cube counting

[excusezmoi]

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This may sound stupid, but just wondering what's ur strategy for cube counting? Do you guys list it in the paper like the kaplan advice or just mentally count it...

 

[Decan]

here's the strategy listed in barron's that works well for me...go level by level and list how many cubes there are at each level (with a line between each level so you dont mix them up). Next, count the exposed sides and write them down individually. Now count how many cubes you counted so you know you didnt miss anything. This probably doesnt make any sense, so ask away if you are confused.

 

[excusezmoi]

gotcha and thanks 🙂

 

[lotexigeus]

i used the T-chart w/tally marks like Kaplan says and flew through it. i got a 23 btw.

 

[hokie4life]

you can't write on the screen for the real test though so sometimes while trying to go fast i loose track...any advice other than just to slow down and make sure i count the total before and at the end?

also, any good checks to make sure the middle cube si there and not an empty spot? i just took another kaplan practice test and missed a question because i thought a cube was there and i was looking at the top of it but instead it turns out it was a hold created by the sides of its neighboring cubes..*ugh*

any advice on how to differentiate b/t such holes and actual cubes being there?😕

this was/is the easiest section for me so i'm mad i'm messing it up now and am trying tomake sure i can miss zero on this cuz that's more likely then me dong well on some of the other sections cuz those are a LOT harder, like pattern folding

 

[lotexigeus]

can't go wrong with the T-charts. Fast, easy, and you can check your work and make sure you didn't miss any.

 

[hokie4life]

can't go wrong with the T-charts. Fast, easy, and you can check your work and make sure you didn't miss any.

awesome thanks!

this is what i've been doing and trying to get faster in. I hadn't done it for awhile and ended up being not so great at it when i did it on a practice test recently so looks like i just gotta keep doing it.

any tips on how to tell the difference between holes and actual cubes in the middle? (not hidden areas, but actual areas you can see)

 

[litldime]

i do the kaplan talley thingy..first i count the number of cubes and do my talley marks...count to make sure they match my total.... i haven't missed one yet on my practice tests...👍
ld

 

[jfitzpat]

I think cube counting is the best place to go back to if you have time left. It's the only section where you are guaranteed to get them all correct if you don't make a stupid mistake. I was able to double check all my answers and felt confident I got all 15 right. Total PAT was a 21.

BTW, I counted by columns and used the tally method.

 

[hokie4life]

hey guys! thanks for the feedback...i've been using the tally too but sometimes i think there is a cube there when there isn't because there are cubes all around...i guess just practice to fix this? any other way?

 

[jfitzpat]

hey guys! thanks for the feedback...i've been using the tally too but sometimes i think there is a cube there when there isn't because there are cubes all around...i guess just practice to fix this? any other way?

When you're confused about whether or not there is a cube there, look for lines dropping down off the adjacent cubes. If you can see them, then there isn't a cube there. If the surface is flat, then it is a cube. I know that sounds kind of cryptic, but I think if you just practice, it gets easier.