Cube Counting and Pattern Folds

[emitpeels]

Whenever it comes to cube counting, I always seem to get 2/3 questions right per set of cubes. I have heard about the technique that uses a small chart to count the total number of cubes and tally mark for how many certain sided cubes there are. Is there a better technique? Is it really worth it to spend majority of your time counting up the cubes, tallying, and double checking so you can fly through the 3 questions per cube set?

Also, does anyone have any advice for pattern folds? It's my weakest area.

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[tamakisuououran]

Whenever it comes to cube counting, I always seem to get 2/3 questions right per set of cubes. I have heard about the technique that uses a small chart to count the total number of cubes and tally mark for how many certain sided cubes there are. Is there a better technique? Is it really worth it to spend majority of your time counting up the cubes, tallying, and double checking so you can fly through the 3 questions per cube set?

Also, does anyone have any advice for pattern folds? It's my weakest area.

I personally think its worth it. They are guaranteed points (assuming you do them right). And thats an extra 15 you cant afford losing.
For patter folding try finding a "unique structure" and see the adjacent figures attach to it. these should also be attached to the folded structure.
Also when given a shaded image, look for obvious wrong answers, for instance if the image has a shade,non shade, shade, non shade ... etc you shouldnt be getting images with 3 connecting shades. IT can vary but its definitely something you can rule out.

That wasnt very organized but its my 2 cents.
Hope it helps, Also there are many tutorials on youtube look for them.

 

[ModifiedBass]

I think the tally method is definitely worth it. I started out not doing well with cube counting, then switched to that method, and I don't think I ever got more than 1 wrong since. With practice you can get very fast at it. It's also easier on the real DAT because there aren't as many cubes as say CDP typically.

For pattern folding, if there is a specific pattern within a face (say there is a white L along the left side of a rectangular face) it is very easy to eliminate at least two answers typically because they will have that L in the wrong position (possibly on the right side or inverted).

 

[crystalsmiles]

In practicing cube counting, I find it extremely worth it to use the tally method. Its fool-proof and a guaranteed 15 questions correct.

The one thing I must say is just practice. Thats what Im doing with DAT bootcamp. I hope that I can get all 15 right when I take my DAT this saturday!

The best method for me is to first count the total number of cubes and then use the tally method. The number of tally marks should equal the number of total cubes.

Oh yeah, Im working on pattern folds, I agree with the others eliminate bogus answers by finding shaded regions that dont match etc. When there is no shaded portions, find shapes that are not in the unfolded pattern, you know those are incorrect.

 

[emitpeels]

So you literally just take the most time looking at the first question of each cube section, counting the total number of cubes, then doing your tally marks?

I tried the tally method but i kept miscounting and missing one cube. I will put it into practice more, thanks. I just wanted to find other stellar methods for the PAT, I started using the line of symmetry for the hole punches and I've been acing that section. Angles are a real pain too.... I keep trying to tell myself that there will be easier angles on the DAT than bootcamp angles XD. Any points on angles while we're here

 

[tamakisuououran]

So you literally just take the most time looking at the first question of each cube section, counting the total number of cubes, then doing your tally marks?

I tried the tally method but i kept miscounting and missing one cube. I will put it into practice more, thanks. I just wanted to find other stellar methods for the PAT, I started using the line of symmetry for the hole punches and I've been acing that section. Angles are a real pain too.... I keep trying to tell myself that there will be easier angles on the DAT than bootcamp angles XD. Any points on angles while we're here

try the rapid eye technique. It seem to be most successful for me. Look at 2 angles yo uare comparing back and forth. Dont look to deep into an angle or your brain might start imagining things. Just keep looking back and forth to one and the difference is clear for me.

 

[crystalsmiles]

Correct, I take the most time on the first question and count the cubes and then count the tallies, everything after that is a breeze.

I started this method with DAT bootcamps un-timed cube counting practice until I felt comfortable.

For angles I agree with the above post, I NEVER look at them for too long. One other thing that seems to work for me is finding one side that is the same in all four angles and then looking at the adjacent side. Kind of making a triangle out of them, which ever has the longest base will be the widest angle. Idk if that makes any sense to you. Kind of hard typing how my mind works 😛.

Use the answer choices to your advantage, when it comes to angle ranking.

If you have DAT bootcamp use their ARG practice!! Awesome for timing!

 

[PishPosh]

I started out doing the tally chart, but actually didn't like it so much cause I had to keep looking down at the paper and then I'd lose my place in the cube tower =P the alternative method I used was just writing down the number of sides in each cube you count all in a row as you're staring at the screen, cause you don't have to look down. so your paper looks something like: 1 2 4 2 1 3 1 3 2 3 3 3 etc. Then just cross-out/circle them when counting them up. Just my two cents, if you want to try something else. I personally found this worked a lot better for me- I went from getting like 50% wrong to only missing 1 or 2.

 

[Psa]

I started out doing the tally chart, but actually didn't like it so much cause I had to keep looking down at the paper and then I'd lose my place in the cube tower =P the alternative method I used was just writing down the number of sides in each cube you count all in a row as you're staring at the screen, cause you don't have to look down. so your paper looks something like: 1 2 4 2 1 3 1 3 2 3 3 3 etc. Then just cross-out/circle them when counting them up. Just my two cents, if you want to try something else. I personally found this worked a lot better for me- I went from getting like 50% wrong to only missing 1 or 2.

That is awesome! I'm gonna try this method. I've been messing up badly on cube counting because I always lose track as well.

 

[crystalsmiles]

I started out doing the tally chart, but actually didn't like it so much cause I had to keep looking down at the paper and then I'd lose my place in the cube tower =P the alternative method I used was just writing down the number of sides in each cube you count all in a row as you're staring at the screen, cause you don't have to look down. so your paper looks something like: 1 2 4 2 1 3 1 3 2 3 3 3 etc. Then just cross-out/circle them when counting them up. Just my two cents, if you want to try something else. I personally found this worked a lot better for me- I went from getting like 50% wrong to only missing 1 or 2.

This is awesome! Way better than tallies.(way faster) Just used this method on bootcamp pat test #4 and only missed 3 questions and that was because I made silly mistakes!

Thumbs up to you! Just what I needed a day before my test!