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SAT Traps
Math 15 traps
M1Percent of a percent
M2Average speed
M3Rewrite the base
M4Dividing by x deletes a solution
M5Answer the question they asked
M6Absolute value has two cases
M7Negative flips the inequality
M8No solution vs. infinitely many
M9Up 25%, down 25% is not a wash
M10Outliers drag the mean
M11Standard deviation is spread, not size
M12Percent growth is exponential
M13Vertex form flips the sign of h
M14Circle: the right side is r²
M15Area scales by k²
Reading & Writing 15 traps
RW1Semicolon = two full sentences
RW2Colon needs a full sentence before it
RW3Comma splice
RW4Dashes come in matching pairs
RW5Extra info needs commas on both sides
RW6Its vs. it's
RW7Subject–verb agreement
RW8Pronoun agreement
RW9Dangling modifier
RW10Transition words
RW11Words in context
RW12Inference: must be true
RW13Command of evidence
RW14Quantitative evidence
RW15Student notes: obey the goal
All 30 traps Not sure which ones get you? Take the 10-question quiz
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SAT Traps
All 30 traps
Math 15 traps
Reading & Writing 15 traps
Blog
Trap Quiz
Desmos
Test Dates

Free Gotcha Sheet

30 traps, each with a 3-second fix

Home › SAT trap quiz

Are you trap-proof? The 10-question SAT trap quiz

Short answer: pick the right answer on 10 classic Digital SAT traps (5 math, 5 reading & writing). Most people fall for at least 4. Each miss links to the fix.

1. A $100 jacket is 20% off, then another 20% off at checkout. What is the total discount? 40% 36%

Percent of a percent: Stack percents by multiplying: 0.8 × 0.8 = 0.64. Never add them.

2. You drive 120 miles at 60 mph, then 120 miles back at 40 mph. What is your average speed? 48 mph 50 mph

Average speed: Average speed = total distance ÷ total time. Never average the two speeds.

3. If 3^x = 5, what is the value of 9^x? 10 25

Rewrite the base: Write 9 as 3². Then 9^x = (3^x)². Square, don't double.

4. What are all solutions to x² = 9x? x = 0 and x = 9 x = 9 only

Dividing by x deletes a solution: Never divide by a variable. Move everything to one side and factor.

5. If 3x + 5 = 20, what is the value of 2x − 3? 5 7

Answer the question they asked: Before you bubble, reread the last line. Circle exactly what it asks for.

6. Because I was tired___ I went to bed. tired, I tired; I

Semicolon = two full sentences: Cover each side of the semicolon. Both halves must work as complete sentences.

7. The recipe calls for___ flour, eggs, and sugar. for: flour for flour

Colon needs a full sentence before it: Read only the words before the colon. Not a complete sentence? No colon.

8. The museum opened in 1902___ it still draws huge crowds. 1902; it 1902, it

Comma splice: A comma alone can't join two sentences. Use a period, a semicolon, or comma + and/but/so.

9. The list of supplies on the shelves ___ surprisingly long. are is

Subject–verb agreement: Cross out every "of…" and "on…" phrase. Match the verb to what's left.

10. Walking to school, ___ Maya got soaked by the rain. the rain soaked Maya.

Dangling modifier: Ask who is doing the action. That person must come right after the comma.

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