| Geometry and Trigonometry | about 15% | 5 to 7 |
Of the 44 questions, 40 count toward your score. The other 4 are unscored pretest questions mixed in, and you can’t tell which ones they are, so treat every question as real.
Algebra (about 35%)
Everything linear:
- Linear equations in one variable
- Linear equations in two variables, slope and intercepts
- Linear functions and what their parts mean in context
- Systems of two linear equations, including how many solutions a system has
- Linear inequalities in one or two variables
These are the questions you need to answer fast and without mistakes. At the 700+ level, Algebra is where you bank time for the hard questions at the end of each module. Learn the shortcut for counting solutions, which shows up every test.
Advanced Math (about 35%)
This is where most of the hard questions live:
- Equivalent expressions: factoring, expanding, rewriting exponents and rational expressions
- Nonlinear equations: quadratics, radicals, absolute value, rational equations and systems that mix a line with a curve
- Nonlinear functions: quadratic and exponential models, polynomial zeros, transformations and reading graphs
If you only have time to master one domain, make it this one. Start with the quadratic shortcuts: sum and product of roots, the vertex in one step and the discriminant.
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (about 15%)
The “real world” section:
- Ratios, rates, proportions and unit conversions
- Percents, including percent change and repeated percent changes
- One-variable data: mean, median, spread and outliers
- Two-variable data: scatterplots, lines of best fit, linear vs exponential models
- Probability and conditional probability from two-way tables
- Sampling, margin of error, and what a study can and can’t conclude
Most of these questions are about reading carefully, not hard math. The classic trap: a question says “given” and the denominator is a row total, not the grand total.
Geometry and Trigonometry (about 15%)
- Area and volume
- Lines, angles and triangles, including similar triangles
- Right triangles and trigonometry (sine, cosine, tangent, radians)
- Circles: arcs, sectors, and equations of circles in the coordinate plane
A reference sheet with the basic formulas is available during the test. What it doesn’t give you is speed: Pythagorean triples, the complementary angle rule (sin x° = cos(90° − x°)) and getting a circle’s center straight from its equation.
Where to focus for 700 to 800
- Advanced Math first. It has the most hard questions.
- Make Algebra automatic. You should finish easy Algebra in under a minute each.
- Don’t skip the 15% domains. Five to seven questions each is still 10 to 14 points of raw score, and the concept questions are quick once you know the rules.
- Use Desmos well. It’s available on every question and replaces several algebra steps.
Free cheat sheet
We put the most useful shortcuts from all four domains on one PDF: triples, trig, circles, quadratics, statistics rules and Desmos moves. Download the SAT Math Shortcuts PDF.
Next step
Not sure which domain is costing you points? Book a free call and bring your latest score report. We will find the weak spots together.