The SAT® Math section contributes 50% to your overall SAT score. Due to the objective nature of mathematics, it is widely considered the section with the greatest potential for improvement. Achieving a high math score requires the ability to respond accurately to each type of SAT math question. To do this, you need to be able to look at a question and know which formula or equation it's asking you to utilize.
What Is the SAT Math Formula Sheet?
The SAT math sections cover a wide range of topics, resulting in varying formulas being relevant for each test. To ensure you're comfortable with any formula you might need on exam day, it is crucial to practice extensively with SAT-like questions accompanied by comprehensive explanations and illustrations, such as those found in UWorld's SAT prep course, which comes with a study guide and QBank.
As you practice, incorporate unfamiliar formulas into your repertoire. Doing so will expand your knowledge and proficiency across the wide range of topics that might appear on the exam. Additionally, take the opportunity to thoroughly explore how these formulas are applied in different problem-solving scenarios. This deep dive into their practical applications will enhance your understanding and ensure you are well-prepared for the exam.
The SAT math formula reference sheet focuses on geometry, including:
- Area formulas for circles, triangles, and rectangles.
- The circumference formula for circles.
- Side relationships specific to right triangles, such as the Pythagorean theorem.
- Volume formulas for prisms, cylinders, cones, pyramids, and spheres.
- Relationships between angles in circles or triangles, such as the sum of a triangle's angles always equals 180 degrees.
However, specific additional formulas appear frequently enough on the test to warrant mastery. We’ve prepared a formula sheet that organizes these highly relevant formulas into the 4 domains covered in the SAT math section: Algebra, Advanced Math, Problem-Solving and Data Analysis, and Geometry and Trigonometry.
List of Formulas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a formula sheet for SAT Math?
Do you have to memorize formulas for the SAT Math?
While you will have reference sheets for the SAT Math section, many critical formulas are not included (see our list above). You need to memorize and understand how to apply at least a few omitted formulas to get a high math score.
That said, almost all relevant formulas are taught as part of standard Algebra and Geometry coursework, so you are likely familiar with them already. If you’re unfamiliar with some formulas, the most effective way to learn them is to utilize them in practice problems. After repeatedly practicing the application of the formula, you’ll intuitively know how and when to use it.
Pro tip: Using UWorld’s QBank, you can select question topics that use specific formulas to master how to apply any concept.
What formulas are given on the math portion of the SAT?
The formulas given for reference on the math portion of the SAT focus on geometry. The SAT Math formula reference sheet provides equations for:
- Area of circles, triangles, and rectangles
- Circumference of a circle
- Side relationships of right triangles (e.g., the Pythagorean theorem)
- Volumes of prisms, cylinders, cones, pyramids, and spheres
- Relationship between angles in a circle or triangle (e.g., that the sum of a triangle’s angles is always equal to 180 degrees)
How can I quickly identify the correct formula to use for SAT Math problems?
Determining the appropriate formula for an SAT Math problem is sometimes immediately apparent from the question itself. For example, a question involving lines and angles will likely test your knowledge of complementary or supplementary angle relationships. Similarly, if a question asks for the number of solutions to a given quadratic equation, it tests your familiarity with the discriminant.
However, many questions could be more complex. Extensive practice and review are crucial to identify the necessary steps to solve a problem quickly. While practicing, assessing your methods for each question, even the ones you answer correctly, is essential. If a question took you longer than a minute to complete, there’s likely a formula that could have expedited your process. Gradually, your approach to all SAT Math problems — especially those that rely on formulas — will become more efficient with practice.
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