When the makers of the SAT math section come up with questions, they usually try to take basic principles of arithmetic and make them seem to be more complicated than they actually are so they can trick test takers into getting the wrong answer. By knowing the basics of math inside and out, it is easier to spot these tricks and know what will be necessary to come up with the correct answer in all situations.  Mean/Median/Mode These terms all refer to averages, but they are slightly different. The common use of "average" is closest to the "mean" of a number. Having said that, knowing the differences between the three is important for taking the SAT math test.  Median This is the absolute middle number when a list of numbers is arranged least to greatest. Median means middle which is a good way to remember it. To find a median, simply arrange the numbers in a list from least to greatest. At that point, eliminate the first and last numbers one after another until you're only left with one number.  Mode When referring to mode, the question will be asking for the "most" or the number which appears the most often. So, in a list of numbers, it is simply necessary to find the one that appears the most number of times.  TIP: A mode should appear more often than any other number. Numbers that repeat are note the mode.   Mean Mean is the average of a list of numbers. So, to get the mean, add all the numbers and divide by the number of numbers.