Mathematics Level 2
SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2 Practice
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Introduction
Mathematics Level 2 is a broad survey test intended for students who have taken college-preparatory mathematics for more than three years, including two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and elementary functions (precalculus) and/or trigonometry.
Test Basics
| Points | Minutes | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 200-800 | 60 | 50 |
Topics on the Test
| Material | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ≈10%-14% |
Numbers and operations |
||
| ≈48%-52% |
Algebra and functions |
||
| ≈28%-32% |
Geometry and measurement |
||
| ≈10%-14% |
Coordinate |
||
| ≈4%-6% |
Three-dimensional |
||
| ≈12%-16% |
Trigonometry |
||
| ≈6%-10% |
Data analysis, statistics, and probability |
||
You're not expected to have studied every topic on the test, but you should anticipate the following:
- Number and Operations
- Algebra and Functions
- Geometry and Measurement (coordinate, three dimensional, and trigonometry)
- Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
It's NOT necessary to use a calculator to solve every question on the Mathematics Level 2 Subject Test, so it's important to know when and how to use one. For about 35-40 percent of the questions, there's no advantage, perhaps even a disadvantage, to using a calculator. For about 55-65 percent of the questions, a calculator may be useful or necessary.
If you're comfortable with both a scientific and graphing calculator, you should bring a graphing calculator. A graphing calculator may provide an advantage over a scientific calculator on some questions. Read more about acceptable calculators.
Bring a calculator that you're used to using. Your degree of familiarity with the operation of the calculator may affect how well you do on these tests.
- If you're comfortable with both a scientific and graphing calculator, bring a graphing calculator. A graphing calculator may provide an advantage over a scientific calculator on some questions.
- The majority of students bring a graphing calculator to the SAT Subject Tests in Mathematics. In fact these tests will be developed with the expectation that most students are using graphing calculators.
You can use any scientific or graphing calculator on the tests as long as it doesn't have a QWERTY (typewriter-like) keypad. Calculators with paper tape, calculators that make noise or "talk," and calculators that require an electrical outlet are not permitted. Computers, pocket organizers, electronic writing pads, and pen-input/stylus-driven devices, and cell phone calculations are also prohibited.
Verify that your calculator is in good working condition before you take the test. You may bring batteries and a backup calculator to the test center. Remember, no substitute calculators or batteries will be available at the test center. You can't share calculators with other test takers.
Some questions will require you to use a calculator, but for many of the questions there's more than one way to solve the problem. Don't pick up a calculator if you don't need to -- you might waste time.
The answer choices are often rounded, so the answer you get might not match the answer in the test book. Since the choices are rounded, plugging the choices into the problem might not produce an exact answer.
Don't round any intermediate calculations. For example, if you get a result from the calculator for the first step of a solution, keep the result in the calculator and use it for the second step. If you round the result from the first step and the answer choices are close to each other, you might have a problem.
Read the question carefully so that you know what you are being asked to do. Sometimes a result that you may get from your calculator is NOT the final answer. If an answer you get is not one of the choices in the question, it may be that you didn't answer the question being asked. You should read the question again. It may also be that you rounded at an intermediate step in solving the problem, and that's why your answer doesn't match any of the choices in the question.
Think about how you are going to solve the question before picking up your calculator. It may be that you only need the calculator for the final step or two and can do the rest in your test book or in your head. Don't waste time by using the calculator more than necessary.
If you are taking the Math Level 1 test, make sure your calculator is in degree mode ahead of time so you won't have to worry about it during the test. If you're taking the Mathematics Level 2 test, make sure your calculator is in the correct mode (degree or radian) for the question being asked.
If your calculator malfunctions at the test center, and you don't have a backup calculator, you must tell your test supervisor when the malfunction occurs. You can choose to cancel your scores on the test.
If you are using a calculator with large characters (1 inch or more high) or a calculator with a raised display that might be visible to other test takers, you will be seated at the discretion of the test supervisor.
You may not use your calculator for sharing or exchanging, or removing part of a test book or any notes relating to the test from the test room. Such action may be grounds for dismissal and/or cancellation of scores. You do not have to clear your calculator's memory before or after taking the test.
