Grade: Grade 11 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Full Test Preparation Lesson: 4 of 6 SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Math

Timed Drill Practice

Learn

Time management is one of the most critical skills for standardized test success. This lesson will help you develop the speed and accuracy needed to complete each section within the allotted time.

Understanding Test Timing

SAT Timing

Section Questions Time Time per Question
Reading and Writing Module 1 27 32 minutes ~71 seconds
Reading and Writing Module 2 27 32 minutes ~71 seconds
Math Module 1 22 35 minutes ~95 seconds
Math Module 2 22 35 minutes ~95 seconds

ACT Timing

Section Questions Time Time per Question
English 75 45 minutes 36 seconds
Math 60 60 minutes 60 seconds
Reading 40 35 minutes ~53 seconds
Science 40 35 minutes ~53 seconds

Pacing Strategies

The Two-Pass Method

  1. First Pass: Answer questions you can solve quickly and confidently
  2. Second Pass: Return to harder questions with remaining time
  3. Mark and Move: Never spend more than 2 minutes on any single question

Time Checkpoints

Set mental checkpoints to monitor your pace:

  • SAT Math: Question 11 by 17-18 minutes
  • SAT Reading/Writing: Question 14 by 16 minutes
  • ACT English: Question 25 by 15 minutes, Question 50 by 30 minutes
  • ACT Math: Question 20 by 20 minutes, Question 40 by 40 minutes

Speed-Building Techniques

  • Read the question first: Know what you're looking for before reading passages
  • Eliminate wrong answers: Faster than finding the right answer directly
  • Use answer choices: Backsolve or plug in values when appropriate
  • Skip and return: Don't let one hard question derail your timing
  • Practice mental math: Reduce calculator dependency for simple calculations

Examples

Example 1: Quick Algebra (Target: 45 seconds)

If 4x - 8 = 20, what is x + 3?

Fast Solution: 4x = 28, x = 7, so x + 3 = 10

Tip: Solve only for what's asked, not extra steps.

Example 2: Backsolving Strategy (Target: 60 seconds)

The sum of three consecutive integers is 72. What is the largest integer?

Fast Solution: Middle number = 72/3 = 24. Consecutive integers are 23, 24, 25. Largest = 25

Tip: For consecutive integers, the middle equals the average.

Example 3: Process of Elimination (Target: 30 seconds)

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

  1. Him and I went to the store.
  2. Me and him went to the store.
  3. He and I went to the store.
  4. He and me went to the store.

Fast Solution: Subject pronouns needed (who went?). Only C uses "He" and "I" as subjects. Answer: C

Practice

Instructions: Set a timer and complete these 10 problems in 10 minutes (1 minute average per question). This simulates real test pacing.

1. If 2(x + 5) = 24, what is x?

Show Answer

2x + 10 = 24, so 2x = 14, x = 7

2. A shirt originally costs $40. After a 25% discount, what is the sale price?

Show Answer

25% of 40 = 10. Sale price = 40 - 10 = $30

3. Which word correctly completes the sentence? "The data _____ inconclusive."

  1. is
  2. are
  3. were
  4. have been
Show Answer

B - "Data" is plural (datum is singular), so "are" is correct. In formal English, "The data are inconclusive."

4. What is the slope of a line perpendicular to y = 3x + 5?

Show Answer

Original slope = 3. Perpendicular slope = negative reciprocal = -1/3

5. If a triangle has angles of 45 and 90 degrees, what is the third angle?

Show Answer

180 - 45 - 90 = 45 degrees

6. Simplify: 3^2 x 3^4

Show Answer

When multiplying same bases, add exponents: 3^(2+4) = 3^6 = 729

7. Choose the correct word: "The group of students (was/were) excited about the trip."

Show Answer

was - "Group" is the singular subject, so the singular verb "was" is correct.

8. If the ratio of boys to girls is 3:5 and there are 24 boys, how many girls are there?

Show Answer

3:5 = 24:x. Cross multiply: 3x = 120, x = 40 girls

9. What is 15% of 80?

Show Answer

10% of 80 = 8. 5% of 80 = 4. Total = 8 + 4 = 12

10. A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours. What is its average speed in miles per hour?

Show Answer

Speed = Distance / Time = 180/3 = 60 mph

11. Which expression is equivalent to (x + 3)(x - 3)?

  1. x^2 + 9
  2. x^2 - 9
  3. x^2 + 6x - 9
  4. x^2 - 6x + 9
Show Answer

B - This is the difference of squares pattern: (a+b)(a-b) = a^2 - b^2

12. If f(x) = x^2 - 4, what is f(3)?

Show Answer

f(3) = 3^2 - 4 = 9 - 4 = 5

How did you do?

  • Under 10 minutes with 10+ correct: Excellent pacing!
  • 10-12 minutes with 8+ correct: Good, but work on speed
  • Over 12 minutes: Focus on quicker strategies and skip harder questions first

Check Your Understanding

1. What is the recommended maximum time to spend on any single question?

Show Answer

About 2 minutes maximum. If you're stuck, mark it and move on.

2. What is the "Two-Pass Method"?

Show Answer

First pass: Answer easy/quick questions. Second pass: Return to harder questions with remaining time.

3. On the ACT English section, approximately how much time should you spend per question?

Show Answer

About 36 seconds per question (75 questions in 45 minutes).

Next Steps

  • Practice timed drills daily, even if just 10 questions
  • Gradually reduce your time limits as you improve
  • Track which question types slow you down most
  • Move on to the Review Mistakes lesson to learn from errors