Bad at Physics, MCAT physics opinions

[kimicurtis]

Ok, so I suck at physics. I know it is my weakest area, and so, plan to devote most of my time to it this summer when I am studying for my MCAT. I will be doing focused review and practice with Examkrackers and Berkely.

I know people might jump at this, but i will be taking the MCAT without physics 2. I would just like opinions from people who have taken the MCAT with a so/so or poor physics background and from studying and practicing it diligently made a 10+ on the physical science section.

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[BerkReviewTeach]

Ok, so I suck at physics. I know it is my weakest area, and so, plan to devote most of my time to it this summer when I am studying for my MCAT. I will be doing focused review and practice with Examkrackers and Berkely.

I know people might jump at this, but i will be taking the MCAT without physics 2. I would just like opinions from people who have taken the MCAT with a so/so or poor physics background and from studying and practicing it diligently made a 10+ on the physical science section.

Did you take high school physics? I've found that people who've had good physics in high school have a very solid conceptual understanding. If you didn't take high school physics, I think it's better to at least start physics 2 and get some exposure before you start preparing for the MCAT. There are certain topics, like optics, that can be learned to the level of the MCAT through self study. But electromagnetism and circuits can be tough to navigate on your own the first time you see them. Do you have access to a good tutor?

 

[ridethecliche]

Ok, so I suck at physics. I know it is my weakest area, and so, plan to devote most of my time to it this summer when I am studying for my MCAT. I will be doing focused review and practice with Examkrackers and Berkely.

I know people might jump at this, but i will be taking the MCAT without physics 2. I would just like opinions from people who have taken the MCAT with a so/so or poor physics background and from studying and practicing it diligently made a 10+ on the physical science section.

So wait, let me get this straight...

You claim to be bad at physics, yet you're going to take this test without taking half the material that's on the exam?

Huh.

 

[mcloaf]

So wait, let me get this straight...

You claim to be bad at physics, yet you're going to take this test without taking half the material that's on the exam?

Huh.

Meh, I took the whole year of physics prior to taking the exam and didn't feel that it helped me much at all. Many college physics courses emphasize calculator-based variable solving rather than the conceptual understanding that the MCAT is looking for.

To OP, I'd recommend the WikiPremed videos. They worked wonders for my understanding and confidence in MCAT physics.

 

[kimicurtis]

Did you take high school physics? I've found that people who've had good physics in high school have a very solid conceptual understanding. If you didn't take high school physics, I think it's better to at least start physics 2 and get some exposure before you start preparing for the MCAT. There are certain topics, like optics, that can be learned to the level of the MCAT through self study. But electromagnetism and circuits can be tough to navigate on your own the first time you see them. Do you have access to a good tutor?

I did do physics in high school, and wasn't good at it then either. I don't have issues with concepts, if physics was conceptual like orgo for example, i would be fine. Its really the calculations that get me, and that's because my math is not the strongest. I may have a good tutor, if I am near my campus for the summer but if not, I wont have one.

 

[kimicurtis]

So wait, let me get this straight...

You claim to be bad at physics, yet you're going to take this test without taking half the material that's on the exam?

Huh.

...Thanks for the sarcasm...but, physics at my school is the worst, the teacher that i had didnt 'teach' me a thing and this is not something i say lightly. all he does is do the examples in the book on the board-thats not teaching. Further, Physics is half the physical science section, so the percentage of physics that i have not been 'taught' recently in a classroom (in respect to how it is covered on the MCAT) is more along the lines of 12.5% not 50%

 

[kimicurtis]

Meh, I took the whole year of physics prior to taking the exam and didn't feel that it helped me much at all. Many college physics courses emphasize calculator-based variable solving rather than the conceptual understanding that the MCAT is looking for.

To OP, I'd recommend the WikiPremed videos. They worked wonders for my understanding and confidence in MCAT physics.

Thanks for the advise. My physics teacher was so bad, and I definitely dont say that about my other teachers. all it was was a big number crunch with no real reasoning/learning taking place.

 

[ridethecliche]

...Thanks for the sarcasm...but, physics at my school is the worst, the teacher that i had didnt 'teach' me a thing and this is not something i say lightly. all he does is do the examples in the book on the board-thats not teaching. Further, Physics is half the physical science section, so the percentage of physics that i have not been 'taught' recently in a classroom (in respect to how it is covered on the MCAT) is more along the lines of 12.5% not 50%

Right.

When you end up with an optics and an E&M passage on test day, you won't be talking about 12.5%.

 

[kimicurtis]

Right.

When you end up with an optics and an E&M passage on test day, you won't be talking about 12.5%.

Would it kill you to be supportive, not condescending.

 

[wisewoman]

Don't take classes in your weak areas. That will only remind you about them and make you feel worse. Ignoring physics is the best course of action.

And to save you some effort when the time comes for you to post the inevitable "I got 24 on the MCAT, do I have a chance?" thread - no, you don't.

 

[kimicurtis]

Don't take classes in your weak areas. That will only remind you about them and make you feel worse. Ignoring physics is the best course of action.

And to save you some effort when the time comes for you to post the inevitable "I got 24 on the MCAT, do I have a chance?" thread - no, you don't.

Cute...thanks. You can share your opinion without being sarcastic. You can tell me its a terrible idea, but why be rude on top of it? Does it boost your ego, make you feel good about yourself? Want someone to acknowledge your presence and tell you that you are witty?

 

[mcloaf]

W/e, I'd stop checking this thread. As they say, haters gon' hate. You've made your decision, and if you study hard with EK and TBR, supplementing with WikiPremed videos if needed, there's no reason you can't ace the physics. TBH, once you get a solid understanding of the MCAT physics, those questions are really the easiest ones on the test--they don't have all sorts of nebulous answers the way that verbal or bio do, nor do things come out of left field as sometimes happens with ochem and genchem. If you know what's what, you should be able to get every single physics question right.

 

[kimicurtis]

W/e, I'd stop checking this thread. As they say, haters gon' hate. You've made your decision, and if you study hard with EK and TBR, supplementing with WikiPremed videos if needed, there's no reason you can't ace the physics. TBH, once you get a solid understanding of the MCAT physics, those questions are really the easiest ones on the test--they don't have all sorts of nebulous answers the way that verbal or bio do, nor do things come out of left field as sometimes happens with ochem and genchem. If you know what's what, you should be able to get every single physics question right.

You are right, I'll just ignore the other posters and take your advice. I will be focusing a good deal of time on physics. Im studying over the summer too so i will have a great deal of practice and study time.

 

[HawaiiMedMan]

Dude, you'll be fine. Physics is my worst too and I just started studying and I don't feel to good about it, but don't give up on it. Don't move on til you get it, because if there is one thing about Physics is that it builds. So go over the same stuff over and over and over and over and til you get it. UNDERSTAND! haha And disregard the tools on here. They may get a 30+ on their MCAT but they also got a 45 on the Douche Test.

Good luck and rock your MCAT!

 

[MedPR]

I suck at physics too. SDN and TBR are the best physics teachers I've ever had.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Watch Chad

 

[kimicurtis]

Dude, you'll be fine. Physics is my worst too and I just started studying and I don't feel to good about it, but don't give up on it. Don't move on til you get it, because if there is one thing about Physics is that it builds. So go over the same stuff over and over and over and over and til you get it. UNDERSTAND! haha And disregard the tools on here. They may get a 30+ on their MCAT but they also got a 45 on the Douche Test.

Good luck and rock your MCAT!

Aww, thanks, I will be working hard!

 

[kimicurtis]

Watch Chad

I will.

 

[maybemed2013]

Bump. I am terrible at Physics.
I have EK, TPR and Nova I still don't understand do you think I should get BR?

 

[kimicurtis]

Bump. I am terrible at Physics.
I have EK, TPR and Nova I still don't understand do you think I should get BR?

Well, how bad would you say you are ? Do you think your PS score is in the range of a 4/6/8? What do you think is bad?

In any case, I think the BR does provide you with great passages that can definitely help you. Also, maybe you should try Chad or Wikipremed videos? How have the 1001 questions been going?

 

[Fivo]

Bump. I am terrible at Physics.
I have EK, TPR and Nova I still don't understand do you think I should get BR?

If you're seriously that bad, I advise you to pick up an actual textbook and start reading. Though TBR may be more detailed, Nova and TPR should have given you a decent understanding of the required physics.

 

[maybemed2013]

I have not taken any mock MCAT yet, so I don't know my PS range... I am planning to take Jan 2013 MCAT.

I did EK ch 1 and a few EK 1001s and I did get a 8 on the end of the ch test, but when I got to ch 2 it was another story.

I have been reading Nova and I did Ch1 problems, which is suppose to be the easiest and I got several wrong.

I read PR Ch2 and I was able to follow through and I thought I understand than when it was time to do the problems, I was shunned.

I realize that I need to really understand the formulas before doing any practice problems, and I need to do as many practice problems as possible.
I just purchase Kaplan Physics and will try to get a hold on BR physics and get a physics tutor.

I just internally suck at Physics, I suck at it in H.S and I suck at it in college ( even though I manage a B in physics 1 and a B+ in physics 2)

 

[kimicurtis]

I have not taken any mock MCAT yet, so I don't know my PS range... I am planning to take Jan 2013 MCAT.

I did EK ch 1 and a few EK 1001s and I did get a 8 on the end of the ch test, but when I got to ch 2 it was another story.

I have been reading Nova and I did Ch1 problems, which is suppose to be the easiest and I got several wrong.

I read PR Ch2 and I was able to follow through and I thought I understand than when it was time to do the problems, I was shunned.

I realize that I need to really understand the formulas before doing any practice problems, and I need to do as many practice problems as possible.
I just purchase Kaplan Physics and will try to get a hold on BR physics and get a physics tutor.

I just internally suck at Physics, I suck at it in H.S and I suck at it in college ( even though I manage a B in physics 1 and a B+ in physics 2)

Well, if you are taking the January MCAT, you potentially have alot of study time then. Will you be taking classes/working?

The only thing I can say is practice hard and make sure you review your practice tests. As in, try and really understand why your questions were wrong/right. Identify your weak areas and try and build on them. Look up videos on them even.

If you get a tutor, that may be beneficial. Don't use the Kaplan physics book though, its the lowest rated physics book.

Work hard, but smart. Keep practicing and reviewing. Don't give up.

 

[maybemed2013]

Really, I am read the Ch. 1 of kaplan physics and did practice problems in EK 1001s. about 30 of them and got 2 wrong..... I don't know but Kaplan Physics is working for me......I will eventually go over TPR physics.... I have a TPR course starting in Sept. but until than I will be reading Kaplan Physics and and doing EK Physics 1001s.

 

[spencerhastings]

Dude, you'll be fine. Physics is my worst too and I just started studying and I don't feel to good about it, but don't give up on it. Don't move on til you get it, because if there is one thing about Physics is that it builds. So go over the same stuff over and over and over and over and til you get it. UNDERSTAND! haha And disregard the tools on here. They may get a 30+ on their MCAT but they also got a 45 on the Douche Test.

Good luck and rock your MCAT!

So i'm in high school right now and i've wanted to become a doctor for pretty much all my life...but I'm also bad at physics exactly how bad can you be and STILL get into medschool? Any other suggestions for getting into medschool? I'm a sophomore by the way if thats any help

 

[Hemorrage]

OP don't be an idiot. Take a full year of physics before attempting the mcat. Only on SDN do you see kids taking orgo/physics/bio all at once and then getting a 39R. Most normal people require time, dedication and perseverance to learn. Knowledge is only knowledge if mastered, everything else is just discarded. If physics is conceptually easy for you then you should try and identify what makes the math difficult. The math is only hard if you don't know how to approach the problem

 

[kimicurtis]

.

 

[kimicurtis]

OP don't be an idiot. Take a full year of physics before attempting the mcat. Only on SDN do you see kids taking orgo/physics/bio all at once and then getting a 39R. Most normal people require time, dedication and perseverance to learn. Knowledge is only knowledge if mastered, everything else is just discarded. If physics is conceptually easy for you then you should try and identify what makes the math difficult. The math is only hard if you don't know how to approach the problem

Don't put me and idiot in the same sentence. I will be taking physics 2 next semester while studying for my MCAT.

 

[angemon89]

I was pretty bad at it too, but after reviewing the EK and TPR physics books I feel a lot better.

 

[kimicurtis]

I was pretty bad at it too, but after reviewing the EK and TPR physics books I feel a lot better.

Cool. Yep, I'm going with TBR mostly for practice and EK for mostly concepts.

 

[Hemorrage]

Don't put me and idiot in the same sentence. I will be taking physics 2 next semester while studying for my MCAT.

God damn you really take things personally dont you? I think you're personality needs more work than physics. Patients will "offend" you very very often, are you going to snap at them too? I wasn't calling you an idiot, i said don't "be" an idiot implying you could become one by not taking a full year of physics.

 

[gettheleadout]

Let's all just take a deep breath and contemplate the fluid mechanics of the air going in and out, in and out.

 

[kimicurtis]

God damn you really take things personally dont you? I think you're personality needs more work than physics. Patients will "offend" you very very often, are you going to snap at them too? I wasn't calling you an idiot, i said don't "be" an idiot implying you could become one by not taking a full year of physics.

Yeah, but are you any better responding the way you just did? It's exactly the same.

In any case, I'm not mad. I just don't see the reason for people in a thread to respond using certain words that just are not necessary to express themselves. Especially to such an old thread. But, I do see your point, I just didn't particularly like the package.

 

[kimicurtis]

Let's all just take a deep breath and contemplate the fluid mechanics of the air going in and out, in and out.

Ha. Tying it back to physics.

 

[janutt345]

Combination of book content review and online learning for concepts that are difficult to understand just by reading text. As mentioned EK and TPR are good sources as well.

 

[klip]

_

 

[kimicurtis]

I do agree, I notice that I see certain type of passages repeated. Same/similar concepts, similar experimental layout and topic scope.I need to work on my speed and focus too!

 

[csx]

How is wikipremed for physics?? I am TERRIBLE at physics. TBR is doing a good job for some of the subjects but for others, they're just WAAYY over me.