What Math Is on the SAT? Complete Topic Breakdown (2026)

Quick answer: what math is on the SAT?

The Digital SAT math section covers four content areas: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry. There are 44 questions total, split across two 22-question modules, with 70 minutes for the whole section. No calculus. Trigonometry is on the test, but only right-triangle trig. Desmos and a graphing calculator are allowed on every question.

If you want the full topic list with specific skills and study priorities, jump to our complete SAT math topics guide. If you want the shorter, direct-answer version, keep reading.

The four SAT math content domains

College Board publishes the percentage mix of each content domain. The counts below are approximate because the Digital SAT is section-adaptive and exact counts can shift by a question or two.

The two big domains (Algebra and Advanced Math) together cover about two-thirds of the section, so most of your study time should live there. The other two domains are smaller but easier to pick up points in if you drill the formulas.

For the official breakdown straight from the source, see College Board's Digital SAT Math overview.

Algebra: the biggest share

About 13-15 questions out of 44 are Algebra. The SAT covers:

• Linear equations in one or two variables
• Linear inequalities
• Systems of linear equations
• Linear functions and their graphs
• Word problems that translate to linear equations

None of this is beyond algebra 1 in difficulty. The challenge is recognizing a disguised linear setup inside a wordy context.

Advanced Math: the other biggest share

Also 13-15 questions. "Advanced Math" sounds scary but it caps out at early algebra 2:

• Quadratic equations and functions (vertex form, roots, discriminant)
• Polynomial operations and factoring
• Exponential functions and growth/decay
• Radical and rational expressions
• Function notation, composite and inverse functions
• Nonlinear graphs and their transformations

This is where most students pick up or lose their points above 650. If you want a 700+, you need to be fluent here.

Problem-Solving and Data Analysis

5-7 questions. Middle-school math packaged in realistic contexts:

• Ratios, rates, and unit conversions
• Percentages and percent change
• Reading tables, graphs, and scatter plots
• Mean, median, range, and basic statistics
• Probability (single-event and compound)
• Sampling and inference at a basic level

These are often the fastest points on the section if you stay careful with units.

Geometry and Trigonometry (yes, trig is on the SAT)

5-7 questions, the same size as Problem-Solving and Data Analysis. This domain covers:

• Area, perimeter, surface area, and volume
• Angles, lines, triangles (including similar and congruent)
• The Pythagorean theorem and special right triangles (30-60-90, 45-45-90)
• Circles: area, circumference, arc length, sector area, equations of circles
• Coordinate geometry: slope, distance, midpoint, equations of lines
• Right-triangle trigonometry: sine, cosine, tangent (SOH-CAH-TOA)
• The Pythagorean identity (sin²θ + cos²θ = 1)

Trig on the SAT is narrow. You will not see the unit circle, inverse trig functions, or identities beyond the Pythagorean identity. If you can do SOH-CAH-TOA in right triangles, you have 80% of the trig you need.

What math is NOT on the SAT

Just as important as what is on the SAT is what you can skip:

• Calculus. No derivatives, no integrals, no limits. Nothing calc-related appears.
• Matrices and vectors. Unlike the ACT, the SAT does not test these.
• Proofs. No two-column geometry proofs. The SAT is entirely computational or conceptual.
• Advanced trig. No unit circle, no law of sines/cosines, no radian conversions.
• Imaginary numbers beyond basics. You might see i in one Advanced Math question at most.
• Complex number arithmetic. Almost never tested.

Knowing what is off-limits saves you from wasting study time.

How SAT math is delivered

A few format details that shape your strategy:

• Two modules of 22 questions each, 35 minutes per module
• The section is adaptive: your performance in module 1 determines whether module 2 is easier or harder
• Questions 1-15 in each module are multiple choice (4 answer choices); questions 16-22 are student-produced response (you type the answer)
• Calculator (Desmos) is allowed on every question, built into the testing app
• About 30% of questions are word problems set in real-world contexts

If you want to put this into practice, start a free SAT math quiz or drill by domain on our SAT math section page.

Where to go deeper

This article is the direct-answer overview. For deeper guides by specific need:

• SAT math topics: every topic on the SAT math section — full breakdown with example skills
• SAT math formula sheet — the formulas given to you and the ones you still need to memorize
• Hardest SAT math questions with worked solutions
• SAT math calculator: the Desmos guide
• SAT math pacing and time management

For overall SAT prep strategy, read our SAT section guide, study plan guide, and check scores with our SAT score calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Math Is on the SAT

Is trigonometry on the SAT?

Yes, but only right-triangle trigonometry. You need to know sine, cosine, and tangent (SOH-CAH-TOA) and the Pythagorean identity (sin²θ + cos²θ = 1). You will not see the unit circle, trigonometric identities beyond the Pythagorean identity, or inverse trig functions. Expect 2-4 trig questions in total out of the 5-7 Geometry and Trigonometry questions.

Is calculus on the SAT?

No. The Digital SAT math section caps out at early algebra 2 and geometry. Derivatives, integrals, and limits are never tested. If you are taking AP Calculus in school, none of that content appears on the SAT.

What kind of math is on the SAT?

Four categories: Algebra (linear equations, inequalities, systems, functions), Advanced Math (quadratics, polynomials, exponentials, radicals), Problem-Solving and Data Analysis (ratios, percentages, data reading, basic probability), and Geometry and Trigonometry (area, volume, triangles, circles, right-triangle trig). No calculus, no proofs, no unit circle.

How many math questions are on the SAT?

44 total, split into two 22-question modules. You have 35 minutes per module for 70 minutes of total math testing time. Most modules include about 15 multiple-choice questions and 7 student-produced response questions where you type in your own numerical answer.

Is the SAT math section hard?

The content is not conceptually hard. Everything through algebra 2 and geometry is fair game, but nothing beyond. The challenge is pacing (about 95 seconds per question), careful word-problem translation, and the adaptive module-2 difficulty if you do well on module 1. Most score gains come from practice, not from learning new content.

Can I use a calculator on the SAT math section?

Yes, on every question. Bluebook (the testing app) has Desmos built in, so you do not even need to bring your own calculator, though you are welcome to if you prefer a physical graphing calculator. Learning Desmos well is one of the single biggest score-boosters on the Digital SAT.

What SAT math topics should I study first?

Algebra and Advanced Math. Together they are 60-70% of the section and carry the most weight. Focus on linear equations, systems, quadratics, and function notation before touching geometry or statistics. Once those are solid, spend shorter blocks on Problem-Solving & Data Analysis and Geometry & Trig. See our SAT math study guide for a week-by-week plan.

How are the SAT math domains weighted in scoring?

Every math question is worth the same toward your math section score (out of 800). Harder questions in module 2 can marginally increase your score through the adaptive algorithm if you answer them correctly, but domain weighting itself is flat. Missing a hard geometry question hurts your score the same as missing an easy algebra question.