Numerical Reasoning - calculator all the way - or in your head?

[cptKernow]

I don't do much mental arithmetic, and haven't done for a good while. I'm not bad but always end up doing everything twice as I'm not confident first time.

Anyway, I'm assuming I'm going to use the calculator for anything beyond really simple arithmetic.
What approach have people taken to this section re: suing the calculator and how did you get on?

Thanks,
Chris

[Fatima1]

I'm taking the UKCAT soon. I'm going to try and do as many calculations as possible in my head, but anything difficult, I'll defiantly be using the calculator for!

Btw I'm annoyed that we have a desktop calculator, instead of a handheld one. All we can do now is to practice using the desktop one. ><.

[Masuda]

I don't do much mental arithmetic, and haven't done for a good while. I'm not bad but always end up doing everything twice as I'm not confident first time.

Anyway, I'm assuming I'm going to use the calculator for anything beyond really simple arithmetic.
What approach have people taken to this section re: suing the calculator and how did you get on?

Thanks,
Chris

Speed is a real factor in the UKCAT especially in the QR section. If you have time it's definately worth practicing some mental arithmetic and also looking to see if you can estimate an answer and eliminate any options that are very far from the mark.

Also look out for questions that need a lot of calculation - you can spend a lot of time on them, sometimes its better to flag a long one to do at the end if you have time so that you don't miss any easy marks later on in the test. If you are doing a question with a lot of working out - use the whiteboard as the later questions in a set sometimes draw on answers from earlier questions using the same dataset.

Good Luck

Masuda

[richtea5]

I think i'm only going to use calculator for things such as percentage increase/decrease or when I can use it to get an answer quickly. Otherwise was thinkin i'd estimate for averages and mostly work addition/subtraction etc out without using calculator.