PSAT Prep with Desmos: Building Confidence Through Interactive Math Warm-Ups

It’s PSAT Prep season, and students’ anxiety levels often rise faster than their math scores. But what if PSAT prep didn’t have to feel like test prep?

I've been in charge of our school's PSAT prep program for the past three years. I've learned a lot in those three years and created a lot of resources for our students that I hope to soon share more with everyone. The biggest hurdle we have had is with student engagement in completing test prep when there is no grade or tangible benefit that they can see. Our school's data shows that our students' scores are directly tied to test-taking strategies, not to content knowledge. Students often know the math, but struggle with time management, choosing efficient methods for solving, and interpreting questions. Desmos can help students check answers quickly, visualize problems and reduce algebraic errors.

Studies have shown that students who are fluent in the use of Desmos will increase their PSAT or SAT score on average by 100 points. I created a series of Desmos prep activities that can be used as bell ringers to help your student or child prepare for online exams like the PSAT and SAT that use the Desmos calculator.

What my PSAT Prep with Desmos looks like

Each day, students walk in and complete a 5-minute Desmos warm-up projected on the board. No calculators, just Desmos. No pressure, just consistency. Over time, students begin recognizing patterns: when to graph, when to use tables, and when to avoid the calculator entirely. Each worksheet is accompanied by a YouTube video and a key that walks through the solution in Desmos. Each sheet also includes a fun fact that makes the math concept more relevant to students.

Try this: Solve 2x² – 3x – 2 = 0

Instead of factoring, graph it in Desmos and find the x-intercepts. For many students, factoring under pressure can feel overwhelming. Using Desmos shifts the task from “Do I remember how to factor this?” to “Can I interpret a graph?”, a much more approachable and confidence-building skill in a testing environment. This approach saves valuable time and reduces algebra errors.

On a timed test like the PSAT, students don’t need to show work; they need to get correct answers efficiently. Graphing allows them to see the solution instantly, even if factoring isn’t obvious. Students can bypass trial-and-error and go straight to a visual solution, which is often faster and more reliable during a timed exam. Finally, when seconds matter, efficiency is everything. Graphing eliminates multiple steps and provides immediate feedback, helping students check their work and move on quickly, an essential advantage on the PSAT.

You can find the exact calculator version that your state test uses through the Desmos Testing website. Just click on your state and select the test you are studying for to use the specific calculator you will see on your test.

My Desmos activities cover a wide range of PSAT math concepts that can be solved using Desmos on the test. These concepts include, but aren't limited to

• Finding intersection points to solve systems of equations

• Using tables to identify exponential vs. linear growth

• Graphing inequalities to check solution regions

• Adjusting sliders to model quadratic transformations

• Estimating solutions instead of solving algebraically

You can find my Desmos activities on my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Teachers Pay Teachers Store

How to address student apathy using these activities

Student apathy is a huge issue these days. Students need to see the value in caring. They no longer do the work because they are told to; they want the reason why it has value before they buy in. A few ideas to use these Desmos activities to increase engagement are to:

• Gamify it (leaderboards, streaks, “fastest solve”)

• Keep it short (5-minute daily routine)

• Normalize mistakes (low-stakes practice)

• Show score growth over time

  
  

Not every math question on the PSAT or SAT should be solved with Desmos. However, the more familiar students are with the functions and features of the calculator, the more successful they will be on the math sections of the test. PSAT prep doesn’t have to mean packets, stress, and disengagement. With the right tools and consistent exposure, students can build confidence, improve efficiency, and walk into test day knowing exactly how to use the tools available to them.

Parents: Encourage your child to practice using Desmos instead of a traditional calculator. Familiarity, not memorization, is one of the biggest advantages on test day. So, check out my Desmos activities on Teachers Pay Teachers and let me know how it goes!