# How to not make mistakes like ($4-20=16$) and other simplistic errors? I've lost 40% of the exam because of this :s [closed]

I would like to ask here a question that is not only about math but about attention. How I might improve in order to don't make mistakes like this..

thanks (:

UPDATE1: Recheck every calculation is not physically possible because of the very limited time.

UPDATE2: found this: http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/52382.html more like this?

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## closed as off topic by Austin Mohr, Andrés Caicedo, Qiaochu YuanDec 9 '11 at 3:09

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There is no silver bullet. Be careful and recheck your work when you are finished. – Austin Mohr Dec 9 '11 at 2:53
I would guess your problem is you need to practice more. A long time ago, I might make mistakes like that somewhat often. But, after a while they become automatic. The more you practice, the easier it is to get it right the first time. Use flash cards. – Graphth Dec 9 '11 at 3:42
The point is, someone who makes a lot of mistakes and has little time on a test isn't going to find all their errors by being careful and rechecking. You also will probably do worse on a test where there is pressure. So, do it until it's automatic. – Graphth Dec 9 '11 at 3:50
Some people who have a persistent problem with "errors," mistakes, and accuracy have some form of "dyslexia" without realizing it. – Joseph Malkevitch Dec 9 '11 at 16:03

## 2 Answers

Pretend that you're explaining every problem on the test to someone sitting next to you. Go through each question, and put it into words (silently, in your head). Tell them what the problem says, and tell them what you're going to do to solve it. Then explain the solution to them. My two cents.

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the problem is that the time is very very limited. We don't even have time to recheck what I've done. So it's not physically possible to recheck all those simplistic calculation during an exam.. – Totty.js Dec 9 '11 at 2:58

I've seen (and taught) people who make mistakes like this. It's not usually a matter of lack of understanding. While I'm by no means a psychologist, I think it's probably a mild example of what used to be called "dyslexia". I doubt anyone really understands what that is, but in my experience, there isn't much you can do about it other than to be aware of it and check things carefully.

I think we probably all have little quirks we have to compensate for. This is probably yours. I certainly wouldn't attribute anything deep to it.

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This happens to me in an average of 1-2 times per exam.. Making a lot of simple calculation may improve? – Totty.js Dec 9 '11 at 3:09