Getting faster

[NickR]

Hmm, what is the trick to getting faster on this test?...the problems are pretty easy, but I just don't have time to answer a bunch of them. I've looked through each test and found the way to do them pretty quickly...but I guess that's not fast enough. Any suggestions or helpful hints?

[AuSmith]

On Skow's tests at least, it was good to be able to skip problems. I spent maybe 10 minutes on one problem at state that required you to know about Sturm Chains (anybody?), which slowed me down muchly. That gave me a 6th place at region, which is why I wasn't at state freshman year.

Other than skipping, you have to think of it more like a numbersense test that you can write on. I do almost everything in my head, anyway. Maybe, doing less scratchwork saves time. Get to where the problems are immediately solvable and you can solve them without your pencil slowing you down too much.

Ummm, you just have to rush. Little mistakes also slow you down cuz you have to go correct them. That's like doing a whole 'nother problem.

[kashhustler]

what you want to do is just take a few tests untimed and for each problem find the least time consuming solution/method to work. many math problems have an elegant solution and a brute force solution. try to find the elegant solution.

also, if a solution to a problem does not form in my head after about 20 seconds i skip the problem and come back to it once i finish the rest of the test. once you are able to answer 55+ its just a matter of practicing and eliminating careless errors

[NickR]

Ok, I'm gonna try the stuff you guys suggested and see how it goes. Thanks for your help. By the way, are you going to North Shore this weekend, Akash?

[kashhustler]

i'll be there =)
which school are you from btw?
i'm from klein

[NickR]

I'm from Bridge City. You guys did well at the meet today : ).

[kashhustler]

ah thanks

hmm...we didn't meet at the contest maybe we'll see each other at a different contest

[klebian]

Hey, it's Nick! Good job at Channelview.

[kashhustler]

hey its PUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

good job on owning yourself

[NickR]

Thanks, klebian : )

What's your real name? (so I can pair your forum name with you) lol