Grade: 5 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Ratios Introduction SAT Math: Problem Solving + Data Analysis ACT Section: Math

Timed Drill: Ratio Practice

Build speed and accuracy with timed ratio practice. On the SAT and ACT, time management is just as important as knowing the math!

Learn: Why Timed Practice Matters

On the SAT, you have about 1.5 minutes per math question. On the ACT, you have only 1 minute per question. Learning to solve ratio problems quickly and accurately is essential for test success.

Benefits of Timed Practice

  • Build automaticity - Make ratio calculations second nature
  • Reduce test anxiety - Familiarity with time pressure builds confidence
  • Identify weak spots - See which question types slow you down
  • Develop pacing skills - Learn when to move on vs. when to persist
Pacing Strategy: For ratio problems, aim for 45-60 seconds each. If you are stuck after 90 seconds, make your best guess and move on. You can come back later if time permits!

Speed Strategies for Ratio Problems

Quick Mental Math Shortcuts

  1. Recognize common ratios: 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 1:3 appear often - know their multiples
  2. Use "nice numbers" first: If the ratio is 2:5 and you need to find a value, think of multiples of 5 first
  3. Estimate before calculating: If the ratio of A to B is 3:1, A should be about 3 times B
  4. Simplify immediately: Always reduce ratios to lowest terms before calculating

Practice: Timed Drill

Choose your difficulty level and complete 10 ratio problems as quickly and accurately as you can!

Ratio Speed Drill

Answer 10 ratio questions. Your score is based on both accuracy AND speed!

Drill Complete!

0/10
Total time: 0:00

Correct Answers: 0
Average Time per Question: 0s
Fastest Answer: 0s
Questions Timed Out: 0

Check Your Understanding: Untimed Practice

Want more practice without the clock? Try these 8 problems at your own pace.

1

Simplify the ratio 24:36 to lowest terms.

2

The ratio of apples to oranges is 5:3. If there are 20 apples, how many oranges are there?

3

In a parking lot, there are 35 cars and 15 trucks. What is the ratio of trucks to total vehicles?

4

Which ratio is equivalent to 9:15?

5

On a map, 2 inches represents 50 miles. How many miles does 7 inches represent?

6

A class has boys and girls in the ratio 4:5. If there are 27 students total, how many are boys?

7

A recipe uses flour and butter in the ratio 6:1. How much butter is needed for 18 cups of flour?

8

The ratio 16:24 can be simplified to which of the following?

Next Steps

  • Track your progress: Try to improve your time with each drill attempt
  • Focus on weak areas: Note which question types slow you down most
  • Practice daily: Even 5 minutes of timed practice builds speed over time
  • Stay calm: Rushing causes careless errors - steady pace wins the race
Pro Tip: On the actual SAT or ACT, if you finish a math section early, go back and check your ratio problems first. These are among the easiest questions to verify because you can plug your answer back in!