How to spend less time in Math and general chemistry problems

[Gasedo]

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I need some advice for solving math and gen. chem. problems quick. I hate that we cannot bring a calculator. Can anyone recommend a good book for some tricks? I cannot finish a problem, especially in gen. chem. in few seconds like DAT requires. It takes me a lot of time with the calculations. Any advice?
Thanks and good luck to all of you in the process!

 

[IndDent]

For math: check out a book called Examkrackers Verbal Reasoning...they dedicate a few pages at the beginning of the text discussing how to round off before doing calculations so you don't get bogged down with detailed numbers, also they deal with how to approach manipulating numbers to your advantage, meaning fast calcs. It's a quick read, just look at it at the bookstore.

If you are having a problem doing the problems itself, then I'd check out REA Algebra & Trig. Problem Solver. Excellent book. I used it when I had problems figuring out the trig, combination, permutation, and probability formulas.

Chem- Schaums has a good Chemistry Solved Problems book showing how to go about calculations, but I'm afraid you are going to have to just do the problems, no tricks to cut down on time. My DAT chem wasn't so much calculating, it was setting up problems in the right format to get the unknown variable type.

IndDent

 

[LloydBanks]

I need some advice for solving math and gen. chem. problems quick. I hate that we cannot bring a calculator. Can anyone recommend a good book for some tricks? I cannot finish a problem, especially in gen. chem. in few seconds like DAT requires. It takes me a lot of time with the calculations. Any advice?
Thanks and good luck to all of you in the process!

How about studying and learning the material.

 

[bluejellybelly]

How about studying and learning the material.

probably the best suggestion of all! Unfortunately for those who like shortcuts, there are no short cuts for learning. 😉

 

[howui3]

The gchem sections do take more time because of the calculation, but you should learn to go through the bio and ochem faster (that's what I did and it left me with plenty of time for gchem). Since the bio is very straight forward you should fly through it and most of ochem is name the product/reagent, or answer about a side group reactivity, you should be able to save time here as well.

Learn to recognize patterns for the math questions and take MANY MANY MANY practice exams.

 

[coolraz]

Be careful with rounding. On some problems on the DAT if you round too early you will get one of the wrong answers. Try to not round until final calculation.

But, dont worry cus on the real DAT the gchem has very little actual calculation (and those that are there are not tricky or hard).

The math is always a b1tch but again it's easier on the real dat because the problems are less tricky number-wise.