If you only have 15 to 20 minutes today, you can still make real SAT progress by doing a small set of test-style questions, checking the answers, and learning the pattern behind each one. Below are six original practice questions, three Math and three Reading and Writing, with clear explanations you can reuse on similar problems.
Quick routine: Do each question timed, then review the explanation once. If you want more daily study posts like this, you can browse the learning section on Swikblog.
Math Question 1
A store marks up a jacket by 25% and then applies a 20% discount. The final price is $60. What was the original price?
Answer: $64
Let the original price be P. After a 25% markup, the price becomes 1.25P. Then a 20% discount means multiply by 0.80. So 1.25P × 0.80 = 60. Since 1.25 × 0.80 = 1.00, this simplifies to P = 60. But careful: that only happens if you misread the order. We did the order correctly and it still equals 1.00, which is rare but true here. Therefore the original price is $60.
Check: $60 marked up 25% becomes $75, then 20% off becomes $60. Correct.
Math Question 2
Solve for x: 3(x − 4) + 2x = 31
Answer: 8.6
Distribute: 3x − 12 + 2x = 31. Combine like terms: 5x − 12 = 31. Add 12 to both sides: 5x = 43. Divide by 5: x = 43/5 = 8.6.
Math Question 3
A line passes through the points (2, 5) and (8, 17). What is the slope of the line?
Answer: 2
Use slope formula: m = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁). Here: m = (17 − 5)/(8 − 2) = 12/6 = 2.
Reading and Writing Question 1
Choose the best revision for clarity.
Sentence: “The committee reviewed the proposal, they approved it after a brief discussion.”
Answer: “The committee reviewed the proposal and approved it after a brief discussion.”
The original is a comma splice, two complete thoughts joined only by a comma. The clean fix is to join with and or use a semicolon. The revision also removes extra words without changing meaning.
Reading and Writing Question 2
Pick the word that best fits the sentence.
“Although the research was limited, the results were still ______ enough to shape the team’s next experiment.”
Options: tentative, arbitrary, compelling, negligible
Answer: compelling
The sentence suggests the findings were strong enough to influence what the team did next. Compelling means convincing or persuasive. Negligible would mean too small to matter, and arbitrary suggests random. Tentative could fit a cautious result, but it does not capture “strong enough to shape” as well as compelling.
Reading and Writing Question 3
Choose the best transition.
“The city expanded bus routes to reduce traffic. ______, many commuters still prefer driving because parking is subsidized.”
Options: Therefore, Likewise, However, In addition
Answer: However
The second sentence contrasts with the first. The city takes action to reduce traffic, but the outcome is limited because commuters still drive. However signals contrast. Therefore implies cause and effect, while Likewise and In addition add parallel ideas rather than opposing ones.
If you want one trusted place to compare official SAT prep options, start with the practice resources on the College Board SAT practice page and then come back tomorrow to repeat this exact routine with a new set of questions.
Tip for tomorrow: Keep a short error log. Write the question type, the mistake, and the fix in one sentence. That single habit usually raises scores faster than doing more questions.
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