Any fast math tips and tricks?

[Timbo]

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Are there any books or websites or anything where I can learn to answer math and chemistry problems faster? Not necessarily fast arithmetic tips but also things like estimating within a reasonable range or choosing the right answer from multiple choices without actually working out the problem...

On my last pcat i remember having to work out standard deviations (which are pretty lengthy calculations imo) and there was this one problem that asked for the mean, median, and range of a set of numbers (with decimals and everything). Given the amount of time you have for the math section, sounds pretty ridiculous to have to fully work out those calculations. I figure there's got to be a better way.

 

[amox]

Are there any books or websites or anything where I can learn to answer math and chemistry problems faster? Not necessarily fast arithmetic tips but also things like estimating within a reasonable range or choosing the right answer from multiple choices without actually working out the problem...

On my last pcat i remember having to work out standard deviations (which are pretty lengthy calculations imo) and there was this one problem that asked for the mean, median, and range of a set of numbers (with decimals and everything). Given the amount of time you have for the math section, sounds pretty ridiculous to have to fully work out those calculations. I figure there's got to be a better way.

No real tricks... The possible answers are also to close to "estimate."
Example A) 10 B) 11 C) 9 D)12 E) 13

The best thing you can do is practice problems over and over.. Until you can do any problem in 10-30 seconds.

I think its 48 questions in 45 minutes. 10-30seconds is VITAL so you can have some time for the harder questions.

Personally I took up to Calc 3 and forgot a lot of the basics. Just review super basic algebra 5+x=3 all the way to first half of calc 2.

There are PCAT study books and the math problems within are very similar to whats on the test.

Another tip is skipping what you don't know, or what looks like it will take a long time to answer.

Answer the easy ones first! Every question is worth the same amount! The calc 2 problems are NOT worth more! It's all EQUAL.

For the chem section, I left the math for last, and just went through them one at a time.

For math, I am better @ calculus/simple algebra, so I did those first.

You asked before if Geometry is on the PCAT... I don't know... Technically Calculus is = to Analytic Geometry... However if you mean highschool stuff, then refer to a PCAT study book.

If you can't afford or want to only buy one book, however you still want diverse problems to practice. Head to a barnes and noble, or a bookstore/library and just sit down and go through the books.

Good luck!

-amox

 

[Notecard]

I took up to calc 3 too but i'm pretty sure I got nothing on my pcat that was more difficult than calc 1 (even in study materials). Just know your derivative rules and basic integrals and you'll be fine. Personally I was able to answer the calc questions quicker than some of the algebra questions so definitely brush up on that.

I think I used a factorial trick I picked up from calc 2 twice in problems that say something like... what is 9!/6!

You can simplify it in a few seconds to 9*8*7 which is much easier than multiplying it out and then dividing.

But yea if you get to a problem you can't figure out in a matter of 5-10 seconds then skip it and come back later. You can't afford to be guessing on the last 5-10 problems especially considering there will be a few easy problems in there.

 

[Alexqqq]

As others have noted, the strategy that works out pretty decent is to just skip the difficult or lengthy questions. Even if you know how to do them, there just isn't enough time to work them out so focus on what you do know and do them fast and correctly. The questions are at times tricky so try not to fall into the traps. Then if you have time go back and tackle the more difficult or lengthier problems. Most likely you'll maximize your score simply by remaining calm, many people become flustered (this is most likely by design). The strategy is also great for other sections but a must for the math.

For calculus just know the integrals and derivatives...everything else is gravy but I think the cost benefit ratio just isn't there, unless you want that 97% plus on math.

With the new computer testing I don't know if you can skip questions though.

 

[Timbo]

wow taking only 10 sec average per question is pretty amazing by my standards. I guess my biggest issue is any sort of arithmetic. I'm extremely slow a and have become too reliant on calculators. Come to think of it i don't think i've taken a single math or chemistry exam since elementary school that did not require a calculator (and i've taken tons of math: calc 1 to 3, linear alg, differential equations,...). Any "solve for x" or "simplify this equation" type of problems i can do pretty quickly though.

Another question - How much do you guys need to use scratch paper? My last PCAT i think i ended up having to write my work out for pretty much all of the math section spare 5-10 problems. I figure i could save tons of time if I could work more problems out in my head.

 

[amox]

Takes practice, I personally hate calculators.

Not only because they weaken the mind, but because I used to always forget them.

There is a guy online that teaches you how to do math super fast with your head and simple tricks (I was an ex-math major).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9t-gYnPNaw

Learn all his tricks, then ask your friends to ask you any math question. You seem like rainman.

 

[ugadawg74]

I would have done so much better if I memorized log and imaginary numbers before the test. On my PCAT there were a total of 8 questions concerning these subjects. Also, you WILL run out of time! I was working so fast, but I still had about 12 questions blank by the 1 minute mark. I suggest just filling in random bubbles when they call the 1 minute. THose are my tips for the math section 🙂.

 

[Kuraki]

Takes practice, I personally hate calculators.

Not only because they weaken the mind, but because I used to always forget them.

There is a guy online that teaches you how to do math super fast with your head and simple tricks (I was an ex-math major).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9t-gYnPNaw

Learn all his tricks, then ask your friends to ask you any math question. You seem like rainman.

Thanks for posting that video. His system helps so much. 🙂