How to answer it
- Name the shape and what’s asked: area, surface area or volume.
- Write the formula and substitute.
- Check units: square units for area, cubic units for volume.
Worked example
An original question in the SAT format, already answered.
SAT MathWorked example
A rectangular box is 6 centimeters long, 4 centimeters wide and 5 centimeters tall.
What is the volume of the box, in cubic centimeters?
- A15
- B60
- C120
- D148
Answer: C. Volume = 6 × 4 × 5 = 120. Choice D, 148, is the surface area: 2(24 + 30 + 20).
The most common trap
Computing surface area when volume is asked. Check which one the question wants.
Practice it
Hourly Prep’s daily sets mix area and volume with the rest of SAT Math, and send more of it your way when it’s a weak spot. See how the SAT prep plan works, or browse the other SAT skill guides.