I have received a couple of messages regarding how i studied Math section for the Pcat and got my 99 percentile and i thought i can share some of my experiences here hopefully you guys find it helpful. I probably need to inform you that i have somewhat different background in Math from most of you here based on how many years of high school in Vietnam taught me ( no calculators, no formular sheets, fast problem solving skills..). However, i also have some experiences on tutoring Math to undergraduate students so i can know where most of students make mistakes, find difficult in solving problems and so forth... My recommendations to study this section are as followed:
- Materials: I personally only used Dr Collins Math practice tests to brush up on some statistics concepts that i forgot and got an idea how the Pcat math questions will be asked. Every concepts you need to study will be in Dr Collins, your basic algebra, pre algebra, cal 1, cal 2, statistics notes. If you have not taken any of those classes, i think watching some websites like brightsorm.com, or khan academy is good enough. Make a LIST of all possible topics that you think you are weak at ( use Dr collins to make a dianostic test) and really understand the concepts.
-Practice: I can't stress more how important practice is in Math, especially in Pcat, i solve Math problems almost every days since 13 and now at work. If you don't have a strong algebra/calculating skills now is time to get a pencil and practice:
1/ Algebra/calculating skill: Never touch your calculator in doing any of practice, even in your class, these seem too simple but youll find them extremely helpful if you can do it in less than 10 seconds: add, subtract fractions; multiply 3 figured number, square/cube decimal number, estimation in division, really grasp percent, interest rate, solve simple first degree equation, quadratic equation, inequalities, know logarithms, exponents properties...<=== all of these are basics skills and concepts in algebra. Practice so you do them without even thinking, do them fast and precisely.
2/ Learn how to guess: a lot fo time Pcat questions are designed so that you will not have enough time to do it, or do other problems. Estimating how much time the problem may take you is extremely important, i personally choose to skip a question if i cant figured it out within 10 seconds using the above algebra skills/techniques. I will try to do as many algebra/ simple calculations/ or even calculus like derivatives, integral questions as possible( type 1); make sure they are dead correct. And then go back to the "flagged" type 2 questions.
Usually, these questions contains too many numbers/information to calculate directly,or requires too many steps to get the final answer, these requires your ability to make informative guesses based on how much you understand the concept.
+ If too many numbers are given : calculate the mean/average value or interval of value that you think make the most sense, sorry i cannot go into more details here but you will know when you practice. This requires a bit experience and trick, think about it like you have to guess the anwer before you look at it. This atleast will help you eliminate two "unreasonable" options ( usually too big or too small). Sometimes, if you are desperate, try to plug in the option which the middle value ( not the biggest or smallest) into the question. It helps navigate to see your random choice is too big or too small, and you guess / go from there.
+ Concept problems: like probabilities, statistics.. practice with your class notes, and again: master all concepts and really understand what it means. Sometimes you will see some problems with a lot of numbers but it actually does not require calculation. Basic reasoning, thinking a bit about what it really asks, what your choices are,you may be able to eliminate all wrong choices.
Finally, take a deep breath and relaxed, the PCAT it only one factor in your application. Do well in your classes, your effort in class will reflect really clearly on the PCAT. I am welcome any ideas, comments, opinions or questions. Hope this helps!
- Materials: I personally only used Dr Collins Math practice tests to brush up on some statistics concepts that i forgot and got an idea how the Pcat math questions will be asked. Every concepts you need to study will be in Dr Collins, your basic algebra, pre algebra, cal 1, cal 2, statistics notes. If you have not taken any of those classes, i think watching some websites like brightsorm.com, or khan academy is good enough. Make a LIST of all possible topics that you think you are weak at ( use Dr collins to make a dianostic test) and really understand the concepts.
-Practice: I can't stress more how important practice is in Math, especially in Pcat, i solve Math problems almost every days since 13 and now at work. If you don't have a strong algebra/calculating skills now is time to get a pencil and practice:
1/ Algebra/calculating skill: Never touch your calculator in doing any of practice, even in your class, these seem too simple but youll find them extremely helpful if you can do it in less than 10 seconds: add, subtract fractions; multiply 3 figured number, square/cube decimal number, estimation in division, really grasp percent, interest rate, solve simple first degree equation, quadratic equation, inequalities, know logarithms, exponents properties...<=== all of these are basics skills and concepts in algebra. Practice so you do them without even thinking, do them fast and precisely.
2/ Learn how to guess: a lot fo time Pcat questions are designed so that you will not have enough time to do it, or do other problems. Estimating how much time the problem may take you is extremely important, i personally choose to skip a question if i cant figured it out within 10 seconds using the above algebra skills/techniques. I will try to do as many algebra/ simple calculations/ or even calculus like derivatives, integral questions as possible( type 1); make sure they are dead correct. And then go back to the "flagged" type 2 questions.
Usually, these questions contains too many numbers/information to calculate directly,or requires too many steps to get the final answer, these requires your ability to make informative guesses based on how much you understand the concept.
+ If too many numbers are given : calculate the mean/average value or interval of value that you think make the most sense, sorry i cannot go into more details here but you will know when you practice. This requires a bit experience and trick, think about it like you have to guess the anwer before you look at it. This atleast will help you eliminate two "unreasonable" options ( usually too big or too small). Sometimes, if you are desperate, try to plug in the option which the middle value ( not the biggest or smallest) into the question. It helps navigate to see your random choice is too big or too small, and you guess / go from there.
+ Concept problems: like probabilities, statistics.. practice with your class notes, and again: master all concepts and really understand what it means. Sometimes you will see some problems with a lot of numbers but it actually does not require calculation. Basic reasoning, thinking a bit about what it really asks, what your choices are,you may be able to eliminate all wrong choices.
Finally, take a deep breath and relaxed, the PCAT it only one factor in your application. Do well in your classes, your effort in class will reflect really clearly on the PCAT. I am welcome any ideas, comments, opinions or questions. Hope this helps!
