THE SAT MATH LEVEL 2 TEST
All About the SAT Math Level 2 Test
The Math Level 2 test covers the following topics:
The Math Level 2 test is designed to test a student's math knowledge, ability to apply concepts,a nd higher-order thinking. Students are not expected to know every topic covered on the test.
When to Take the Test
The Math Level 2 test is recommended for students who have completed more than 3 years of college-preparatory mathematics. Most students taking the Level 2 test have studied 2 years of algebra, 1 year of geometry, and 1 year of precalculus (elementary functions) and/or trigonometry. Many students take the math Subject Tests at the end of their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year.
The Level 1 vs. Level 2 Test
As mentioned, the Math Level 2 test is recommended for students who have completed more than 3 years of college-preparatory mathematics. The Math Level 1 test is recommended for students who have completed 3 years of college-preparatory mathematics. Most students taking the Level 1 test have studied 2 years of algebra and 1 year of geometry.
Typically, students who have received A or B grades in precalculus and trigonometry elect to take the Level 2 test. If you have taken more than 3 years of high school math and are enrolled in a precalculus or calculus program, don’t assume that taking the Level 1 test guarantees a higher score. Many of the topics on the Level 1 test will be concepts studied years ago.
Although the topics covered on the two tests overlap somewhat, they differ as shown in the table below. The College Board gives an approximate outline of the mathematics covered on each test as follows:
| Topic | Level 1 Test | Level 1 Test |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Functions | 38-42% | 48-52% |
| Plane Euclidean Geometry | 18-22% | — |
| Three–Dimensional Geometry | 4-6% | 4-6% |
| Coordinate Geometry | 8-12% | 10-14% |
| Trigonometry | 6-8% | 12-16% |
| Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability | 6-10% | 6-10% |
| Number and Operations | 10-14% | 10-14% |
Overall, the Level 2 test focuses on more advanced content in each area. As shown in the table, the Level 2 test does not directly cover Plane Euclidean Geometry, although Plane Euclidean Geometry concepts may be applied in other types of questions. Number and Operations was formerly known as Miscellaneous.
Scoring
The scoring of the Math Level 2 test is based on a 200 — 800-point scale. You receive one point for each correct answer and lose one-quarter of a point for ach incorrect answer. You do not lose any points for omitting a question. In addition to your scaled score, your score report shows a percentile ranking indicating the percentage of students scoring below your score. Because there are considerable differences between the Math Level 1 and Level 2 tests, your score on one is not an accurate indicator of your score on the other.
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