AOSB advice and tips - Speed Distance Time

SPEED DISTANCE TIME
Advice on tackling speed, distance and time tests and SDT calculations. Tips for Speed Distance Time and Numerical Reasoning Tests: Useful for the numerical part of AOSB tests.

As accuracy and agility in ‘Speed, Distance, Time’ calculations will help you perform well in the AOSB I have dedicated a section to it.
The best way to improve at SDT calculations is to firstly improve your general arithmetic and mathematic agility. You should also spend time learning some methods to calculate SDT and then it’s a case of just practising and practising until you can quickly calculate SDT questions in your head, as well as be able to write them down.

Here are some methods you can use to help with your SDT calculations:

Converting Units:

It is important to remember the units you are to work with – minutes, or hours? Miles per minute, or miles per hour? If you are given a problem with mixed units, be prepared to convert them into the same comparable units before they can be put into an SDT equation. Always convert the most manageable unit.

For example:
A car is travelling at 30 mph for 70 minutes. What is the distance travelled? With this problem it is important to remember to work in minutes.

So, 30 𝑚𝑝h = 0.5 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒 (30 ÷ 60)
0.5 × 70 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 = 35 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠

A quick reminder on converting units.

It is sometimes also useful to change figures into minutes a mile. This usually applies best to low figures or tricky numbers. This can be especially useful in the planning exercise

For example:

You are able to walk on tracks at 3 mph. How long will it take you to reach Camp A - 5 miles away, Camp B - 10 miles away and Camp C – 3 miles away?

With this problem it may be quicker to convert the 3 mph into minutes a mile...

Learn the following divisions of an hour. This is very useful:

Working out Time:

Time is the unit that is most frequently converted when working with SDT. The basic units are minutes and hours, and you will be required to convert units of time easily. The following table is a guide to common time units. Try and learn this table as best as you can.

There are loads of working examples in the guide 'How to Pass the AOSB, A Candidate's Perspective' which employ all of the above.

SPEED DISTANCE TIMEAdvice on tackling speed, distance and time tests and SDT calculations. Tips for Speed Distance Time and Numerical Reasoning Tests: Useful for the numerical part of AOSB tests.

SPEED DISTANCE TIME
Advice on tackling speed, distance and time tests and SDT calculations. Tips for Speed Distance Time and Numerical Reasoning Tests: Useful for the numerical part of AOSB tests.