I only used bootcamp to study and got a 28. I've always been sorta perceptual minded I guess, but bootcamp helped a TON with getting used to the problems. not to mention more practice in the other sections of the test. With the PAT, it comes down to practicing over and over and over again, Bootcamp has almost an endless question bank. Short answer: PRACTICE each question. spend like 3 months leading up to the test practicing PAT everyday (along with other sections of course).
HP: another huge part is setting up your scratch paper before starting the PAT section. Use the break time (don't linger in the hallway/pee too long) to draw the grid before the PAT starts. you'll be given a gridded paper for the exam. if it isn't gridded, ask for one. if one is not provided, draw the grid to the best of your ability (practice drawing the grid). the hole punching also is something you'll have to practice, but eventually it will just click. don't be discouraged if it doesn't make sense. practice the other sections and they will help you with hole punching and put your brain in the right place, then come back to it later.
CUBE: Draw out a table for the cube counting section: one column numbered vertically 0-5, and 5 vertical columns thereafter (one for each different figure; 3-5 questions per figure). At each new figure, CAREFULLY count each square and talley next to the amount of sides exposed. You should eventually get to the point where you talley without having to go back and double check your counting. then boom boom knock out each of the questions.
TFE will come with practice. Take the practice exams on bootcamp and figure out how each figure is presented, and really zoom-out mentally and picture the figure in your mind. Don't rely on your eyes as much as your brain. see what your eyes cant by creating the figure from the different sides you're seeing. what I did, was do this when driving around or looking around day to day. As you look across the room at a classmate or a desk, imagine what the other side of the desk looks like and picture drawing that down on the paper for someone. when climbing into your car, imagine what the car would look like if someone were standing behind it and to the right...that sort of thing. do this ANYTIME you can and think about it (I was pretty compulsive about it).
FOLDING: Like TFE, imagine unfolding a person or a computer while you're sitting in traffic or in a restaurant. On your napkin, draw what your cup would look like unfolded, taking into account the curve.
KEY: practice
ANGLE: you know it or you don't. some are easy, some are there to steal your time. Don't be afraid of it. still practice, but don't be discouraged if you can't get them all.
I wrote this very quickly, let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to be a resource. I loved the PAT.
