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SAT Math skill page

SAT Probability Practice

Build probability fluency by turning SAT questions into favorable outcomes over total outcomes.

Practice probability in Dolphin Try examples
10-15 min practice time 3 examples on page Problem Solving and Data Analysis
Practice time 10-15 min
On-page examples 3 examples
Best for Problem Solving and Data Analysis

What this tests

What to know for this SAT skill

Practice examples

Try a few SAT-style questions

Example 1 Easy

A fair coin is flipped once. What is the probability that it lands heads?

  1. 1/4
  2. 1/3
  3. 1/2
  4. 1
Show answer and explanation

Answer: 1/2

A fair coin has two equally likely outcomes, heads and tails. One of the two outcomes is heads, so the probability is 1/2.

Example 2 Medium

A bag contains 5 red marbles, 3 blue marbles, and 2 green marbles. What is the probability of choosing a blue marble?

  1. 1/5
  2. 3/10
  3. 1/2
  4. 3/5
Show answer and explanation

Answer: 3/10

There are 5 + 3 + 2 = 10 marbles total. Three are blue, so the probability is 3/10.

Example 3 Hard

The probability that a randomly selected device passes inspection is 0.92. What is the probability that it does not pass inspection?

  1. 0.08
  2. 0.12
  3. 0.46
  4. 1.92
Show answer and explanation

Answer: 0.08

The probabilities of passing and not passing add to 1, so 1 - 0.92 = 0.08.

Quick drills

Practice this skill from more angles

Drill 1

Find simple probability from a sample space

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.

Drill 2

Write probability as a fraction, decimal, or percent

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.

Drill 3

Use complementary probability when it is faster

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.

Drill 4

Avoid counting outcomes twice

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

Forgetting to count the total outcomes

Probability is favorable outcomes divided by total possible outcomes.

Forgetting the complement

When a question asks for an event not happening, subtract the event probability from 1.

Leaving an unsimplified answer

SAT answer choices often use simplified fractions, decimals, or percents. Convert when needed.

Study plan

How to practice this skill in Dolphin

  1. Write favorable outcomes over total outcomes before doing any arithmetic.
  2. List the complete sample space when outcomes are easy to miss.
  3. Use 1 minus the event probability when the complement is faster.
  4. Simplify the final fraction and compare it to the answer choices.
Practice probability in Dolphin

Related practice

Build the surrounding skills

SAT Conditional Probability PracticeSAT Ratios and Proportions PracticeSAT Percentages PracticeSAT Math skill hub

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FAQ

Questions about SAT Probability Practice

Does SAT probability require advanced formulas?

Usually no. Most SAT probability questions can be solved by counting outcomes carefully and using fractions.

What is complementary probability?

It is the probability that an event does not happen. An event and its complement always add to 1.

How should I check a probability answer?

Make sure it is between 0 and 1, and ask whether the event should be rare, common, or about half likely.