Quantitive Thinking Help - Improve My Scores on 9th Grade National Tests

[Dagenais]

My 9th grade national tests just came back. I did above average on everything, my quantitive thinking however barely got passed the average mark.

My parents are not pleased, even though they are decent scores.


So, I need help on this subject. Any books or websites that provide this quantitive thinking skill or that could enhance mine?

The test was timed, and I suck at timed tests.

So, can you explain to me about Mathematical quantitive thinking and how to take a timed test on one? The reason I barely passed the average mark was because I ran out of time and couldn't finish...

Any hints or links would be very helpful.

 

[jeff]

Originally posted by kenikov My parents are not pleased, even though they are decent scores.

Make you're parents take the same test and see how they do.

 

[Dagenais]

My dad would do better, I know that for a fact.

I would of done a lot better if I had just enough time.


My mom is more artistic so I doubt she would even bother.


You are right though, parents don't understand.

They think my life is just a walk in the park full of video games, playing with my computer, television and sports.


Oh wait...it is.

 

[Dagenais]

Hrm.

Nobody can give me hints on quantitive thinking?

Nobody can even give me a link to a book or tutorial on teaching on improving skills?

 

[Suicidal]

I think you just need practice. If it’s a speed problem then practice could help. You say that you would do better if you had more time and that's a problem I can understand, but is it a problem worth solving? I have a similar problem. I am the strongest student in my math class but I take longer them most on the assignments and the tests.
I know there are quantitive comparison question on the sat if it’s the same types of questions you are having trouble with you could practice them by getting a sat prep book at the library.

 

[selfAdjoint]

What kind of questions were on the test? Were they arithmetic problems or were they the kind where you have to first deduce the right formula, like rate-time-distance? And were they heavier on algebraic (arithmetic) thinking or on geometry? Different people have different mixes of these skills.

 

[Dagenais]

They were multiple choice.

I know I had everyone right that I answered.

Basically like 9th-10th grade mathematics.

 

[chroot]

You know, I read the other day that half of American schoolchildren have below-average quantitative thinking skills.

- Warren

;)

 

[quantumdude]

Originally posted by chroot
You know, I read the other day that half of American schoolchildren have below-average quantitative thinking skills.

So how many are above average?

 

[selfAdjoint]

Originally posted by kenikov
They were multiple choice.

I know I had everyone right that I answered.

Basically like 9th-10th grade mathematics.

Algebra and geometry then?

Perhaps some practice in internalizing what you know - so it comes up faster in your mind when you need it. Doing problems backwards sometimes helps her - given the answer, reconstruct the problem without peeking. Make some flash cards with different kinds of problems (quadratic equations, multiple equations, triangles) on one side and the first step in the solution of that problem on the other. Practice for speed.

With multiple choice questions you want to be able to do order of magnitude estimates. If the choices are

A) 0.1
B) 1.0
C) 10.0
D) 100.0
E) 1000.0

- you shouldn't have to work the whole problem to figure out which one is right. "Let's see, the first factor can't be over ten, and the second is obviously less than 6 so (D) and (E) are impossible,..."

This is very light help. There are people (google on quantitative thinking) who give courses in it - and there are degrees in teaching it. But I hope this is at least something useful to think about.

 

[Dagenais]

You know, I read the other day that half of American schoolchildren have below-average quantitative thinking skills.

I am from Canada, I just happen to attend school with Americans.

I believe so, because I didn't do so great on the quantitive thinking about I still got above average, which surprised. me.