2 Questions about MCAT 2015 studying

[doctor in da makin]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am currently studying on my own for the MCAT. 2 months in and I feel like I still have alot to do.

1. I have done MANY verbal questions up to now (>500), but I feel as though I am not really improving. Some days I'll be on fire but others I'll get like half the questions wrong. I've been keeping track of every question I got wrong and marked down the question type. I am currently at 62 percent correct overall.

The most common ones I get wrong are Inference and Retrieval. How can I improve this? I didn't do alot of reading in my life prior to the MCAT, and I suspect that is coming back to haunt me...

2. I review my notes that I took while studying for Biochem and Psych every so often and it shocks me how much I forget after a few days. For example, the inner ear is composed of the Cochlea, Vestibule, and the Semicircular Canal. They all have these little structures inside them that are distinctive to them. I try to memorize the names and functions of each but I can't help but think that it won't even be tested on the MCAT. People say to conceptualize, but how do you do that for something like this?

 

[Dr. Trenb]

For 1st question, I suggest you go @Jack Westin profile, go to his posts and see what he said on other threads. He is a verbal Instructor and someone who knows what he's talking about. I am taking his class right now, and although I have not finished his course yet, I definitely see the a change in the way I read and answer.
For 2nd question, you need to conceptualize but not everything. Obviously you need to remember structures and you just have to go over it everyday. For the ear, as you mentioned, try and use pictures, know the big/main parts of the ear (outer, inner, etc.), review them and ask yourself everyday "what are the main structures." Only then you move to a deeper level (as middle ear only), and again STOP. Know the structures of the middle ear only then move on to their specialization. For me, I print out diagrams and fill names just as I would on a regular test.
This might seem like a long process but you do what YOU have to do to succeed in the MCAT.

 

[doctor in da makin]

For 1st question, I suggest you go @Jack Westin profile, go to his posts and see what he said on other threads. He is a verbal Instructor and someone who knows what he's talking about. I am taking his class right now, and although I have not finished his course yet, I definitely see the a change in the way I read and answer.
For 2nd question, you need to conceptualize but not everything. Obviously you need to remember structures and you just have to go over it everyday. For the ear, as you mentioned, try and use pictures, know the big/main parts of the ear (outer, inner, etc.), review them and ask yourself everyday "what are the main structures." Only then you move to a deeper level (as middle ear only), and again STOP. Know the structures of the middle ear only then move on to their specialization. For me, I print out diagrams and fill names just as I would on a regular test.
This might seem like a long process but you do what YOU have to do to succeed in the MCAT.

I'll check it out, thanks.

I just feel like some topics (like the structure of the inner ear) are so specific that I'd be spending too much time on it and not even be asked a question on it. Better to be safe than sorry though