Too slow with calculations

[parent of pre-reg student]

What can I do to increase my speed and achieve 80% on calculations in one hour? I can only do 10 in one hour rather than 20. I spend all my time doing calcs and therefore dont look at other important pharmacy things. This year is nothing but stress. Any wise words? Please.
Laura

[Linnear]

The only way that I'm aware of to really do this is, unfortunately, practice.

At school I was great at mental arithmetic. After leaving uni where we all used calculators I realised I couldn't add up in my head any more.

Now whenever I have things to add up take away. I do it in my head the first time and then check with a calculator.

There are lots of brain training type games out there now (Mrs Linnear is currently working out on her new DS!). Maybe something along those lines or even a puzzle book. I'm sure that there are some out there that have number puzzles. Doing these may help flex the mental muscles without feeling like you're revising!

Good luck

[Web Ferret]

Is this a maths issue or an understanding of what to do?

ie you you know what steps to calculate but find doing the numbers difficult or do you know the maths but not sure how to do the steps?

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by parent of pre-reg student

What can I do to increase my speed and achieve 80% on calculations in one hour? I can only do 10 in one hour rather than 20. I spend all my time doing calcs and therefore dont look at other important pharmacy things. This year is nothing but stress. Any wise words? Please.
Laura

I like Linnears advice ;-)

However if you post example questions I'll try to write down my thought processes (and mental shortcuts) as I work through them. (It worked with my eldest son up to A level - youngest wont let me "interfere" )

I think there's a section on the board for doing so - but didn't look before posting my reply


Jeff

Jeff

[Pharmanaut]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I like Linnears advice ;-)

However if you post example questions I'll try to write down my thought processes (and mental shortcuts) as I work through them. (It worked with my eldest son up to A level - youngest wont let me "interfere" )

I think there's a section on the board for doing so - but didn't look before posting my reply


Jeff

Jeff

Try looking around the web for 'short cuts in maths/arithmetic etc'.
There used to be a lot of these before calculators.