Know the basics cold
- Multiplication tables up to 12 and the squares up to 20.
- Order of operations: parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction.
- Rules for signed numbers, such as subtracting a negative number is the same as adding.
- Divisibility rules, such as a number is divisible by 3 if the sum of its digits is.
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Memorize these conversions, since they appear again and again:
- 1/2 = 50%, 1/4 = 25%, 3/4 = 75%, 1/5 = 20%
- 1/8 = 12.5%, 1/3 = 33 1/3%, 2/3 = 66 2/3%
- To find a percent of a number, convert the percent to a fraction, for example 25% of 80 = 1/4 of 80 = 20.
- To add or subtract fractions, convert them to the same denominator first.
Number series
When you see a sequence, check these patterns in order:
- Constant difference, such as 5, 8, 11, 14 (add 3).
- Differences that grow by a fixed amount, such as 2, 3, 5, 8, 12 (add 1, 2, 3, 4).
- Constant ratio, such as 3, 6, 12, 24 (multiply by 2).
- Squares and cubes, such as 1, 4, 9, 16 or 1, 8, 27, 64.
- Two alternating patterns, where every other number follows its own rule.
Word problems
- Underline what the question asks for and name it with a letter, such as "let x = the number of pens."
- Turn each sentence into a piece of an equation.
- Check your answer by putting it back into the problem.
- For work and age problems, set up a small table of quantities.
Build speed
Calculators are not allowed, so practice mental math daily. Use our free Numerical Ability reviewer to practice timed parts and read the worked solutions to learn faster methods.