You do not need lightning-fast mental arithmetic for every UCAT QR question.
But a few strong mental maths skills can save a lot of time.
Useful skills include:
- common percentage values such as 10%, 20%, 25%, 50%
- converting simple fractions to decimals and percentages
- quick multiplication by 10, 100 and 1,000
- estimating products and divisions
- recognising simple ratio relationships
For example, knowing that 25% is one quarter means you can find 25% of 240 instantly: 60.
Knowing that 12.5% is one eighth can also be useful.
Estimation matters too. If 49 × 21 is asked, you know the answer should be close to 50 × 20 = 1,000.
That lets you spot impossible calculator errors immediately.
Mental maths should reduce effort, not become another thing to show off.
Use it for simple calculations. Use the calculator when the numbers become awkward.
