@TheEngineeringNerd I too think passage mapping is a waste of time but I think the real emphasis should be on
mental passage mapping. You need to be fully active and engaged with the passage as you are reading it.
I'm sure you have noticed that AAMC passages tend to be generally more straightforward - and the questions are sometimes difficult because they require more deduction than what you're probably used to. The reason why I stopped EK101 after Test 9 is because of the blatant subjectivity that is apparent in many of their answers. Also, they have very little Application or Incorporation of Information questions. These make the bulk of AAMC tests.
When I started out for my MCAT study this past August, I also knew that I needed to improve VR the most because last year I did abysmally on VR (got a 6). I started not by going to any prep book but by going to the Official AAMC Guide. There are 6 practice VR passages unseen anywhere else and I spent a full day doing those passages and really dissecting the questions. What most people fail to realize that while VR is an exercise in reading, it is as much an exercise in staying alert and keeping your focus more than anything else.
Also, you need to understand HOW the questions are written by the AAMC. You also need to understand how both the right AND wrong answers are written by test makers. This initially requires tremendous effort and time, but once you get the hang of AAMC style VR questions and answers, life becomes much easier and predictable haha. Then you can focus on timing and sharpening your reading skills. Reason I say that is first you should train yourself to look at the answer in the passage (because in VR section, all the answers are right in front of you) and later on, you can modify how you read, how much time you spend on details, etc. To me, those are secondary things in preparation for VR. The primary aspect is for you to recognize what the question is asking, how AAMC usually writes distractors and what kinds of things you're looking for in the RIGHT answers.
You might also take any passage from an online source and make your own AAMC style questions on it lol. Doing so helps you understand test-maker's mindset, which can further enhance your VR performance.
I attempted to do such a thing at:
http://puu.sh/ckp4n.png
I'll post answers if you'd like me to
I hope this helped. Keep doing what you're doing. You're right at the verge of seeing through this test. Don't self-deprecate yourself, be confident in your abilities and approach the MCAT to the best of your abilities.
