The Math No-Calculator section is a test of your pure mathematical fluency. You have 25 minutes to answer 20 questions, which requires both speed and accuracy. Success here depends on strong mental math skills and a solid grasp of algebra.
Master Algebraic Manipulation: Many questions will require you to solve for a variable, simplify complex expressions, or work with polynomials. Be comfortable with factoring, distributing, and combining like terms quickly and accurately.
Know Your Number Properties: Understand the rules of integers, fractions, exponents, and radicals. These questions are designed to be solved efficiently without a calculator.
Rely on Your Pencil: Don’t try to do everything in your head. Use the space in your test booklet to write out your steps, even if they seem simple. This helps prevent careless errors.
Plug in Numbers: If you’re stuck on an algebra problem with variables in the answer choices, try substituting simple numbers (like 2, 3, or 0) for the variables to see which answer choice works.
