Watch Out
Negatives, π, and %
cannot be gridded in! For a
Grid-In question involving
% or $, the SAT will tell
you to ignore the % or $
symbol. But negative
numbers, non-integer
square roots, and π can’t
be gridded in, so they’ll
never be an answer for
this type of problem.Fill In the Boxes
Always write your answer in the boxes at the top of the grid before you darken the ovals below. Your
written answers won’t affect the scoring of your test; if you write the correct answer in the boxes and grid
in the wrong ovals, you won’t get credit for your answer (and you won’t be able to appeal to ETS and the
College Board). However, writing in the answers first makes you less likely to make an error when you
grid in, and it also makes it easier to check your work.
Fill In the Ovals Correctly
As we just pointed out, you receive no credit for writing in the answer at the top of the grid. The scoring
computer cares only whether the ovals are filled in correctly. For every number you write into the grid,
make sure that you fill in the corresponding oval.
Stay to the Left
Although you’ll receive credit no matter where you put your answer on the grid, you should always begin
writing your answer in the far left column of the grid. This ensures that you will have enough space for
longer answers when necessary. You’ll also cut down on careless errors if you always grid in your
answers the same way.
Keep Left
No matter how many
digits are in your answer,
always start gridding in
the left-most column. That
way, you’ll avoid omitting
digits and losing points.FRACTIONS OR DECIMALS: YOUR CHOICE
You can grid in an answer in either fraction or decimal form. For example, if your answer to a question is