The Official 07/06/2012 MCAT Thread

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Originally Posted by bhandal

Uncle brought me some Absinthe from Sweden because he thought I already took my MCAT. Needless to say, I know what Ill be doing that Friday night. Averaging a 33 so all worries diminishing

Absinthe is fun, im jealous

Originally Posted by impact2d

Just keep in mind that GS in known for killer PS, and being about 2 points lower than AAMC averages, so don't get discouraged if the score comes out a little lower than usual-that's typical of GS.

ok thank you, I didnt know it- I'll take it in 3 days :/


I haven't been studying for 3-4 days because of my course work but I'll be in again starting from tomorrow--it's just little bit of time left though

good luck to everyone for very last effort!

Originally Posted by illinichief89

Although I thought the PS was more difficult on the real thing than the practice tests, I ended up getting a 10, which is what I was scoring on the AAMC practice tests. I think AAMC 10 was representative of the real thing.

One thing I did wrong was I listened to people who said that "you don't need to read the passage to answer the questions. Just go straight to the questions." And that kinda works. You don't always need the passage. Obviously there is some extra information in those passages that is worthless. But I have found the 2nd time studying for this test that reading passages first really helps. Alot of qualitative questions can be answered with info from the passage. And sometimes they give you a bunch of variables and tell you how they are related to each other(i.e indirectly or directly proportional). They write it out in words in the passage, so I like to just build the equation from the info they gave me. There will probably be a question about that info. My PS practice scores have increased to 12-13 range now because I think I am better at reading the PS passages and because I remember most of my studying the first time, so I am just filling in holes of my weak areas this time.

For the BS section, I also thought the real thing was harder, but I got a 10, which is what I was scoring when I practiced last time. For BS, I think it is also very dependent on the passage for both orgo and bio questions. The Bio questions like to ask alot about the experimental procedure they explain in the passage. So you really have to understand what is going on in the experiment. And reading the tables that show experimental data is also a really important skill. I think if you got a good handle on bio content, like most people here were probably bio majors, then the discretes are pretty easy. The difference between test takers is in if you know how to read experimental info in the passage and what conclusion you can draw from it.

I don't think you need to know many reactions for organic chemistry. If you can notice some patterns, like what is the electrophile, nucleophile, then it goes a long way to help you. Also I would know how to tell R from S isomers. And knowing the lab techniques is useful. Reading the passage for orgo will often give you the answer. I noticed they like to ask questions that are analogies. For example, maybe you see a grignard step in one of the reactions they provided in the passage, then in the question they will replace the original reactant with a different reactant and mix that with the grignard reagent and ask you to predict the product. You might have no clue on what a grignard reagent is or how it works, but based on the reaction they showed you in the passage, you can just apply it to the question. Whatever the grignard reagent did to the original reactant will probably occur the same way in the reactant they gave you in the question. No knowledge needed!

And personally, I think practice materials from any company are, for the most part, harder than the real AAMC practice tests. Thats good for learning the subject material, but as an indication of how you do on the real test, I wouldn't say they are representative. Alot of people on SDN say the AAMC practice tests were easier than the real test and I would agree with them. However, they still indicated my score accurately. So whatever you are scoring on the AAMCs is probably what you will get on the real thing +/- 2 points.

Wow, thanks for the thoughtful response. I'm glad to hear because even though I keep beating my goal score on AAMC FLs, it almost doesn't feel real, like It's a cruel AAMC joke. Knowing you scored within your practice average and didn't find it too much more difficult helps ease my nerves. I will take more tprh advanced passages to get used to hard to read passages.

Originally Posted by poprox

rescheduled. aamc 7 -- ps/bs - 7 vr-8; composite of 22. i was also exhausted from cramming for 12 hours yesterday. still, 3 weeks will definitely help.

and another one bites the dust

Sorry bro, good luck going foward

Originally Posted by smit6222

Took TBR CBT 4 today and got a 28 when I had previously scored 31,33,31 on TBR CBTs 1-3. I'm taking one every other day and reviewing the next so I can get to TBR CBT 7 by Tuesday, review Wednesday, and then chill till the test but is that overload? My past scores have been:

PS - 8, 10, 13?, 8
VR - 12, 11, 8, 10
BS - 11, 12, 10, 10

Would it hurt to not take one of them and just review PS/other weak sections for a day? The test reviews can sometimes take me all day so I've been trying to review specific weak sections a little bit each morning and night. Definitely think I could use a full day of review but don't know if sacrificing a FL would be worth it..

make sure you aren't burnt out, my Bio average dropped from a 13 to a 10 and I was devastated. When I reviewed I saw most of my mistakes were careless, my mind just wasn't in it. I took a day off and feel so refreshed.

Originally Posted by bhandal

Uncle brought me some Absinthe from Sweden because he thought I already took my MCAT. Needless to say, I know what Ill be doing that Friday night. Averaging a 33 so all worries diminishing

Averaging 33 also, I know we're going to own it on the real thing!

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Hi guys,

I am a canadian student and I will be writing for the second time My AAMC practice test verbal scores are around 7-8 (mainly 7). Canadian medical schools care about the individual scores more than the overall score (at least two Canadian schools only look at verbal reasoning- a 10+ in verbal is an ideal score for Canadian schools) . I know why I am doing so poorly on VR (ie. pressure, difficulty understanding/getting main idea), and I have done a lot of practice already to try to correct it (+ keeping track of my errors) but I am still getting around 7.

I will just hope for the best next week

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE NEXT WEEK

it will be over soon

hehe vr-7 is kind of ultimate aim for me I hope you can score your best in July,6!

I've taken aamc 8 today: 13 ps, 11 bs, vr 4!! I think it's about my brain-I am just not able to score higher consistently

Originally Posted by mlkl

hehe vr-7 is kind of ultimate aim for me I hope you can score your best in July,6!

I've taken aamc 8 today: 13 ps, 11 bs, vr 4!! I think it's about my brain-I am just not able to score higher consistently

OMG. The verbal is really killing you. Your other scores are awesome.

I'm finally feeling better about this test! Up until today, I was feeling like I would almost certainly need to void my score on Friday, but I just got an awesome confidence boost from AAMC 7! Even though the overall composite wasn't super-high (29) it was pretty balanced (11 PS, 9 BS, and 9 V), and 5 points higher than my score a little over a week ago.

Overall, today marks the two week point in my studying, and so far I've made it through: TBR Gen Chem 1 and 2; TBR Physics 1, TPR Physics, a bit of NOVA; EK Bio and working through TPR Bio now (hoping to finish up later today, or early tomorrow). I really need to review the organic chem basics (those sections have been killing me on recent practice tests...) and waves/light/optics. Might also try boosting up verbal (haven't done any prep yet, aside from the practice tests). I'm pretty worried about bio since I haven't taken the prereqs yet...

If I could somehow manage to get 12PS and 12BS on the real thing, I'd be overjoyed. A little afraid it's out of reach, but if the exam doesn't go well on Friday, I might try to snag a spot for 7/14 afterwards, and try that too. Or maybe just keep up with practice problems (working through TPRH now) and aim for later in July / early August...

Can't believe the test date is almost here already!

Originally Posted by positivityrocks

I'm finally feeling better about this test! Up until today, I was feeling like I would almost certainly need to void my score on Friday, but I just got an awesome confidence boost from AAMC 7! Even though the overall composite wasn't super-high (29) it was pretty balanced (11 PS, 9 BS, and 9 V), and 5 points higher than my score a little over a week ago.

Overall, today marks the two week point in my studying, and so far I've made it through: TBR Gen Chem 1 and 2; TBR Physics 1, TPR Physics, a bit of NOVA; EK Bio and working through TPR Bio now (hoping to finish up later today, or early tomorrow). I really need to review the organic chem basics (those sections have been killing me on recent practice tests...) and waves/light/optics. Might also try boosting up verbal (haven't done any prep yet, aside from the practice tests). I'm pretty worried about bio since I haven't taken the prereqs yet...

If I could somehow manage to get 12PS and 12BS on the real thing, I'd be overjoyed. A little afraid it's out of reach, but if the exam doesn't go well on Friday, I might try to snag a spot for 7/14 afterwards, and try that too. Or maybe just keep up with practice problems (working through TPRH now) and aim for later in July / early August...

Can't believe the test date is almost here already!

For 2 weeks of prep thats unbelievable. Good Luck! Less than a week until freedom

I know one thing for sure: I will get a 22. Took AAMC 10 today and got 9 PS 5 VR and 8 BS after 2 day break. I felt good about PS but still got screwed with it (38/52). Not to far from 10 I guess. VR is the same for me as always. Can't get it pass 5. I probably could randomly mark and do much better on that section. Can't get BS to budge. Why the hell can't I make myself go with my first answer instead of the second best answer. I said to myself as I went over the sections briefly, that I was right the first time but allowed myself to select the 2nd best answer. What the hell is wrong with me?! The questions aren't even hard, but I am being defeated by my own subconcious. This test is really starting to piss me off. Maybe I should just void or not show and sign up for an August test. Sad thing is that I will not have anymore practice tests except AAMC 7 and purchasing TBR 4-7 to use. What do you guys think I should do. I am really getting frustarated and it isn't like I don't know the material but I ALWAYS second guess myself. I think I need to be shocked everytime I even consider selecting my second choice. It's definitely me. Well there goes my rant. Even when I feel good about a section, I still do poorly.

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I know one thing for sure: I will get a 22. Took AAMC 10 today and got 9 PS 5 VR and 8 BS after 2 day break. I felt good about PS but still got screwed with it (38/52). Not to far from 10 I guess. VR is the same for me as always. Can't get it pass 5. I probably could randomly mark and do much better on that section. Can't get BS to budge. Why the hell can't I make myself go with my first answer instead of the second best answer. I said to myself as I went over the sections briefly, that I was right the first time but allowed myself to select the 2nd best answer. What the hell is wrong with me?! The questions aren't even hard, but I am being defeated by my own subconcious. This test is really starting to piss me off. Maybe I should just void or not show and sign up for an August test. Sad thing is that I will not have anymore practice tests except AAMC 7 and purchasing TBR 4-7 to use. What do you guys think I should do. I am really getting frustarated and it isn't like I don't know the material but I ALWAYS second guess myself. I think I need to be shocked everytime I even consider selecting my second choice. It's definitely me. Well there goes my rant. Even when I feel good about a section, I still do poorly.

I share your frustration. I scored 23 on my last FL AAMC 8 (9,5,9). I was planning to take FL's 9, 10, 11 over this weekend and the coming week, but I realized that I'll be spending more money, wasting good reserve material, and not benefiting much since I won't have enough gap in between to fix my weaknesses. I decided to only take AAMC 11 on Monday, and leave the other two just in case I need to retake. I see myself stabilized at 8-10 range for both science sections, but I am struggling to get 6 on verbal.

I have been thinking hard for the last few days on how to improve my verbal, or at least ensure getting 6. I realized that there's no way in hell I could improve my verbal score within one week, unless I come up with something innovative. So, I developed a little experiment and tested it twice using EK, and got 7 and 6 on. This method is not ideal for someone who wants to score higher than 8, but it almost guarantees a score of 6. During the time left I need to test this theory more (increase my sample size) to decide whether to adopt it or reject it .

In the meanwhile, I want to keep reviewing material and doing last-minute memorization (formulas, functional groups, specific terms...etc). I will also do some TBR passages in physics and gchem. Most importantly, I will take a two-day break starting Wednesday. I really need the break to do well on the test.

Good luck everyone.

Originally Posted by Ibn Alnafis MD

I share your frustration. I scored 23 on my last FL AAMC 8 (9,5,9). I was planning to take FL's 9, 10, 11 over this weekend and the coming week, but I realized that I'll be spending more money, wasting good reserve material, and not benefiting much since I won't have enough gap in between to fix my weaknesses. I decided to only take AAMC 11 on Monday, and leave the other two just in case I need to retake. I see myself stabilized at 8-10 range for both science sections, but I am struggling to get 6 on verbal.

I have been thinking hard for the last few days on how to improve my verbal, or at least ensure getting 6. I realized that there's no way in hell I could improve my verbal score within one week, unless I come up with something innovative. So, I developed a little experiment and tested it twice using EK, and got 7 and 6 on. This method is not ideal for someone who wants to score higher than 8, but it almost guarantees a score of 6. During the time left I need to test this theory more (increase my sample size) to decide whether to adopt it or reject it .

In the meanwhile, I want to keep reviewing material and doing last-minute memorization (formulas, functional groups, specific terms...etc). I will also do some TBR passages in physics and gchem. Most importantly, I will take a two-day break starting Wednesday. I really need the break to do well on the test.

Good luck everyone.

I wish you good luck and everyone else. I just can't let myself be content with my first choice. I have to f***ing over-analyze it. It is definitely a problem with me and not my ability to understand the information. Honestly, the questions aren't hard. They are very basic! I make stupid calculation mistakes or don't read a question clearly sometimes, but 95% of the time, I have a best answer in hand, and choose my second POE answer. I don't know why I do it. I just do! It's psychological.

Just got a 27 on my final practice test.... 8PS, 11VR, 8BS. That for some reason was one of the harder tests I took. Hoping I can just squeeze out some SERIOUS FOCUS on the real one in a few days...

Originally Posted by HawaiiMedMan

Just got a 27 on my final practice test.... 8PS, 11VR, 8BS. That for some reason was one of the harder tests I took. Hoping I can just squeeze out some SERIOUS FOCUS on the real one in a few days...

Great job! Which test?

Took AAMC 11, dropped to a 33 (PS 10 VR 11, BS 12). I don't know what happened, I ran out of time majorly on PS, only had 2 minutes to do my last passage. I felt like it was so calculation heavy compared to others. There was one equation that took like 1 minute to balance before I could solve. I also didn't realize that thermodynamics and kinetics had slipped away from memory a bit.

I pulled Bio back up and PS drops, I just don't get it. I haven't hit 36 again since AAMC 4

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Originally Posted by dnovikov

For 2 weeks of prep thats unbelievable. Good Luck! Less than a week until freedom

Thanks, I'm pretty excited, myself, and hopeful that it will all come together in time for the test on Friday! I think TBR has helped me the most with physics and chem, so far, and Chad's videos have been amazingly helpful, as well. There have definitely been days that I've felt overwhelmed (not always easy to fit in 6-10 hours/day with full-time work) and times that I've seriously doubted my abilities (really, really struggled through TBR's first few chem chapters and had to relearn super-basic concepts), but I feel like things already make a lot more sense.

I also just started reading Organic Chemistry as a Second Language today and wanted to recommend that here in case anybody's looking for a quick review of the concepts. I've only gotten through three chapters so far (bond-line drawings, resonance, and acid-base chemistry), but it feels very easy to understand so far, and a nice way to review the basic concepts. Even if there isn't a ton of o-chem on the test Friday, it seems that knowing the basic concepts couldn't hurt?

We'll see, I guess... I'm hoping I can get through the first book for that tonight, and keep plugging away at TPR bio. Then, tomorrow, planning to review verbal in the morning with mix of chem/physics/bio from TPRH and another practice test from AAMC...

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

Great job! Which test?

Thanks! And it was AAMC 11. Found that one to be pretty brutal to be honest. haha And for the first time, I ran out of time on bio... went a little too slow. Totally answered 2 passages without even reading them and missed all on one of 'em. That was a bit foolish. haha Hopefully though, I'll do a little better on the real thing.

Originally Posted by positivityrocks

Thanks, I'm pretty excited, myself, and hopeful that it will all come together in time for the test on Friday! I think TBR has helped me the most with physics and chem, so far, and Chad's videos have been amazingly helpful, as well. There have definitely been days that I've felt overwhelmed (not always easy to fit in 6-10 hours/day with full-time work) and times that I've seriously doubted my abilities (really, really struggled through TBR's first few chem chapters and had to relearn super-basic concepts), but I feel like things already make a lot more sense.

I also just started reading Organic Chemistry as a Second Language today and wanted to recommend that here in case anybody's looking for a quick review of the concepts. I've only gotten through three chapters so far (bond-line drawings, resonance, and acid-base chemistry), but it feels very easy to understand so far, and a nice way to review the basic concepts. Even if there isn't a ton of o-chem on the test Friday, it seems that knowing the basic concepts couldn't hurt?

We'll see, I guess... I'm hoping I can get through the first book for that tonight, and keep plugging away at TPR bio. Then, tomorrow, planning to review verbal in the morning with mix of chem/physics/bio from TPRH and another practice test from AAMC...

Chads o.chem is also really great. I agree that TBR is amazing for PS. My only issue is that if the test covers a topic I reviewed within the last week I get a 12 in PS, if it goes back further I squeek out a 10

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Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I know one thing for sure: I will get a 22. Took AAMC 10 today and got 9 PS 5 VR and 8 BS after 2 day break. I felt good about PS but still got screwed with it (38/52). Not to far from 10 I guess. VR is the same for me as always. Can't get it pass 5. I probably could randomly mark and do much better on that section. Can't get BS to budge. Why the hell can't I make myself go with my first answer instead of the second best answer. I said to myself as I went over the sections briefly, that I was right the first time but allowed myself to select the 2nd best answer. What the hell is wrong with me?! The questions aren't even hard, but I am being defeated by my own subconcious. This test is really starting to piss me off. Maybe I should just void or not show and sign up for an August test. Sad thing is that I will not have anymore practice tests except AAMC 7 and purchasing TBR 4-7 to use. What do you guys think I should do. I am really getting frustarated and it isn't like I don't know the material but I ALWAYS second guess myself. I think I need to be shocked everytime I even consider selecting my second choice. It's definitely me. Well there goes my rant. Even when I feel good about a section, I still do poorly.

Have you taken a day off recently? It does help. My bio was riddled with careless mistakes. I took a break and nailed it again. Not so much in physics, but I think the heavy calculations in AAMC 11 just threw me off a bit. Also in BS , map out the passage graphically. ( x inhibits y which stimulates v). It helps me a lot.

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I wish you good luck and everyone else. I just can't let myself be content with my first choice. I have to f***ing over-analyze it. It is definitely a problem with me and not my ability to understand the information. Honestly, the questions aren't hard. They are very basic! I make stupid calculation mistakes or don't read a question clearly sometimes, but 95% of the time, I have a best answer in hand, and choose my second POE answer. I don't know why I do it. I just do! It's psychological.

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Originally Posted by impact2d

Have you taken a day off recently? It does help. My bio was riddled with careless mistakes. I took a break and nailed it again. Not so much in physics, but I think the heavy calculations in AAMC 11 just threw me off a bit. Also in BS , map out the passage graphically. ( x inhibits y which stimulates v). It helps me a lot.








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Yeah. I took off Thursday and Friday. I don't think I'm in denial, but I'm not having any real content issues. It's more test-taking and analyzing that is getting me. Like their was an orgo passage on AAMC 10 dealing with E2, Hoffman, and Zaitsev's and I understood the basics. However, had I analyzed the data given to me in the table's I should have been able to apply it to the supposition and answer correctly. I did use POE, got it down to two answers, and 2nd guessed and got it wrong. I know I can pull a 30 off but I have to get my sh*t together. BR has helped for physics a lot. I can't explain it well to anybody, but I know enough to put 2-and-2 together. My episodic migraines don't help either because they are becoming an everyday thing.

Also, for VR, I'm thinking about concentrating on 6 passages using mapping and guessing blindly on the 7th. I need to test it out though. What I have been doing isn't working, so I don't have anything to lose.

Questions MCAT buddies: Do you think I should take the test and just void it or not show up?

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

Yeah. I took off Thursday and Friday. I don't think I'm in denial, but I'm not having any real content issues. It's more test-taking and analyzing that is getting me. Like their was an orgo passage on AAMC 10 dealing with E2, Hoffman, and Zaitsev's and I understood the basics. However, had I analyzed the data given to me in the table's I should have been able to apply it to the supposition and answer correctly. I did use POE, got it down to two answers, and 2nd guessed and got it wrong. I know I can pull a 30 off but I have to get my sh*t together. BR has helped for physics a lot. I can't explain it well to anybody, but I know enough to put 2-and-2 together. My episodic migraines don't help either because they are becoming an everyday thing.

Also, for VR, I'm thinking about concentrating on 6 passages using mapping and guessing blindly on the 7th. I need to test it out though. What I have been doing isn't working, so I don't have anything to lose.

Questions MCAT buddies: Do you think I should take the test and just void it or not show up?

In my opinion, you should definetely show up! You can make your hesitation advantage-you donot have anything to lose so think about it in the test and relax--do your best and you will have feeling about how it is and you'll decide if you should avoid or not -there-. I also donot score as high as I want but I believe that real thing is gonna be best-just a few days to exam so dreaming doesnt hurt but does motivate

Got smoked by TBR CBT 5 yesterday. PS is easily the worst for me but scoring a 6 when I've been averaging a 10 was pretty brutal. I've heard CBT 5 is pretty tough but I went to slow during the 1st half of the PS and had to speed through the 2nd. Broken down it looks like this:

Without rushing (passages 1-3): 14/17
Rushing (passages 4-7): 6/22
Independent questions: 10/13

I've always had time issues with PS for some reason and was wondering if anyone had any tips for me to try and work in before the test. I still have TBR CBT 6 and 7 to practice with. Thanks

Originally Posted by mlkl

In my opinion, you should definetely show up! You can make your hesitation advantage-you donot have anything to lose so think about it in the test and relax--do your best and you will have feeling about how it is and you'll decide if you should avoid or not -there-. I also donot score as high as I want but I believe that real thing is gonna be best-just a few days to exam so dreaming doesnt hurt but does motivate

Yeah. I will go take it to see what it is like nowadays because everyone keep saying it is changing. Last time I took it was 2009, so having new intel on it will help me prepare for a later test date if I need one. Slow and steady wins the race. I want to be in med school next year. I'm tired of my life being on pause, especially, with my friends entering residencies. I will pray and hope for the best. But the VR thing is dragging my score down too! I wish you the best mlkl. I'm sure you will do fine.

Originally Posted by smit6222

Got smoked by TBR CBT 5 yesterday. PS is easily the worst for me but scoring a 6 when I've been averaging a 10 was pretty brutal. I've heard CBT 5 is pretty tough but I went to slow during the 1st half of the PS and had to speed through the 2nd. Broken down it looks like this:

Without rushing (passages 1-3): 14/17
Rushing (passages 4-7): 6/22
Independent questions: 10/13

I've always had time issues with PS for some reason and was wondering if anyone had any tips for me to try and work in before the test. I still have TBR CBT 6 and 7 to practice with. Thanks

Are timing issues based on calculations or understanding passages. I think it has more to do with TBR. As long as your AAMC score subset is good, I wouldn't worry too much. That test could have played to weaknesses too. Good luck!

Are timing issues based on calculations or understanding passages. I think it has more to do with TBR. As long as your AAMC score subset is good, I wouldn't worry too much. That test could have played to weaknesses too. Good luck![/QUOTE]

I understand most of the passages fairly well there is just something about the beginning of the tests that slows me down and then I have to speed through the rest. Only reason I'm being forced to judge everything off of the TBR CBTs is because I basically wasted the AAMC practice tests 1st time around not knowing what I was doing. Never like to retake anything because I feel like it's a lose, lose situation.

I'll most likely just take TBR CBT-6 Tuesday and then divide up TBR CBT-7 and use it for practice passages to work on timing.

Originally Posted by smit6222

Are timing issues based on calculations or understanding passages. I think it has more to do with TBR. As long as your AAMC score subset is good, I wouldn't worry too much. That test could have played to weaknesses too. Good luck!

I understand most of the passages fairly well there is just something about the beginning of the tests that slows me down and then I have to speed through the rest. Only reason I'm being forced to judge everything off of the TBR CBTs is because I basically wasted the AAMC practice tests 1st time around not knowing what I was doing. Never like to retake anything because I feel like it's a lose, lose situation.

I'll most likely just take TBR CBT-6 Tuesday and then divide up TBR CBT-7 and use it for practice passages to work on timing.

I've been having the same issue, and after analyzing all of my FL's, I think I found a common thread. When the PS starts with a passage that doesn't play to my strengths, I get a slow start and it throws my pace off. I still get the answers all right, but I lose tons of time on the rest. On the FL that I scored a 12 on, I skipped a passage. The second one Felt like a better place to start. After I was on a roll, I went back to the first one and realized it wasn't anywhere near as hard as I thought.

I'm going to take one more FL and test it out. I think it is just better to start of the test on a positive note, so pick a passage you can nail and get your mind jumpstarted.

I'm so excited to take this test and get it over with! If you are scoring in a certain range, you'll get that score, unless you are supremely unlucky. Just hope you get lucky with a test that got stuff you find interesting on it or are good at.

Personally, I don't want to see anything with Renal physiology on the bio section and circuits with capactiors, double lens problems, electrochemistry on the PS section. But there is still time for me to get it down.

So I'm not sure whose still left from our thread's early days.

I know aspiringdoc, mlkl, Ibn Alnafis are still here. I think we lost gumby, poprocks, torshi,drshark and a few other early regulars.
Whatever happened to Jevas, sbuxaddict, doublefrick, holtmd, temp101, drbull? How about a response if you are still taking on the 06th so I can root for you guys and keep you in my prayers.

Also, how many other nontrads?

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Originally Posted by illinichief89

I'm so excited to take this test and get it over with! If you are scoring in a certain range, you'll get that score, unless you are supremely unlucky. Just hope you get lucky with a test that got stuff you find interesting on it or are good at.

Personally, I don't want to see anything with Renal physiology on the bio section and circuits with capactiors, double lens problems, electrochemistry on the PS section. But there is still time for me to get it down.

I know! I'm with you on double lenses, I think TBR only had one paragraph on it and we didn't cover them in class. Renal I've studied hard because I heard It's a favorite. I just DO NOT want a calculation heavy PS. The more chem, the better. For some odd reason I don't like genetic inheritance questions much in BS, I think I'm missing something because most people find them easy.

Thanks for the encouragement, we will get within our range or better! I know verbal will work out for you this time!

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Originally Posted by impact2d

I know! I'm with you on double lenses, I think TBR only had one paragraph on it and we didn't cover them in class. Renal I've studied hard because I heard It's a favorite. I just DO NOT want a calculation heavy PS. The more chem, the better. For some odd reason I don't like genetic inheritance questions much in BS, I think I'm missing something because most people find them easy.

Thanks for the encouragement, we will get within our range or better! I know verbal will work out for you this time!

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Agreed, more chem the better for PS. Thanks for the kinds words yo.Haha, I miss that GumbyJ guy too, I love the combination of his name and that honeybadger pic. Hilarious.

Originally Posted by impact2d

So I'm not sure whose still left from our thread's early days.

I know aspiringdoc, mlkl, Ibn Alnafis are still here. I think we lost gumby, poprocks, torshi,drshark and a few other early regulars.
Whatever happened to Jevas, sbuxaddict, doublefrick, holtmd, temp101, drbull? How about a response if you are still taking on the 06th so I can root for you guys and keep you in my prayers.

Also, how many other nontrads?

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I am still here..I postpone for September 11. Good luck to all of you. I just wanna get in the high 20s (27+). My last AAMC, which was two week before the test, I got 24. Still struglling in VR and I wanna get it to a consistent 8+ before I sit for the test.

Can't wait to get this over with. I have no idea how to use these last 3 days or so.... it's killin me. haha

anyone else feel like they are forgetting everything?

Originally Posted by impact2d

Chads o.chem is also really great. I agree that TBR is amazing for PS. My only issue is that if the test covers a topic I reviewed within the last week I get a 12 in PS, if it goes back further I squeek out a 10

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Thanks for this tip! I watched quite a few of his organic videos last night and I think it really helped. I've also finished reading through the first Organic as a Second Language book and want to try to get through some chapters in the second TBR o-chem book too (lab techniques, especially, but also hopefully the chapter on carbonyl reactions and carbohydrates).

It's a bit overwhelming trying to cram everything for o-chem in now, but still really relieved that I decided to do so. Scary to think that I had originally planned to just skip studying for this part entirely Really hopeful that I'll be able to make some quick gains in BS by at least getting the "easy" organic questions right. On AAMC 7 and 8 it really killed me (I only missed 3-4 total in the bio section of BS, but almost all or the organic questions!).

Originally Posted by impact2d

Also, how many other nontrads?

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I think I'm considered a nontrad. applicant, but always sort of confused by the distinction, to be honest. I have worked full-time since graduating (almost 4 years ago now ) and took prereqs like 6 or 7 years ago. But, I'm still relatively young (early 20s), so never know quite where I fit in...

Originally Posted by impact2d

I know! I'm with you on double lenses, I think TBR only had one paragraph on it and we didn't cover them in class. Renal I've studied hard because I heard It's a favorite. I just DO NOT want a calculation heavy PS. The more chem, the better. For some odd reason I don't like genetic inheritance questions much in BS, I think I'm missing something because most people find them easy.
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If you have time, I'd definitely recommend TPR's chapter on genetics. I think it was the best chapter I've read in that book, so far, and it really helped my understanding. I'm very interested in genetics, so thought I'd have a pretty strong foundation, but found the way they explained things to really help.

I have to brush up on the renal system -- don't feel entirely comfortable with it yet. Hoping that listening over and over to Audio Osmosis this week will help it to sink in a bit.

Originally Posted by illinichief89

Just hope you get lucky with a test that got stuff you find interesting on it or are good at.

Personally, I don't want to see anything with Renal physiology on the bio section and circuits with capactiors, double lens problems, electrochemistry on the PS section. But there is still time for me to get it down.

I agree -- keeping my fingers crossed for some interesting content on Friday too! I almost always find the natural science and social science passages interesting, but the humanities ones can be sooo dry. Hoping those will be more interesting on Friday!

As far as PS, I think I'd prefer not to have optics/mirrors/lenses (although Chad's chart did seem to help!), but more stuff on electric circuits, conservation of momentum, kinematics, etc. I get a little overwhelmed sometimes with the lengthy chem experiments, but really like the stuff about electron configuration, hybridization, etc.

Originally Posted by smit6222

I basically wasted the AAMC practice tests 1st time around not knowing what I was doing. Never like to retake anything because I feel like it's a lose, lose situation.

I'll most likely just take TBR CBT-6 Tuesday and then divide up TBR CBT-7 and use it for practice passages to work on timing.

This is what I'm worried about too -- seems like such a Catch-22. I think I'm going to end up taking them all this time around, even though I probably should save 1 or 2, since I'm leaning towards retaking the exam in a few weeks... I have retaken a few already though, actually, and while it definitely is less helpful than "fresh" tests, I find them still to be very helpful. I mostly use the retakes to judge how much I've learned from my mistakes -- if I make the same mistake twice, even after seeing the solution the first time, then I definitely pay way more attention to it, and make sure I learn from it that time!



Still can't believe the test is almost here! At this point, I'm feeling less nervous because of my plan to retake later this month or next. It just seems that even if I could get an okay score on Friday, I won't feel that great about it? Two weeks might be enough time to prep for somebody who recently took prereqs and understood everything really well, but for somebody like me, whose basically had to relearn most of it from scratch, two weeks feels way too short. I think that another 4-6 weeks of practice/review with a more moderate study schedule (4-6 hours/day instead of 8-10+) could really pay off.

Also, since I won't start finishing off my prereqs until this fall, I'm thinking that doing really well on the MCAT could help make me look a little more prepared/competent? I still technically have two more quarters of organic, three of bio, and one of physics -- so a significant portion still left for any schools that are sticklers about the requirements (thankfully, my state school is pretty flexible!).

Hey folks,

Not scoring as high as I should be right now, so I'm going to sit on the 6th and do my best, but most likely void. I've made a Plan B for July 27th. So that's where I stand now. I'll still be participating in the boards and rooting you all as much as I can though!

Originally Posted by drbull

Hey folks,

Not scoring as high as I should be right now, so I'm going to sit on the 6th and do my best, but most likely void. I've made a Plan B for July 27th. So that's where I stand now. I'll still be participating in the boards and rooting you all as much as I can though!

Hopefully you feel great after the test and don't have to void!

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Originally Posted by k2on3hru

anyone else feel like they are forgetting everything?

Yes! Haha I feel like I don't know anything!

I have to try out my Kaplan strategy. A medical student, where I work, told me to try and see if it helps increase my score and if it doesn't use what I have been using. I am not sure at this point if I want to void or not. I hope I won't have to. I hope this new VR strategy helps. Maybe I should get some adderall.

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I have to try out my Kaplan strategy. A medical student, where I work, told me to try and see if it helps increase my score and if it doesn't use what I have been using. I am not sure at this point if I want to void or not. I hope I won't have to. I hope this new VR strategy helps. Maybe I should get some adderall.

Do you mean mapping?

Originally Posted by dnovikov

Do you mean mapping?

Yes. Mapping the passage and only concentrating on 6/7 to get all the questions correct and guessing blindly on the last.

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

Yes. Mapping the passage and only concentrating on 6/7 to get all the questions correct and guessing blindly on the last.

What?!? Why on earth would this be a good strategy?

Originally Posted by farnell

What?!? Why on earth would this be a good strategy?

I didn't say it was a good strategy. I said I would try it out to see if it helps me. I am doing poorly in VR, so I have nothing to lose. I keep getting 5s on the AAMCs, which equate to 20/40 correct and a 8 is more like 25-27/40. So anything that can gain me enough points to increase my score is good. I went through EK and didn't improve. I have tried TPRH and usually get 8/9 but when I take the AAMCs, I am lacking. Do you have any clear cut strategies for me to use? I am willing to try anything before Friday.

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I didn't say it was a good strategy. I said I would try it out to see if it helps me. I am doing poorly in VR, so I have nothing to lose. I keep getting 5s on the AAMCs, which equate to 20/40 correct and a 8 is more like 25-27/40. So anything that can gain me enough points to increase my score is good. I went through EK and didn't improve. I have tried TPRH and usually get 8/9 but when I take the AAMCs, I am lacking. Do you have any clear cut strategies for me to use? I am willing to try anything before Friday.

The best advice I can give is read every passage like it is the most interesting thing you ever read, and pick your answers quickly. I think reading carefully works better than spending all day on the questions, but I'm also scoring between 11 and 12 which is good but by no means makes me the expert on verbal (I'm actually kind of shocked that verbal didn't end up being stronger with my background as an English major.) Maybe if I did more practice than the AAMC's, but I did one of the EK practice tests and I didn't think it was very much like the AAMC tests.

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I didn't say it was a good strategy. I said I would try it out to see if it helps me. I am doing poorly in VR, so I have nothing to lose. I keep getting 5s on the AAMCs, which equate to 20/40 correct and a 8 is more like 25-27/40. So anything that can gain me enough points to increase my score is good. I went through EK and didn't improve. I have tried TPRH and usually get 8/9 but when I take the AAMCs, I am lacking. Do you have any clear cut strategies for me to use? I am willing to try anything before Friday.

Answering 20/40 actually equates to 6 on all aamc tests, except for aamc10 which you need to score 21/40 to get 6. My goal is to at least get 6 on the real test.

I'm actually going to focus on only 5 passages, since timing is my biggest issue. I will guess blindly on the other two passages. I figured, I could get at least 17/28 right on the the 5 passages (~60%) and 3/12 right by guessing (25%).

Like this, I will have more time to spend on each passage, 11.5mins instead of 8.5.

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I didn't say it was a good strategy. I said I would try it out to see if it helps me. I am doing poorly in VR, so I have nothing to lose. I keep getting 5s on the AAMCs, which equate to 20/40 correct and a 8 is more like 25-27/40. So anything that can gain me enough points to increase my score is good. I went through EK and didn't improve. I have tried TPRH and usually get 8/9 but when I take the AAMCs, I am lacking. Do you have any clear cut strategies for me to use? I am willing to try anything before Friday.

Have you been reviewing your wrong answer choices? It is definitely possible that you are getting specific types of problems wrong. Also, what types of passages are you good/bad at? I don't think that it is simple enough to just improve through lots of practice - you have to know what to practice. Lastly, I just read this suggestion in another thread, and it is what I've been doing - 8 minutes per passage. Practice passages (one at a time, if you have to) until you can finish them in under 8 minutes, without getting more than 2 wrong.

I think that the last one is particularly important. If you can do this for passages one at a time, then you should be able to do it for 7 consecutive as well. You really have to study smart for verbal.

Originally Posted by Ibn Alnafis MD

Answering 20/40 actually equates to 6 on all aamc tests, except for aamc10 which you need to score 21/40 to get 6. My goal is to at least get 6 on the real test.

I'm actually going to focus on only 5 passages, since timing is my biggest issue. I will guess blindly on the other two passages. I figured, I could get at least 17/28 right on the the 5 passages (~60%) and 3/12 right by guessing (25%).

Like this, I will have more time to spend on each passage, 11.5mins instead of 8.5.

I disagree with this strategy - please see my last post. I got a 6 on my first MCAT but have been averaging 11's on my average AAMC's this time around. You should be able to focus on ALL of the passages. By the end of the passage, you should be able to answer the questions, "Why did the author write this?" and "How does the author feel about the topic?" These alone should be enough to net you most of the questions.

Originally Posted by impact2d

The best advice I can give is read every passage like it is the most interesting thing you ever read, and pick your answers quickly. I think reading carefully works better than spending all day on the questions, but I'm also scoring between 11 and 12 which is good but by no means makes me the expert on verbal (I'm actually kind of shocked that verbal didn't end up being stronger with my background as an English major.) Maybe if I did more practice than the AAMC's, but I did one of the EK practice tests and I didn't think it was very much like the AAMC tests.

I start out focusing. I find myself spacing out on different passages: economic issues, humanities, and philosophy. I have to keep telling myself to focus and actively read. 11 and 12 is excellent compared to what I'm doing. Keep doing what you are doing!

Originally Posted by Ibn Alnafis MD

Answering 20/40 actually equates to 6 on all aamc tests, except for aamc10 which you need to score 21/40 to get 6. My goal is to at least get 6 on the real test.

I'm actually going to focus on only 5 passages, since timing is my biggest issue. I will guess blindly on the other two passages. I figured, I could get at least 17/28 right on the the 5 passages (~60%) and 3/12 right by guessing (25%).

Like this, I will have more time to spend on each passage, 11.5mins instead of 8.5.

I don't think that is a good idea. I tested it out on TPRH practice test 3, which I normally get 25/40 and gained one point with mapping and skipping passage. The worst thing I did with this strategy was left a passage (#4) to guess on with 7 questions. BAD IDEA. I skipped it because it looked time consuming with the paragraph-like stem qiestions. I still have to test a AAMC out later tonight. I still missed a couple of questions here and there. I wrote a lot too. I did find myself going back less using mapping. I need to cut down on mapping and skip a passage with the least amount of questions. If you use at least 9-9.5 minutes for 6 passages, which is more than enough, you maybe able to use EKs question stem trick to answer the last passage. I don't know, but I will see over the next few days. But Ibn try to attack at least 6 passages. Don't increase your odds more than you have to.

Originally Posted by farnell

Have you been reviewing your wrong answer choices? It is definitely possible that you are getting specific types of problems wrong. Also, what types of passages are you good/bad at? I don't think that it is simple enough to just improve through lots of practice - you have to know what to practice. Lastly, I just read this suggestion in another thread, and it is what I've been doing - 8 minutes per passage. Practice passages (one at a time, if you have to) until you can finish them in under 8 minutes, without getting more than 2 wrong.

I think that the last one is particularly important. If you can do this for passages one at a time, then you should be able to do it for 7 consecutive as well. You really have to study smart for verbal.

I was checking over them when using EK (at least 10 tests worth) and I did ~30 passages in TPRH and analyzed it too. I didn't find any patterns because I was missing at least every question type. I decided I was wasting my time with analyzing due to the lack of pattern. I think trying to long-term focusing and not understanding certain passages get me. I was using 8 min/passage, and that didn't help my score. I went through EK completely and only managed to get a 8/9 a few times and mostly 6/7s. When I do have leisurely reading, it is either scientific papers or a medical/scientific fiction novels. Thanks for the help Farnell. I have tried, but you know what works for some doesn't for others. I will figure it out. I am more than determined.

Originally Posted by impact2d

So I'm not sure whose still left from our thread's early days.

I know aspiringdoc, mlkl, Ibn Alnafis are still here. I think we lost gumby, poprocks, torshi,drshark and a few other early regulars.
Whatever happened to Jevas, sbuxaddict, doublefrick, holtmd, temp101, drbull? How about a response if you are still taking on the 06th so I can root for you guys and keep you in my prayers.

Also, how many other nontrads?

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I postponed to the 27th...good luck to everyone who still stuck with this test date!

I find I do a lot better when I immediately skip any question in verbal that begins with Suppose or Assume... I come back to them before switching passages and if I can't get them in ~45 seconds I just guess and move on. Plus I always keep my guess the same. I have been going back from 10 to 9 but started with a 6

Originally Posted by aspiringdoc09

I didn't say it was a good strategy. I said I would try it out to see if it helps me. I am doing poorly in VR, so I have nothing to lose. I keep getting 5s on the AAMCs, which equate to 20/40 correct and a 8 is more like 25-27/40. So anything that can gain me enough points to increase my score is good. I went through EK and didn't improve. I have tried TPRH and usually get 8/9 but when I take the AAMCs, I am lacking. Do you have any clear cut strategies for me to use? I am willing to try anything before Friday.

I posted this in the 6/21 thread I was in. Maybe It'll help you, or someone else out there who's struggling with a low verbal

Originally Posted by ChocoMoo

Thanks!

About a year ago when I was taking the test I was probably averaging around an 8-9 (26-28 correct out of 40) in verbal. Once in a while I would have a fluke and do really bad or really well. I consider myself a pretty fast reader, so for me, timing is not an issue. If the problem isn't timing then there are really only two other things it could be..getting tricked by an answer choice that sounds temping, and not understanding the passage well enough. I know some people are going to disagree with me on this and say you can skim the passage. But like I've said before, this is just what works for me.

What I suggest is read through the passage at a good pace. You want to read fast enough so you get through it but read slow enough so you have a good understanding of everything. I started writing notes to myself on my scratch paper. I would write something like "2 concepts: A & B" then maybe for the next paragraph "author thinks A > B". Don't use full sentences or anything, just write a major point that you just read about. Then at the end you can quickly think of a main idea in your mind that ties it all together. Also, a lot of threads for verbal recommend something like 7 minutes a passage. That would work assuming every passage was similar in content/difficulty. I was a science major, so I can get through a bio-related passage wayyy faster than one comparing two different styles of ballet that originated in France. Also, what if one passage's writing style is just easier to read, while another is super convoluted with weird sentence structure and the author sounds like a nutcase? So because every passage can be extremely different, I just stick to reading each one as fast as possible, but slow enough to understand what's going on. If it takes 10 minutes for a passage then that's fine. Maybe there will be another passage later that only takes you 6. I usually find that this is the case, everything gets evened out.

As for the questions, it's about picking up ways they are trying to trick you. After I read a question and read the answer choices, I always cross out two that are the most likely wrong. Then I decide which of the two left over is "better". Of course if you cross out the right answer first, you just screwed yourself haha. But that's where practice comes in. After a while of doing passages you'll start to be suspicious of extreme wording unless the author himself is extreme. If the passage is a comparison essay then a common trick would be to ask about A but then give an answer choice regarding B. For a main idea question, there's always an answer choice or two that talks about an individual paragraph, and not the MAIN idea. There's also the "let's throw something in that's relevant to the passage but doesn't answer the question". Really, its about practice and being able to spot these.

Last bit of advice: Focus, seriously. The second you are reading a passage and you're mind starts wandering, you're gone. Just sit down, read the passage in it's entirety without thinking of anything else and then knock out the questions one by one. I think focus is really key for verbal. It can either make or break your score. Half the people that do decent on practice tests that do bad on the real one got shaken up after a hard PS section and let it get to them in verbal. So just relax and focus!

Anyway, that's basically what I've been doing. I've been getting 10's (31/40) on my practice tests, but I started at a 6 at one point, so I know it can be really frustrating. Just keep at it and don't give up. Hope that helps!

Taking mine on 7/14...since the 7/14 thread is sort of dead, I am posting here. Took AAMC 9 today got a 12/7/12
PS: 46/52
BS: 47/52
VR: 24/40

I am feeling super scroomed....

Originally Posted by theA1doctor

Taking mine on 7/14...since the 7/14 thread is sort of dead, I am posting here. Took AAMC 9 today got a 12/7/12
PS: 46/52
BS: 47/52
VR: 24/40

I am feeling super scroomed....

Care to share any tips on how you're scoring so highly with PS/BS? I could use some help there. Thanks!