2011 MCAT Verbal Suggestions

[auv106]

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I tend to do fine with the sciences, but my verbal score sucks. Im doing the EK 101. My scores range from 5-9..far below my science scores.

EK tip- Read for main idea and dont go back, process of elim through question stems, be cocky, stereotype author

Kaplan tip (i used to teach their SAT and this is what i taught)- read first and last paragraphs. Read first 3 sentences of each paragraph and skim. go back as needed.

SDN random person tip from 2002- Read easiest passages first, skim passages and go back for details.

*Ive tried all three and still cant get my score into the double digits.

I tend to narrow the choices down to 2 and always pick the wrong one, and i still do this even after reviewing my train of thought when i picked the wrong one.

ANY SUGGESTIONS AT ALL? I heard the 2011 verbal format is long detail oriented questions, is this true?

 

[KindofBlue]

Try this thread for VR tips.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=803769

How's your timing with passages? Do you have enough time to go back and review?
I realized I've been kind of slowing down when I'm reading and losing concentration. I tried to really open my eyes up and understand each paragraph and think about what the main point of each paragraph was, and that helped me quite a bit.
You may choose to write a little note or underline, but that may take up some of the precious time, so do so with discretion.
Also categorizing problems as you solve them is a good method IMO. It gives you an idea about what you really have to do to get the right choice. Whether it is a specific detail in the passage, author's opinion/main thesis, extrapolating type of question, etc. For example, if it were a question about a specific detail in the passage, and I soon realize after reading the options that I don't know the answer, I'd just stop right there and move on, because I know I will waste a lot of time if I continued to search for that tiny sentence. So I move on with other questions (and sometimes you could even get the answer just by solving other questions too), finish everything, then go back to either look for the sentence or just guess if I'm out of time. The point is, if you can categorize questions instantly you can vary your tactic and ultimately save a lot of time. These are all tips I've learned from the thread above, so check that out, or if you've done so already, refresh your memory. It really helped me.

 

[NinjaMed]

Combine both? EK specifically says to ignore other strategies and to use theirs alone. EK also teaches not to mix and match. The best in this case is actually to mix and match. You should combine the Nova technique with Kaplan. Also, utilize the training from TBR. Do this using the EK for actual reading: Sit up straight, feet flat, and focus and pretend you are a Harvard English professor marking high school essays, and read for the main idea, but combine it with the LSAT method for Reading Comprehension. You also may not be good at the LSAT method, but that will require training a few weeks first.

TBR for training sessions.
Nova and EK (English professor) for doing passages and main idea, combine methods
LSAT training for reading skills and main idea (a few weeks training) (read like a lawyer) + Kaplan

The Kaplan method is actually combined with the LSAT training. You are not reading for details, but are reading for structure and the main idea. LSAT is for structure, and Kaplan for speed.

 

[notbobtrustme]

I scored pretty well, enough to be satisfied with my practice scores. My strategy was to simply sub-vocalize the passage, read attentively and try to decipher the author's tone and message. With this strategy, I rarely went back to the passages, mainly for definitions/context questions as well as to verify facts on ambigous questions. I also finished 10-12 minutes ahead of time on most of my practice tests which allowed me to go back and re-read one or two difficult passages.

I would never advise anyone to skip passages. Some of the most difficult to read passages had simple questions while some easy passages have extremely difficult questions. By the time you realize whether a passage is easy or not, you've already read 50% of it, so you might as well finish it. Plus, if you are worrying whether or not this passage is easy or hard, you aren't paying attention to the content and thus, will miss a lot of questions unnecessairly.

 

[moose stuff]

Doing passages one at a time (taking as long as I needed, grading each passage separately) helped a ton when I first started reviewing.

 

[TracyTran]

hey guys!

I am having trouble with the Verbal section as well.. -_- it's the only score that's killing me. I tried most of the tactics that were listed, but I can't seem to get my score up. However, I realize that skipping passages and "ranking" them to see which to do first and what not is indeed a waste of time.. then again.. to each his own. I think my main problem is that I really try to get into the details when I read. I can't skim a passage without constantly going back to the passage after each question. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[YourCall]

Jellyfish!

 

[ModernAlchemist]

If you're having problems with finishing, I gave my friend advice and her score went from 8 to 12 after a couple days. It's pretty simple, but effective if you focus on it. Take 4-4.5 minutes to read, analyze, and understand the passage as best you can. Then, go through the questions quickly using your gut instinct to answer and NO double-checking or second guessing. After a while, you will get used to answering questions like that. You'll be surprised how well you do.

I'm still working on using my own tactic (compulsive second guesser), but it worked for her like a charm right away.