Hole Punching

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xaznxcountx

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Hole punching is the ONLY section I cannot really HACK for PAT. I seem to spend FOREVA on it, and I can't really seem to get many of them right. I'm trying to draw out the grid look I've read in the past. But some of the threads were not really specific. Can someone/anyone who understands holepunching, really give me some clear details and instructions so I can at least get 10/15 right? Thanks in advance! Please be as detailed as possible!
 
on top of that...could someone explain the whole grid thing and how to maximize its effectiveness...kind of in the same boat as this guy
 
The grid method is where you draw a 4x4 grid. Then basically mark each hole as you solve the puzzle backwards, like a place keeper. You should set up 15 grids during the tutorial of the exam to save a lot of time. With practice you could get the hole punching done real quick.
 
dont most centers hand out the dry erase boards now? Just wondering if the size of the board is large enough to clearly draw out the grids ahead of time.

Yes it is. And you get more than one of them too.
 
Instead of making 15 grids and marking on each one, just make one and use your fingers!
 
get laminated paper like they give you from kaplan..what i did was make 4 by 4 squares so that the whole big square is 16 by 16.. you will have a total of three line across and down..
then practice the folds with real paper if you need at first
 
OMG.... THe grid method is priceless. I was getting horrible scores for hole punching (2's, 5's, 8's)

Use the grid method and only missed 3-4 🙂. Thanks for all the help peeps!
 
Example) This shows four hole punches diagonally across when unfolded.
_______________
|_ ' |___|___|___|
|___|_' _|___|___|
|___|___|_'__|___|
|___|___|___|_ '_|

hahaha i'm not very tech savvy...hope this helps 🙂

I drew an enlarged version of this on my laminated sheet. It represents the unfolded paper, each square for where a hole punch could possibly be.

For each question, I'd look for where a hole would be and make a little mark in that box. Then after I'm done with the problem, I just use my fingers to wipe of the little marks for the next problem. (This way, you don't have to draw 15 - 4x4 grids)

On the real test, I didn't get any half hole punches. I did get some questions with 2 hole punches. Good luck!
 
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Instead of making 15 grids and marking on each one, just make one and use your fingers!

I do the same ways. it saves time much short. 😉
I guess, you have to try few different ways to find out what works best for you.
 
The grid method is where you draw a 4x4 grid. Then basically mark each hole as you solve the puzzle backwards, like a place keeper. You should set up 15 grids during the tutorial of the exam to save a lot of time. With practice you could get the hole punching done real quick.

WOW, thanks. It works great. Do you have any aperture passing techniques?
 
I'd recommend just unfolding it in your head to save time (you will be constrained), but if the above strategies seem more like your thing, go for it.

Apertures? Eliminate them down to one. Don't look for the similar one, challenge each choice as to why it couldn't fit through the hole. When you are down to 2-3, the differences will not be as obvious, so compare them thoroughly.
 
I scored a 24 on pat (twice) and always finish with time. I think something that helps me with time is I dont ever use paper, all in the head and on screen (with a pencil for angles). Anyway how i see hole punching is, obviously, like a piece of paper. First what I do is envision the paper and ignore the holes. You need to understand how the paper folds to even begin to comprehend the puzzle. Imagine the paper in your hand and fold it in half from the top and then from the right top corner in, for example. Then a hole is punched on the fold (4th row down 3rd in). Slowly unfold the paper in you mind while backtracking one fold on the computer screen. You move one back to the left and see that the corner unfolds...Imagine the holes still in the paper leaving a hole in 4down 3in and 3down 4in. Then move left one more to unfold the whole paper. Then its an opposites game, the holes mirror image when the paper opens on a straight fold and you see for holes 1st and 4th row(counting down) 3rd hole(counting right) and 2nd and 3rd (counting down) 4th hole. The point is to be able to see the image in your head in 3d (perceptual ability) Don't use tricks on paper because that remains 2d which is NOT the point and you waste time. My example may have been confusing but just remember to study the fold without holes and then slowly unfold while backtracking the images and drawing(remembering) where the primary hole is and where they appear after folds. USE THE IMAGES. Be careful of those questions where it cuts and then the first unfold just moves the hole and leaves nothing!
 
It helps to look at the image and then close your eyes and imagine the key rotating in space. You have to realize that it could fit into the hole from ANY of the sides.
 
I love hole punch section.


The only thing I can say is by unfolding the paper step by step, the whole image will be in your mind.

Just unfold it, and imagine the outcome step by step.(after each unfolding)
Before the image is erased in your brain, look at the answer sheet immediately.

You will find the answer easily. If you can't, do it again!

I would recommend to use cursor to identify the location of holes during unfolding process in your mind.
 
I still am having trouble with the hole punching section. I'm not taking any courses, just trying to study by myself.

So when the paper is folded for example a quarter fold in, can the paper be like flipped over (turned around) because I don't see the fold marks in the next fold step??!

I wish there was more information about this section. Is there only certain things you can do to the paper while folding or is it free for all flipping, rotating, whatever??
 
I scored a 24 on pat (twice) and always finish with time. I think something that helps me with time is I dont ever use paper, all in the head and on screen (with a pencil for angles). Anyway how i see hole punching is, obviously, like a piece of paper. First what I do is envision the paper and ignore the holes. You need to understand how the paper folds to even begin to comprehend the puzzle. Imagine the paper in your hand and fold it in half from the top and then from the right top corner in, for example. Then a hole is punched on the fold (4th row down 3rd in). Slowly unfold the paper in you mind while backtracking one fold on the computer screen. You move one back to the left and see that the corner unfolds...Imagine the holes still in the paper leaving a hole in 4down 3in and 3down 4in. Then move left one more to unfold the whole paper. Then its an opposites game, the holes mirror image when the paper opens on a straight fold and you see for holes 1st and 4th row(counting down) 3rd hole(counting right) and 2nd and 3rd (counting down) 4th hole. The point is to be able to see the image in your head in 3d (perceptual ability) Don't use tricks on paper because that remains 2d which is NOT the point and you waste time. My example may have been confusing but just remember to study the fold without holes and then slowly unfold while backtracking the images and drawing(remembering) where the primary hole is and where they appear after folds. USE THE IMAGES. Be careful of those questions where it cuts and then the first unfold just moves the hole and leaves nothing!

That's the method I'm using - also, Barron's DAT prep is a good resource for the PAT, it explains everything about each section for those of you who are unsure.
 
Just started CDP and got a 19. I'm worried about hole-punching because I only got an 8/15 on it.

Are there any other strategies for it?

I'm going to try out the grid method but I seem to get confused when the paper is folded a bunch of times and they punch half holes in it? 😕
 
Just started CDP and got a 19. I'm worried about hole-punching because I only got an 8/15 on it.

Are there any other strategies for it?

I'm going to try out the grid method but I seem to get confused when the paper is folded a bunch of times and they punch half holes in it? 😕

You need to look at planes of symmetry, and unfold one fold at a time using a grid, use a grid and do the problems very slowly on Crack after doing a lot of problems I found I got better at visualizing and needed the grid less and less.

Good Luck!
 
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