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Contents
Digital SAT Test Specifications at a Glanc

Devices/Internet Connectivit

Digital Testing Application/Bluebook ap

The Digital SAT: What’s staying the same?

The Digital SAT: What’s changing

Content Specification

Scorin

Digital SAT Sample Questions.

 SAT with TALAL 1

Digital SAT Test

Specifications at a Glance
Table 1: Format and delivery details for the digital SAT

Category Reading & Writing (RW) Section Math Section

Two-stage adaptive test design: one Two-stage adaptive test design:

Format Reading and Writing section administered one Math section administered
via two separately timed modules via two separately timed modules

Test length (number 1st module: 25 operational questions and 2 1st module: 20 operational
pretest questions
questions and 2 pretest questions

of operational and 2nd module: 25 operational questions and 2nd module: 20 operational
pretest questions) 2 pretest questions questions and 2 pretest questions

1st module: 32 minutes

1st module: 35 minutes

Time per stage 2nd module: 32 minutes 2nd module: 35 minutes

Total number of 54 questions 44 questions

questions

Total time allotted 64 minutes 70 minutes

Scores reported Total score RW and Math

section scores

Question type(s) Discrete; four-option Discrete; four-option multiplechoice

used multiple-choice (≈75%) and studentproduced
response (SPR) (≈25%)

Stimulus topics Literature, history/social Science, social science, real-world

studies, humanities, science topics

Informational Yes; tables, bar graphs, line Yes

graphs
graphics
 SAT with TALAL 2

Devices/Internet
connectivity
Students can take the digital SAT tests on a wide range of devices, including
their own laptops (Windows or MacOS), iPads, school-owned desktops and
laptops, and school managed Chromebooks.
Students will take the digital SAT using a custom-built digital testing
application (Bluebook: you can download the app from this link), that they’ll
download in advance of test day.
Students will connect to the test center’s or school’s internet to start and
complete testing. The exam application has been built to withstand internet
outages. If the internet connection drops during testing, students will still be
able to progress through the test with no disruption. If a student’s computer
battery runs down, they can simply plug in, restart their device, and pick up
where they left off—all their work will be saved, and they won’t lose testing
time.
Students will be responsible for bringing their device fully charged on test
day, as there may be limited access to power outlets in their testing room.
 SAT with TALAL 3

Digital testing
application/Bluebook
The digital SAT assessments will be administered on College Board's customized
digital testing application: Bluebook. The digital testing application will include
many test tools for students. Examples include

Mark for review: Students can flag and return to any question within a given
test module they want to come back to later
Testing timer: A clock counts down the time remaining in each module.
Students can hide the timer, and they get an alert when 5 minutes remain in the
module
Calculator: A built-in graphing calculator is available on the entire Math section.
(Students can also bring their own approved calculator.
Reference sheet: On the Math section, students have access to a list of
common formulas
Annotation: Students can highlight any part of a question and leave themselves
a note.
 SAT with TALAL 4

The Digital SAT: What’s

staying the same?
The two sections of the digital SAT —(1) Reading and Writing and (2) Math—also
measure largely similar knowledge and skills as their paper and pencil
predecessors, including:

Use of reading/writing passages across a range of academic disciplines and

text complexities
Required demonstrations of command of evidence, both textual and
quantitative
Emphasis on high-utility words and phrases in context
Focus on revising and editing writing to improve the effectiveness of
expression, achieve specified rhetorical goals, and demonstrate command of
core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and
punctuation
Continued focus on the Math that matters most for college and career
readiness and success
Math problems in (and out of) context
Use of both multiple-choice and student-produced response question formats
in the Math section.

 SAT with TALAL 5

The Digital SAT: What’s

changing?
The digital SAT will be a more flexible exam that is easier to take, easier to give,
more secure, and more relevant.

Changes
The digital SAT is substantially shorter than its paper and pencil predecessor—
lasting 2 hours and 14 minutes instead of 3 hours
Test takers have more time, on average, to answer each question, meaning
that, more so than ever before, the digital SAT is a measure of students’ skills
and knowledge, not test-taking speed
Students and educators will receive scores faster—in days instead of weeks.
The test will be more secure. Currently, if one test form is compromised, it can
mean canceling scores for whole groups of students. Going digital allows us to
give every student a highly comparable but unique test form, so it will be
practically impossible to share answers.

Section-level changes
READING AND WRITING

The digital assessments have a single Reading and Writing section instead of
separate Reading and Writing and Language Tests.
The digital SAT Reading and Writing section will feature many shorter passages
instead of a few long texts, meaning students will see a wider range of topics
that represent the kinds of works they’ll read in college. At the same time,
these shorter passages maintain the level of rigor of longer reading passages
in terms of text complexity and grounding in academic disciplines
A single (discrete) question is associated with each passage (or passage
pair) instead of having several questions associated with a small number of
long passages.
 SAT with TALAL 6

MATH
Calculators are allowed throughout the Math section. A single Math section
replaces the separately timed no-calculator and calculator-allowed portions of
the paper and pencil SAT Math Tests. Students may continue to use their own
approved calculator on test day or take advantage of the graphing calculator
built directly into the testing application
The average length of in-context questions (“word problems”) has been
reduced. Incontext questions still serve a valuable role in the Math section, as
they assess whether students can apply their Math skills and knowledge to
both academic and real-world situations.

-level changes
The digital SAT will utilize a multistage adaptive testing (MST) methodology. Being
adaptive means we can fairly and accurately measure the same things with a
shorter test while preserving test reliability.

Figure 1: Digital SAT Multistage Adaptive Testing Model

Module 1 Module 2
Student’s
Students are given a broad Students are given a targeted mix of Score
mix of easy, medium, and questions of varying difficulties based
hard questions. on their performance in module 1
 SAT with TALAL 7

Content Specifications
Reading and Writing content domains
Questions on the Reading and Writing Section represent one of four content
domains:
Craft and Structure: Measures the comprehension, vocabulary, analysis,
synthesis, and reasoning skills and knowledge needed to understand and use
high-utility words and phrases in context, evaluate texts rhetorically, and make
connections between topically related texts
Information and Ideas: Measures comprehension, analysis, and reasoning skills
and knowledge and the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, and integrate
information and ideas from texts and informational graphics (tables, bar graphs,
and line graphs)
Standard English Conventions: Measures the ability to edit texts to conform to
core conventions of Standard English sentence structure, usage, and
punctuation
Expression of Ideas: Measures the ability to revise texts to improve the
effectiveness of written expression and to meet specific rhetorical goals
 SAT with TALAL 8

Section breakdown and timing

Each assessment in the digital SAT is composed of two sections: Reading and
Writing and Math.
Students have 64 minutes to complete the Reading and Writing section and
70 minutes to complete the Math section.
Each section is composed of two equal-length modules of test questions. Each
Reading and Writing module lasts 32 minutes, while each Math module lasts
35 minutes.
Each module is separately timed, and students can move backward and forward
among questions in a given module before time runs out. When time runs out on
the first module of each section, the test delivery platform moves students to
the second module.
When students complete the Reading and Writing section, they are moved to
the Math section after a 10-minute break between the sections.
A small number of indistinguishable, unscored items are included in each section
to aid with the test development process.
Total testing time for the digital SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes.
 SAT with TALAL 9

Table 2: Digital SAT of Assessments Reading and Writing Section Content Domains and Question
Distribution

Content Domian Skill/Knowledge Operational Question

Domain Description Testing Points Distribution
Students will use
comprehension,
vocabulary, analysis, Words in Context

≈28% / 13-15
Craft and synthesis, and reasoning questions
Structure skills and knowledge to Text Structure and
understand
Purpose

and use high-utility

words
Cross-Text Connections
and phrases in context,
evaluate texts
rhetorically, and make
connections between
topically related texts.

Students will use

comprehension, analysis, Central Ideas and Details

and reasoning skills and

knowledge and the Command of Evidenc ≈26% / 12-14
Information ability to locate, Textua questions
and Ideas interpret, evaluate, and Quantitative

integrate information and

ideas from texts and Inferences
informational graphics

Students will use editing

skills and knowledge to
make text conform to B oundaries

≈26% / 11-15
Standard
English core conventions of questions
orm, Structure, and
Conventions Standard English
F

sentence structure, Sense

usage, and punctuation.

Students will use the

ability to revise texts to Rhetorical Synthesis

Expression
improve the ≈20% / 8-10
of Ideas effectiveness of written Transitions questions
expression and to meet
specific rhetorical goals.
 SAT with TALAL 10

Content Specifications
Math content domains
Questions on the Math section represent one of four content domains:

Algebra: Measures the ability to analyze, fluently solve, and create linear
equations and inequalities as well as analyze and fluently solve equations and
systems of equations using multiple technique
Advanced Math: Measures skills and knowledge central for progression to
more advanced math courses, including demonstrating an understanding of
absolute value, quadratic, exponential, polynomial, rational, radical, and other
nonlinear equation
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis: Measures the ability to apply quantitative
reasoning about ratios, rates, and proportional relationships; understand and
apply unit rate; and analyze and interpret one- and two-variable dat
Geometry and Trigonometry: Measures the ability to solve problems that focus
on area and volume; angles, triangles, and trigonometry; and circles.
 SAT with TALAL 11

Table 3: Digital SAT Math Section Content Domains and Question Distribution.

Content Domian Skill/Knowledge Operational Question

Domain Description Testing Points Distribution

Students will analyze, Linear equations in one

fluently solve, and create variable

linear equations and

Algebra inequalities
Linear equations in two ≈35% / 13-15
as well as analyze and variables

questions
fluently solve equations

and systems of Linear functions

equations using multiple

techniques. Systems of two linear
equations in two variables

Linear inequalities in one

or two variables

Students will
demonstrate the ability Equivalent expressions

to progress to more
advanced math courses, Nonlinear equations in ≈35% / 13-15
Advanced including demonstrating questions
Math one variable and systems
an understanding of of equations in two
absolute value, variables

quadratic, exponential,
polynomial, rational, Nonlinear functions
radical, and other
nonlinear equations.
 SAT with TALAL 12

Table 3: Digital SAT Math Section Content Domains and Question Distribution.

Content Domian Skill/Knowledge Operational Question

Domain Description Testing Points Distribution
Ratios, rates,
proportional
relationships, and units

Percentages

One-variable data:
Students will apply distributions and
quantitative reasoning measures of center and
Problem- about ratios, rates, and spread

Solving and proportional ≈15% / 5-7

Data Analysis relationships; understand Two-variable data: questions
and apply unit rate; and models and scatterplots

analyze and interpret

one- and two-variable Probability and
data. conditional probability

Inference from sample

statistics and margin of
error

Evaluating statistical
claims: observational
studies and experiments

Area and volume

Students will solve Lines, angles, and

Geometry problems that focus on triangles

≈15% / 5-7
and area and volume; angles, questions
Trigonometry triangles, and Right triangles and
trigonometry; and circles. trigonometry

Circles
 SAT with TALAL 13

Scoring
The digital SAT will yield a total of three scores: a total score and two section
scores.
Total Score Scale: 400–1600, in 10-point interval
College and Career Readiness: Reading & Writing (480) and Math (530)

NOTE: Subscores and cross-test scores will no longer be reported for the digital
SAT .
 SAT with TALAL 14

Digital SAT Sample

Questions

(Reading & Writing)

constructed two battery-powered

RW question 1
mechanical models of S. aegyptiacus,
one with a sail and one without, and
subjected the models to a series of
To dye wool, Navajo (Diné) weaver Lillie identical tests in a water-filled tank.

Taylor uses plants and vegetables from

Arizona, where she lives. For example, Which finding from the model tests, if
she achieved the deep reds and browns true, would most strongly support Gimsa
featured in her 2003 rug In the Path of and colleagues’ hypothesis?

the Four Seasons by using Arizona dock

roots, drying and grinding them before A) The model with a sail took significantly
mixing the powder with water to create a longer to travel a specified distance while
dye bath. To intensify the appearance of submerged than the model without a sail
certain colors, Taylor also sometimes did.

mixes in clay obtained from nearby soil.

Which choice best states the main idea B) The model with a sail displaced
of the text?

significantly more water while submerged

than the model without a sail did.

A) Reds and browns are not commonly

featured in most of Taylor’s rugs.

C) The model with a sail had significantly

less battery power remaining after
B) In the Path of the Four Seasons is completing the tests than the model
widely acclaimed for its many colors and without a sail did.

innovative weaving techniques.

D) The model with a sail took significantly

C) Taylor draws on local resources in the less time to complete a sharp turn while
approach she uses to dye wool.

submerged than the model without a sail

did.
D) Taylor finds it difficult to locate
Arizona dock root in the desert.

RW question 2 RW question 3
“Ghosts of the Old Year” is an early 1900s
Jan Gimsa, Robert Sleigh, and Ulrike poem by James Weldon Johnson. In the
Gimsa have hypothesized that the sail- poem, the speaker describes
like structure running down the back of experiencing an ongoing cycle of
the dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus anticipation followed by regretful
improved the animal’s success in reflection: ______

underwater pursuits of prey species

capable of making quick, evasive Which quotation from “Ghosts of the Old
movements. To evaluate their hypothesis, Year” most effectively illustrates the
a second team of researchers claim?
 SAT with TALAL 15

A) “The snow has ceased its fluttering Participants’ evaluations varied widely
flight, / The wind sunk to a whisper light, depending on which occupation was
/ An ominous stillness fills the night, / A being considered; for example, ______

pause—a hush.”

Which choice most effectively uses data

B) “And so the years go swiftly by, / Each, from the table to complete the example?

coming, brings ambitions high, / And

each, departing, leaves a sigh / Linked to A) 82% of participants believe that it is
the past.”

somewhat or very likely that a robot

could work effectively as a tour guide,
C) “What does this brazen tongue but only 16% believe that it is somewhat
declare, / That falling on the midnight air / or very likely that a robot could work as a
Brings to my heart a sense of care / Akin surgeon.

to fright?”

B) 47% of participants believe that it is

D) “It tells of many a squandered day, / Of somewhat or very likely that a robot
slighted gems and treasured clay, / Of could work effectively as a teacher, but
precious stores not laid away, / Of fields 37% of respondents believe that it is
unreaped.” somewhat or very unlikely that a robot
could do so.

C) 9% of participants were neutral about

whether a robot could work effectively as
RW question 4 a television news anchor, which is the
same percent of participants who were
neutral when asked about a robot
working as a surgeon.

Participants’ Evaluation of the Likelihood

That Robots Can Work Effectively in D) 62% of participants believe that it is
Different Occupations somewhat or very unlikely that a robot
Somewhat Somewhat
could work effectively as a firefighter.

or very or very

Occupation unlikely (%) Neutral (%) likely (%)

television

RW question 5
24 9 67
news anchor

teacher 37 16 47

fire fighter 62 9 30 Many animals, including humans, must

sleep, and sleep is known to have a role
surgeon 74 9 16 in everything from healing injuries to
encoding information in long-term
tour guide 10 8 82 memory. But some scientists claim that,
from an evolutionary standpoint, deep
Rows in table may not add up to 100 due sleep for hours at a time leaves an animal
to rounding.

so vulnerable that the known benefits of

sleeping seem insufficient to explain why
Georgia Tech roboticists De’Aira Bryant it became so widespread in the animal
and Ayanna Howard, along with ethicist kingdom. These scientists therefore imply
Jason Borenstein, were interested in that ______

people’s perceptions of robots’

competence. They recruited participants Which choice most logically completes
and asked them how likely they think it is the text?
that a robot could do the work required in
various occupations.
 SAT with TALAL 16

A) it is more important to understand how

RW question 7
widespread prolonged deep sleep is than
to understand its function.

B) prolonged deep sleep is likely

advantageous in ways that have yet to be The following text is from F. Scott
discovered.

Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby.

C) many traits that provide significant [Jay Gatsby] was balancing himself on
benefits for an animal also likely pose the dashboard of his car with that
risks to that animal.

resourcefulness of movement that is so

peculiarly American—that comes, I
D) most traits perform functions that are suppose, with the absence of lifting work
hard to understand from an evolutionary in youth and, even more, with the
standpoint. formless grace of our nervous, sporadic
games. This quality was continually
breaking through his punctilious manner
in the shape of restlessness.

RW question 6 As used in the text, what does the word

“quality” most nearly mean?

In recommending Bao Phi’s collection A) Characteristic

Sông I Sing, a librarian noted that pieces

by the spoken-word poet don’t lose their B) Standard

______ nature when printed: the language

has the same pleasant musical quality on C) Prestige

the page as it does when performed by

Phi

D) Accomplishment
Which choice completes the text with the
most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) jarring

RW question 8
B) scholarly

The work of molecular biophysicist

C) melodic

Enrique M. De La Cruz is known for ______

traditional boundaries between academic
D) personal disciplines. The university laboratory that
De La Cruz runs includes engineers,
biologists, chemists, and physicists, and
the research the lab produces makes use
of insights and techniques from all those
fields.

Which choice completes the text with the

most logical and precise word or phrase?
 SAT with TALAL 17

A) reinforcing

D) It discusses the study by O’Brien and

Ahmed to illustrate why caution is needed
B) anticipating

when making claims about the effects of

posture on cognition.
C) epitomizing

D) transcending

RW question 10
RW question 9 The following text is from Herman
Melville’s 1854 short story “The
Lightning-Rod Man.”

Some studies have suggested that The stranger still stood in the exact
posture can influence cognition, but we middle of the cottage, where he had first
should not overstate this phenomenon. A planted himself. His singularity impelled a
case in point: In a 2014 study, Megan closer scrutiny. A lean, gloomy figure.
O’Brien and Alaa Ahmed had subjects Hair dark and lank, mattedly streaked
stand or sit while making risky simulated over his brow. His sunken pitfalls of eyes
economic decisions. Standing is more were ringed by indigo halos, and played
physically unstable and cognitively with an innocuous sort of lightning: the
demanding than sitting; accordingly, gleam without the bolt. The whole man
O’Brien and Ahmed hypothesized that was dripping. He stood in a puddle on the
standing subjects would display more risk bare oak floor: his strange walking-stick
aversion during the decision-making vertically resting at his side.

tasks than sitting subjects did, since they

would want to avoid further feelings of Which choice best states the function of
discomfort and complicated risk the underlined sentence in the text as a
evaluations. But O’Brien and Ahmed whole?
actually found no difference in the
groups’ performance.

A) It sets up the character description

presented in the sentences that follow.

Which choice best states the main

purpose of the text? B) It establishes a contrast with the
description in the previous sentence.

A) It presents the study by O’Brien and

Ahmed to critique the methods and C) It elaborates on the previous
results reported in previous studies of the sentence’s description of the character.

effects of posture on cognition.

D) It introduces the setting that is

B) It argues that research findings about described in the sentences that follow.
the effects of posture on cognition are
often misunderstood, as in the case of
O’Brien and Ahmed’s study.

C) It explains a significant problem in the

emerging understanding of posture’s
effects on cognition and how O’Brien and
Ahmed tried to solve that problem.

 SAT with TALAL 18

RW question 11 RW question 12
Text 1
While researching a topic, a student has
What factors influence the abundance of taken the following notes
species in a given ecological community? Maika’i Tubbs is a Native Hawaiian
Some theorists have argued that sculptor and installation artist.
historical diversity is a major driver of His work has been shown in the
how diverse an ecological community
eventually becomes: differences in United States, Canada, Japan, and
community diversity across otherwise Germany, among other places.
similar habitats, in this view, are strongly Many of his sculptures feature
affected by the number of species living discarded objects.
in those habitats at earlier times.

His work Erasure (2008) includes

Text 2
discarded audiocassette tapes and
In 2010, a group of researchers including magnets.
biologist Carla Cáceres created artificial His work Home Grown (2009) includes
pools in a New York forest. They stocked discarded pushpins, plastic plates and
some pools with a diverse mix of forks, and wood.

zooplankton species and others with a

single zooplankton species and allowed The student wants to emphasize a
the pool communities to develop naturally similarity between the two works. Which
thereafter. Over the course of four years, choice most effectively uses relevant
Cáceres and colleagues periodically information from the notes to accomplish
measured the species diversity of the this goal?
pools, finding—contrary to their
expectations—that by the end of the A) Erasure (2008) uses discarded objects
study there was little to no difference in such as audiocassette tapes and
the pools’ species diversity.

magnets; Home Grown (2009), however,

Based on the texts, how would Cáceres includes pushpins, plastic plates and
and colleagues (Text 2) most likely forks, and wood.

describe the view of the theorists B) Like many of Tubbs’s sculptures, both
presented in Text 1?
Erasure and Home Grown include
discarded objects: Erasure uses
A) It is largely correct, but it requires a audiocassette tapes, and Home Grown
minor refinement in light of the research uses plastic forks.

team’s results.

C) Tubbs’s work, which often features

B) It is not compelling as a theory discarded objects, has been shown both
regardless of any experimental data within the United States and abroad.

collected by the research team.

D) Tubbs completed Erasure in 2008 and

C) It may seem plausible, but it is not Home Grown in 2009.
supported by the research team’s
findings.

D) It probably holds true only in

conditions like those in the research
team’s study.
 SAT with TALAL 19

RW question 13 RW question 15
Iraqi artist Nazik Al-Malaika, celebrated Rabinal Achí is a precolonial Maya dance
as the first Arabic poet to write in free drama performed annually in Rabinal, a
verse, didn’t reject traditional forms town in the Guatemalan highlands. Based
entirely; her poem “Elegy for a Woman of on events that occurred when Rabinal
No Importance” consists of two ten-line was a city-state ruled by a king, ______
stanzas and a standard number of had once been an ally of the king but was
syllables. Even in this superficially later captured while leading an invading
traditional work, ______ Al-Malaika was force against him.

breaking new ground by memorializing an

anonymous woman rather than a famous Which choice completes the text so that
man.

it conforms to the conventions of

Standard English?

Which choice completes the text with the

most logical transition?
A) Rabinal Achí tells the story of K’iche’
Achí, a military leader who

A) in fact,

B) K’iche’ Achí, the military leader in the

B) though,

story of Rabinal Achí,

C) therefore,

C) there was a military leader, K’iche’ Achí,

who in Rabinal Achí

D) moreover,
D) the military leader whose story is told
in Rabinal Achí, K’iche’ Achí,

RW question 14
According to Naomi Nakayama of the
University of Edinburgh, the reason seeds
from a dying dandelion appear to float in
the air while ______ is that their porous
plumes enhance drag, allowing the seeds
to stay airborne long enough for the wind
to disperse them throughout the
surrounding area.

Which choice completes the text so that

it conforms to the conventions of
Standard English?

A) falling,

B) falling:

C) falling;

D) falling
 SAT with TALAL 20

Digital SAT Sample

Questions

(Math)
The graph of the function f, where y =
f(x), models the total cost y, in dollars, for
Math question 1 a certain video game system and x
games. What is the best interpretation of
the slope of the graph in this context?
If f(x) = x + 7 and g(x) = 7x, what is the
value of 4f(2) − g(2)?
A) Each game costs $25.

A) −5

B) The video game system costs $100.

B) 1

C) The video game system costs $25.

C) 22

D) Each game costs $100.

D) 28

Math question 2 Math question 4

The y-intercept of the graph of y = −6x − y < −4x + 4
32 in the xy-plane is (0, y). What is the
value of y ? Which point (x, y) is a solution to the
given inequality in the xy-plane?

A) (2, −1)

Math question 3 B) (2, 1)

C) (0, 5)

D) (−4, 0)
 SAT with TALAL 21

Math question 5 Math question 7

Figure A and figure B are both regular g(x) = x2 + 55
polygons. The sum of the perimeter of What is the minimum value of the given
figure A and the perimeter of figure B is function?
63 inches. The equation 3x + 6y = 63
represents this situation, where x is the
number of sides of figure A and y is the A) 3,025

number of sides of figure B.

Which statement is the best B) 110

interpretation of 6 in this context?

C) 55

A) Each side of figure B has a length of 6

inches.

D) 0

B) The number of sides of figure B is 6.

C) Each side of figure A has a length of 6

inches.

Math question 8
D) The number of sides of figure A is 6.
The function h is defined by h (x) = ax +
b, where a and b are positive constants.
The graph of y = h (x) in the xy-plane
passes through the points (0, 10) and

Math question 6 ( -2,

325
_____
36
) . What is the value of ab?
Store A sells raspberries for $5.50 per A) 1

pint and blackberries for $3.00 per pint. 4

Store B sells raspberries for $6.50 per

pint and blackberries for $8.00 per pint. A B) 1

certain purchase of raspberries and 2

blackberries would cost $37.00 at store A

or $66.00 at store B. How many pints of C) 54

blackberries are in this purchase?

D) 60
A) 12

B) 8

C) 5

D) 4
 SAT with TALAL 22

Math question 9 Math question 12

(x − 1)2 = −4 In the xy-plane, a line with equation 2y =
4.5 intersects a parabola at exactly one
How many distinct real solutions does the point. If the parabola has equation y =
given equation have? −4x2 + bx, where b is a positive
constant, what is the value of b?
A) Exactly one

B) Exactly two

C) Infinitely many

Math question 13
D) Zero
The scatterplot shows the relationship
between two variables, x and y. A line of
best fit for the data is also shown.

Math question 10
4
_____ 1
_____
Which expression is equivalent to -
4x-5 x+1

A)

__________
9
(x+1) (4x-5)

3
_____
B)

3x-6

_____1_____
C)

(x+1) (4x-5)

- __________
1 At x = 32, which of the following is
D) (x+1) (4x-5) closest to the y-value predicted by the
line of best fit?

A) 0.4

Math question 11 B) 1.5

C) 2.4

For the function f, f(0) = 86, and for each

increase in x by 1, the value of f(x) D) 3.3
decreases by 80%. What is the value of
f(2)?
 SAT with TALAL 23

A) 3

Math question 14 B) 4

In a group, 40% of the items are red. Of C) 8

all the red items in the group, 30% also

have stripes. What percentage of the D) 27
items in the group are red and have
stripes?

A) 10%

Math question 17
B) 12%

The length of a rectangle’s diagonal is 5√17

C) 70%

, and the length of the rectangle’s shorter

side is 5. What is the length of the
D) 75% rectangle’s longer side?
A) √17

B) 20

Math question 15 C) 15√2

The density of a certain type of wood is D) 400

353 kilograms per cubic meter. A sample
of this type of wood is in the shape of a
cube and has a mass of 345 kilograms.
To the nearest hundredth of a meter,
what is the length of one edge of this
sample?
Math question 18
A circle has center O, and points A and B
A) 0.98

lie on the circle. The measure of arc AB is

45° and the length of arc AB is 3 inches.
B) 0.99

What is the circumference, in inches, of the

circle?
C) 1.01

A) 3

D) 1.02
B) 6

C) 9

Math question 16 D) 24

Two nearby trees are perpendicular to

the ground, which is flat. One of these
trees is 10 feet tall and has a shadow that
is 5 feet long. At the same time, the
shadow of the other tree is 2 feet long.
How tall, in feet, is the other tree?
 SAT with TALAL 24

Key

(Reading & Writing)

underwater to maneuver more quickly than

RW question 1 a dinosaur moving underwater without the

structure
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
Key C incorrect because it would essentially
contradict the hypothesis by suggesting
Domain Information and Ideas that a dinosaur moving underwater with
Skill Central Ideas and Details the sail-like structure would move more
slowly than a dinosaur moving underwater
Key Explanation: Choice C is the best without the structure. Choice B is incorrect
answer. The passage focuses on the idea because there is no clear passagebased
that the artist Lillie Taylor uses resources relationship between the amount of water
such as plants and vegetables from where displaced and the hypothesis. Choice C is
she lives in Arizona to make dyes for wool. incorrect because there is no clear
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is passage-based relationship between the
incorrect because the passage offers no amount of battery power used and the
evidence that reds and browns are unusual hypothesis.
colors in Taylor’s rugs; in fact, it offers an
example of a rug that does feature those
colors. Choice B is incorrect because the
passage offers no indication of whether In RW question 3
the Path of the Four Seasons is widely
acclaimed; it also does not mention Key B
whether the weaving techniques are
innovative. Choice D is incorrect because Domain Information and Ideas
the passage offers no evidence that Taylor Skill Command of Evidence (Textual)
has a hard time finding Arizona dock root.
Key Explanation: Choice B is the best
answer. The quotation addresses both
aspects of the claim: cycles of anticipation
RW question 2 (“Each, coming, brings ambitions high”) and
regretful reflection (“And each, departing,
leaves a sigh / Linked to the past”).
Key D
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
Domain Information and Ideas incorrect because the quotation focuses on
Skill Command of Evidence (Textual) anticipation (“An ominous stillness fills the
night, / A pause—a hush”) but not regretful
Key Explanation: Choice D is the best reflection. Choice C is incorrect because
answer. The passage states that Gimsa the quotation focuses on worry and anxiety
and colleagues’ hypothesis was that the (“. . . a sense of care / Akin to fright?”)
sail-like structure on the back of S. rather than anticipation and regretful
aegyptiacus enhanced the dinosaur’s ability reflection. Choice D is incorrect because
to travel underwater to hunt down “prey the quotation focuses on regretful
species capable of making quick, evasive reflection (“It tells of many a squandered
movements.” This choice’s finding would day”) but not anticipation.
effectively support the hypothesis because
it would indicate that the sail-like structure
would enable a dinosaur moving
 SAT with TALAL 25

farundiscovered advantage(s) to sleep to

RW question 4 make it worthwhile from an evolutionary

standpoint
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
Key A incorrect because the passage suggests
Domain Information and Ideas that the extent of deep, prolonged sleep
among animal species is well understood
Skill Command of Evidence (Quantitative) by scientists and that the real question for
scientists is why so many animal species
Key Explanation: Choice A is the best
engage in deep, prolonged sleep. Choice C
answer. This choice supports the claim by
is incorrect because the passage offers no
contrasting two occupations that survey
evidence that any trait other than deep,
participants gave widely divergent
prolonged sleep poses both benefits and
probabilities of robots working effectively
risks for animal species. Choice D is
in: tour guide (82 percent) and surgeon (16
incorrect because the passage offers no
percent).
evidence that any trait other than deep,
Distractor Explanations: Choice B is prolonged sleep has one or more functions
incorrect because it focuses on only one that are hard for scientists to understand.
occupation—that of teacher—and
therefore does not illustrate how survey
participants’ views of the likelihood of
robots working effectively vary widely by
occupation. Choice C is incorrect because
RW question 6
although it does compare survey
participants’ views of robots working Key C
effectively in two occupations, the Domain Craft and Structure
percentages cited for television news
anchor and surgeon are the same, not Skill Words in Context
widely varied. Choice D is incorrect Key Explanation: Choice C is the best
because it focuses on only one occupation answer. “Melodic,” referring to a pleasant
— that of firefighter—and therefore does arrangement of sounds, effectively signals
not illustrate how survey participants’ the later use in the passage of “pleasant
views of the likelihood of robots working musical quality” to refer to Phi’s spoken-
effectively vary widely by occupation. word poetry when read rather than heard.

RW question 5
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
incorrect because “jarring,” meaning
disagreeable or upsetting, suggests the
opposite of what the passage says about
Key B the “pleasant musical quality” of Phi’s
spoken-word poetry, whether read or
Domain Information and Ideas heard. Choice B is incorrect because
Skill Inferences “scholarly” does not effectively signal the
later use in the passage of “pleasant
Key Explanation: Choice B is the best musical quality” to refer to Phi’s spoken-
answer. The passage indicates that word poetry. Choice D is incorrect because
although scientists recognize that sleep, “personal” does not effectively signal the
which is widespread among animal species, later use in the passage of “pleasant
has benefits, some scientists believe that musical quality” to refer to Phi’s spoken-
deep, prolonged sleep is so risky from the word poetry.
perspective of animal species’ survival and
well-being that there must be some so-
 SAT with TALAL 26

acting in advance of something, does not

RW question 7 make sense in this context. Choice C is

incorrect because “epitomizing,” meaning
to use something as an ideal example,
Key suggests the opposite of what the text
A says, which is that De La Cruz broke down,
Domain Craft and Structure rather than idealized, traditional barriers
Skill Words in Context between academic disciplines.

Key Explanation: Choice A is the best

answer. As used in the last sentence of the
passage, “quality” refers to a trait or
attribute (“characteristic”)—specifically,
RW question 9
Jay Gatsby’s “resourcefulness of Key
movement,” which manifested as D
restlessness. Domain Craft and Structure
Distractor Explanations: Choice B is Skill Text Structure and Purpose
incorrect because although Jay Gatsby’s
“resourcefulness of movement” is a trait or Key Explanation: Choice D is the best
attribute, referring to it as a “standard” answer. The passage asserts that “we
implies that he is meeting a requirement or should not overstate” the effect of posture
criterion set by others, a conclusion the on cognition and uses the O’Brien and
passage does not support. Choices C and Ahmed study as a “case in point” in support
D are incorrect because neither “prestige” of that claim.
nor “accomplishment” makes sense in this Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
context. incorrect because although the passage
indicates that O’Brien and Ahmed reached
different conclusions from those of other

RW question 8
researchers, it does not use the O’Brien
and Ahmed study to criticize how those
earlier studies were conducted or to
directly challenge the accuracy of those
Key D studies’ results. Choice B is incorrect
Domain Information and Ideas because although the passage indicates
Skill
that the results from studies finding a link
Inferences between posture and cognition have been
overstated, it offers no evidence that the
Key Explanation: Choice D is the best
O’Brien and Ahmed study has often been
answer. “Transcending,” which means rising
misunderstood. Choice C is incorrect
above or going beyond limits, effectively
because the passage suggests that
signals that De La Cruz broke down
although O’Brien and Ahmed were
traditional academic disciplinary boundaries
interested in studying the matter of posture
by working with experts, ideas, and
and cognition, it does not indicate what
methods from numerous fields.
these researchers thought before
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is conducting their study or that the
incorrect because “reinforcing” suggests researchers set out specifically to solve a
the opposite of what the passage says, problem
which is that De La Cruz broke down,
rather than made stronger, traditional
barriers between academic disciplines.
Choice B is incorrect because
“anticipating,” in the sense of expecting or
 SAT with TALAL 27

than largely support it. Choice B is

RW question 10
incorrect because “contrary to their
expectations” (Text 2) indicates that
Cáceres and colleagues had assumed the
Key hypothesis in Text 1 was correct prior to
A conducting their own study. Choice D is
Domain Craft and Structure incorrect because the findings obtained by
Skill Text Structure and Purpose Cáceres and colleagues undermine, rather
than support, the hypothesis in Text 1.
Key Explanation: Choice A is the best
answer. The underlined sentence, which
RW question 12
asserts that the uniqueness of the
stranger’s physical appearance invited
careful examination, sets up the following
sentences’ description of the stranger’s Key B
distinctive physical features and stance.
Domain Expression of Ideas
Distractor Explanations: Choice B is
incorrect because the underlined sentence Skill Rhetorical Synthesis
has no direct logical relationship to the Key Explanation: Choice B is the best
previous sentence. Choice C is incorrect answer. The sentence uses “like many of
because the previous sentence does not Tubbs’s sculptures” and “both” to emphasize
describe the stranger, so the underlined a similarity between Erasure and Home
sentence cannot build on it in this way. Grown in terms of their common use of
Choice D is incorrect because the discarded objects, though the specific
underlined sentence offers a general sense discarded objects used differed between
of the stranger’s physical appearance and the two works..
does not introduce a setting, nor is the main
purpose of the following sentences to Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
describe a setting. incorrect because although the sentence
discusses two of Tubbs’s works, the use of
“however” emphasizes a contrast, rather
RW question 11
than a similarity, between the works. Choice
C is incorrect because the sentence focuses
only on Tubbs’s work in general and does not
Key C mention any specific works. Choice D is
incorrect because the sentence simply
Domain Information and Ideas conveys information about two of Tubbs’s
Skill Cross-Text Connections works—the year in which each was
completed—without establishing any sort of
Key Explanation: Choice C is the best logical relationship between the pieces of
answer. Text 2 indicates that Cáceres and information.
colleagues expected to find at the end of
their study that the pools they stocked with
multiple zooplankton species would have
greater diversity than the pools they
RW question 13
stocked with a single zooplankton species
but that this was not, in fact, the case. Key B
Distractor Explanations: Choice A s Domain Expression of Ideas
incorrect because the findings obtained by Transitions
Skill
Cáceres and colleagues fundamentally
challenge the hypothesis in Text 1 rather
 SAT with TALAL 28

Key Explanation: Choice B is the best

answer. The passage’s first sentence
establishes that although Al-Malaika is
famous for her free verse poetry, she still
RW qu estion 15
made some use of traditional poetic forms,
as in her work “Elegy for a Woman of No Key A
Importance.” The passage’s last sentence Domain Expression of Ideas
qualifies the point made in the passage’s
first sentence by indicating that even when Skill Form, Structure, and Sense
Al-Malaika used traditional forms, as in
“Elegy,” she challenged tradition, in this Key Explanation: Choice A is the best
case by making an “anonymous woman answer. This choice ensures that the
rather than a famous man” the subject of introductory participial phrase “Based on
the poem. “Though” is the best transition for events that occurred when Rabinal was a
the passage’s last sentence because, along citystate ruled by a king” appears
with “even,” it signals that Al Malaika immediately before the noun it modifies,
subverted traditional poetic forms even “Rabinal Achí.”
when she used them by, in this case, using Distractor Explanations: Choice B, C and D
a nontraditional subject for an elegy. are incorrect because “Based on events that
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is occurred when Rabinal was a city-state
incorrect because “in fact” illogically signals ruled by a king” should appear next to the
that the passage’s last sentence stresses or words it modifies, “Rabinal Achí,” whereas all
amplifies the truth of the assertion made in these choices result in dangling modifiers.
the passage’s first sentence. Choice C is
incorrect because “therefore” illogically
signals that the passage’s last sentence
describes a consequence arising from the
assertion made in the passage’s first
sentence. Choice D is incorrect because
“moreover” illogically signals that the
passage’s last sentence merely offers
additional information about the assertion
made in the passage’s first
sentence.describe a setting.

RW qu estion 14
Key D
Domain Standard English Conventions
Skill Boundaries
Key Explanation: Choice D is the best
answer. No punctuation is needed.
Distractor Explanations: Choice A, B and C
are incorrect because each inserts
unnecessary punctuation (a comma, colon,
and semicolon, respectively) between the
sentence’s subject (“the reason . . . falling”)
and the verb “is.”
 SAT with TALAL 29

Key

(Math)
Math question 3
Key A

Math question 1 Domain

Skill
Algebra
Linear functions

Key C Interpret the graph of a

linear function in terms of a
Domain Algebra context
Skill Linear functions

Key Explanation: Choice A is correct. The

Evaluate a linear function
given graph is a line, and the slope of a line
given an input value
is defined as the change in the value of y for
each increase in the value of x by 1. It’s
Key Explanation: Choice C is correct. The given that y represents the total cost, in
value of f (2) can be found by substituting 2 dollars, and that x represents the number of
for x in the given equation f (x) = x + 7, games. Therefore, the change in the value
which yields f (2) = 2 + 7, or f (2) = 9. The of y for each increase in the value of x by 1
value of g(2) can be found by substituting 2 represents the change in total cost, in
for x in the given equation g(x) = 7x, which dollars, for each increase in the number of
yields g(2) = 7(2), or g(2) = 14. The value of games by 1. In other words, the slope
the expression 4f (2) − g(2) can be found by represents the cost, in dollars, per game.
substituting the corresponding values into The graph shows that when the value of x
the expression, which gives 4(9) − 14. This increases from 0 to 1, the value of y
expression is equivalent to 36 − 14, or 22. increases from 100 to 125. It follows that the
slope is 25, or the cost per game is $25.
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is Thus, the best interpretation of the slope of
incorrect. This is the value of f (2) − g(2), not the graph is that each game costs $25
4f (2) − g(2). Choice B is incorrect and may
result from calculating 4f (2) as 4(2) + 7, Distractor Explanations: Choice B is
rather than 4(2 + 7). Choice D is incorrect incorrect. This is an interpretation of the y-
and may result from conceptual or intercept of the graph rather than the slope
calculation errors. of the graph. Choice C is incorrect. The
slope of the graph is the cost per game, not

Math question 2
the cost of the video game system. Choice
D is incorrect. Each game costs $25, not
$100.
Key −32
Domain
Skill
Algebra
Linear equations in two Math question 4
variables Make connections Key D
between an algebraic
representation and a graph Domain Algebra
Key Explanation: The correct answer is −32. Skill Linear inequalities in one or
It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of two variables For a linear
y = −6x − 32 is (0, y). Substituting 0 for x in inequality, interpret a point
this equation yields y = −6(0) − 32 or y = in the xy-plane
−32. Therefore, the value of y that
corresponds to the y-intercept of the graph
of y = −6x − 32 in the xy-plane is −32.
 SAT with TALAL 30

Key Explanation: Choice D is correct. For a

point (x, y) to be a solution to the given
inequality in the xy-plane, the value of the
point’s y-coordinate must be less than the
Math question 6
value of −4x + 4, where x is the value of the Key C
x-coordinate of the point. This is true of the Domain Algebra
point (−4, 0) because 0 < −4(−4) + 4, or 0 <
20. Therefore, the point (−4, 0) is a solution Skill Systems of two linear equations
to the given inequality. in two variables Create and use
a system of two linear equations
Distractor Explanations: Choice A, B and C
are incorrect. None of these points is a
solution to the given inequality because Key Explanation: Choice C is correct. It’s
each point’s y-coordinate is greater than the given that store A sells raspberries for $5.50
value of −4x + 4 for the point’s x-coordinate. per pint and blackberries for $3.00 per pint,
and a certain purchase of raspberries and

Math question 5 blackberries at store A would cost $37.00.

It’s also given that store B sells raspberries
for $6.50 per pint and blackberries for $8.00
Key A per pint, and this purchase of raspberries
Domain Algebra and blackberries at store B would cost
$66.00. Let r represent the number of pints
Skill Linear equations in two variables of raspberries and b represent the number
For a linear equation, interpret a of pints of blackberries in this purchase. The
solution, constant, variable, factor,
or term based on the context
equation 5.50r + 3.00b = 37.00 represents
this purchase of raspberries and
blackberries from store A and the equation
Key Explanation: Choice A is correct. It’s 6.50r + 8.00b = 66.00 represents this
given that figure A and figure B (not shown) purchase of raspberries and blackberries
are both regular polygons and the sum of from store B. Solving the system of
the perimeters of the two figures is 63 equations by elimination gives the value of r
inches. It’s also given that x is the number of and the value of b that make the system of
sides of figure A and y is the number of equations true. Multiplying both sides of the
sides of figure B, and that the equation 3x + equation for store A by 6.5 yields (5.50r)
6y = 63 represents this situation. Thus, 3x (6.5) + (3.00b)(6.5) = (37.00)(6.5), or 35.75r
and 6y represent the perimeters, in inches, + 19.5b = 240.5. Multiplying both sides of
of figure A and figure B, respectively. Since the equation for store B by 5.5 yields (6.50r)
6y represents the perimeter, in inches, of (5.5) + (8.00b)(5.5) = (66.00)(5.5), or 35.75r
figure B and y is the number of sides of + 44b = 363. Subtracting both sides of the
figure B, it follows that each side of figure B equation for store A, 35.75r + 19.5b = 240.5,
has a length of 6 inches. from the corresponding sides of the
Distractor Explanations: Choice B is equation for store B, 35.75r + 44b = 363,
incorrect. The number of sides of figure B is yields (35.75r − 35.75r) + (44b − 19.5b) =
y, not 6. Choice C is incorrect. Since the (363 − 240.5), or 24.5b = 122.5. Dividing
perimeter, in inches, of figure A is both sides of this equation by 24.5 yields b
represented by 3x, each side of figure A has = 5. Thus, 5 pints of blackberries are in this
a length of 3 inches, not 6 inches. Choice D purchase.
is incorrect. The number of sides of figure A
is x, not 6. Distractor Explanations: Choice A and B are
incorrect and may result from conceptual or
calculation errors. Choice D is incorrect. This
is the number of pints of raspberries, not
blackberries, in the purchase.$100.
 and ( -2,
325
_____
36
) Substituting 0 for x and 10 for
SAT with TALAL 31
ℎ(x) in the equation ℎ(x) = ax + b yields 10 =
a0 + b, or 10 = 1 + b. Subtracting 1 from both
sides of this equation yields 9 = b.
325 for ℎ(x) in
Substituting −2 for x and _____
Math question 7
36 325
_____
the equation ℎ(x) = a + 9 yields x
36
= a–2
Key C + 9. Subtracting 9 from both sides of this
1 =a-2 , which can be
equation yields _____
Domain Advanced Math 36
Skill Nonlinear functions
1 1
rewritten as _____ = _____ or a2 = 36. Taking
Determine the most suitable form 36 36
of a function to display key
features the square root of both sides of this
equation yields a = 6 and a = −6, but
Key Explanation: Choice C is correct. A because it’s given that a is a positive
quadratic function in the form g(x) = a(x − constant, a must equal 6. Because the value
ℎ)2 + k, where a, h, and k are constants, has of a is 6 and the value of b is 9, the value of
a minimum value of k at x = ℎ when a > 0. ab is (6)(9), or 54.
The given quadratic function can be Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
rewritten as g(x) = 1(x − 0)2 + 55, where ℎ = incorrect and may result from finding the
0 and k = 55. Therefore, the minimum value value of a–2b rather than the value of ab.
of the given function is 55. Choice B is incorrect and may result from
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is conceptual or calculation errors. Choice D is
incorrect and may result from squaring the incorrect and may result from correctly
minimum value. Choice B is incorrect and finding the value of a as 6, but multiplying it
may result from multiplying the minimum by the y-value in the first ordered pair rather
value by 2. Choice D is incorrect. This is the than by the value of b.
x-value at which the minimum value of g(x)

Math question 9
occurs.

Math question 8 Key

Domain
D
Advanced Math
Key C Skill Nonlinear equations in one
Domain Advanced Math variable and systems of
Skill Nonlinear functions
equations in two variables
Make connections between Determine the conditions
algebraic representations and under which a quadratic
a graph equation has zero, one, two, or
infinitely many real solutions
Key Explanation: Choice C is correct. It’s
given that the function h is defined by ℎ(x) = Key Explanation: Choice D is correct. Any
ax + b and that the graph of y = ℎ(x) in the quantity that is positive or negative in value
xy-plane passes through the points (0, 10) has a positive value when squared.
( )
and -2, _____
325
36
Substituting 0 for x and 10 for Therefore, the left-hand side of the given
equation is either positive or zero for any
ℎ(x) in the equation ℎ(x) = ax + b yields 10 = value of x. Since the right-hand side of the
a0 + b, or 10 = 1 + b. Subtracting 1 from both given equation is negative, there is no value
sides of this equation yields 9 = b. of x for which the given equation is true.
Thus, the number of distinct real solutions
for the given equation is zero.
 SAT with TALAL 32

Distractor Explanations: Choice A, B, and Key Explanation: The correct answer is

C are incorrect and may result from 3.44. It’s given that f (0) = 86 and that for
conceptual errors. each increase in x by 1, the value of f (x)
decreases by 80%. Because the output of

Math question 10 the function decreases by a constant

percentage for each 1-unit increase in the
value of x, this relationship can be
Key A represented by an exponential function of
Domain Advanced Math the form f (x) = a(b) x , where a represents
the initial value of the function and b
Skill Equivalent expressions

represents the rate of decay, expressed as a

decimal. Because f (0) = 86, the value of a
Rewrite a rational expression
must be 86. Because the value of f (x)
Key Explanation: Choice A is correct. To decreases by 80% for each 1-unit increase
subtract one rational expression from in x, the value of b must be (1 − 0.80), or
0.2. Therefore, the function f can be defined
another, the denominators of the
expressions must be the same. Since 4x – 5 by f (x) = 86(0.2)x . Substituting 2 for x in
and x + 1 do not have any common factors, this function yields f (2) = 86(0.2)2 , which is
each rational expression should be rewritten equivalent to f (2) = 86(0.04), or f (2) =
with a denominator 3.44. Either 3.44 or 86/25 may be entered
as the correct answer. Alternate approach:
It ’s given that f (0) = 86 and that for each

increase in x by 1, the value of f (x)

decreases by 80%. Therefore, when x = 1,
the value of f (x) is (100 − 80)%, or 20%, of
86, which can be expressed as (0.20)(86).
Since (0.20)(86) = 17.2, the value of f (1) is
17.2. Similarly, when x = 2, the value of f (x)
is 20% of 17.2, which can be expressed as
(0.20)(17.2). Since (0.20)(17.2) = 3.44, the

value of f (2) is 3.44. Either 3.44 or 86/25

may be entered as the correct answer.

Distractor Explanations: Choice B, C and D Math question 12

are incorrect and may result from conceptual Key
or calculation errors. 6
Domain Advanced Math

Math question 11 Skill Nonlinear equations in one

variable and systems of
Key equations in two variables
3.44, 86/25
Solve systems of linear and
Domain Advanced Math nonlinear equations in two
Skill Nonlinear functions
variables
Create and use quadratic or
exponential functions
 SAT with TALAL 33

Key Explanation:The correct answer is 6. It’s

given that a line with equation 2y = 4.5
intersects a parabola with equation y = −4x2 Math question 14
+ bx, where b is a positive constant, at Key B
exactly one point in the xy-plane. It follows
that the system of equations consisting of Domain Problem-Solving and Data
2y = 4.5 and y = −4x2 + bx has exactly one Analysis
solution. Dividing both sides of the equation Skill Percentages

of the line by 2 yields y = 2.25. Substituting Use percentages to solve

2.25 for y in the equation of the parabola problems
yields 2.25 = −4x2 + bx. Adding 4x2 and
subtracting bx from both sides of this
equation yields 4x2 – bx + 2.25 = 0. A Key Explanation: Choice B is correct. It’s
quadratic equation in the form of ax2 + bx + given that in a group, 40% of the items are
c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants, has red. It follows that the number of red items
exactly one solution when the discriminant, in the group can be represented by 0.4x,
b2 − 4ac, is equal to zero. Substituting 4 for where x represents the total number of
a and 2.25 for c in the expression b2 − 4ac items in the group. It’s also given that of all
and setting this expression equal to 0 yields the red items in the group, 30% also have
b2 − 4(4)(2.25) = 0, or b2 − 36 = 0. Adding stripes. It follows that the number of items
36 to each side of this equation yields b2 = in the group that are red and have stripes
36. Taking the square root of each side of can be represented by 0.3(0.4x), or 0.12x.
this equation yields b = ±6. It’s given that b The expression 0.12x represents 12% of x.
is positive, so the value of b is 6. Since x represents the total number of items
in the group, it follows that 12% of the items

Math question 13
in the group are red and have stripes.
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is
Key incorrect and may result from subtracting
C 30% from 40% rather than calculating 30%
Domain Problem-Solving and Data of 40%. Choice C is incorrect and may result
Analysis from adding 30% and 40% rather than
calculating 30% of 40%. Choice D is
Skill Two-variable data: Models and incorrect and may result from calculating
scatterplots
the percentage that 30% is of 40% rather
Analyze and interpret data in a than calculating 30% of 40%.
scatterplot

Key Explanation: Choice C is correct. At x =

32, the line of best fit has a y-value Math question 15
between 2 and 3. The only choice with a Key B
value between 2 and 3 is choice C.
Domain Problem-Solving and Data
Distractor Explanations: Choice A is Analysis
incorrect. This is the difference between the
y-value predicted by the line of best fit and Skill Ratios, rates, proportional
the actual y-value at x = 32 rather than the relationships, and units

y-value predicted by the line of best fit at x Solve problems involving

= 32. derived units
 SAT with TALAL 34

Distractor Explanations: Choice A is

incorrect and may result from calculating the
difference between the lengths of the
shadows, rather than the height of the other
tree. Choice C is incorrect and may result
from calculating the difference between the
height of the 10-foot-tall tree and the length
of the shadow of the other tree, rather than
calculating the height of the other tree.
Choice D is incorrect and may result from a
conceptual or calculation error.

Math question 17
Key B
Domain Geometry and Trigonometry

Skill Right triangles and

trigonometry

Distractor Explanations: Choices A, C, and Use the Pythagorean theorem

D are incorrect and may result from to solve problems
conceptual or calculation errors.
Key Explanation: Choice B is correct. A
rectangle’s diagonal divides a rectangle into
Math question 16 two congruent right triangles, where the
diagonal is the hypotenuse of both triangles.
Key B It’s given that the length of the diagonal is
5√17 and the length of the rectangle’s
Domain Geometry and Trigonometry shorter side is 5. Therefore, each of the two
right triangles formed by the rectangle’s
Skill Lines, angles, and triangles diagonal has a hypotenuse with length 5√17 ,
Use concepts of congruence and a shorter leg with length 5. To calculate
and similarity of triangles to the length of the longer leg of each right
solve problems triangle, the Pythagorean theorem, a2 + b2 =
c2 , can be used, where a and b are the
Key Explanation: Choice B is correct. Each lengths of the legs and c is the length of the
tree and its shadow can be modeled using a hypotenuse of the triangle. Substituting 5 for
right triangle, where the height of the tree a and 5√17 for c in the equation a2 + b2 = c2
and the length of its shadow are the legs of yields 52 + b2 = (5√17)2, which is equivalent
the triangle. At a given point in time, the right to 25 + b2 = 25(17), or 25 + b2 = 425.
triangles formed by two nearby trees and Subtracting 25 from each side of this
their respective shadows will be similar. equation yields b2 = 400. Taking the positive
Therefore, if the height of the other tree is x, square root of each side of this equation
in feet, the value of x can be calculated by yields b = 20. Therefore, the length of the
solving the proportional relationship longer leg of each right triangle formed by
the diagonal of the rectangle is 20. It follows
that the length of the rectangle’s longer side
is 20.
 SAT with TALAL 35

Distractor Explanations: Choice A is

incorrect and may result from dividing the
length of the rectangle’s diagonal by the
length of the rectangle’s shorter side,
rather than substituting these values into
the Pythagorean theorem. Choice C is
incorrect and may result from using the
length of the rectangle’s diagonal as the
length of a leg of the right triangle, rather
than the length of the hypotenuse. Choice
D is incorrect. This is the square of the
length of the rectangle’s longer side.

Math question 18
Key D
Domain Geometry and Trigonometry

Skill Circles

Use definitions, properties,

and theorems relating to
circles to solve problems
Key Explanation: Choice D is correct. It’s
given that the measure of arc AB is 45° and
the length of arc AB is 3 inches. The arc
measure of the full circle is 360°. If x
represents the circumference, in inches, of
the circle, it

Distractor Explanations: Choice A is

incorrect. This is the length of arc AB.
Choice B is incorrect and may result from
multiplying the length of arc AB by 2.
Choice C is incorrect and may result from
squaring the length of arc AB
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