Example 1 Easy
What is the mean of 4, 6, 8, and 10?
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 28
Show answer and explanation
Answer: 7
The sum is 28. Divide by 4 values to get a mean of 7.
SAT Math skill page
SAT Mean and Median Practice
Know when the SAT wants the arithmetic average and when it wants the middle value.
10-16 min practice time 3 examples on page Problem Solving and Data Analysis
What this tests
What to know for this SAT skill
- Calculate the mean of a data set
- Find the median after ordering values
- Use a missing value to hit a target mean
- Explain how outliers affect mean and median
Practice examples
Try a few SAT-style questions
Example 2 Medium
What is the median of 12, 3, 7, 9, and 4?
- 4
- 7
- 9
- 12
Show answer and explanation
Answer: 7
Order the values: 3, 4, 7, 9, 12. The middle value is 7.
Example 3 Hard
Four numbers have a mean of 15. If three of the numbers are 10, 14, and 18, what is the fourth number?
- 12
- 15
- 18
- 20
Show answer and explanation
Answer: 18
A mean of 15 for four numbers means the total is 60. The known values sum to 42, so the fourth number is 18.
Quick drills
Practice this skill from more angles
Calculate the mean of a data set
Pause before the answer choices, write the rule or setup you need, then check whether the question is asking for the value, the relationship, or the best-supported conclusion.
Find the median after ordering values
Pause before the answer choices, write the rule or setup you need, then check whether the question is asking for the value, the relationship, or the best-supported conclusion.
Use a missing value to hit a target mean
Pause before the answer choices, write the rule or setup you need, then check whether the question is asking for the value, the relationship, or the best-supported conclusion.
Explain how outliers affect mean and median
Pause before the answer choices, write the rule or setup you need, then check whether the question is asking for the value, the relationship, or the best-supported conclusion.
Avoid these traps
Common mistakes on this skill
Solving before naming the task
The SAT often hides the real skill inside familiar wording. Identify the rule, relationship, or question type first.
Choosing an answer that only partly fits
Many wrong answers are close. Check every condition in the question before committing.
Skipping the final check
Reread what the question asks for so you do not answer a nearby but different question.
Study plan
How to practice this skill in Dolphin
- Read the question and name the tested skill before looking at the choices.
- Write the equation, rule, or passage relationship in plain language.
- Eliminate answers that violate the setup or overstate the evidence.
- Review misses by writing the exact trap that pulled you toward the wrong answer.
Related practice
Build the surrounding skills
Skill cluster
Keep practicing SAT Math
FAQ
Questions about SAT Mean and Median Practice
What is the best way to practice SAT Mean and Median Practice?
Start with a few focused examples, review the mistake pattern, then mix the skill into full SAT practice so you can recognize it in context.
Why does this skill matter on the SAT?
It shows up in short, high-leverage questions where one missed rule or setup can quickly cost a point.
Can Dolphin SAT help me drill this skill?
Yes. Dolphin SAT can surface targeted practice, track missed questions, and help you review the patterns that keep repeating.