04/24/09 mcat club

[Bernoull]

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I started this thread for those taking the MCAT on 04/24/09, I searched this site but couldn't find any thread for this test date. I just registered today, and I'm looking forward to 2.5 months of cranium-busting so that I can put this "four-letter-word" behind me once and for all!!!!

So sign up people and lets support, motivate and try to keep each other sane!! Best of luck to everyone testing on this date and any date for that matter!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Prince Abubu]

Yeah that post confused me too...I wasn't referring to score predictions prior to actually taking the MCAT, I was referring to those who took the 4/24 MCAT to predict the scores they think they got! 🙂

Either way, nice goal (33P), maybe aim a little higher so that when you actually get 33+ you're still on the money!

oops. I thought this was the 5/22/09 MCAT club. haha!

 

[nehuHI]

I'm not sure if different passages among the 4/24 (or any MCAT) exam reveal the experimental passages.....however, there has been some talk regarding a "Train/Doppler Effect" passage in the PS section and I remember distinctly not having any such thing on my exam. 👍

Did anyone have a VR section passage talking about different kinds of planes developed during world war?

 

[alterraun]

yes, i had the plane passage. And i remember it being very detail oriented and one of the harder passages i had. You?

 

[deshaghian]

Did anyone have a VR section passage talking about different kinds of planes developed during world war?

I had this passage. The reading was not abstract, but VERY detailed. And the questions required lot's of information retrieval, which I think slowed me down. I feel like some of the verbal passages (i.e. airplanes in the war, code-breaking) have become more science-like, while some of the science passages, primarily in the BS, have become more and more like verbal. Or maybe I'm just losing my mind and trying to find something to blame for being caught so off guard for the test. SMH.

 

[nehuHI]

yes, i had the plane passage. And i remember it being very detail oriented and one of the harder passages i had. You?

Yes, indeed! This plane passage slowed me down tremendously because of the detail. It was certainly the hardest VR passage for me.

 

[sdmd]

Yes, indeed! This plane passage slowed me down tremendously because of the detail. It was certainly the hardest VR passage for me.

Hmmm....I'm pretty sure I did NOT have such a passage...then again, I can remember all of the passages except for one....

 

[want2BntheSouth]

Hmmm....I'm pretty sure I did NOT have such a passage...then again, I can remember all of the passages except for one....

I'm pretty sure you would remember. Who ever it was that posted about the plane passage, I totally agree. I thought it was very difficult. No, it wasn't an impossible read. It was difficult because there was A LOT of detail. For sure, this passage got me down on my timing.

 

[Luun]

Hmmm....I'm pretty sure I did NOT have such a passage...then again, I can remember all of the passages except for one....

I don't remember a plane passage either. :\ Are we still talking about the 4/24/09 MCAT?

 

[BizDoc]

My nightmares primarily is just receiving your THX scores on AAMC. That screen does pop out right in front of you when you log in to get your scores. I wrote my second exam 4/24. My first exam score wasn't great enough and it stung when it shot out from the screen. It really doesn't give you a chance to pray or anything before you get your scores, it's like BOOM! YOU GOT THIS SCORE. LIKE IT OR NOT, this is it.

I totally agree. When I saw the number pop up on the screen last year, it was like WOW, there goes everything I worked for (28, when I was scoring so much higher on the FL's). So even though it's tempting to check every half hour, only check your scores when you DON'T have something important to do afterward. Because it is THE most disappointing feeling in the world and you won't want to talk to or be around anyone.

Sorry for the downer. I was positive the first few days after the test, and now I'm completely freaking out😳

Is anyone else checking THx every day even though you know the scores won't be out for a while? haha🙂

 

[sdmd]

I don't remember a plane passage either. :\ Are we still talking about the 4/24/09 MCAT?

Yeah we are, apparently this passage was especially nasty so we would have remembered....therefore, I'm pretty sure some of us has a different passage. 🙂 (I suppose we should be happy! 👍)

 

[916to619]

Ladies and gentlemen,

I don't post on here often. I took the dreaded MCAT on April 24th just like all of you. I won't lie. I share all your stress and anxiety. As dorky as it may sound, I am praying for myself and everyone who took the MCAT that day. It was a tough test without doubt but it was not nearly as difficult as the one I took August 15th of 2008. NOW that MCAT was a BEAR. I hated it. To be more specific, it was the PS and VR portions that destroyed me. The BS, this time around, was more difficult than the August exam. However, I will gladly take an easier PS and VR and harder BS any day of the week!!!!

I thought it was funny some of you are dreaming about the MCAT. The first time around, I had ALOT of dreams about the MCAT, especially the scores. In one dream, I recieved an envelope that contained my score and had a 54!!!! Let me tell you. I was disappointed to have waken up. I NEVER wanted to wake up from that dream. As I was waking up I was trying to convince myself it is real!!!!

 

[916to619]

Did anyone have a VR section passage talking about different kinds of planes developed during world war?

Yes, I did have that one. If I recall correctly, it was very detail-oriented. Not that it was a "tough read" but it required constant re-reading to find the little relavent details.

The passage that DESTROYED me was one about code-breaking.

 

[916to619]

My nightmares primarily is just receiving your THX scores on AAMC. That screen does pop out right in front of you when you log in to get your scores. I wrote my second exam 4/24. My first exam score wasn't great enough and it stung when it shot out from the screen. It really doesn't give you a chance to pray or anything before you get your scores, it's like BOOM! YOU GOT THIS SCORE. LIKE IT OR NOT, this is it.

Alex, I was in school when the scores came out and was about to enter my phsiology lecture room. I could not wait until I got home so I contacted my sister and gave her my log-in information. My sister doesn't know much about the MCAT and she said, "Wow, you did well!!!" My reply was, "REALLY!!! What did I get? What did I get?" My sister, then, said, "23M!!!!"

Well, you know where this story is going, Alex. I was so enraged, I hurled my cell phone as hard as I can against a wall that was right in front me. To my surprise, the phone was more reselient than I originally pictured it. After putting my phone together, I called my sister again and apologized and explained to her, as calm as I could at the time, that my life is pretty much over . Of course, I can reflect on those memories and tell myself, "Imagine if I saw it on the computer screen." My fist would have gone through the computer screen and into the wall behind it . My sister, now, knows all about MCAT, the scores, break-downs, etc . She's not a Pre-Med and, at times, we have deep conversations about questions and passages she's never seen before .

Enough ranting on my part. My strategy will be to log in and close my eyes immediatly. Walk away, pray a bit to my boy Jesus, take a DEEP breath, and, eventually, look.

 

[916to619]

The hardest passage I thought was the H2 gas passage (1st one)...I totally guessed on the first problem...then got flustered...probably spent the next 10 minutes freaking out about it bc I couldn't figure out any of those questions about the passage...I don't even remember...

Sleight, that was a BRUTAL passage.

Luckily, I developed this habit of starting the MCAT sections from the last passage and work my way back to the first passage after completing the discretes. So far, it has worked perfectly for me. By the time I got to the first passage, which was, really, my last passage of the PS, I was not too distraught. Don't get me wrong. I hated it and that first question (#1 overall) was like, "Really?" I totally guessed 😡

Of course, I had other questions I marked in other passages and discretes. Therefore, I decided not to worry too much about that piece of you-know-what passage and move on to points I have a better chance of acquiring.

Don't worry too much. I am in the same boat as you when it came to the first passage.

Random question, Sleight...What is your opinion about the code-breaking passage in VR? The reason why I am specifically asking you this question is because what that passage did to me was what that first PS passage did to you. I started to panic because, I felt, it was a long read, first of all. Then, the questions were like, "WHAT THE FUDGE, DUDE?"

Luckily, I regained my composure (well, I think I did, at least ) and moved on.

I hate MCAT test-makers. To me, they are as cruel as Hitler, Saddam Hussien, and my undergraduate O'Chem teacher. I picture the MCAT test-makers as the only individuals, in the universe, who will look at a bunch of new-born puppies and turn away in disgust.

 

[Sleight]

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[Alex Bourbon]

Hey 916to619, sorry about not responding to you sooner. I agree BS was rough due to its heavy emphasis on genetics (molecular and classical mendelian). I know for sure theres a lot of people who are well versed in genetics who was thrilled about that section. That section should have been called Molecular Genetics and Biology instead of Biological Sciences.

Sadly that was the same damn stuff that cost me on my first exam. No matter how much genetics I do, there's something that is left out of content review that they ask. It just makes me angry. It's like I'm not lazy to find out what they ask but its like, where do I go to find those details? I've went through Kaplan and examkrackers and even their books are light in genetics. Anyway, I share your opinion on BS.

I know your feeling when you have a good dream and when you awake, you feel robbed of a reality you felt existed. Dreams are a double-edged sword. It is what got me motivated to retake but it is also something that makes me sad and anxious, hoping to make that dream come true. Whatever the case, dreams to me is a pleasant diversion.

Asking someone like your sister to check your scores sounds like a good option. As I stated about that THX score release stuff, I feel like they should do a better job in preparing you for your score. Just how they prepare you for the exam when they start giving you a tutorial. If you just got to a testing center and was shoved in and took the exam immediately that would feel odd right? So why don't they give you a tutorial before they release their scores? I mean I get confused about its grading too with its percentiles and such. I know sadly that when you said someone punched their computer screen, someone has done it before. I just know someone had to. A lot of people fail that exam like myself and a lot of people have to decide to do something else for their careers. I feel like they at least should get some slack in preparing them for that score.

For me, when I got it, I was shocked and numb. What I did afterwards who knows? I felt like I was dead. Granted i'd feel that way even with a tutorial but at least I would be prepared for it. Sounds strange but whatever.

There were a lot of passages in VR that were tricky. It felt more like I was going through a map, finding geographical places more than anything else. I was like what the hell. I went through many Scientific American magazines for this crap. It was just dig and find kind of thing.

Since i renamed BS, this is how i rename those three sections:

PS: Chemistry Section
VR: Map quest
BS: Molecular Genetics and Biology section

What do u feel about that 916to619 and others? I feel that is pretty accurate.

 

[Sleight]

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[hubins]

Originally Posted by nehuHI
Did anyone have a VR section passage talking about different kinds of planes developed during world war?

Yes, I got the plane passage too! I took one look at it and skipped it so that it was the last passage that I did, with only a few minutes left. I literally skimmed the whole thing, noted something about airplanes and just guessed on everything. It was AWFUL and a lot of my anxiety about my verbal score comes from that. I spent way too long figuring out the code-breaking one.

 

[916to619]

PS: Chemistry Section
VR: Map quest
BS: Molecular Genetics and Biology section

What do u feel about that 916to619 and others? I feel that is pretty accurate.

You have done a fantastic job summarizing our exam that fateful day. I realize there are many on SDN who wished the PS to lean more toward physics. I, on the other hand, was kind of happy that it was more "chemistry heavy". I hate physics and it has always been the subject I struggle with in my undergraduates and preparation for the MCAT. Overall, I felt the exam was difficult but not as difficult as the one I took August 15th of last year.

 

[916to619]

I spent way too long figuring out the code-breaking one.

Same here, my friend. That passage, easily, shortened my life by 2-3 years .

It was an interesting passage and would have read the article if it was presented in a magazine. But answering questions about it was something straight from a horror flick .

 

[Alex Bourbon]

Thanks 916to619. Yeah it seemed easier than my first one too. Most of it is simply because of knowing what to expect.

I'm confused what that code-breaking one is. Is it that one with vowels? That was crazy.

By the way, that is very discreet when talking about what they asked.

 

[JJMrK]

You guys are getting there; hold on!

 

[bfaria]

Ahhhh, this is driving me crazy.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Crossing my fingers and praying for you all! Best of !

 

[alterraun]

did anyone else find our bio section somewhat harder then the aamc bio sections?
especially because there were more experiment-based passages and only one ochem passage.

 

[nehuHI]

did anyone else find our bio section somewhat harder then the aamc bio sections?
especially because there were more experiment-based passages and only one ochem passage.

I think that the bio section was pretty comparable to the AAMC practice tests. The lack of ochem passages actually was a good thing for me and I'd imagine for a lot of others since ochem is generally thought of as harder than bio....but sounds like ochem might be a stong suit for you😳.

 

[sdmd]

I think that the bio section was pretty comparable to the AAMC practice tests. The lack of ochem passages actually was a good thing for me and I'd imagine for a lot of others since ochem is generally thought of as harder than bio....but sounds like ochem might be a stong suit for you😳.

As far as I'm concerned that was almost as close to a dream BS section as I could ask for (i.e. heavy biology emphasis, specifically with microbiology, molecular biology, physiology and also very limited and fairly straightforward ochem). 🙂

I walked out of the 4/24 test feeling great about the BS section (and fairly good overall), but after looking at the 4/18 thread and seeing ppl who felt similar and ended up with BS=<10 makes me feel slightly uneasy....🙁 (also it seems like their VR section was pretty killer!)

I agree that most premeds out there seem to prefer biology rather than ochem, so I would think that most ppl thought that the 4/24 BS section was decent....any thoughts?

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Hang in there everyone! You're up next!

 

[baylorbear333]

OHHHH how I wish the scores would come out tomorrow....

 

[fewcherpeedsdoc]

man its excruciating to wait this long to find out my future in medicine was jeopardized...

 

[ziggyd0c]

lol is everyone else filling out their AMCAS, asking for letters of rec, etc? i'm doing all this med school stuff, plus trying to think about where i'd like to move, how long i should extend the lease on my current apartment... and i'm like "well this is ALL assuming i didn't completely bomb my MCAT"

 

[Sleight]

I'm so over this waiting **** seriously. I honestly just feel sick every time I think about it!! This last week is the longest for sure bc I'm all done with school and just sitting around. Sucks.

 

[sunsfan]

You're getting your scores tomorrow, right?
Is it 30 days or 30 business days?

 

[drareg]

You're getting your scores tomorrow, right?
Is it 30 days or 30 business days?

aamc says may 26th, but we might be lucky and get it on monday though

 

[ChemMasc]

aamc says may 26th, but we might be lucky and get it on monday though

I know the april 4th ppl got their on Monday instead of Tuesday. But isn't Monday memorial day? I dont think its likely they'll post it on Monday

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Yeah with monday being a holiday I seriously doubt it. Tuesday it is!

 

[Luun]

I'm so over this waiting **** seriously. I honestly just feel sick every time I think about it!! This last week is the longest for sure bc I'm all done with school and just sitting around. Sucks.

That sucks. Luckily I've been visiting my bf's family and friends these past 2 weeks so I haven't really had to think about it. I'm in the airport on my way home though and I know I'll be antsy the last two days. 🙁

 

[229141]

Wishing best of luck to all waiting scores...stay strong and no matter what don't quit

 

[tiatemeh]

This week has been agonizing! For the last month, all the doctors and nurses at my office have been asking me when my scores will come in. I've been reminded almost every day that it's coming up! Yesterday, literally 4 people brought up the impending score report. They are all really nice and supportive, but now I have the added worry of what to tell them if I did horribly. EEK!

Good luck, everyone!

 

[Ari1584]

had 2 nightmares in a row...first i got a 19, then a 25...with a 6 in verbal
🙁

 

[yeastfan21]

Anyone know why it takes so freakin' long for the MCAT scores to be released? Since it's all computerized and the curve is set in advance (I believe), why can't you get your composite score immediately and then the writing score at a later date, just like with the GREs?

Praying this is the only MCAT I'll have to take...

 

[Sleight]

This week has been agonizing! For the last month, all the doctors and nurses at my office have been asking me when my scores will come in. I've been reminded almost every day that it's coming up! Yesterday, literally 4 people brought up the impending score report. They are all really nice and supportive, but now I have the added worry of what to tell them if I did horribly. EEK!

Good luck, everyone!

this is exactly how i feel...EVERYONE knows i took the mcat and that im waiting for scores so im afraid that i will do horribly and have to tell everyone that i am retaking...yikes...2 days...

 

[ChemMasc]

this is exactly how i feel...EVERYONE knows i took the mcat and that im waiting for scores so im afraid that i will do horribly and have to tell everyone that i am retaking...yikes...2 days...

haha! I'm in the exact same position too! poeple at my lab, friends, family,etc...I've already reserved a spot for august 6th just in case...if I do rewrite (which I hoe i would not of course) I wont tell anyone. it's just so much added pressure, and completely unnecessary too

 

[sdmd]

haha! I'm in the exact same position too! poeple at my lab, friends, family,etc...I've already reserved a spot for august 6th just in case...if I do rewrite (which I hoe i would not of course) I wont tell anyone. it's just so much added pressure, and completely unnecessary too

This is exactly the approach I took this time around. 👍

Nobody knew I wrote the 4/24 exam...not my brother, not my parents, not a soul! 😀

OK, maybe that's a little bit of a lie...a few of my friends knew I wrote the test, but only after I had actually taken it (so nobody knew I was planning on taking the 4/24 exam). 🙂

<2 days...

 

[italian831]

has anyone checked??? i'm too scared to look at it!!!!!!!!!!! I know it's a holiday, but maybe? haha

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Ive been rather lucky during this waiting game... especially since the most recent stats came out in this years MSAR. For instance, the school I graduated from, U Cincinnati, had an average MCAT of 30 for admitted students, and is now a 34. My friend is a Colorado resident, which seems to be a ridiculously hard school to get into also with an average of 34. So he is just hoping for anything above a 30 so he can try and be competitive to other schools. For me, the only medical school Im instate for is UW, which normally isnt so bad to try and get into, especially for us Alaska residents. Plus, this is the only school Im applying to (cause its the only school I want to go to) otherwise PhD in clin psy here I come.

I can understand your pain, but it seems as though almost everyone had trouble with this, and it strikes me that each of you will most certainly be pleasantly surprised when tomorrow roles around.

Also, someone mentioned that curves are preestablished, but thats not the case, they have to get all test answers from each site, then process them, make sure everything was handled properly with no issues, develop a curve, scale it, enter thousands of scores into a database (although this might be more automated now, but it wasnt when it first started) then release them. One month isnt so bad, you all should be working on your apps anyways!!!

Cheers

 

[rocketbooster]

Ive been rather lucky during this waiting game... especially since the most recent stats came out in this years MSAR. For instance, the school I graduated from, U Cincinnati, had an average MCAT of 30 for admitted students, and is now a 34. My friend is a Colorado resident, which seems to be a ridiculously hard school to get into also with an average of 34. So he is just hoping for anything above a 30 so he can try and be competitive to other schools. For me, the only medical school Im instate for is UW, which normally isnt so bad to try and get into, especially for us Alaska residents. Plus, this is the only school Im applying to (cause its the only school I want to go to) otherwise PhD in clin psy here I come.

I can understand your pain, but it seems as though almost everyone had trouble with this, and it strikes me that each of you will most certainly be pleasantly surprised when tomorrow roles around.

Also, someone mentioned that curves are preestablished, but thats not the case, they have to get all test answers from each site, then process them, make sure everything was handled properly with no issues, develop a curve, scale it, enter thousands of scores into a database (although this might be more automated now, but it wasnt when it first started) then release them. One month isnt so bad, you all should be working on your apps anyways!!!

Cheers

MSAR is exaggerated because they round all 0.5s up to 1. They also round 0.4 down, but MCAT averages tend to be in 0.5 increments more than 0.4, 0.3, etc. Colorado is 32.5 and Cincinnati is 32.3. there's no way Cincinnati could be 34 like Ohio State and Case Western. calm your nerves. 👍

 

[rocketbooster]

btw, make sure you guys post your AAMC scores!!!

Format:

AAMC Average:
PS:
VR:
BS:

Real MCAT:
PS:
VR:
WS:
BS:

Thanks and good luck!!

 

[ziggyd0c]

has anyone checked??? i'm too scared to look at it!!!!!!!!!!! I know it's a holiday, but maybe? haha

i checked, nothing. my stomach goes into knots when i think about getting my score!! i'm in the same boat as the people above... EVERYONE has been asking me "have you gotten your scores yet?" and then they're always like "i'm sure you did fine!!" it will suck if i have to tell them i did terrible and am retaking

 

[italian831]

thanks ziggyd0c for checking....i know same as everyone.....so nervous right now...my stomach hurts!! =( do you guys think they'll release before 5pm tomorrow?? what is everyone doing to distract themselves!! i need ideas haha