SAT

Math 2

Andy Gaus
Kathleen Morrison
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Morrison, Kathleen

SAT Math 2 / Morrison, Kathleen

ISBN: 978-1-60787-572-7

1. SAT 2. Study Guides 3. Mathematics

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SAT Math 2
ISBN: 978-1-60787-572-7
SECTION I: Overview of the SAT
Math Level 2 Test
 Overview

The SAT Math Level 2 exam tests your knowledge of about three
years of college preparatory mathematics. This includes two years of
algebra, one year of geometry. and some precalculus and trigonometry.
The focus of the test is on problem solving, so you need to have your
thinking hat on, and have an understanding of the concepts and their
application to the problem. The Math Level 2 test covers more advanced
skills in number and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and
measurement, and data analysis, statistics and probability, than the Math
Level 1 test.
The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions; you have 60
minutes to complete the test.
In the 2015–2016 testing year, the SAT Math Level 2 Subject Area
is offered six times a year. You cannot take the SAT and the SAT subject
tests on the same date, so plan to take the Math Level 2 test in the next
test date offering after you take the SAT. Some of the material for the
SAT and the SAT Subject Area Math 2 section overlap, so, taking the
Math Level 2 right after the SAT can be helpful.

What Are The SAT Subject Area Tests?

The SAT Subject Area tests are designed to test your knowledge and
problem-solving ability in greater depth in a specific subject. The
College Board for SATs administers 20 subject area tests. The SAT
Subject tests are additional admissions test that give you a chance to
show your college admissions evaluators, that you are knowledgeable in
a specific area. In particular, if you intend to major or minor in a subject
area, then doing well on the subject area tests, showcases your credentials
for the college.
For a list of all the subject areas go to www.sat.collegeboard.org.

Choosing Between Math Level 1 and Math

Level 2
Math Level 1 and 2 tests cover very similar topics, with one major
difference. Math Level 2 includes test questions requiring precalculus
and trigonometry understanding. If you did well, a B or better, in your
math courses covering two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and a
year of precalculus and/or trigonometry, then consider taking the Math
Level 2 exam. The College Board’s website, has more information on
how to decide whether to take Math Level 1 or 2 at
https://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-
preparation/mathematics-level-2. Look at this for current updates.
Remember that the Math Level 2 test emphasizes more-advanced
content. Talk to your peers or students that have recently taken the
Math 1 or 2 tests to get an idea of the content or talk with your math
teacher. According to the College Board, you can choose to take
either test on test day, regardless of what test you registered for.
Please confirm this from their website, as you get closer to your testing
date.

Areas Tested In SAT Math Level 2

The SAT Subject Area for Math Level 2 covers material taught in
most high school math courses. This includes two years of Algebra, one
year of Geometry, one year of precalculus and trigonometry. You may
find that you don’t know the answer to every single question, as you are
not expected to have learned every topic on the test. But, as you prepare
for the test, use the topic lists below to study, and ensure that you are
somewhat knowledgeable about all the topics.
Numbers and Operations 10%–14% (6 questions)
Operations, ratio and proportion, complex numbers, counting,
elementary number theory, matrices, sequences, series, vectors
Algebra and Functions 48%–52% (25 questions)
 Expressions, equations, inequalities, representation and
modeling, properties of functions (linear, polynomial, rational,
exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric,
periodic, piecewise, recursive, parametric)
Geometry and Measurement 28%–32% (13 questions)
Coordinate: Lines, parabolas, 10%–14%
circles, ellipses, hyperbolas,
symmetry, transformations, polar
coordinates
Three-dimensional: Solids, surface
area and volume (cylinders, cones,
pyramids, spheres, prisms),
coordinates in three dimensions 4%–6%
Trigonometry: Right triangles,
identities, radian measure, law of
cosines, law of sines, equations,
double angle formulas 12%–16%
Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability 8%–12% (6 questions)
Mean, median, mode, range, interquartile range, standard
deviation, graphs and plots, least squares regression (linear,
quadratic, exponential), probability

Why Take The SAT Math Level 2 Test?

The SAT Subject test is an opportunity to show the colleges you are
applying to that you know more about and better understand a specific
subject area. It is not required that you take the SAT Subject Area tests
for admission to college, however, if you have taken the three years of
high school math in algebra, geometry, precalculus and trigonometry,
are comfortable with the subject matter, and did reasonably well in the
coursework, then, it might be an easy test to take to add to your
achievements.
While most colleges do not REQUIRE the Subject Area tests,
several of them CONSIDER it for admissions and placement. Take a
look at the test requirements for the colleges you are interested in
applying to, and then decide on which SAT Subject tests will enhance
your application. Another reason to consider the Subject Area test is that
sometimes, you might be able to waive an introductory math course,
depending on your scores on the Math test. In other cases, the SAT
Subject Area test is considered as a replacement for an ACT test. So, as
you get ready in your junior year to take the SAT, look at the admissions
requirements for the colleges you might be interested in applying to, and
see if there is a benefit to taking the Math Level 2 test to highlight your
knowledge in math.

How Is The SAT Math Level 2 Test Scored?

The total score you can get for Math Level 2 is 800. The score range
is from 200 to 800, and increases in 20-point intervals. According to
the College Board, you do not have to get every question correct to
receive the highest score for the test. You will receive 1 point for each
question you answer correctly. It’s important to understand the
ramifications of guessing on this test. If you answer a question
incorrectly, then points are subtracted, based on the following scale:

¼ point subtracted for each 5-choice question

⅓ point subtracted for each 4-choice question
½ point subtracted for each 3-choice question
0 points subtracted for questions you don’t answer

The raw scores are then equated to the 200–800 point scale. This
ensures that different tests and scores of other students do not affect
your score. It also means that you score is not graded on a curve (where
the highest scorer gets 800, and the remaining get scores relative to
that).
Three types of scores are reported for the test you took. (1) Your
score on the 200–800 point range. (2) The average score based on the
most recent tests in that subject area. (3) The percentile score—for
example, for your score of 700, if your percentile is 85, then it means
that you did better than 85% of the students taking that test.
In the year 2014, below you see the percentiles and corresponding
scores for the Math Level 2 test.1 So, 51 percent of the students scored
below 710 and 49 percent of the students scored above 710. As you see,
the mean score for the Math Level 2 is very high—over 700.

800 81 percentile
780 74 percentile
710 51 percentile
630 24 percentile

Cancelling Scores: If you decide after taking the test that you want
to cancel your score, you can do so immediately on test day. However,
the SAT College Board warns that it will cancel all your scores for the
day.

Should You Guess Answers on the Test?

Now that you know that your score is penalized for incorrect
guessing, you should evaluate on a question-by-question basis whether
to guess the answer. If you have some understanding of the question
being asked and the subject matter and can discard one or two of the
multiple-choice responses, then take an EDUCATED guess. It’s
probably not worth losing points by WILD GUESSING. The best
option is to mark that question on the test sheet and go back to it once
you’ve finished the test.

How Is The SAT Math Level 2 Exam

Administered?
The SAT subject area tests are administered by the College Board,
the same organization that administers the SAT exams. In the 2015–
2016 year, the Math Level 2 test is given six times: October, November,
December, January, February, and June. So if you are a junior, you
should plan on taking the SAT first and then taking the Math Level 2
test at the next date window. So for example, if you take the SAT in
October, you can then take the Math Level 2 test in November. As
mentioned earlier, there is some similarity in the math subject matter
between the SAT and Math Level 2. So if you can, take the Math Level
2 test while the SAT material is still fresh.
 You will find registration information online at
www.satcollegeboard.org. From the website you can register online or by
mail. In both cases, you will need to upload a digital photo of yourself as
identification. You can find more about the photo requirements at
https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/photo-requirements. The photo will
become part of your exam admission ticket. You get four registration
score reports for the fee (so think about the four colleges you want to
send your scores to), additional reports will need to be paid for
separately.

Accommodations for Students with

Disabilities
If you have a documented disability, you may be eligible for special
accommodations for the test. The SAT College Board’s website describes
the requirements to obtain the approvals for Services for Students with
Disabilities (SSD). Look up the current requirements and steps to
register at: https://sat.collegeboard.org/register/for-students-with-
disabilities
In order to obtain the SSD approvals, you will need to file a request
with the SAT College Board, well before you intend to take the test. The
approvals take about seven weeks to process, and documentation of the
student’s disability and need for specific accommodations is required.
The deadlines for SSD approvals are much earlier than the SAT Subject
Area deadline. If you intend to take the SAT (and the SAT Subject Area)
in the fall of your junior year, then the College Board recommends
applying for your accommodation approvals in the spring of your
sophomore year. Keep in mind, that if you were approved for special
accommodations by the College Board for the SAT, then you might not
have to reapply for the Math Level 2 test. But, it is always helpful, to
confirm this with the College Board.
Once you are approved for special accommodation for test-taking,
the accommodation will be noted on your admission ticket. If your
accommodation request is not approved, then you must take the test as a
standard test-taker.
Getting Ready for Test Day
Prepare your test day material, the day before. The tests usually start
in the morning, so don’t wait until the last minute to find your gear.
Here’s what you will need at a minimum:

1) A printed out copy of your Admission Ticket

2) Photo identification
3) No. 2 pencils and an eraser
4) An approved calculator
5) A watch, so you know how much time is remaining

Calculator: Take a calculator that you are comfortable using, with

you on test day. Before you pick up a calculator for your test, think
about the problem solution first. You might find that you only need the
calculator for the last step or two. You will need a calculator for about
55%–65% of the questions for the Math Level 2 test. Remember, when
doing a calculation, DO NOT ROUND intermediate calculations;
carry the results forward, until the final answer.
You can take either a graphing calculator or a scientific calculator
with you. The College Board’s website lists the acceptable calculators,
and recommends a graphing calculator over a scientific calculator.
You will not be allowed to use the calculator function on devices
such as; a laptop, tablet, cell phone or smart phone. Calculator models
that access the Internet, have wireless or Bluetooth capabilities will not
be allowed. Models that have a typewriter-like keypad, pen or stylus
input are also not allowed. Check to make sure you have new batteries
in your calculator, or know that it will work for the duration of the test.
You will not be able to borrow another test-taker’s calculator during the
test, in case your calculator fails. Check the latest list of acceptable
calculators on the College Board’s website, before your test day.
You cannot bring the following into the testing room:

1) Any form of cellphone, tablet, or computer device

2) iPods or music devices
3) Cameras or recording devices
 Geometric Figures: When you are solving a math problem with a
figure, assume that the figure is drawn to scale, unless it specifically states
that it is not to scale. So, what does this mean? This means that the
relative positions of points and angles are in the order shown. And line
segments that extend through lines, and appear to lie on the same line,
are assumed to be on the line.
Reference Information Provided on the Test: The formulas below are
provided on the Math Level 2 test. So, you don’t have to memorize
them.

Volume of a right circular cone with radius r and height h: V

= πr2h

Volume of a sphere with radius r : V = πr3

Volume of a pyramid with base area B and height h: V = Bh

Surface area of a sphere with radius r : S = 4πr2

Testing Tips
1. Get smart, play dumb. Sometimes a question is just a
question. No one is out to trick you, so don’t assume that
the test writer is looking for something other than what was
asked. Stick to the question as written and don’t
overanalyze.
2. Do a double-take. Read test questions and answer choices
at least twice because it’s easy to miss something, to
transpose a word or some letters. If you have no idea what
the correct answer is, skip it and come back later if there’s
time.
3. Turn it on its ear. The syntax of a question can often
provide a clue, so make things interesting and turn the
question into a statement to see if it changes the meaning
or relates better (or worse) to the answer choices.
 4. Get out your magnifying glass. Look for hidden clues in
the questions, because it’s difficult to write a multiple-
choice question without giving away part of the answer in
the options presented. In most questions you can readily
eliminate one or two potential answers, increasing your
chances of answering correctly to 50/50, which will help
out if you’ve skipped a question and gone back to it (see tip
#2). So, read the question carefully.
5. Call it intuition. Often your first instinct is correct. If
you’ve been studying the content you’ve likely absorbed
something and have subconsciously retained the
knowledge. On questions you’re not sure about trust your
instincts, because a first impression is usually correct.
6. Graffiti. Sometimes it’s a good idea to mark your answers
directly on the test booklet and go back to fill in the optical
scan sheet later. You don’t get extra points for perfectly
blackened ovals. If you choose to manage your test this way,
be sure not to mismark your answers when you transcribe
to the scan sheet.
7. Become a clock-watcher. You have a set amount of time to
answer the questions. Don’t get bogged down laboring over
a question you’re not sure about when there are ten others
you could answer more readily. If you choose to follow the
advice of tip #6, be sure you leave time near the end to go
back and fill in the scan sheet.

Percentile Scores for SAT Subject Area tests administered in 2014.

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/sat/sat-
percentile-ranks-subject-tests-2014.pdf
SECTION II: Content Review for
SAT Math Level 2
 Chapter 1: Number and
Operations

1.1 Order of operations

When simplifying algebraic expressions we use the following order:

1. Perform operations within a parenthesis.

2. Evaluate exponents.
3. Multiply and divide from left to right.
4. Add and subtract from left to right.

Example:

1.2 Properties of operations

Properties of operations are rules that apply for addition, subtraction,
multiplication, or division of real numbers.

Commutative Property
You can change the order of the terms or factors as follows.

For addition: a+b=b+a

For multiplication: ab = ba

This rule does not apply for division and subtraction.

Examples: 17 + 23 = 23 + 17 = 40
8 × 19 = 19 × 8 = 152

Associative Property
You can regroup the terms as you like.

For addition: a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c
For multiplication: a(bc) = (ab)c

This rule also does not apply for division and subtraction.