Tier 1 · sat

SAT No-Calculator Tricks

Shortcuts tuned for the SAT Math no-calculator section — fast factoring, fraction ops, percent hacks, and sign-analysis.

Files (1)

SATNOCAL.py1077 bytes

def p(s):print(s)
def w():input("...")
def o1():
 p("=FAST FACT=")
 p("ax2+bx+c")
 p("find m,n:")
 p("m*n=a*c")
 p("m+n=b")
 w()
 p("Then split:")
 p("ax2+mx+nx+c")
 p("factor by")
 p("grouping")
 w()
def o2():
 p("=FRACTIONS=")
 p("a/b + c/d=")
 p("(ad+bc)/bd")
 w()
 p("DIV by frac:")
 p("flip + mult")
 p("a/b / c/d=")
 p("ad/bc")
 w()
def o3():
 p("=PERCENTS=")
 p("x% of y=")
 p("xy/100")
 w()
 p("INC by x%:")
 p("*(1+x/100)")
 p("DEC by x%:")
 p("*(1-x/100)")
 w()
 p("% CHANGE:")
 p("(new-old)")
 p("/old *100")
 w()
def o4():
 p("=SIGN ANAL=")
 p("(x-a)(x-b)>0")
 p("test regions:")
 p("x<a: both -")
 p("a<x<b: mixed")
 p("x>b: both +")
 w()
def o5():
 p("=COMMON CUBES=")
 p("1,8,27,64")
 p("125,216,343")
 p("SQUARES:")
 p("1,4,9,16,25")
 p("36,49,64,81")
 p("100,121,144")
 w()
def menu():
 while True:
  p("=NO-CALC=")
  p("1:FACTORING")
  p("2:FRACTIONS")
  p("3:PERCENTS")
  p("4:SIGN ANAL")
  p("5:NUM TABLES")
  p("0:EXIT")
  c=input("?>")
  if c=="1":o1()
  elif c=="2":o2()
  elif c=="3":o3()
  elif c=="4":o4()
  elif c=="5":o5()
  elif c=="0":break
menu()

How to use it

The no-calc section of the SAT Math is where most students lose points. You're not allowed to reach for the calculator, so you need these patterns in your head — this program keeps them a tap away before you start the section.

Launch SATNOCAL from prgm. Skim your weak areas before the section starts:

1:FACTORING — the AC method for quadratics where a≠1
2:FRACTIONS — add/divide fraction formulas
3:PERCENTS — x% of y, increase/decrease, percent change
4:SIGN ANAL — how to test regions for product-of-factors inequalities
5:NUM TABLES — first 7 cubes and 12 squares (memory aid)

Every page is pure reference — no inputs. Read, close, take the test.

Example problem

SAT no-calc: What is 15% of 80?

Run SATNOCAL, pick 3:PERCENTS.
Screen shows: x% of y = xy/100.
Apply: (15 × 80) / 100 = 1200 / 100 = 12. ✓

Faster mental math once the formula is in front of you. SAT rewards this — most no-calc questions are ≤ 60 seconds with the right pattern.

TI-84 Plus CE — try before committingoff

TI-84 Plus CE




  (calculator off)

  Press ON to start.

Test cases (2)

ID	Inputs	Expected contains
factoring	1, , , 0	ax2+bx+c, mn=ac
percents	3, , , , 0	x% of y=, xy/100