Grade: Grade 11 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Weekly Full-Length Tests SAT: ProblemSolving+DataAnalysis ACT: Math

Timed Drill Practice

Learn

Timed practice is essential for SAT and ACT success. These tests aren't just about knowing the material—they're about applying that knowledge quickly and accurately under pressure.

Why Timed Practice Matters

  • SAT Math: 70 minutes for 44 questions = ~1.6 minutes per question
  • ACT Math: 60 minutes for 60 questions = 1 minute per question
  • You must develop automaticity with common problem types
  • Time pressure reveals gaps in understanding that untimed practice hides

Effective Drill Strategies

  1. Start with 2x Time: If target is 1 minute, practice at 2 minutes first
  2. Progressive Tightening: Gradually reduce time as accuracy improves
  3. Skip and Return: Practice strategic skipping on hard questions
  4. Track Your Pace: Note your time at checkpoints during practice

The 30-Second Rule

If you haven't made progress on a question in 30 seconds, either:

  • Try a different approach (plug in answers, draw a diagram)
  • Mark it and move on (return if time permits)
  • Make an educated guess and continue

Calculator vs. No-Calculator

Know when technology helps and when it slows you down:

  • Mental math for simple calculations saves time
  • Use calculator for complex arithmetic or graphing
  • Practice both calculator and no-calculator sections

Examples

See how to apply time-saving strategies to common question types.

Example 1: Back-Solving (30 seconds)

If 3x - 7 = 2x + 5, what is x?

Fast approach: Instead of full algebra, try answer choices. If answers are 8, 10, 12, 14—test x=12: 3(12)-7 = 29, 2(12)+5 = 29. Done!

Example 2: Number Picking (45 seconds)

If x is a positive even integer, which expression is always odd?

Fast approach: Pick x=2 and test each answer choice. This is faster than algebraic proof.

Example 3: Estimation (20 seconds)

What is 49.7 x 3.02?

Fast approach: Estimate 50 x 3 = 150. The answer should be close to 150. Eliminate choices far from this.

Practice

Complete this 10-question drill in 12 minutes. Set a timer before starting.

Target time: 12 minutes for 10 questions

Record your actual time and score when finished.

1. What is 15% of 240?

2. If 2y + 8 = 20, what is the value of y + 4?

3. A triangle has angles measuring x, 2x, and 3x degrees. What is the value of x?

4. The average of 5 numbers is 18. If one number is removed and the average becomes 16, what number was removed?

5. What is the distance between points (-2, 3) and (4, -5)?

6. If f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3, for what values of x does f(x) = 0?

7. A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours. At this rate, how long will it take to travel 300 miles?

8. What is the area of a circle with diameter 10?

9. Simplify: (3x^2)(4x^3)

10. If the probability of event A is 0.3 and event B is 0.4, and they are independent, what is the probability both occur?

Record your results:

  • Time taken: ___ minutes
  • Questions correct: ___ / 10
  • Questions skipped: ___

Check Your Understanding

Reflect on your timed practice performance.

  1. Did you finish within 12 minutes? If not, which questions took longest?
  2. Which time-saving strategies did you use?
  3. Were there questions you should have skipped earlier?
  4. What is your current average time per question?
  5. How can you improve your pacing for the next drill?

Next Steps

  • Repeat this drill tomorrow to see improvement
  • Create your own 10-question drills from practice materials
  • Gradually reduce target time as accuracy improves
  • Move on to Review Mistakes to analyze your errors