I see alot of people make this thread for their MCAT date. I was unable to find one for this date so I took the liberty to make one. Please share what you have found works or does not work for you?
I used to remember this by thinking once I have already gathered that energy(endothermic) to overcome the first activation energy barrier, I don't need anymore since I am already there and the next process will continue..? Lol But I don't think that is too scientific! And they are def talking about delta H. Delta G is overall Product-Reactant...
Hey, y'all.
Sigh. So, I took AAMC 10 and just finished reviewing the PS and BS sections. Don't you hate it when you make mistakes that just make you wanna or you changed from the correct answers? Gah! I got 9/11/10 = 30 and could have gotten 10/11/11 = 32 if I just didn't make silly mistakes/change from my gut answers. Why does hindsight have to be 20/20 and not ..front sight? (Can't think of the term or phrase I'm looking for, but I'm sure you guys get what I mean haha.)
Also, I got 41/52 on the AAMC 9 PS which is an 11 but got 39/52 on AAMC 10 which is only a 9! Only two more questions wrong and it was a two point drop! All I could say when I saw that was, "Oh, you damn bastard of a scale.." I haven't gone over VR yet but I'm glad it at least stayed the same and didn't drop from AAMC 9.
One more thing: I've been stuck between 37-40/52 in BS for the last NINE full lengths (with 38/52 for 6 of them in a row) and, well, it's a little aggravating to say the least. Anyone got any advice on how to improve? I feel like I know my ish (for bio at least; ochem is still a little iffy but improving). I guess the experimental passages trip me up a bit.
Other than that, I hope everyone's having a good day (as good a day as we can have these days.. just no meltdowns is good).
For the bio experimentals I try to use process of elimination ALOT and move on. I know that is obvious but I always end up doing better than I thought on them when I feel like **** about them initially. Also I think with a mediocre orgo understanding you end up finding the orgo a lot easier. I used to be so intimidated by orgo but they almost seem like give away points now as long as i can find a nucleophile or electrophile.
sometimes when i don't understand a concept and can't read ill check out freelance tutor - he's a total nerd but really knows his stuff. his optics videos CHANGED my life!
Hi guys, I have a quick thermodynamics question.
I used to think I understood this, but now that I look at it, it's making me more confused.
When you have a graph like this. Do you say that G>0 for step 1 and G<0 for step 2, or do you say H>0 for step 1 and H<0 for step two?
I thought G only tells you if it's spontaneous or not, so therefore, this graph should only tell you that step one is nonspontaneous and step 2 is spontaneous.
However, TBR said that step one is endothermic and step two is exothermic for a graph like this. So they're looking for Enthalpy on a free energy graph?
I think the more i look into this, the more i'm confusing myself, can someone explain?
That's a good/crappy question at the same time.
Here's my understanding: activation energy and free energy are two entirely different concepts.
One could have a spontaneous reaction (G < 0), but have an extraordinarily high amount of Eact, so the reaction would not proceed in the forward direction. Essentially, free energy does not determine the rate of a reaction and plays no part in it.
That said, from the graph, we can conclude that this is an exergonic reaction because it states free energy on the y axis. However, if it had stated energy alone, it would be exothermic.
I am thinking that the question might be hinting at coupled reactions where the first step is endergonic and the second step is exergonic, making the whole thing exergonic, thus spontaneous in the forward direction?? I could be completely off here.
I know what you're trying to say here. I agree with you. However, I don't think they mentioned Ea in the question. They only said it was exo/endothermic. Therefore I was kind of confused with the labeling.
I think they might have made an error labeling this as the "free energy" graph instead of "energy" or "heat energy".
keep calm carry on, this has been my motto for the past few days. starting to freak out majorly.
Hi guys, I have a quick thermodynamics question.
I used to think I understood this, but now that I look at it, it's making me more confused.
When you have a graph like this. Do you say that G>0 for step 1 and G<0 for step 2, or do you say H>0 for step 1 and H<0 for step two?
I thought G only tells you if it's spontaneous or not, so therefore, this graph should only tell you that step one is nonspontaneous and step 2 is spontaneous.
However, TBR said that step one is endothermic and step two is exothermic for a graph like this. So they're looking for Enthalpy on a free energy graph?
I think the more i look into this, the more i'm confusing myself, can someone explain?
That's a good/crappy question at the same time.
Here's my understanding: activation energy and free energy are two entirely different concepts.
One could have a spontaneous reaction (G < 0), but have an extraordinarily high amount of Eact, so the reaction would not proceed in the forward direction. Essentially, free energy does not determine the rate of a reaction and plays no part in it.
That said, from the graph, we can conclude that this is an exergonic reaction because it states free energy on the y axis. However, if it had stated energy alone, it would be exothermic.
I am thinking that the question might be hinting at coupled reactions where the first step is endergonic and the second step is exergonic, making the whole thing exergonic, thus spontaneous in the forward direction?? I could be completely off here.
For the bio experimentals I try to use process of elimination ALOT and move on. I know that is obvious but I always end up doing better than I thought on them when I feel like **** about them initially. Also I think with a mediocre orgo understanding you end up finding the orgo a lot easier. I used to be so intimidated by orgo but they almost seem like give away points now as long as i can find a nucleophile or electrophile.
sometimes when i don't understand a concept and can't read ill check out freelance tutor - he's a total nerd but really knows his stuff. his optics videos CHANGED my life!
Hey guys, just confused a little about splitting. When considering splitting.. Say for example 1-bromopropane.. for the protons on the second carbon that are affected by two different proton environments. Do you count them together or separately for the (n+1) rule? The TPR book says neighboring environments do not have to be equivalent to be added together. Ahhhh then when does the doublet of quartets and all that come in?
So according to TPR it would be a sextet..
Not feeling confident at all. But just went out and bought a pack of red bulls on sale--win!
So much material...and I'm used to cramming. Is it just me or do you guys also feel annoyed by small things these days? It could be like a simple question about MCAT progress and whatever but you just feel like telling them stfu... except that it's your mum who's asking the question!
Anyone else feeling ridiculously sleepy?
I was reading the Molecular Biology chapter in TPR and then did a Kaplan Topical test on it to see if I retained anything I read but I kept falling asleep so I lost concentration and made a ton of mistakes. I slept for 9 hours last night so I'm not sure why I'm so tired!
Holy zen!! Got a 33 on AAMC 9. 11/12/10.
11 is a beastly PS improvement for me, never got over an 8 before this, so I'm super pumped. Hope I can keep that improvement up/it wasn't just luck.
Holy ****! that is efffing crazyyyyyyyy! Good Job! Incredible Verbal Improvement too!!!!!!!!! How did you do it?????!!!!!!!!!!!
Highest of fives to you sir. I also just got an 11 on the PS for AAMC 9. That thing was wicked man. But I am stoked Last year I got a f***ing 6 on the PS. Talk about improvement lol
Holy zen!! Got a 33 on AAMC 9. 11/12/10.
11 is a beastly PS improvement for me, never got over an 8 before this, so I'm super pumped. Hope I can keep that improvement up/it wasn't just luck.
Oh gosh, we're exactly one week away!
How much do we really need to know about the body systems?
I know the basics like how every system works and all but I don't know details and did not learn any details..should I?
I don't feel like studying anymore!!!! This is so bad. Maybe I'll do a FL instead?
Gonna start AAMC 8! Hope I don't bomb this thing!
So, i was never confused about this before but suddenly i just noticed that the TPR organic books says that the configuration (E) is trans and (Z) is cis...
but my class notes says the opposite...(E) cis and (Z) trans...
so i really dont know, even when i tried searching online there were some sites with one option and the other with the opposite....
Please help.
Which body systems are you referring to?
Immune system, renal system,etc...
I realized on some of the exams they ask some questions that no way I would know without previous knowledge on this stuff... I remember on one of the exams there was a question about the lungs and even though I had taken physiology, I didn't remember seeing any of the names they mentioned
E is trans and Z is cis. Think Z for zame zide (same side). Z (from the German zusammen) means "together." E (from the German entgegen) means "opposite" and corresponds to trans.
E is trans and Z is cis
Z=ZAME (when the highest priority groups are on the same side)
Immune system, renal system,etc...
I realized on some of the exams they ask some questions that no way I would know without previous knowledge on this stuff... I remember on one of the exams there was a question about the lungs and even though I had taken physiology, I didn't remember seeing any of the names they mentioned
Hm. I just know as much as my physio classes and kaplan books have taught me, but I don't think I've encountered questions that I didn't have any idea about (unless of course it's one of those experimental passages where they definitely present you with new information). For bio, I feel like if you know how the systems work then that's good, but it's a little better to know details so if they do come up, you already have an idea of the kind of answer you're looking for.
E.g. for the renal system, know which tubules can reabsorb/secrete water/certain ions and where the various hormones work. For the immune system, know which cells do what and the different types of immunity. Are those the kind of details you're asking about, or am I just talking outta my ass? lol (It's ok if you tell me I am; I'm just trying to get a better idea of the details you're talking about.)
Haha wow kaplan FL 10 is absurdly difficult. Got a 9PS 7VR and 10BS. Compared to the average of my last 5 tests (12PS 11.5VR 12.5BS) this wasn't even close.
Oh well, I read that KAP 10 & 11 weren't worth trying but I thought I'd give it a shot.
Heads up to whomever else is considering trying these tests.
Ugh 8 on PS of AAMC 10. I only need 2 questions to get a solid 9 and have only gotten a 9 on AAMC 7. I hope I can pull it together on test day. I just want a 9.
Any tips? Is it realistic for me to get a 9 on test day?
Guys, I was wondering if you guys had any last minute tips on Verbal. I started off with steady 6s on verbal and managed to bring it up to 9s in the last two practice exams. But I still feel like I need to do better on these. Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks
Yes!!!! I let my mind wander a LOT. I get distracted SO EASILY during the verbal section. It's ridiculous. How did you improve on that? Because once I find myself distracted, I feel like I just missed the whole point of the passage and then start doubting myself.Hey, that's a great improvement! Do you know what type of mistakes you're making on verbal? Are you bringing in outside information to answer questions, missing key words like "except" or "not", or.. something else? I can only say to make sure you really understand the author's argument and don't let your mind wander (not saying yours does, but I have found myself suddenly humming a song that was stuck in my head while reading passages lol).
just finished the PS section of AAMC 8. WHAT THE SLJFLSJDFLSDF was that all about?
By far hardest PS section I've ever SEEN in my LIFE
just finished the PS section of AAMC 8. WHAT THE SLJFLSJDFLSDF was that all about?
By far hardest PS section I've ever SEEN in my LIFE
Oh gosh, yeah you must have only scored 12 on that section because of its extreme difficulty right? LOL you're funny.
I just took AAMC #9 and thought it was the easiest yet! Got a 32
My only complaint now is not being able to raise my verbal from a 9. I would love to break the double digits in verb for test day.
Yes!!!! I let my mind wander a LOT. I get distracted SO EASILY during the verbal section. It's ridiculous. How did you improve on that? Because once I find myself distracted, I feel like I just missed the whole point of the passage and then start doubting myself.
Going to take AAMC 9 tonight... Till then reviewing biology And chemistry..