How effective is the line counting technique?

[Bigbirdo]

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Many people say that the line counting technique is not a ideal technique for TFE. My question is "How effective is the line counting technique?" Out of 15, how many of them you can get the right answer by just counting the line? Out of 15, how many of them you can eliminate down to two answers?
I am working on the CDP right now. For some questions, I can just get the answer or eliminate the answers by just counting. For others, line counting technique doesn't work at all. At this point, I would use the noticeable features in the give views to eliminate answers. I just want to know if I am doing the right thing.

 

[ChrisM07]

Line counting is pretty effective however I learned not to rely on it. For instance, CDP has quite a few questions where the technique works. Bootcamp however renders line counting useless and forces you to see it 3-D. I immediately count, but if I find that it doesn't work, I gotta look at it in 3-D. From what I hear, it doesn't work on the real thing.

 

[Bigbirdo]

It doesn't work at all on the real thing? Like not even eliminating answers?

 

[ChrisM07]

It doesn't work at all on the real thing? Like not even eliminating answers?

I can only go by what I see on here, and it doesn't seem so unfortunately. I don't know about 100% of the time though, so maybe it's applicable in some circumstances. It's too bad because it's pretty helpful 🙁

 

[ModifiedBass]

You seem like you're really set on using line counting, but I would listen to everyone on here in that it is much more effective to learn to visualize the object. Using line counting will only act as a crutch and hurt you more in the end. After practice and never using line counting, it becomes easy to eliminate answers almost instantly, I probably only spent at most 20 seconds on each TFE question on the DAT.

 

[Bigbirdo]

Which sources do you think resemble the real TFE the most?

 

[jimbob1000]

Just took the DAT today and I used crack PAT to study. Today's exam I just about found the line counting useless. I typically score between a 23-25 (even a 28 once) on crack pat. Today I scored a 21.

 

[Bigbirdo]

So it doesn't work at all? Like not even helping you to eliminating answers?

 

[ModifiedBass]

I pretty much only used CDP with consistently increasing scores each test. For the last 5 tests I might have gotten at most 2 TFE wrong per test, most of the time 15/15. Again, I know it might be hard, but personally I would drop line counting all together, you're only slowing and hurting your 3D visualization learning. Just my two cents.

 

[Illfavor]

I didn't even consider using it since virtually everyone says it isn't very helpful on the real thing.

 

[ucpredent]

Yeah be careful with the line counting method...there were barely any top front end answers I could eliminate just from counting the lines on the actual DAT. It was part of the reason I messed up on my PAT the first time. I know it's annoying because I was using CDP also and almost always, I could eliminate at least two of the answer choices. If you count the lines, just make sure you have another back-up method!

 

[Eri3]

so are there any tips to visualizing or any links that help with visualizing TFE?

 

[ModifiedBass]

I didn't really use any tips or sources for it, it just comes with time and after viewing and understanding the answers. I think I'm just naturally good with perceptual ability, but it should click at some point.

 

[Eri3]

I didn't really use any tips or sources for it, it just comes with time and after viewing and understanding the answers. I think I'm just naturally good with perceptual ability, but it should click at some point.

okay cool. I guess it hasn't clicked for me yet since I was focusing too much on line counting

 

[JtotheEdoubleF]

I took the DAT three times. Line counting in TFE helps to eliminate some answer choices. Do not abandon it. Also, I'd say visualizing the 3D figure is most important, but the trick to a lot of PAT questions is eliminating the wrong answer choices. I got a 20 on the DAT PAT section.

 

[predentalgirl]

Don't use it. It's useless. It worked on CDP, where I was averaging 13-14/15 on the TFE part. Real DAT, ended up with a 17. Not okay.

So don't rely on it at all.

 

[ChrisM07]

You know what might help you get away from it? Get Bootcamp because there is no way you can use line counting there. Then, once you get used to NOT using it, go back and do CDP and try those without. That's what I did and I don't rely on it anymore. Plus, once you do the keyhole in Bootcamp, CDP seems like cake.

 

[J777]

One thing that helped me better visualize the images was to work backwards when reviewing the TFE tests. In the answer section of your PAT program, look at the 3D image they provide. From that image, try to draw each of the three views. This helps you understand how lines are represented in the images.

 

[emitpeels]

So what is a good technique for TFE if line counting doesn't work?

 

[Intent]

I took the DAT three times. Line counting in TFE helps to eliminate some answer choices. Do not abandon it. Also, I'd say visualizing the 3D figure is most important, but the trick to a lot of PAT questions is eliminating the wrong answer choices. I got a 20 on the DAT PAT section.

Hey are you taking it a 4th time or was 3 enough? I have a 4th round coming up im nervous about math and GC

 

[Eri3]

One thing that helped me better visualize the images was to work backwards when reviewing the TFE tests. In the answer section of your PAT program, look at the 3D image they provide. From that image, try to draw each of the three views. This helps you understand how lines are represented in the images.

Hmm that sounds like a really good idea

 

[NMC2010]

Line counting just doesn't work on the real DAT. You best bet is to learn to visualize the object and make use of the dotted lines to imagine what you can and cannot see from different directions. Moral of the story: Don't use CDP, use DATbootcamp. Excellent resource for PAT (and all other sections).