Timed Drill | Open Textbooks

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Timed practice is essential for SAT and ACT success. Both tests are time-pressured, and developing the ability to solve problems quickly and accurately is a skill that must be practiced deliberately.

Why Timed Practice Matters

SAT Math: You have approximately 1 minute 35 seconds per question (70 minutes for 44 questions)
ACT Math: You have exactly 1 minute per question (60 minutes for 60 questions)
Time pressure causes stress, which can lead to careless errors
Regular timed practice builds comfort and reduces test-day anxiety

Strategies for Timed Practice

Start Slow, Build Up: Begin with 2 minutes per problem, then reduce to 1.5, then 1 minute.
Use a Timer: Always practice with a visible countdown timer.
Skip and Return: If stuck for more than 30 seconds, mark the problem and move on.
Trust Your First Instinct: Changing answers often leads to errors under time pressure.
Practice Problem Recognition: Quickly identify question types to select the right strategy.

Pacing Guidelines

Difficulty Level	Target Time	Strategy
Easy	30-45 seconds	Solve quickly, check briefly
Medium	60-90 seconds	Work carefully, show work
Hard	90-120 seconds	Consider skipping if unsure

Examples

Before starting the timed drill, review these worked examples showing efficient problem-solving.

Example 1: Quick Ratio Solution (Target: 45 seconds)

Problem: If 3 apples cost $2.25, how much do 7 apples cost?

Fast Method: Cost per apple = $2.25 / 3 = $0.75. Cost for 7 = $0.75 x 7 = $5.25

Time-Saving Tip: Set up the proportion mentally: 3/2.25 = 7/x, so x = (7 x 2.25)/3

Example 2: Percent Change (Target: 60 seconds)

Problem: A population increased from 2,400 to 3,000. What is the percent increase?

Fast Method: Change = 3000 - 2400 = 600. Percent = (600/2400) x 100 = 25%

Time-Saving Tip: Simplify fractions: 600/2400 = 6/24 = 1/4 = 25%

Example 3: Mean Calculation (Target: 45 seconds)

Problem: Find the mean of: 12, 15, 18, 21, 24

Fast Method: Notice the pattern (arithmetic sequence). Middle value = 18 = mean.

Time-Saving Tip: For evenly spaced numbers, the mean equals the median.

Practice: Timed Drill

Instructions: Set a timer for 12 minutes. Complete as many problems as you can. Target: 10 problems in 12 minutes (about 72 seconds each).

1. A store sells notebooks for $3.50 each. If Maria buys 8 notebooks, how much does she pay before tax?

2. The ratio of cats to dogs at a shelter is 5:3. If there are 40 cats, how many dogs are there?

3. What is 15% of 240?

4. A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours. At this rate, how far will it travel in 5 hours?

5. The median of a data set is 17. If the data set is {12, 15, 17, 19, x} in ascending order, what are the possible values of x?

6. A shirt was originally $60 and is now on sale for $45. What is the percent discount?

7. If 2/5 of a number is 30, what is the number?

8. A bag contains 3 red, 4 blue, and 5 green marbles. What is the probability of drawing a blue marble?

9. Convert 2.5 hours to minutes.

10. The mean of four numbers is 25. Three of the numbers are 20, 22, and 28. What is the fourth number?

11. A rectangle has a perimeter of 36 cm. If the length is twice the width, what is the area?

12. If the price of an item increased by 20% to become $60, what was the original price?

Check Your Understanding

After completing the timed drill, check your answers and reflect on your performance.

Answer Key

$28.00
24 dogs
36
300 miles
x >= 17 (any value 17 or greater)
25%
75
4/12 = 1/3
150 minutes
30
72 sq cm (width = 6, length = 12)
$50

Reflection Questions

How many problems did you complete in 12 minutes?
How many did you get correct?
Which problems took the longest? Why?
Did you skip any problems? Was that a good strategy?
What would you do differently next time?

Next Steps

Record your time and accuracy in a practice log
Identify problem types that slowed you down
Practice those specific problem types before the next timed drill
Gradually reduce your target time as you improve
Continue to the Review Mistakes lesson to analyze your errors