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SAT Cheat Sheet

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Craft + Structure 28% of exam Words in Context Text Structure Purpose Cross-Text Reading Picker

Information + Ideas 26% of exam Main Idea Details Inference Evidence Graphics

Standard English 26% of exam Boundaries Form Sense Pronouns Modifiers Punctuation

Expression Ideas 20% of exam Transitions Rhetorical Synthesis Notes Cohesion Writing Picker

Algebra 35% of exam Linear Equations Systems Linear Functions Inequalities Math Picker

Advanced Math 35% of exam Quadratics Exponents Equivalent Forms Nonlinear Functions

Problem Solving Data 15% of exam Ratios Percentages Statistics Probability Data Displays

Geometry + Trig 15% of exam Area Volume Lines Angles Triangles Circles Trig

Quick Facts Exam SAT Owner College Board Format Digital adaptive Time 2h 14m Score 400-1600 RW 54 questions Math 44 questions Modules 2 per section Calculator Allowed all Math

Digital Format CR RW section 64 minutes Math section 70 minutes Module 1 Mixed difficulty Module 2 Adaptive difficulty Break 10 minutes Pretest Unscored embedded items

Words Context CR Context Sentence logic Contrast But/however signal Support Because/therefore signal Tone Attitude clue Connotation Emotional shade Precision Exact fit

Structure Purpose CR Purpose Why text exists Function Role in passage Claim Author position Contrast Opposing idea Cross-text Compare viewpoints Shift Idea turn

RW Logic IN Scope, proof, tone, answer. Scope Proof Tone Answer

Main Idea vs Detail IN

Main idea Whole text Broad claim

Detail Specific fact Line support Scope must match

Reading Picker IN Whole text asked → Main idea Line proof asked → Evidence Implied claim → Inference Word asked → Context Author role → Function Two texts → Compare claims

Information Ideas IN Main idea Central claim Detail Stated support Inference Text plus logic Evidence Best support Graph Quantitative text Scope How broad

Inference vs Assumption IN

Inference Text supported Small step

Assumption Outside idea Too broad Stay inside text

Grammar Scan CO Clause, subject, pronoun, modifier. Clause Subject Pronoun Modifier

Writing Picker CO Two clauses → Boundary rule Verb underlined → Subject match Pronoun underlined → Antecedent Modifier opens → Next noun Transition blank → Logic type Notes question → Goal only

Boundaries CO Independent Can stand alone Dependent Cannot stand alone Comma splice Comma joins clauses Semicolon Joins independent clauses Colon Introduces explanation Dash Marks interruption

Form Sense CO SVA Subject verb agreement Pronoun Clear antecedent Modifier Near described word Tense Match time frame Possessive Shows ownership Parallel Same grammar form

Transition vs Punctuation EX

Transition Meaning relationship Logic word

Punctuation Clause boundary Grammar join Meaning before comma

Expression Tools EX Transition Logical bridge Addition Also/furthermore Contrast However/although Cause Therefore/consequently Notes Use relevant facts Cohesion Smooth idea flow

Math Flow AL Translate, solve, check units. Translate Solve Units

Math Picker AL Line equation → Slope/intercept Two equations → System Parabola → Quadratic tools Percent context → Original base Data table → Units first Right triangle → Pythagorean/trig

Linear Algebra AL Slope Rate of change y=mx+b Slope-intercept form System Shared solution No solution Parallel lines Infinite Same line Inequality Shade solution set

Desmos Check AL Graph, table, intersect, verify. Graph Table Intersect Verify

Calculator Strategy AL Desmos Built-in graphing tool Table Check function values Graph Find intersections Regression Model data pattern Exact form Avoid rounding Estimate Catch impossible answers

Linear vs Nonlinear AD

Linear Constant rate Degree one

Nonlinear Changing rate Curved graph Check rate pattern

Advanced Math AD Quadratic Degree two Vertex Turning point Zero x-intercept Factor Shows zeros Exponent Repeated multiplication Equivalent Same value form

Mean vs Median DA

Mean Uses all values Outlier affected

Median Middle after sorting Outlier resistant Sort for median

Data Stats DA Ratio Compare quantities Rate Per one unit Percent Per hundred Mean Average Median Middle value Margin error Expected sampling range

Similar vs Congruent GE

Similar Same shape Scale may differ

Congruent Same size Same shape Scale distinguishes

Geometry Trig GE Triangle sum 180 degrees Pythagorean a^2+b^2=c^2 Similarity Same shape scale Circle area pi*r^2 Radians pi equals 180 Sine Opposite over hypotenuse

Common Traps

Scope Trap Whole passage ≠ One detail

Transition Trap Same direction ≠ Opposite direction

Comma Trap Independent clause ≠ Dependent clause

Percent Trap Original base ≠ Changed value

Adaptive Trap Harder module ≠ Guaranteed score

Graph Trap Window view ≠ Actual solution

Last Minute 1 . Know section timing 2 . Expect adaptive modules 3 . Use context before choices 4 . Match exact text evidence 5 . Check clause boundaries 6 . Choose logical transitions 7 . Track original percent base 8 . Use Desmos strategically 9 . Verify units and scale 10 . Do not over-infer

SAT Practice Questions 100 questions Study Guide 28 topics Cheat Sheet 72 facts Flashcards 50 cards Shorts 4 short s Videos 1 video Blogs 1 blog

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