Quant: Strategies for minimizing mistakes

[Carlpolisci]

What strategies do you all have for minimizing calculating errors? I would say 70% of the mistakes I make is not because I don't get what the question wants from me, but that somewhere in the process I drop a minus, calculate 5x2=20 in my head or just turn a 5 into a 3, etc. 

 

This obviously gets worse the more time pressure I am under. So I was wondering if you found strategies to work on these errors and reduce sloppy mistakes?

 

[bsharpe269]

I do the same thing... my practice test range from low 160s to 170 and all errors are due to careless mistakes. Idk if much can be done other than practicing alot of problems and getting faster so that you have some time to double check your algebra/arithmetic

[ginagirl]

I think it probably depends where the issue is. Do you usually mess up copying down the problem? Or do you have trouble reading your own handwriting/are you not able to keep the problem neatly organized?

 

If it's usually just a copying error you just have to try to remember to BE CAREFUL. Also, try to minimize the amount of times you need to restart the problem so you don't inadvertently rewrite it wrong.

 

If it's a problem with your handwriting and or how you organize the problem, that just takes practice. I'm sure there are online resources with how to organize the scratch paper, but I was never very good at this. Also the neater your work is, the easier it would be to QUICKLY scan for any glaring errors (ie 5 x 2 = 20).

Edited June 13, 2014 by ginagirl

[TakeruK]

I think time management is a big factor here. I purposely go through every step slowly so that I solve the problem once correctly instead of three times and get three different answers. I prefer to take the time on each step and basically double checking each step as I go along instead of going all the way to the end and the double checking. (i.e. I repeat every step I write down to myself again before I go on to the next one). But that might just be good for me and not for others.

[perpetuavix]

It's important to write down every step you do, whether in your head or in your calculator. I found that organizing my scratch paper really helped with this. I fold my paper 4 times in half so that when I unfold it, I have 16 small boxes. I usually don't label them with the numbers, but I follow them in order. If I skip question 11, I skip box 11. (If you write big, you might want to fold the paper only 3 times, so you end up with 8 boxes). Anything I do for a given problem goes in the box; that includes calculations or eliminating answer choices. It makes it easy to see what I've done and what I'm doing now, especially if I come back to a problem after having started it. 

I also like to hide the clock. It distracts me, and makes me worry more about time. I know some people need to see it pace themselves, but maybe you can practice both ways and see which one stresses you out the least.