Nonlinear Functions: SAT Practice Questions

259 official Nonlinear Functions questions (Advanced Math) from the SAT Suite Question Bank. Pick any question from the list, or start with Question 1. Every question shows the answer and a full explanation, with step-by-step Desmos solutions available for most questions. It is free, and no account is needed.

Start with Question 1

What does Nonlinear Functions test on the SAT?

Nonlinear Functions questions cover quadratics, exponentials, polynomials, and other functions whose rates change. They ask about zeros, extrema, growth factors, transformations, and model meaning.

Common question types

Interpret a quadratic or exponential model
Find a zero, vertex, maximum, or minimum
Describe how parameters transform a graph

Common traps

Confusing additive change with multiplicative growth
Reading the vertex's x-value when the y-value is requested
Applying a horizontal transformation in the wrong direction

Difficulty distribution

Start with the easier questions, then work toward the highest score bands.

Easy: 65
Medium: 92
Hard: 102
Extreme: 0

Start here

FoundationQuestion 5Easy SAT question IntermediateQuestion 73Medium SAT question ChallengeQuestion 251Hard SAT question

How do I improve at Nonlinear Functions?

1Identify the function family from its equation or pattern.
2Mark the feature the question asks for before calculating.
3Connect parameters to graph features and contextual units.

Desmos method

Graph the function and select intercepts or extrema. Use a table for requested inputs and sliders when a parameter must satisfy a graphical condition.

All 259 official questions

In the same order as the list on the left. Each one opens in practice mode.