Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • SAT/ACT TestFlip
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Strategic Reading Club
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • College Essay Coaching
    • Roots2Words
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact
March 7, 2022 by Rowan Thompson

SAT Math and Calculators

If you take a look at the anatomy of the SAT, you’ll see that it has two math sections: one where you’re allowed to use a calculator, and one where you’re not. Lots of students wonder, “What’s the point? Why not let test-takers use a calculator the whole time, or else not allow them at all?” The answer is that the two sections test different–but equally important–sets of skills that will serve you well throughout your college and professional career.

Students have heard all about why they should learn to do math without a calculator, but a lot of it boils down to, “You won’t always have a calculator in the real world!” Except it’s 2022, and we all carry whole computers in our pockets, so that doesn’t hold water anymore. Getting good at mental math is important for reasons that many teachers don’t really articulate:

  • At its core, math is just logic. Becoming fluent in the language of numbers is a good way to train your brain to think logically, which is a key foundation for being a good test-taker.
  • Practicing math without a calculator is how you develop number sense, or a good grasp of how numbers add up, multiply, divide, and break down into factors. With good number sense, you don’t have to pull out a calculator to know that 8×5=40; you just know.
  • Using a calculator can actually waste a lot of time on tests if you use it as a crutch. Without one, you’ll have to trust your number sense to get the right answer instead of second-guessing yourself and using a calculator for basic math.

With all that in mind, why use a calculator, then? Lots of math teachers treat calculators like luxuries that they only grudgingly allow in their classrooms, but they’re highly useful tools for several reasons:

  • They broaden the horizons of math that a student is capable of doing. Lots of problems on the SAT would take forever to solve by hand, but they’re real-world problems that need solving.
  • Speaking of the real world, calculators are around whether we like it or not, and it’s important to know how to use the tools you’ve got. Ask any engineer or architect if they solve all their equations with paper and pencil… they don’t.
  • Calculators don’t do the work for you! It’s still up to you to know what formulas to use and when, and that takes critical thinking and math skills that calculators can’t give you.
  • Not only does it take math skills to use a calculator, it takes technology skills, too. You’ll have to learn to ‘speak calculator’ to use it to its full potential. Also, learning proper syntax and data entry is crucial for things like programming computers or doing database research with SQL.

So, if you’re nervous to work without a calculator or daunted by the longer calculator section, just remember that the two sections are meant to test different skillsets that you’ve picked up in your math classes. Together, these sections give you the opportunity to flex your mental math and problem solving ability along with your mastery of your graphing calculator, so be sure to prepare for both before test day.

calculators math SAT

Previous articleGetting Ready for Spring TestingNext article How Standardized Testing Benefits Society

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

Latest Posts

  • What Does ‘Smart’ Mean in the 21st Century
  • How to Read Percentiles
  • Do SAT & ACT Subscores Matter?
  • Evaluating College ROI
  • What to Read This Summer

What is TestFlip?

Learn about the ultimate in self-directed supplemental SAT/ACT prep, powered by Chariot Learning:

  • When someone says you can
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    When someone says you can't do it, do it twice and take pictures!
  • Being intelligent is not a felony but may get you in trouble anyway ;)
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Being intelligent is not a felony but may get you in trouble anyway ;)
  • Decide. Commit. Succeed.
    by chariotlearning 11 hours ago
    Decide. Commit. Succeed.
  • Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and
    by chariotlearning 6 days ago
    Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and
  • Be patient when becoming someone you haven
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Be patient when becoming someone you haven't been before.
  • Set goals that are *almost* out of reach.
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Set goals that are *almost* out of reach.
  • Get up and try again.
    by chariotlearning 4 days ago
    Get up and try again.
  • You have no idea what you can "survive" until you have no choice!
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    You have no idea what you can "survive" until you have no choice!

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

PARENT GROUP AND NEWSLETTER

Are you an Upstate New York parent with questions about college admissions, testing, and scholarships? The Upstate NY College Conversations Facebook group is for you. Join today!

And also sign up for College Road, our free email newsletter delivering expert educational advice, test news, admissions action steps, special offers, and more.

Upcoming Events

  1. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Summer Mornings 2022

    July 6 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  2. SAT/ACT Online Flipped Class – July 2022

    July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  3. Practice SAT – Brighton (7/8/22)

    July 8 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  4. Practice ACT – Pittsford Library (7/12/22)

    July 12 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  5. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Summer Evenings 2022

    July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

View All Events

Testimonials

It was great learning his secret tricks on how to score better – and the not so secret trick of practice, practice, practice! He improved our scores by 3-4 points, and we were very satisfied and happy with the final result.

Emma & Sara, Pittsford students

Read more testimonials...
© 2022 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.