SAT

📘 SAT study guides (4)

Start with the maths vocabulary: many students know the maths but lose marks on the English wording. Words in Context vocabulary, grammar rule cards and original practice questions are being added. SAT is a trademark of College Board; check the official site for the latest test details.

Grammar rule cards (240 practice questions)

Reading and Writing practice (100 questions)

Math practice (100 questions)

⏱ Timed module practice (Reading and Writing · Math)

• substantiate

  verb

  To provide evidence that something is true.

  The author uses survey data to substantiate the claim.

• substitute

  verb

  In maths, to replace a variable with a number or another expression.

  Substitute x = 3 into the equation.

• substitution method

  noun

  A way to solve a system of equations by solving one equation for a variable and substituting it into the other.

  Use the substitution method to solve the system.

• sum

  nounAWL 4

  An amount of money, or the total of numbers added together.

  They paid a large sum for the house.

• summarize

  verb

  To give the main points briefly (UK and Australia: summarise).

  The final sentence summarizes the study’s findings.

• supplementary angles

  noun

  Two angles that add up to 180 degrees.

  110° and 70° are supplementary angles.

• surface area

  noun

  The total area of all the faces or surfaces of a 3D shape.

  Find the surface area of the cube.

• sympathetic

  adjective

  Showing understanding and care for someone’s problems or views.

  The author is sympathetic to the workers’ concerns.

• system of equations

  noun

  Two or more equations with the same variables, solved together.

  The system of equations has exactly one solution.

• table of values

  noun

  A table that lists input values and their matching output values.

  Use the table of values to find the rule.

• tangent

  noun

  In trigonometry, the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side (tan).

  tan x = opposite ÷ adjacent.

• tangent line

  noun

  A line that touches a circle at exactly one point.

  A tangent line is perpendicular to the radius at the point of contact.

• temper

  verb

  In context: to make something less strong or extreme; to moderate.

  She tempered her criticism with praise.

• tentative

  adjective

  Not certain or final; done with hesitation.

  The researchers offer a tentative explanation.

• term

  noun

  In maths, a single number, variable, or numbers and variables multiplied together, separated by + or −.

  The expression 3x + 2y − 5 has three terms.

• that is

  phrase

  A transition that explains or restates the previous idea more clearly.

  The fossils are very old, that is, more than 100 million years.

• therefore

  adverb

  A transition that introduces a logical result or conclusion.

  The soil lacked nitrogen. Therefore, the plants grew slowly.

• thus

  adverb

  A transition meaning "as a result" or "in this way".

  The river flooded the fields; thus, the harvest was lost.

• to that end

  phrase

  A transition meaning "in order to achieve that goal".

  The city wants cleaner air. To that end, it is expanding bike lanes.

• transformation

  noun

  In maths, a change to a graph, such as a shift, stretch or reflection.

  The graph of y = f(x) + 3 is a transformation up 3 units.

• transversal

  noun

  A line that crosses two or more other lines.

  A transversal crossing parallel lines makes equal corresponding angles.

• trapezoid

  noun

  A quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides (UK and Australia: trapezium).

  The area of a trapezoid uses the average of the parallel sides.

• triangle

  noun

  A shape with three sides and three angles; the angles add up to 180 degrees.

  The angles of a triangle add up to 180°.

• trigonometry

  noun

  The part of maths about the relationships between angles and sides of triangles.

  SAT trigonometry questions often use right triangles.

• two-way table

  noun

  A table that shows data for two categories at the same time.

  The two-way table shows grade level and favourite sport.