Hey guys, also sort of late but here's my take on the exam (sorry it's lengthy, but trying to be helpful)
PS: All I can say is, thank youu Berkeley Review! The first time I took the test, I didn't have as much time to prep and barely did any of the Physics and GChem passages. I just took more practice tests. But honestly, you HAVE to do the passages. As many as you can/all of them, and time yourself for 6-7 minutes each passage so you won't be rushed for time on the real thing. I went through it and felt pretty confident on this whole section (besides that stupid whale question, which I kept thinking about even into Verbal bc I changed my answer at the last minute and wished I hadn't). Anyways, I didn't even think about it being so calculation heavy because I was so used to it from the BR passages. But looking back, I did fill up 2/3 of my exam booklet with calculations, so I guess it was. Even though writing takes up a bit more time, I honestly think it's better to write out numbers, like exponents and etc. so you can keep an accurate track of your calc's and not make dumb errors. If you get used to doing this fast by practicing, I really think it helps cut down on stupid mistakes. Oh and the last passage, I didn't think it was bad, BR really gets you used to things like this. You still apply the same basic concepts in answering the questions.
VR: This has always been my best section, I thought the passages were interesting. My tip is to try to relate the passage topic to something in your life and find a way to be interested in it (I laughed at that end passage too, the one that has a TV show about the topic). Highlight and think about main point as you actively read through, but don't summarize every passage. Yes, there were more paragraphs per passage and they were longer, but I finished with 8 min to spare and went over all my marked questions. Practicing with less time really helps. I usually score a solid 13 on almost all my practice tests
WS: It was okay, first one was great, second one I didn't really have a good counter example, but just churned out 3 paragraphs.
So I was feeling pretty good up until
BS: I thought this section was tricker than the rest, but I'm not a Bio major and have a weaker background. There were multiple questions where I would narrow it down and have no clue which of the last two it was. One of the discretes was almost exactly the same as from the first MCAT I took, so happy I looked that one up after. Yeah the scrolling with the Ochem passage...went through and had tried to answer half the questions before I realized it, then went back and redid them. It wasn't hard, just an annoyance though. Just hopinggg I get my AAMC avg on this (10-11), but this is the section that is worrying me the most since a lot of you said it wasn't that bad.
During my breaks, I stretched and munched on a Cliff Builders bar.
Took my time, since I knew there's no time limit on the page introducing each section, even though the 10 min countdown clock has run out. This made me feel more relaxed and not as rushed, I was able to clear my head for each new section.
In the meantime, getting my DOMS on, studying for classes, and since I apparently love giving myself another test to study for...signed up to get certified as a personal trainer in about a month lol.
Countdown to the score release...I'll try to help keep this thread active too.
!
