TTA Logo

Ready to Prep Smarter, Not Harder?

Unlock personalized insights and focus your study time effectively. See your score potential increase!

Start Cookin' NOW (Free Trial)

October 5, 2024 Digital SAT US: Reddit Guide and Discussion

By Mr. Osama Ahmad October 6, 2024 7 min read
Oct 5 2024 SAT Questions | Reddit Discussion & Expert Analysis

Debating the October 5, 2024 Digital SAT? An Analysis of Reddit's Toughest Questions

Important Note from TTA PRO Editor: This guide is an analysis based on unofficial student discussions from public forums like Reddit. The questions and answers are interpretations and may not be exact representations of the official SAT test. Use this as a tool to understand difficult concepts, not as an official answer key.

Fresh off the October 5, 2024 Digital SAT? You're likely wondering about those tricky questions you couldn't shake. Immediately after the test, platforms like Reddit exploded with students comparing answers and debating the toughest problems. We've combed through those discussions to bring you an analysis of the most talked-about questions.

Let's break down the speculation and, more importantly, examine the underlying skills the SAT was testing.

Ready for the Next SAT? Prepare with TTA Pro, Mr. O!

Our expert Digital SAT English tutor, Mr. O, offers personalized courses to master the Reading & Writing section.

Group Sessions: 8 sessions for $120 USD (12 hours/month) | Private Sessions: 8 sessions for $240 USD (8 hours/month)

Get a free trial session and access insider materials you won't find anywhere else. Let's build your advantage!

Contact Mr. O on WhatsApp

Or email for a demo: [email protected]

Reading & Writing Questions Analysis

Vocabulary in Context: "Superfluous" vs. "Unattainable"

A question asked students to select a word describing the public's relationship with economic knowledge, where the passage argued everyone *should* understand economics.

Student Perspectives:

  • "I put unattainable because they were talking about how anyone can and should have economics knowledge. Therefore it would not be unattainable..."
  • "I think superfluous works better... The passage is arguing that economic knowledge shouldn't just be limited to experts, not that it's impossible for regular people to learn."
TTA Pro Analysis: This is a classic Words in Context question. The key is the author's main point. If the author argues that economic knowledge is essential for the public, then the idea that it is **superfluous** (unnecessary) for them is what the author is arguing *against*. "Unattainable" (impossible to get) would be a different argument entirely. Given the student comments, "superfluous" was likely the credited answer as it fits the logic of "people think this is unnecessary, but they are wrong."

Comparative Passage: Indigenous Songs and Clam Gardens

The question involved a passage about the ecological knowledge—specifically about clam gardens—encoded in Indigenous songs.

Student Perspectives:

  • "Yea. Indigenous clam song. Was option A."
  • "I chose the answer that said the songs contained a wide range of ecological knowledge, not just clam gardening, because the passage gave that one specific example but then implied there were many others."
TTA Pro Analysis: This question tests your ability to distinguish between a supporting example and a main idea. The clam gardens were likely presented as one specific piece of evidence for a broader claim. The more sophisticated answer is usually the one that captures the main idea (the songs hold a *wide range* of knowledge) rather than one that focuses only on the specific example (the songs are *only* about clam gardens).

Main Idea: Nixon Passage

This question asked about the overall point of a passage discussing President Nixon's legacy.

Student Perspectives:

  • "I put D, they made a generalization, supported it, and then said 'actually it's more complicated than that'"
  • "states a position and then gives examples of why it's an oversimplification"
TTA Pro Analysis: The student comments strongly suggest this was a "Text Structure and Purpose" question. The correct answer likely described the passage's function: presenting a common view ("generalization" or "position") and then challenging it as an "oversimplification." The SAT loves passages that add nuance to historical narratives, making the "oversimplification" choice a very common answer type for this kind of text.

Punctuation: Comma vs. Colon

A question asked about the correct punctuation (comma or colon) to introduce a list of examples.

Student Perspectives:

  • "I chose the colon because the list came after an independent clause. That's the rule I learned - use a colon after a complete sentence."
  • "I was confused cuz colons can only be used for indepedent first clause but it wasn't..."
TTA Pro Analysis: The student who remembered the rule is on the right track! A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or quote after a complete, standalone sentence (an independent clause). A comma is used when the introductory phrase is *not* a complete sentence. Mastering this simple rule is essential for the SAT. This is a core skill covered in our Punctuation Skills Guide.

Math Questions Analysis

Perpendicular Slopes

A question asked for the slope of a line perpendicular to a given line, whose slope was likely 1/2.

Student Perspectives:

  • "To find the slope of the perpendicular line, I just flipped the fraction and changed the sign. So (1/2) became (-2/1), which simplified to -2."
  • "I always mix up the perpendicular slope rule."
TTA Pro Analysis: This is a foundational algebra concept frequently tested on the SAT. The rule for perpendicular slopes is that they are negative reciprocals. This means you (1) flip the fraction and (2) change the sign. For a slope of 1/2, the perpendicular slope is -2/1, or **-2**. For a slope of -5, it would be +1/5. Memorize this rule.

Trigonometric Identities

A question related sin(A) and cos(B), likely testing co-function identities.

Student Perspectives:

  • "I recognized that sin(A) = cos(90-A), so I was able to set up an equation..."
  • "I blanked on the trig identity for a second, but then I remembered that sin and cos are complementary."
TTA Pro Analysis: This tests a core trig identity: sin(x) = cos(90°-x). If the problem states sin(A) = cos(B), it implies that angles A and B are complementary, meaning A + B = 90°. Students who knew this identity could solve the problem quickly, while those who didn't would be completely stuck. It's a perfect example of how knowing key formulas saves critical time.

Histogram and Median

A question provided a histogram and asked students to find the median value from the frequency data.

Student Perspective:

  • "Did anyone get the median height question? I was so confused ☠ it was a chart of height and frequency like 0-100cm frq:12 101-200cm etc I just guessed 157 lol"
TTA Pro Analysis: To find the median in a histogram, you first need the total number of data points (sum of all frequencies). Then, divide by two to find the middle position(s). Finally, count up the frequencies from the first bar until you find which bar contains that middle data point. For example, if there are 50 trees, the median is between the 25th and 26th tree. If the first bar (0-100cm) has 12 trees and the second bar (101-200cm) has 20, you know the 25th and 26th trees fall within that second bar.

Conclusion: Turning Speculation into Strategy

While discussing answers on Reddit can be helpful (and lets you know you weren't alone in finding certain questions hard!), the real value comes from understanding the patterns. Notice how the debates consistently centered on core concepts: Words in Context, main idea vs. detail, punctuation rules, and essential math formulas.

The key to improving your score isn't memorizing answers from the October 5th SAT; it's mastering the skills that were tested. Use this analysis to pinpoint areas where you felt unsure. Was it a specific grammar rule? A type of reading question? A math formula you forgot?

Focus your energy there, and you'll be prepared to conquer any version of the test they throw at you next time.

Sharpen Your Skills for the Next SAT

Based on the tricky questions discussed, here are the most relevant resources to level up your prep:

© 2024 The Test Advantage. This guide is based on student discussions and is intended for educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the College Board.