Monday 28 March 2011

Tricks 2. c Perceptual Acuity (Identical Information)

Another type of test that will make your eye strain.

TECHNIQUE:
1, Exploit the FLAW - The flaw in this exam is that in every choice there is ALWAYS only ONE word that makes it the wrong choice.
So how do we exploit this you ask? Well, by having the knowledge that there is only one flaw in each choice. you can just compare 2 choices between each other rather than comparing them at the statement above. It is easier to compare the choices because their indention is similar and also the spacing. so it would  be easier to compare word by word just by glancing..

I suggest in doing the exploitation trick you should only compare two of the choices with each other. It may confuse you if you try three or more.

This technique requires practice.

Tricks 2.b Perceptual Acuity ( Mirror Image)

This portion is pretty hard. This test will surely give you an eye strain. It is also the most time consuming part.
TECHNIQUE:
1. do the GRID - try to look at one portion at a time and cancel those pictures that immediately are different.

Be methodological. A common mistake would be trying to soak up the initial image and trying to look for the difference in each choice. This will make you return  to the original image again and again.

However if you use the grid method, only one part of the image being concentrated at and it would be easier to spot the difference because you would be looking for it in a smaller area.

Sunday 27 March 2011

Tricks 2.a Perceptual Acuity ( Hidden Figures)

Basicaly the most annoying part of the exam.
The trick to this is :
Answer:
1.MEASUREMENT- use the END OF YOUR PENCIL to measure a part of the image to be found.Then just look for the closest image in each choices and measure. Usually it is the one with the same measurements.

2. ANGLE- always check if its too sharp or too extended

3. DELETE THE LINES- some images may have lines crossing them in the choices making it harder to see the hidden figure. Try to look for the general form rather than looking for the exact shapes in the choices.

Tricks 1.b Inductive Reasoning (Figure Grouping)

How to answer these type of questions.
Answer: CORRELATION- Practice your eagle eye in looking for the difference as much as possible.
1. MOVEMENT.- turn it 360 degress if you have too. If you dont see any FLIPPING move to the next category.
2. MODIFICATION- in this image we see a static image and only one image has a difference which is letter C in which the checkered rectangle is placed wrong.
3. LENGTH/SIZE. Although this is the hardest to spot. always look for it if you can't find anymore clues.

Tricks 1.a Inductive reasoning (Figure Series)

How to answer questions like these.
1. MOVEMENT-Always remember that these are in a series meaning that there are steps. My technique here is imagine the figure moving. eg. for the example above, the first figure moved clockwise to the next figure and so on.
2. QUANTITY- always look for something that has been added or subtracted in each figures elements.

The steps are:
1. Look for the movement- you now have a general idea that the dissected diamond should be vertical and the shaded portion should be at the left. Imagine it as a lazy susan table.
2. Now cross out all of the other choices that does not exhibit the initial answer characteristic.
3. Then look for elements that have been added or subtracted.

3. Another factor would be SIZE- in some questions there is the gradual growth or shrinkage of objects in the series. Take note of this because its easy not to see the difference in size if the figure has too much details

SUMMARY= Look for MOVEMENT, QUANTITY, SIZE

Tip 1: Preparation is key

Start with these materials.
1. The handout exams given by CEM
       Most of the questions in these handouts are patterned from the actual test. Sure you may think that "Im sure nothing will come out of that exam because that review material is given by company conducting the exam. I'll just take a glance at it". This is a common move to make. This is what i did at my first take.
       The technique is most of the part 1 questions that are for I.Q testing are exactly like that of the handout. So since I.Q cannot be memorized, familiarize yourself with the exam. Repeat answering these exams without memorizing the correct answer. After days of doing these test repeatedly you will find yourself answering faster and will be able to see the patterns more easily.
         The technique in test 2 is that if you analyze every question, there would be a particular topic being discussed by each question. For you to easily review these subjects. You can just review the general topic of each of the questions. Almost all of the questions in the actual exam revolves around these topic. This will help you if your already cramming, specially if you only have a basic background around these subjects. As a nurse the part on chemistry and physics was the hardest for me.

2. Google VS dictionary, text books, encyclopedia.
            Most of us are taught not to believe in the internet because of the freedom on how many people can write about any particular topic without a proper body for regulation of their contents making wrong information rampant on the net.But actually Google is faster, easier and more convenient tool for reviewing. most of the subjects you need to learn are on the net. Since I know most of you are cramming  (like me back then) you should use this tool alot. Compare typing than reading the index, searching around the pages for a particular topic in a book you barely read during highschool. 

3. Time management.
             Manage your time. Start the days of your review not to conscious of the time. Established a baseline. Answer all the questions and look how precise you are and how much time it took you to answer the questions. And day by day try to reduce the time and increase the number of correct marks in your paper.  Remember that you may know all of the answers but you need to get to the question first before you can answer. Always try to improve your time.

4. Intelligent Guess
              One way to be intelligent in the exam is to guess the answer. Use the cancellation method to narrow your choices to two and pick one. It is better to have a 50-50% chance to get the correct answer than to be 100% sure you got it wrong.

What is NMAT

NMAT or National Medical Admission Test is a test in the Philippines taken by aspiring doctors inorder to enter the various med schools in the country. The test does not have any pass or fail mark however the cut off grade for admission to medicine varies per school policy. Some schools even give scholarship grants to those with high scores and/or admirable scores from college.

The test consists of 2 parts. The first part is mostly an IQ test and the second part consists of special subjects like biology and physics. Both parts will be explained substantially on the next topics to be post in this blog.

Basically this blog is written to help those who have no idea about the exam or for those who are just looking for techniques in answering the questions.

I do not advertise myself as an expert and I also had my ups and downs on the exam.This blog is purely  use as a supplement during your review to make reviewing easier and taking the exam a breeze.