Hello all,

I'm currently scheduled to take the MCAT on the 25th of August.

I've seen improvement in all sections except physical sciences after taking my practice tests !! I can't seem to get over a 9 and it always fluctuates between 7 or 8 !!

I feel like doing well in this section is more about memorizing all those darn equations !!!

Do you have some tips on how I can improve my PS section ?? Practicing discretes vs. Passage based questions ?? Should I keep reading and re-reading my review notes until I get those equations down cold?

I'm currently taking the Kaplan prep course and I also have EK books.

Any help would be appreciated thanks !! :D

While the PS section is pretty heavily based on equations, knowing the concepts is just as, if not more, important than the equations. I found Kaplan PS sections more plug-and-chug than the real thing (although there are definitely questions that require equations).
Have you been carefully reviewing each section after you finish the exam. Definitely take a little break, but come back to the section and review EVERY question and not just the ones you missed. Look to see if you are having more trouble with the discrete or passage questions; look to see if it's Gen Chem or Physics that's weighing you down. And understand WHY each answer is correct and why what you answered was wrong. Kaplan is good with this in that they give detailed responses to all questions (they make their own answer sheet to the AAMC exams and have answers-on-demand for their FL's, which is useful). Depending on your time and how your studying is going, read the books and understand them; use the Flashcards and Quicksheets for times when you only have a few minutes. And take all the PS sections you can find, whether in FL's or just by themselves from Kaplan.

Also, when doing all of this, don't forget to keep polishing on the other subjects. I found that when I started focusing heavily on BS after I increased my PS scores that my PS scores went down because I neglected to brush up on PS. Luckily I had enough time to correct this, and am not waiting to get my test results back.

Good Luck!

so how is it going now, Jems? have you seen any improvement? I have the same issue with PS...sigh. let me know.

The trick? Dimensional analysis, knowing what a vector is, and READING FOR DETAIL

know that light has to travel a direction twice, and draw out a picture if you have to.

Check your units on the equations sections and they usually go alright,

Only thing that makes it obscene is doing anti-logs and logs in your head

It helps to know relationships but the biggest help for me in knowing which formula to use is through dimensional analysis. Know what Newtons, and other foreign units are broken down to and ask yourself what exactly you are solving for...If you are somewhat familiar with the equations then you can pick out the ones dealing with the particular unit you are solving for...

mnemonics are helpful...
Get High Test Scores = G=H-TS (gibbs)

Finally, practice the questions daily. When you apply them, you learn them without the headaches. EK has 1001 Physics book or if you are enrolled in Kaplan they have physics problems just spend an hr or two a day applying those formulas and come test day you won't have a problem. Don't cram the formulas the night before, know how, and when to apply them through practice. Heaven knows you have enough on your plate come test day so no cramming!