http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203 Mathematics, applications of mathematics to life in general, and my life as a mathematician Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:17:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-25822 Tanya Khovanova’s Math Blog » Blog Archive » How to Boost Your Guessing Accuracy During Tests Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:53:07 +0000 http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-25822 [...] promised to discuss how to improve the accuracy of your guessing at AMC 10/12, or other tests for that matter. There [...] […] promised to discuss how to improve the accuracy of your guessing at AMC 10/12, or other tests for that matter. There […]

]]> http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-24957 Anton Lebedev Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:54:06 +0000 http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-24957 When I took the AMC 12, I just answered the questions I was certain about. I didn't care about scoring high; I just wanted to secure a spot on the AIME. When I took the AMC 12, I just answered the questions I was certain about. I didn’t care about scoring high; I just wanted to secure a spot on the AIME.

]]> http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-24096 Felipe Pait Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:35:46 +0000 http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-24096 The fact that you can improve your results by strategizing detracts from the value of the exam, because test-taking techniques is not something useful in "real life" that we would like students to learn. I understand that it is unavoidable in some types of competitions, but for the purpose of examining students I believe it is better to leave ample time. The fact that you can improve your results by strategizing detracts from the value of the exam, because test-taking techniques is not something useful in “real life” that we would like students to learn. I understand that it is unavoidable in some types of competitions, but for the purpose of examining students I believe it is better to leave ample time.

]]> http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-24005 Ravi B Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:04:06 +0000 http://blog.tanyakhovanova.com/?p=203#comment-24005 It might be interesting to note that, if your sole goal is to get a 120 or better on the AMC 10, then it only makes sense to answer 21 or 25 questions. Any other strategy gets dominated by one of those two, not just is a probabilistic sense but in a universal sense. For example, if you have already answered 22 questions, then you might as well guess on the remaining 3 questions. It might be interesting to note that, if your sole goal is to get a 120 or better on the AMC 10, then it only makes sense to answer 21 or 25 questions. Any other strategy gets dominated by one of those two, not just is a probabilistic sense but in a universal sense. For example, if you have already answered 22 questions, then you might as well guess on the remaining 3 questions.

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