Cube Counting Help

[Bio Dental Mom]

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It seems that this is the only section on the PAT that is really getting to me. I only get like 9 or 8 right on this section. The other sections I usually do fine. Any suggestions for this section to increase my score here? 🙁

 

[herkulease]

what is your strategy for the cube counting if you don't mind me asking?

like how do you go about solving each problem?

 

[Bio Dental Mom]

Well after spending a good amount of time on the keyhole, top/front/end and hole punching, when I get to that section I just count automatically how many cubes of each they are asking for.... Some people go about listing out everything before they start, but like I said, I get limited on time once I hit that section that I think that method will push me back further. Any tricks, etc.? Or is this the only way to go about doing it?

 

[darkwalk]

Try writing this on your board during the tutorial section before the test starts:


1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5


Consistently start at the corner of your choice and go through each cube and put a tick on the number corresponding to the number of faces exposed. The key here is consistently go through one corner and follow a path of your choosing. This way you don't have to think about it during the test. I always score 100% on this section using this method. Its quick because you don't miss a cube and you only count each cube once.

 

[herkulease]

Well after spending a good amount of time on the keyhole, top/front/end and hole punching, when I get to that section I just count automatically how many cubes of each they are asking for.... Some people go about listing out everything before they start, but like I said, I get limited on time once I hit that section that I think that method will push me back further. Any tricks, etc.? Or is this the only way to go about doing it?

the list method works much faster than counting each time and minimizes mistakes(especially on large figures). making the list only takes about 1.5-2 minutes depending on figure. given that you get 2-4 questions for each figure. The list method can average out for each cube counting question to be only 30-40 seconds. answering each question(for that figure) should only be a few seconds as you glance at your list and select your answer.

How are you doing in the other sections? if the extra time you spent on the other sections nets you 15/15 then I wouldn't worry too much. about missing some cube counting(unless you're after 100%). Missing 6-7 questions overall still puts you at 23/24 on the PAT.

But if it doesn't then I think you should work on the other sections. Cube counting to me is the easiest of the PAT. There's really no rotating in your head or turning your head to see if something would fit or how it would fold/unfold.

 

[Bio Dental Mom]

I'm doing fine in the other sections, like getting 12/15 or so right... like for keyholes today I got a 14! I was so proud = ) And then came the damn cube counting and I got an 8 = ( Angles is also a problem, but I'm working on those. I net about the same section for angles as I do for cube counting. Weird. And those are supposed to be the "easiest" sections on the PAT.

 

[evanyou]

I got 23 in PAT last friday.
I am a very very careless person. I always made mistakes on the cube counting.
I finally figured one way that fits to me in the section.
I just count and write down number. I set a rule to follow 1 line by 1 line so i cant keep track well and i put a comma, when i go to next line so i can know what was it if i find i counted wrong after few line.
one really good thing about this method is you can keep your eyes on the scree while you are writting.
for ex, 3545,146,2315,1422,231.
I think the key in the section is put your best attention on it. It's so easy but easy to make a mistake and that can bring 2-3 question down simutaneously.
good luck

 

[Bio Dental Mom]

Thanks guys for the advice! I will try them and see which works best as I continue working on my CDP practice exams. 😀