Grade: Grade 11 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Strategy Playbook SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Math

Timed Drill Techniques

Learn

Time pressure is one of the biggest challenges on standardized tests. This lesson teaches you specific techniques to maximize your efficiency and accuracy under timed conditions.

Understanding Time Constraints

Test Section Questions Time Per Question
SAT Math (No Calculator) 20 25 min ~75 sec
SAT Math (Calculator) 38 55 min ~87 sec
ACT Math 60 60 min 60 sec

The Two-Pass Strategy

  1. First Pass (Fast): Answer all questions you can solve quickly and confidently. Mark harder ones and move on.
  2. Second Pass (Focused): Return to marked questions with remaining time. Apply more complex strategies.

Time Checkpoints

For ACT Math (60 questions in 60 minutes):

  • Question 15: 15 minutes elapsed
  • Question 30: 30 minutes elapsed
  • Question 45: 45 minutes elapsed
  • Question 60: 60 minutes (finish)

Speed Techniques

  • Read strategically: Identify what the question asks before reading all details
  • Estimate first: Eliminate obviously wrong answers before calculating
  • Use answer choices: Backsolve or plug in when faster than solving algebraically
  • Skip and return: Never spend more than 90 seconds on any single question

Examples

Example 1: Estimation Saves Time

"What is 47% of 198?"

Answer choices: A) 83.06 B) 93.06 C) 103.06 D) 113.06

Fast approach: 47% is roughly half. Half of 198 is about 99. Answer B (93.06) is closest to a bit less than half.

Example 2: Backsolving

"If 2x + 5 = 17, what is x?"

Answer choices: A) 4 B) 5 C) 6 D) 7

Backsolve: Try C) 6: 2(6) + 5 = 17. Correct!

Example 3: Strategic Skipping

Complex word problem about overlapping circles...

Decision: This requires multiple steps and diagram analysis. Mark it, move on, and return if time permits.

Practice

Complete this 8-question drill in exactly 8 minutes. Track your pace at each checkpoint.

1. [2 min checkpoint] What is 15% of 80?

2. If x + 7 = 15, what is 2x?

3. [4 min checkpoint] A rectangle has length 12 and width 5. What is its perimeter?

4. Simplify: 3(4 + 2) - 8

5. [6 min checkpoint] If a car travels 180 miles in 3 hours, what is its average speed in mph?

6. What is the value of 2^5?

7. [7 min checkpoint] Solve: 3x - 9 = 12

8. [8 min - STOP] What is the area of a square with side length 7?

Post-Drill Reflection

  • Did you finish all 8 questions in 8 minutes?
  • At which checkpoint were you ahead or behind?
  • Which question took the longest? Why?

Check Your Understanding

  1. What is the two-pass strategy and why is it effective?
  2. How much time should you spend on each ACT Math question on average?
  3. When should you skip a question during your first pass?
  4. How does estimation help save time?
  5. What should you do if you reach a checkpoint behind schedule?

Next Steps

  • Practice with a timer for every study session this week
  • Create your own time checkpoint markers for SAT sections
  • Identify your "time sink" question types and practice those separately
  • Move on to Review Mistakes Effectively to learn from your timed practice