choosing between the last two

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So I have come to realize that whenever I get a question wrong on any of the sections its after I narrowed it down to two answers (the correct and incorrect) and a lot of times I choose the incorrect -_- Does anyone else feel like this happens to them often? I was wondering if anyone had the same feeling and then figured out a way to better help themselves choose between the last two. Again, I get this feeling on the other sections too, not just VR.

Thanks

Hi,

When I was prepping for the MCAT, I did feel that this happened to me a lot. For me, at least, this happened when I didn't really know the answer to the question, but was able to eliminate wrong answers. Is this what is happening to you? If so, my suggestion would be honing in on those particular question subject areas.

Regards,
Vlad

yes, and no. Because on some of them its those questions where its something that I know basic info about but applying it to the awkward situation the MCAT has presented might be what is proving difficult. I do agree though that if its a content problem then review would be the best solution

Best advice I've ever gotten in this situation.

Choose your best answer and DO NOT change it. Unless you find specific evidence later by answering another question that contradicts your answer, DO NOT change it.

Looking over my practice tests I've found 7, 8 or 9 questions where I changed from the correct and only about 2 or 3 where I changed from incorrect to correct.

are you referring to VR only, or in general? I think I might be doing the same thing. I havent taken actual numerical count though

Originally Posted by Aria88997

yes, and no. Because on some of them its those questions where its something that I know basic info about but applying it to the awkward situation the MCAT has presented might be what is proving difficult. I do agree though that if its a content problem then review would be the best solution

Yeah, I know what you mean. Do you have a specific example of a question where you know the knowledge but it is down to two anyways? Perhaps looking at that will provide insight to answering future such questions.

Originally Posted by MDschoolorbust

Best advice I've ever gotten in this situation.

Choose your best answer and DO NOT change it. Unless you find specific evidence later by answering another question that contradicts your answer, DO NOT change it.

Looking over my practice tests I've found 7, 8 or 9 questions where I changed from the correct and only about 2 or 3 where I changed from incorrect to correct.

Originally Posted by Vladimir B

Yeah, I know what you mean. Do you have a specific example of a question where you know the knowledge but it is down to two anyways? Perhaps looking at that will provide insight to answering future such questions.

Ok so here are two examples I can use that I got from EK, but they are very similar to things you can find here and there on the MCAT.


EXAMPLE 1) This is a passage about an experiment in regards to freezing point depression. There is info about the experiment and how there is a test tube of cyclohexane which has some solid dissolved in it along with a copper stirrer. The test tube is then bathed in an ice bucket and the time is measured at different intervals.



The questions asks:

The purpose of the copper stirrer is:

A) To ensure that the solid stays in solution
B) To create heat to offset the chilling effect of the bath
C) to ensure that the solution temperature remains homogenous
D) To allow the student to see when crystals begin to form



I narrowed it down to A and C. However, I incorrectly chose A thinking that since it is an experiment on colligative properties then it would make sense to want the solid dissolved in solution.


The actual answer is: A. The book states that the stirring causes the heat to be equally distributed throughout the solution by convection.

These are the types of questions I have the most difficulty with (not the content specifically). I tried looking for some clues in the passage, but could not find any so I feel like in these types of questions I am always sort of lost.

EXAMPLE 2) There was a discrete questions about two glasses of water that are filled with water to different levels. Glass A had more water in it than glass B. It then asks which glass will vibrate at a higher frequency?

A) Glass B because more air in the glass will create resonance at a longer wavelength
B) Glass B because less water in the glass results in less inertia which allows the glass to vibrate at a higher frequency
C) glass A because less air in the glass will create resonance at a shorter wavelength
D) glass A because more water in the glass lowers the frequency at which the glass can vibrate

I was easily able to narrow it down to C and B because they both have either shorter wavelength/higher frequency as part of the answer which is what we would look for in a higher pitch. However, I incorrectly chose C as my answer because I thought since it has more water sound will transfer faster and the pitch will be higher (stupid reasoning). So now I see why B is the correct answer and I can maybe see myself doing this one correct if given more thought. Overall, the content material aside, these types of questions really get to me from what I have noticed. Any input on what I can do to be more successful on these types of questions would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by Aria88997

Ok so here are two examples I can use that I got from EK, but they are very similar to things you can find here and there on the MCAT.


EXAMPLE 1) This is a passage about an experiment in regards to freezing point depression. There is info about the experiment and how there is a test tube of cyclohexane which has some solid dissolved in it along with a copper stirrer. The test tube is then bathed in an ice bucket and the time is measured at different intervals.



The questions asks:

The purpose of the copper stirrer is:

A) To ensure that the solid stays in solution
B) To create heat to offset the chilling effect of the bath
C) to ensure that the solution temperature remains homogenous
D) To allow the student to see when crystals begin to form



I narrowed it down to A and C. However, I incorrectly chose A thinking that since it is an experiment on colligative properties then it would make sense to want the solid dissolved in solution.


The actual answer is: A. The book states that the stirring causes the heat to be equally distributed throughout the solution by convection.

These are the types of questions I have the most difficulty with (not the content specifically). I tried looking for some clues in the passage, but could not find any so I feel like in these types of questions I am always sort of lost.

EXAMPLE 2) There was a discrete questions about two glasses of water that are filled with water to different levels. Glass A had more water in it than glass B. It then asks which glass will vibrate at a higher frequency?

A) Glass B because more air in the glass will create resonance at a longer wavelength
B) Glass B because less water in the glass results in less inertia which allows the glass to vibrate at a higher frequency
C) glass A because less air in the glass will create resonance at a shorter wavelength
D) glass A because more water in the glass lowers the frequency at which the glass can vibrate

I was easily able to narrow it down to C and B because they both have either shorter wavelength/higher frequency as part of the answer which is what we would look for in a higher pitch. However, I incorrectly chose C as my answer because I thought since it has more water sound will transfer faster and the pitch will be higher (stupid reasoning). So now I see why B is the correct answer and I can maybe see myself doing this one correct if given more thought. Overall, the content material aside, these types of questions really get to me from what I have noticed. Any input on what I can do to be more successful on these types of questions would be appreciated.

Hi, I think you mean C, here, but in any case, good job narrowing down the answer to 2 choices. Regarding why the answer is C, a stir bar of any type usually functions to maintain homogeneity. Whether you are performing a neutralization experiment of a solution of two different substances and need them to be equally mixed for most accurate results, or are looking at freezing point depression such as in your problem. A is wrong because for it to be correct, it implies that the stir bar somehow affects the solubility of the solute, which is not true. Stirring simply increases the rate of dissolution, not the amount of dissolution. That being said, if you stopped stirring a solution such as a solid in cyclohexane that was indeed soluble, the solid would not come out of solution, hence it's job is not to keep it there. I hope this is clear.

Again, good job narrowing it down to 2. My advice would be, as you have seemed to realize, to just note in your head that this is one of the narrowed-down-to-2 questions, and pay particular attention and put particular thought into solving it. Hopefully, others here can add more advice.

Regards,
Vlad

Originally Posted by Vladimir B

Hi, I think you mean C, here, but in any case, good job narrowing down the answer to 2 choices. Regarding why the answer is C, a stir bar of any type usually functions to maintain homogeneity. Whether you are performing a neutralization experiment of a solution of two different substances and need them to be equally mixed for most accurate results, or are looking at freezing point depression such as in your problem. A is wrong because for it to be correct, it implies that the stir bar somehow affects the solubility of the solute, which is not true. Stirring simply increases the rate of dissolution, not the amount of dissolution. That being said, if you stopped stirring a solution such as a solid in cyclohexane that was indeed soluble, the solid would not come out of solution, hence it's job is not to keep it there. I hope this is clear.

Again, good job narrowing it down to 2. My advice would be, as you have seemed to realize, to just note in your head that this is one of the narrowed-down-to-2 questions, and pay particular attention and put particular thought into solving it. Hopefully, others here can add more advice.

Regards,
Vlad

Thanks for all your input! Yes I agree, I believe this question was still solvable even if I did not exactly know stirring is for homogeneity. With extra thought I think I could have realized that stirring is not meant to keep things solvated. I believe the best thing I can do is like you said once I narrow it down to two to think really hard and pick the best one. Just have to make sure not to take too much time doing this. Hopefully on the real thing there wont be AS MANY of these types of questions either since the EK exams is full of them.