Common SAT mistakes
Every page below covers one trap: why it happens, what it looks like on the test, and how to prove you've fixed it.
Math
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
Algebra
- The sign flip that costs SAT points: moving terms across the equals sign
- a(b + c) ≠ ab + c: the distribution slip on SAT Algebra
- Flipping rise over run: the SAT slope inversion
- (−3)² vs −3²: the parenthesis that changes the sign
- Forgetting to flip the inequality when dividing by a negative
- Substituting into systems without the parentheses
- Stopping at the slope: forgetting to solve for b
Geometry and Trigonometry
Reading and Writing
Standard English Conventions
- Comma splice: why the SAT never lets a comma join two sentences
- Semicolon or comma? The SAT rule that decides it in one test
- The SAT colon rule: the part that matters is BEFORE the colon
- One dash in, one comma out: the SAT's mismatched-pair trap
- The comma that never belongs: splitting a subject from its verb
- The comma pair that changes what a sentence means
- The words between the subject and the verb are a decoy
- When the subject comes after the verb: SAT inverted sentences
- Each, every, either: the words that look plural and are not
- The tense shift you will not hear: SAT verb sequence
- Dangling modifiers: the SAT sentence that says the wrong thing
- its vs it's: the one possessive with no apostrophe
- students / student's / students': picking the right apostrophe
- Comparing a thing to the wrong thing: SAT faulty comparisons
- Parallel structure: lists that change grammatical gear mid-sentence