Sep. 10 test date: looking for some advice (specifically CARS)

[lifeonmars]

My test date is Sep. 10th. I have taken NextStep 1-5, EK 2, and both AAMC tests. Here are my scores:

AAMC Unscored: 73%
NS1: 507
NS2: 507
NS3: 506
EK2: 71%
NS4: 509
NS5: 507
AAMC Scored (127/123/130/129): 509

For the first couple tests, I ran out of time on C/P, CARS, and B/B. I have gotten better about timing, and learning to give up on a question if I don't know it, or it is eating too much time.

On my AAMC scored, I only ran out of time on CARS, but it was BAD (two entire passages I just had to guess on). I ended up with a 123. My CARS scores on the other tests were (in the order that they are listed above): 83%, 125, 128, 124, 68%, 126, 127.


So here are my questions:

1. Are EK 3/4 and NextStep 6 worthwhile tests to take in these final two weeks?
2. How representative do you think my other CARS scores are of how I will do? I think on the real thing, I am going to set a strict limit, and move on once I hit 10 minutes for a passage
3. I have EK101 and TPRH (both about 1/2 completed) as well as the old AAMC practice tests. Should I place more emphasis on the old AAMC stuff, or keep pushing on with the EK and the TPRH?

Any other advice on CARS in terms of timing?

Thanks in advance!

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[Johnny Appleseed]

My test date is Sep. 10th. I have taken NextStep 1-5, EK 2, and both AAMC tests. Here are my scores:

AAMC Unscored: 73%
NS1: 507
NS2: 507
NS3: 506
EK2: 71%
NS4: 509
NS5: 507
AAMC Scored (127/123/130/129): 509

For the first couple tests, I ran out of time on C/P, CARS, and B/B. I have gotten better about timing, and learning to give up on a question if I don't know it, or it is eating too much time.

On my AAMC scored, I only ran out of time on CARS, but it was BAD (two entire passages I just had to guess on). I ended up with a 123. My CARS scores on the other tests were (in the order that they are listed above): 83%, 125, 128, 124, 68%, 126, 127.


So here are my questions:

1. Are EK 3/4 and NextStep 6 worthwhile tests to take in these final two weeks?
2. How representative do you think my other CARS scores are of how I will do? I think on the real thing, I am going to set a strict limit, and move on once I hit 10 minutes for a passage
3. I have EK101 and TPRH (both about 1/2 completed) as well as the old AAMC practice tests. Should I place more emphasis on the old AAMC stuff, or keep pushing on with the EK and the TPRH?

Any other advice on CARS in terms of timing?

Thanks in advance!

I don't know about EK and NextStep as I haven't used them. I use this strategy on CARS: 4 min to read and analyze the passage and 1 min per question. There are always 9 passages and 53 questions. The problem with 10 min per passage is some passages have 7 questions associated with them and others only have 5. This means if there are only five questions I allow myself 9 minutes to finish it, if there are six questions I give myself 10 min, and if there are seven questions I give myself 11 minutes to complete it.

Credit for this strategy goes to ALTIUS TEST PREP. I am taking their course and this is the strategy they advise. It is working well for me.