Know the
directions before you take the test.
The directions are fairly simple when you understand them, but it is
easy to make mistakes filling in the grid, especially when you are under
pressure. Being comfortable with the
test format will also make you a little more confident and you'll be able to
focus all your energy on the mathematics.
Here's what you need to know:
The answer grids
have four slots or spaces.
Answers can
start in any column.
On the paper
version the ovals must be filled in correctly, regardless of the answers
written in the boxes. The boxes at the
top are only provided to help you fill in the ovals.
There are no
symbols in the answers such as negative signs, percent signs, degree signs,
dollar signs, etc. The only symbols are
the decimal point and the slanted fraction bar. In fact, there are no negative answers, so if your answer is
negative check your computation. If
answers are in dollars or degrees, for example, just write the number. Be sure to change percents to decimals.
Answers cannot
be written as mixed numbers. Change 2
1/5 to 11/5 or 2.2, for example.
Fractions do not
have to be reduced as long as they fit in the grid. For example, the answer 2/4 does not have to be reduced.
Decimals should
be written with as many decimal places of accuracy as possible. Do not write a zero in front of a decimal
point. You can either round the last
digit or just drop the rest of the digits.
For example, 1.375 would be written 1.37 or 1.38 and 0.454545... would
be written .454 or .455. You can also
change your answers to fractions: 1.375
= 11/8 and 0.454545... = 5/11. Just be
careful not to have mixed numbers in your answer.
Examples of test
responses:
Answer: 24
What your answer
should like like: _ _ 2 4 , _ 2 4
_ or 2 4 _ _ .
Answer: -23
Check your
computation. There are no negative
answers.
Answer: $1005.00
What your answer
should look like: 1 0 0 5
Answer: 120 degrees
What your answer
should look like: _ 1 2 0 or 1 2 0 _
Answer: 10%
What your answer
should look like: _ . 1 0
Answer: 1 1/2
There are no
mixed numbers. Change to an improper
fraction or a decimal.
What your answer
should look like: _ 3 / 2 or _ 1 . 5
Answer: 25/75
What your answer
should look like: _ 1 / 3
This answer
needs to be reduced since 25/75 will not fit in four spaces.
The answer . 3 3
3 would also be acceptable.
Answer: 0.666666...
What your answer
should look like: . 6 6 6 or . 6 6 7
When the answer
is expressed as a decimal include as many places as possible.
The answer _ . 6
7 would be marked wrong.