Ever since College Board and ACT first allowed test takers to use calculators to tackle math problems on their respective tests, students have sought out any advantage these tools could offer. Those of us who have seen more than one version of these illustrious exams come and go know well that every math problem can be answered without a calculator. But considering how many problems are more easily solved with support and how powerful Desmos can be on certain SAT and ACT (digital, of course) questions, learning some key techniques and strategies can lead to a much happier test day experience.
Any student sitting for an exam that includes Desmos as an embedded calculator option should explore the interface in advance and master simple applications like sliders and regression table. Those willing to invest a small amount into a guided course will find the Demystifying Desmos on the SAT Course to be highly effective and entertaining:
Test takers looking for free resources should explore the following video offerings, most of which are presented by personal friends and colleagues of ours:
- Digital SAT Math Desmos Course by Tutorllini
- The Ultimate Desmos SAT Math Guide (12 Game-Changing Strategies) by SupertutorTV
- Desmos Calculator Tips (ep 4): Digital SAT Strategy Guide by Settele Tutoring
- The Last SAT Desmos Guide You’ll Need by James Lu SAT
- The only SAT Math Desmos Guide you’ll ever need by LearnSATMath
No matter what steps you take to master Desmos for the SAT or ACT, don’t forget that no calculator can tell you what a problem is asking for or how to solve it. Problem solving comes first, after which you should determine which of the tools at your disposal–Desmos, your handheld calculator, or simple paper and pencil–will be best to execute the solution. Good luck!
Mike Bergin