# SAT Skills List: Math & Reading Guides with Examples Source: https://1600.now/sat-skill --- ## SAT skills, one question type at a time Start with a missed question, identify its skill, and learn the specific step that would fix the miss. These 29 guides (19 Math, 10 Reading and Writing) include worked examples and a self-check; each links to practice filtered to the same skill. Written by [Luke Finigan](https://1600.now/about) 3 min read Updated Oct 5, 2026 ### Choose a skill from your last miss If you solved an equation but answered for the wrong quantity, start with linear equations. If your algebra was sound but the equation did not match the words, use ratios, rates, and proportions or linear functions. For Reading and Writing, separate proof from grammar. An unsupported passage answer calls for central ideas, inference, or evidence. A sentence that needs a valid clause boundary calls for punctuation; a mismatch between its subject and verb calls for form, structure, and sense. Use a guide to repair one method, then return to [mixed practice](https://1600.now/modules). The mixed set checks whether you can recognize when to use that method without the skill label giving it away. Look up domain and skill names in the [SAT glossary](https://1600.now/sat-glossary). Search SAT skills ### Math skills #### Algebra - **[Linear Equations in One Variable](https://1600.now/sat-skill/linear-equations-one-variable)** Keep an equation balanced: simplify each side, collect the variable terms, and undo multiplication or division. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20equations%20in%20one%20variable) - **[Linear Functions](https://1600.now/sat-skill/linear-functions)** A linear function changes by the same amount for each equal increase in its input. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20functions) - **[Linear Equations in Two Variables](https://1600.now/sat-skill/linear-equations-two-variables)** A two-variable linear equation describes a line. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20equations%20in%20two%20variables) - **[Systems of Linear Equations](https://1600.now/sat-skill/systems-of-linear-equations)** A solution to a system must satisfy both equations. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Systems%20of%20two%20linear%20equations%20in%20two%20variables) - **[Linear Inequalities](https://1600.now/sat-skill/linear-inequalities)** Solve inequalities like equations, but reverse the comparison when multiplying or dividing by a negative number. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Linear%20inequalities%20in%20one%20or%20two%20variables) #### Advanced Math - **[Nonlinear Equations and Systems](https://1600.now/sat-skill/nonlinear-equations-and-systems)** Choose a method that fits the equation: factor a quadratic, isolate a radical before squaring, split an absolute value into cases, or substitute to find graph intersections. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Nonlinear%20equations%20in%20one%20variable%20and%20systems%20of%20equations%20in%20two%20variables) - **[Nonlinear Functions](https://1600.now/sat-skill/nonlinear-functions)** The form of a nonlinear function tells you what you can read directly. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Nonlinear%20functions) - **[Equivalent Expressions](https://1600.now/sat-skill/equivalent-expressions)** Equivalent expressions give the same value for every input where both are defined. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Equivalent%20expressions) #### Problem-Solving and Data Analysis - **[Ratios, Rates, and Proportions](https://1600.now/sat-skill/ratios-rates-proportions)** Keep the compared quantities in a fixed order and write their units. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Ratios%2C%20rates%2C%20proportional%20relationships%2C%20and%20units) - **[Percentages](https://1600.now/sat-skill/percentages)** Use the starting quantity as the denominator for percent change. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Percentages) - **[One-Variable Data: Distributions and Measures](https://1600.now/sat-skill/one-variable-data)** Use the mean for the arithmetic average, the median for the middle of ordered data, and measures of spread to compare variability. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/One-variable%20data%3A%20Distributions%20and%20measures%20of%20center%20and%20spread) - **[Two-Variable Data: Models and Scatterplots](https://1600.now/sat-skill/two-variable-data)** A scatterplot compares paired variables. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Two-variable%20data%3A%20Models%20and%20scatterplots) - **[Probability and Conditional Probability](https://1600.now/sat-skill/probability)** Probability compares favorable outcomes with the eligible outcomes. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Probability%20and%20conditional%20probability) - **[Inference from Sample Statistics and Margin of Error](https://1600.now/sat-skill/sample-statistics-margin-of-error)** A sample estimates a population quantity. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Inference%20from%20sample%20statistics%20and%20margin%20of%20error) - **[Evaluating Statistical Claims](https://1600.now/sat-skill/evaluating-statistical-claims)** Check two separate permissions: random sampling supports generalizing to a population, while random assignment in a well-designed experiment supports a causal comparison. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Evaluating%20statistical%20claims%3A%20Observational%20studies%20and%20experiments) #### Geometry and Trigonometry - **[Area and Volume](https://1600.now/sat-skill/area-and-volume)** Choose the formula for the requested quantity, then identify its perpendicular height and units. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Area%20and%20volume) - **[Lines, Angles, and Triangles](https://1600.now/sat-skill/lines-angles-triangles)** Name the geometric relationship before writing an equation. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Lines%2C%20angles%2C%20and%20triangles) - **[Right Triangles and Trigonometry](https://1600.now/sat-skill/right-triangles-and-trig)** Locate the right angle first. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Right%20triangles%20and%20trigonometry) - **[Circles](https://1600.now/sat-skill/circles)** Read a circle's radius before using area or circumference. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/math/skill/Circles) ### Reading & Writing skills #### Craft and Structure - **[Words in Context](https://1600.now/sat-skill/words-in-context)** Choose the word that fits the sentence's exact meaning and logic. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Words%20in%20Context) - **[Text Structure and Purpose](https://1600.now/sat-skill/text-structure-and-purpose)** Explain what the text or an underlined sentence does in the argument. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Text%20Structure%20and%20Purpose) - **[Cross-Text Connections](https://1600.now/sat-skill/cross-text-connections)** Summarize each author's claim separately, then answer the exact comparison in the stem. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Cross-Text%20Connections) #### Information and Ideas - **[Central Ideas and Details](https://1600.now/sat-skill/central-ideas-and-details)** A central idea summarizes the passage's main point across its sentences. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Central%20Ideas%20and%20Details) - **[Command of Evidence](https://1600.now/sat-skill/command-of-evidence)** Identify the claim before selecting evidence. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Command%20of%20Evidence) - **[Inferences](https://1600.now/sat-skill/inference)** Combine the text's facts into the smallest conclusion they support. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Inferences) #### Expression of Ideas - **[Transitions](https://1600.now/sat-skill/transitions)** Choose a transition by the relationship between the surrounding ideas: addition, contrast, cause, example, or sequence. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Transitions) - **[Rhetorical Synthesis](https://1600.now/sat-skill/rhetorical-synthesis)** Read the requested goal before selecting facts from the notes. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Rhetorical%20Synthesis) #### Standard English Conventions - **[Boundaries (Punctuation and Sentence Structure)](https://1600.now/sat-skill/boundaries-punctuation)** Identify the clauses before choosing punctuation. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Boundaries) - **[Form, Structure, and Sense](https://1600.now/sat-skill/form-structure-sense)** Find the sentence's core subject and verb, then check agreement, time, pronoun reference, and modifier placement. [Practice in bank](https://1600.now/bank/reading/skill/Form%2C%20Structure%2C%20and%20Sense) ### Official content domains Skill links use the question bank's skill labels within the SAT's Math and Reading and Writing domains. - [College Board: types of Math tested](https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test/math/types) - [College Board: Reading and Writing content domains](https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/whats-on-the-test/reading-writing)