Foldable Ruler Technique

[fob12]

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Hi, could anyone explain the foldable ruler technique. I think I have an idea of it, but I am not too confident about it. Please give a step by step intructions. Thanks..

 

[iamsam2005]

One guy on here explained it really well. I will try to repeat what he wrote.

First make a right triangle by folding a square of paper in half. Make two of these right triangles.

Next, make a peace sign with your index and middle finger.

Now hold the two right triangles that you made together and sort of make a peace sign with them. Do you see how the two triangles can be moved in and out to make different sized angles?

You hold the two triangles together at the apex of an angle to get a measure of it. Next, without changing the size of your "foldable ruler", bring it up to the next angle. Is it bigger or smaller? Rank the two angles accordingly.

This process takes a lot of time, but on angles that are really difficult it is great. Another trick I do is to use my two triangles to cover up the legs of two angles at the same time so only the apex of the two angles are showing. I then compare these two angles. This is a lot faster than the foldable ruler and usually gets the job done too. Good luck!

 

[joooj86]

i tried it and it wasnt that accurate because u are kind of neglecting the origin of the angle and if u are comparing angles within a 5 degree difference it is pretty tough to actually get it right. What i think is easier is to simply hold a sheet of paper against the screen and simply trace the angle then move the paper over another angle and simply compare them. I am not sure if they allow you to do that and if the paper they give u is the regular paper that you will be able to see thru..Any ideas?

 

[iamsam2005]

i tried it and it wasnt that accurate because u are kind of neglecting the origin of the angle and if u are comparing angles within a 5 degree difference it is pretty tough to actually get it right. What i think is easier is to simply hold a sheet of paper against the screen and simply trace the angle then move the paper over another angle and simply compare them. I am not sure if they allow you to do that and if the paper they give u is the regular paper that you will be able to see thru..Any ideas?

Are you sure that you are doing it correctly. How are you negleting the origin of the angle? What do you mean by the origin of the angle. I don't think I explained it well enough. Put the two hypotenuses (sp) of the two triangles togther and make a V with them. See how they form a angle that you can open and close by moving just one of the triangles. Put this V up to the angle on the computer screen that you want to measure and make the same exact angle with the two triangles. Now without disturbing the position of the two triangles, slide it over to another angle on the computer screen and compare. Is the next angle larger or smaller than the original one you measured? I think it is way too difficult to trace the angle free hand and get anything close to the original angle. I think you are misunderstanding me in some way. There is no way it could be off 5 degrees. Does this help? Do you get it.

 

[iamsam2005]

Also I may have confused you by using the word apex. I think it may be called the vertice. In my original post I was calling the pointed end of the angle the apex.

 

[sgdorfl90]

This all takes considerable amout of time, plus take into fact u r nervous, and all which doesn't help ur hand. I tried it on practice, turns out its not worth i....atleast for me. I rather finish the test, and attempt all questions. Your call now.

 

[tinman831]

this is a neat trick and it works great. but what happens if the testing center you go to doesnt let you touch the screen? or what if they give you a dry erase board to use (like some have experienced before). don't totally rely on a foldable ruler to get you through this section. otherwise, you might be unpleasantly surprised come test day.

 

[CayleStanley]

I found that looking at the angles and ranking them in my head saved time and worked ok

 

[joonkimdds]

Hi, could anyone explain the foldable ruler technique. I think I have an idea of it, but I am not too confident about it. Please give a step by step intructions. Thanks..

There are two easier and accurate and fast ways.

1) put the piece of paper on the screen. Draw it, shift to the next angle, draw it, shift, draw.... repeat. now u have it. make sure to use the same origin of the angle for all 4 angles.

2)if they don't give u regular sheet of paper, such as white board, or laminated sheet, then use one side of the paper as a leg of one of two angle legs. Draw the extention of another leg on a paper, shift, draw the extention...repeat. now u have it. make sure to use the same origin of the angle for all 4 angles.

These two methods are really fast, accurate, and easier than any other methods I have ever used. Each question may take 10 sec if u use this and get the perfect score.

 

[E. coli]

Do they actually let you do this foldable ruler trick in the real test because it would look weird. I thought they said no measuring device allowed. Just want to find out if it is allowed.

 

[Sephisabin]

When I took the DAT, the paper was so thick that there was no way you would be able to see through it. Additionally, they had cameras overlooking every computer and a guy assigned to watch over them. Basically, I don't think you would be able to get away with holding any papers up to the screen or anything like that. However, I did come upon one trick that might be useful to you guys. I'm going to try to explain it through example... it's the only way it'll make sense. Get out a paper and pen and do the following:

1) Draw an angle that's small.... 15 to 30 degrees...
2) Next to it, draw one that's larger... 60 to 90 degrees...
3) Now, ignore the legs of the angle and look only at the apex/vertex/corner-dealy of the angle. Notice how when the legs come together to form the vertex, there is an area where the legs sort of blend into one line. That line is longer for the smaller angle than for the bigger one. This will apply to the computer as well, but you'll have one more advantage: You can actually count how many pixels constitute the vertex.

That's the technique I used. It is really quick and I finished the PAT section so quickly that I had enough time to do the entire thing again and make sure everything was right. I got a 25.

 

[AndiB]

When I took the DAT, the paper was so thick that there was no way you would be able to see through it. Additionally, they had cameras overlooking every computer and a guy assigned to watch over them. Basically, I don't think you would be able to get away with holding any papers up to the screen or anything like that. However, I did come upon one trick that might be useful to you guys. I'm going to try to explain it through example... it's the only way it'll make sense. Get out a paper and pen and do the following:

1) Draw an angle that's small.... 15 to 30 degrees...
2) Next to it, draw one that's larger... 60 to 90 degrees...
3) Now, ignore the legs of the angle and look only at the apex/vertex/corner-dealy of the angle. Notice how when the legs come together to form the vertex, there is an area where the legs sort of blend into one line. That line is longer for the smaller angle than for the bigger one. This will apply to the computer as well, but you'll have one more advantage: You can actually count how many pixels constitute the vertex.

That's the technique I used. It is really quick and I finished the PAT section so quickly that I had enough time to do the entire thing again and make sure everything was right. I got a 25.

Hey, thanks for the great advise, and wow congrats on an awesome pat score...just curious though, how did you prepare for this section? i only have topscore kaplan and barrons..if i just do those problems over and over and learn how to do them, will i be ok? thanks a bunch

 

[joooj86]

I am wondering if ppl that took the DAT agree that the paper is too thick and cant see thru so wont be able to trace the angles..plz let me know ... 😡

 

[lisat]

When I took the DAT, the paper was so thick that there was no way you would be able to see through it. Additionally, they had cameras overlooking every computer and a guy assigned to watch over them. Basically, I don't think you would be able to get away with holding any papers up to the screen or anything like that. However, I did come upon one trick that might be useful to you guys. I'm going to try to explain it through example... it's the only way it'll make sense. Get out a paper and pen and do the following:

1) Draw an angle that's small.... 15 to 30 degrees...
2) Next to it, draw one that's larger... 60 to 90 degrees...
3) Now, ignore the legs of the angle and look only at the apex/vertex/corner-dealy of the angle. Notice how when the legs come together to form the vertex, there is an area where the legs sort of blend into one line. That line is longer for the smaller angle than for the bigger one. This will apply to the computer as well, but you'll have one more advantage: You can actually count how many pixels constitute the vertex.

That's the technique I used. It is really quick and I finished the PAT section so quickly that I had enough time to do the entire thing again and make sure everything was right. I got a 25.

I tried using your pixel counting method with DAT achiever's PAT 1, but I couldn't see any pixels. Are the real exam angles more pixellated (sp)?

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[gatszu]

I tried using your pixel counting method with DAT achiever's PAT 1, but I couldn't see any pixels. Are the real exam angles more pixellated (sp)?

Thanks,
Lisa

that's because the resolution on your computer is really high. on the real dat, they're either 640x480 or 800x600. All you see are pixels. 😛

 

[Sephisabin]

I tried using your pixel counting method with DAT achiever's PAT 1, but I couldn't see any pixels. Are the real exam angles more pixellated (sp)?

Thanks,
Lisa

Yeah, the real DAT is pretty pixellated, but I must admit, my face was like 3 inches from the screen when I had to use that technique. You shouldn't need to do that for more than two or three of the problems anyways.. the rest should be relatively easy to see just by looking at the angles.

I didn't do all that much to prepare for the PAT section. I did take a kaplan course, but I scored in the 20's on the PAT section of the Kaplan diagnostic even before the class began.

 

[heyitscyndi]

When you say count the pixels, what am I looking for? For example, more pixels = smaller angle or what? Can someone please explain, thanx =)

 

[Sephisabin]

When you say count the pixels, what am I looking for? For example, more pixels = smaller angle or what? Can someone please explain, thanx =)

Yeah, more pixels is a smaller angle. v ^ See how the V has more pixels at the origin/apex of the angle than the ^ does? That means the V is a smaller angle. You may not be able to actually count the pixels on your computer, but you can just look at the size of the area where the 2 lines are actually in contact. The bigger that area, the smaller the angle.

 

[teefRcool]

Yeah, more pixels is a smaller angle. v ^ See how the V has more pixels at the origin/apex of the angle than the ^ does? That means the V is a smaller angle. You may not be able to actually count the pixels on your computer, but you can just look at the size of the area where the 2 lines are actually in contact. The bigger that area, the smaller the angle.

sweet is this how the angles look on the real pat are the lines that thick?

 

[miravyn]

sweet is this how the angles look on the real pat are the lines that thick?

I don't recall the lines being that thick.

 

[jabeck74]

My advice is just don't do it. I have heard some people say they will kick you out of the test for it. The angles are the easiest part of the PAT.

 

[Generallee]

"The angles are the easiest part of the PAT."



You would think! But I thought the cube counting was easiest....

 

[syn_apse]

personally, i think the foldable ruler technique is a waste of time -- especially considering the margin of error of transposing from angle to angle is probably larger than the differences in degrees. (not to mention the fact that your test might be voided if your proctor considers this cheating).

the PAT tests your parietal lobe. practice tests help you become familiar with the different subtests and allow you to develop your strategy and pace. unfortunately, there is only so much you can do to overcome your neural connectivity. this is why some people are "naturally" better at the PAT than others.

 

[boon]

if the paper is too thick, is it possible to fold them? I would need to do that for hole punching questions 🙂

 

[Slash]

Here's something I posted in another thread, I wouldn't mess with the foldable ruler, not worth it.


The ADA specifically says no measuring devices are allowed, and one would have to think this applies to the infamous folding ruler as well. Also, I hope you guys understand that you are not allowed to take anything into the testing room except the writing device (pencil/dry erase marker) and writing surface (paper/little dry erase sheets) that the prometric testing center provides you with. There is also a video camera positioned over your cubicle video taping every minute of your DAT test. Do you really want to risk being accused of cheating just to get a few angle problems right? It's not worth it. You'll be on video tape and they do review the videos from time to time to catch cheaters and void their scores. I have a friend who works at a prometric testing center and he spends 3-4 hours a day reviewing DAT videos, especially the PAT section. From what he has told me, the scores of 6 or 7 students have been voided within the past month due to using a measuring device on the PAT....yes, some were using the foldable ruler. Best advice, just work hard and do it the honest way. Forget all that foldable ruler crap. People who used the foldable ruler now have to worry that their video may get reviewed some day and their scores voided.

 

[miravyn]

I used the foldable ruler to check over a few of my answers when I had finished going through all the PAT problems. No one came in to tell me to knock it off so I didn't think it was a problem. Don't they usually give tester a warning so that the tester knows to not do that again. I suppose if someone was using a protractor, then that should be considering cheating. But, we should be allowed to do whatever we want with the scratch paper provided. I even used a piece of square paper to help me with the hole punching.

 

[Pelotari]

I used the foldable ruler to check over a few of my answers when I had finished going through all the PAT problems. No one came in to tell me to knock it off so I didn't think it was a problem. Don't they usually give tester a warning so that the tester knows to not do that again. I suppose if someone was using a protractor, then that should be considering cheating. But, we should be allowed to do whatever we want with the scratch paper provided. I even used a piece of square paper to help me with the hole punching.

So, then you can actually place a piece of scratch paper on the screen, not to trace but to help you visualize better (kind of like an artist putting his/her thumb up next to their painting subject) 😉 👍 ? Does anyone know the official do's / don'ts for the PAT? 😕

 

[Richnator]

So, then you can actually place a piece of scratch paper on the screen, not to trace but to help you visualize better (kind of like an artist putting his/her thumb up next to their painting subject) 😉 👍 ? Does anyone know the official do's / don'ts for the PAT? 😕

My testing center told me NOT to use a foldable ruler or put anything on the screen. So, if your testing center is like mine. It is to your benefit to practice without this foldable ruler technique.

 

[miravyn]

My testing center told me NOT to use a foldable ruler or put anything on the screen. So, if your testing center is like mine. It is to your benefit to practice without this foldable ruler technique.

I didn't know about this technique while studying for the test. I went on SDN the night before my test and read about it. The angle ranking is not that bad. You can easily do 8/15 problems but the other 7 or so are a little tricky. My place didn't give me any rules about except no calculators are allowed. The protor gave me a packet of blue papers and two pencils. She said to return all the papers when I finished. That was basically it.