Graph Your Way to a Higher SAT Math Score
The digital SAT exam includes Desmos, a built-in graphing calculator available to every student. When used well, it can simplify complex problems and make abstract concepts easier to understand.
SAT Math Made Visual shows students how to use Desmos strategically—so they can approach problems more clearly, more efficiently, and with greater confidence.
What You’ll Get
Introduction to key Desmos functions
6 essential techniques for common SAT question types
50 step-by-step exercises with clear visuals
160 practice problems to build confidence
A full-color guide that’s easy to follow
What’s Inside?
Here’s a peek inside! Each exercise walks you through a math question and shows you how to solve it on Desmos. (You can access a free online version of the calculator to practice the exercise yourself.) Each step is shown with color-coded visuals and clear tips so you can follow along and actually see the solution.
Features
Tips and notes help you avoid common mistakes.
Question and answer choices mimic real questions.
Highlights show connections between the question and calculator.
Steps show how to solve.
Green circles lead to final answer.
Desmoto shares extra tips.
It wasn’t just their scores that improved—it was how they saw the math.
Testimonials
As a math and physics tutor for twenty years, I've reviewed a lot of material looking for gems to help my students. In the area of SAT math, the graphically pleasing book Christianson Educators SAT Math Made Visual is one of the best.
It focuses on how best to use the Desmos calculator to solve the types of math problems seen on the test. It shows you step-by-step how to solve problems with Desmos that you might not be able to solve the old-fashioned way. It also shows how to use the calculator to get solutions quicker than you can by hand — and since time is critical on the SAT, that’s very helpful.
I read this book cover to cover and did every problem in the book because that's the best way to really know how to use Desmos, which has some less-than-obvious procedures and symbols (e.g., the = sign vs. the ~ symbol). I strongly encourage students to get the most out of this book by actually doing the problems — practice really does make perfect.
The book’s layout is user-friendly, and the material seems complete. It appears to cover every type of problem you are likely to see when you sit down for your big SAT challenge.
Buy the book. Read the book. Do the problems.
Sean Ward - Math Tutor
“From the first session I had with Sarah, I felt equipped with specific strategies to tackle the SAT with a plan. That plan included familiarizing me with Desmos and strategies to maximize my time working with it. I truly believe that plan helped me to increase my confidence taking the exam, so much so that my score increased by over 290 points.”
high school student, class of 2026
“Math Made Visual is an awesome book that helps students truly understand the powerful tool of Desmos on the SAT. Each problem is broken down step by step and makes sure you know the solution to every complication you face. As a visual learner, I benefited greatly from this book. The details of the color coordination, numbered steps, and images straight from Desmos made it so easy to understand and grasp each topic within the book!”
high school student, class of 2025
“I feel like Desmos is a tool that is often overlooked in the SAT. For me, learning and practicing using Desmos has brought upon significant improvement throughout not only my scores, but also my understanding of the SAT. Desmos will condition you to be able to approach a question flexibly, use what is given to you and piece it all together—and the end result is always so rewarding.”
high school student, class of 2026
Why Visual Strategies?
On the SAT exam, many problems become easier when you can see them on a graph. Want to solve for x in the equation below? No problem!
Desmos will help you find the answer visually without picking up a pencil. Graphing gives you an edge on quadratics, functions, regressions, systems, and more. By making math visual, Desmos turns a wide range of problems into clear, approachable solutions, giving you confidence on test day.
“There’s no single “SAT way” to think—what matters is finding what works.”
About Sarah
Sarah Christianson is a Yale graduate and SAT tutor with over 30 years of one-on-one experience. She teaches both math and verbal subjects with a focus on strong foundations, clear reasoning, and lasting confidence.
Over the years, she has worked with students across a wide range of learning styles, helping them find approaches that make sense to them. Her teaching emphasizes flexible problem-solving and encourages students to use their own strengths to navigate challenging material.
She publishes under Christianson Educators and is the author of SAT Math Made Visual, a guide that teaches students how to use the Desmos calculator strategically on the digital SAT through clear, visual methods.
Student Team
Misha Danailov
Misha is a member of the class of 2029 at Boston University, majoring in English on a pre-law track. She is interested in exploring how language shapes our understanding of the world and is excited to continue developing skills in critical thinking and analysis that will prepare her for a future in the legal field.
Sophie Choy
Sophie is a first-year drama major at the University of California, Irvine. She hopes to discover a path that combines her love for theatre with her interest in the business side of the arts, exploring how stories can inspire audiences both creatively and professionally.
Nicole Tsuhako-Inouye
Nicole is a first-year student at Tufts University with an interest in majoring in chemical engineering. She's especially excited to explore its applications in the pharmaceutical industry and how the field blends critical thinking with practical, real-world application
FAQs
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This book teaches students how to use the Desmos graphing calculator—built into the digital SAT—to solve problems visually. It’s not a general math review. Instead, it focuses on strategic, graph-based techniques that help students approach questions with clarity, flexibility, and confidence.
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Yes. The book is designed to be approachable, visual, and clear. Desmos lets students test ideas, explore patterns, and check their work without relying only on formulas.
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Definitely. Many of the exercises in this book are based on hard questions on the digital SAT exam. Knowing how to solve them through Desmos can help students save time and answer questions they might not know how to do algebraically.
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The problems aren’t taken directly from official SAT exams, but they closely reflect SAT question types. The format and language are modeled after the digital SAT exam.
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Yes. The Desmos calculator used on the SAT is web-based, and this book uses the online version. Desmos is free and works on most devices with internet access.
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Absolutely. The structure is modular and easy to teach. Each technique includes guided examples and SAT-style problems that work well in lessons or small groups.
Have a question about the book?
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