Careless/Simple/Stupid Mistakes

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franciskyle: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 32; Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:56 pm; Location: Whitler, BC, Canada

Careless/Simple/Stupid Mistakes

by franciskyle » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:34 pm

I have been making a lot of really careless mistakes lately, and I mean really careless. Things like 5 * 6 = 36 or just changing a number halfway through a problem by accident.

It would be great if people could share some of their methods for avoiding such elementary mistakes.

k. Francis

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:34 pm

Vemuri: Legendary Member; Posts: 682; Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 2:40 am; Thanked: 32 times; Followed by:1 members

Re: Careless/Simple/Stupid Mistakes

by Vemuri » Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:52 pm

franciskyle wrote:I have been making a lot of really careless mistakes lately, and I mean really careless. Things like 5 * 6 = 36 or just changing a number halfway through a problem by accident.

It would be great if people could share some of their methods for avoiding such elementary mistakes.

Hi franciskyle. I wish there was a method for avoiding such mistakes. The only way to overcome such mistakes is to practice, practice, practice, ....

You should focus on what is being asked in the question. Keep what is being asked in your mind while trying to solve the problem.

As for calculation errors, the only way to avoid them is to practice. I don't think anyone can tell you how to avoid a mistake like 5*6=36.

Everyone goes through this phase. You will be alright...just keep practicing

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Ossa: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 30; Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 5:42 pm; Thanked: 5 times

Re: Careless/Simple/Stupid Mistakes

by Ossa » Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:04 pm

Sometimes you make mistakes when you take shortcuts and make calculations in your mind. If you have the time, right down the steps. You will make less obvious mistakes when you see things visually.

franciskyle wrote:I have been making a lot of really careless mistakes lately, and I mean really careless. Things like 5 * 6 = 36 or just changing a number halfway through a problem by accident.

It would be great if people could share some of their methods for avoiding such elementary mistakes.

Ossa Elhadary, PhD, CISA, PMP
Math Specialist
Test Prep New York
maximize your score, minimize your stress

www.testprepny.com
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