3/26/2011 MCAT Club

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Wow, just took AAMC 7, which overall wouldn't have been terrible except for the ridiculous amount of ochem on it. Seriously, if there's that much ochem on the real thing, I might as well just void it at the end!

How's everyone else doing? Anon, I agree with trying to keep a positive attitude. One month to go!
 
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anon747 said:
Less than a month of studying to go. Yikes! I've been preparing using SN2ed's schedule, modified for a five-month period, which has still been pretty intense since I work full time.

I'm currently in practice test mode with the following results.

AAMC 3 (10/24 baseline)
PS 12 VR 11 BS 10
AAMC 4 (2/13)
PS 14 VR 13 BS 12
AAMC 5 (2/19)
PS 12 VR 9 BS 12
GS-1 (2/23)
PS 12 VR 12 BS 12
AAMC 7 (2/26)
PS 15 VR 12 BS 15

I think there was some serious luck on that last one, since I felt like I guessed on quite a few questions. But nonetheless, the results so far are encouraging. When I started this I wasn't sure if it was a good idea because I haven't taken all my prerequisites and half of them I took in undergrad like 10 years ago. That 9 on the verbal really had me spooked and discouraged and I hope it was some fluke related to the fact that I had a super stressful day being on call at work the day before. To be safe I've scheduled myself off work for the two days before the test.

Anyway, just four more practice tests to go before the real thing. Wish everyone luck. Just try to be confident and think positive. I think that's a huge part of this.
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Any advice on increasing the BS score? My AAMC 3 is very similar to yours: PS 13/ VR 10/BS 10
 
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UIUCstudent said:
Any advice on increasing the BS score? My AAMC 3 is very similar to yours: PS 13/ VR 10/BS 10
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BS has always felt tricky to me. I'm in the perhaps unusual situation of actually feeling more comfortable with Organic Chemistry than with some of the Biology topics, which may have played to my strengths on AAMC 7. But in any case, I've been focusing primarily on doing practice passages (mainly BR and some from EK 1001) and spending time reading sections in EK Bio and BR Bio. Although BR Bio gets really in depth and over my head at times, I think it's good in that it helps get me more used to wading through crazy bio jargon. Even if I don't understand all of it, just the act of exposing myself to it seems to help me feel a little less intimidated when I encounter it in passages. Just the nature of the lingo in a lot of bio passages can have a way of throwing one off balance and generating a certain sense of confusion that can obscure basic concepts that are being tested.

Overall, my approach has been: 1) doing practice passages; 2) logging every wrong answer with an explanation of the correct answer; 3) reviewing the text as much as possible so that I can move past memorization and get more topics to click in a big picture way. I think all these things reinforce each other. However, I certainly don't consider myself a BS expert and some of my recent scores are probably due as much to some lucky guessing as they are to any mastery of the material.
 
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anon747 said:
Overall, my approach has been: 1) doing practice passages; 2) logging every wrong answer with an explanation of the correct answer; 3) reviewing the text as much as possible so that I can move past memorization and get more topics to click in a big picture way. I think all these things reinforce each other.
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This advice is golden!!!
 
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PianoMajor said:
26 days away. 27 on AAMC 3. I'm officially screwed.
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Don't lose hope! I didn't do so hot on my last practice test either, but I've spent the past few days doing serious content review (solid formula review and section tests) and I already feel a little better. I guess I'll see how the next practice test goes the weekend. Just take a few days to focus seriously on the basics; formulas, timing, lots of practice questions with reviewing the answer, then see how you feel. Good luck!
 
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AAMC 8 on Saturday. Definitely feeling the pressure now that March is here. Excited to be getting so close.
 
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Okay, just finished AAMC 8.
PS 13 VR 13 BS 14

I actually thought PS would be lower because I seemed to be getting hung up on a lot of problems. BS seemed comparatively easy (I use the term "easy" only in very relative terms mind you) next to previous practice tests. In fact, I had ten minutes to spare after I was done with the BS section, which is very strange for me. Anyway, one more down. Three more practice tests to go.

How's everyone else doing?
 
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congrats anon, those are great scores!

I'm getting excited for the test, especially as I feel a lot of concepts and knowledge starting to come together. I'm taking another practice test tomorrow, so I guess I'll see how it goes.

Three weeks left!
 
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Seems to be all quiet on the western front. Another day of studying.

About to do some of the hat trick exercise. I've come up with some pretty goofy things in the course of trying to link topics together. Like linking AC current, titration, and momentum, I thought of a lab titration in a beaker using a plug in pH meter (for the AC current) and a lab partner who is tossing around a football which collides with the beaker set up (for momentum). Fun stuff.
 
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I haven't found the time to do the hat trick unfortunately. Also the passages so far haven't been too "out there" in combining subjects. It's been pretty subtle so I'm not sure if the pros outweight the cons for the hat trick.

Instead, I've just been going over the BR problems and making sure I don't make the same mistakes twice..or three times after this.

Also does anyone have tips for Verbal in terms of philosphical passage or when they list a bunch of techniques (let's say making wood, EK gave a passage where there were like 4-5 techniques with lots of details)? There was also a passage that really confused me in AAMC 3 (about using Li). I tried my hardest to make sense of it, but as I'm reading it I just repeatedly got lost of the either wording or too much details. Suffice to say I got -5 in those passages. Usually, I get 1-2 wrong.
 
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UIUCstudent said:
I haven't found the time to do the hat trick unfortunately. Also the passages so far haven't been too "out there" in combining subjects. It's been pretty subtle so I'm not sure if the pros outweight the cons for the hat trick.

Instead, I've just been going over the BR problems and making sure I don't make the same mistakes twice..or three times after this.

Also does anyone have tips for Verbal in terms of philosphical passage or when they list a bunch of techniques (let's say making wood, EK gave a passage where there were like 4-5 techniques with lots of details)? There was also a passage that really confused me in AAMC 3 (about using Li). I tried my hardest to make sense of it, but as I'm reading it I just repeatedly got lost of the either wording or too much details. Suffice to say I got -5 in those passages. Usually, I get 1-2 wrong.
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I hear what you're saying. I think it's been helpful for me in that it forces me to try to turn subjects over in my head and try to look at it from different angles and see possible areas of connection and so forth.

As far as verbal, I think there is a lot to be said for factors such as mental focus, energy, posture, being critical, and getting yourself excited about the topic. But so many others have written on the forums about verbal strategy that it's probably best to do a search. In general, I've found the EK method to work pretty well for me.
 
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anon747 said:
As far as verbal, I think there is a lot to be said for factors such as mental focus, energy, posture, being critical, and getting yourself excited about the topic. But so many others have written on the forums about verbal strategy that it's probably best to do a search. In general, I've found the EK method to work pretty well for me.
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Same I used some of the EK method as well. Then again..I just realized I've started skimming passages involuntarily over the past few days. Must be the burnout phase coming. Going to take a break for the next 1-2 days. I sure hope I can afford that.
 
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A break might be good. Practicing at less than 100% is probably worse than just taking some time off.
 
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Thread's been pretty quiet. Maybe not that many people taking the test on this date. Just 16 days to go!

How's everyone doing?
 
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I'm getting nervous(er).

I took my first FL last Friday (#7): 9PS 11VR 12BS (32)
Took a second one today (#8): 10PS 10VR 11BS (31)

I can't complain, really, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if I could break at least 12s on both PS and BS and at least a 10 on VR. My GPA is mediocre (3.4) so I really need a MCAT score to off-set that and assure ADCOMS that I can hack it.

I keep tempting myself to reschedule for 4/9 by telling myself that two extra weeks would make a big difference... I know that sounds ridiculous but with only two weeks left, it sure feels like it.

Also, why is this date seemingly so unpopular? What influence, if any, could having a lot fewer test takers have on scaled scoring? I guess if there are less people competing overall, it may be easier to score in the 90th-percentile than usual. On the other hand, it could be that only a few brave, really bright people are taking it this date and not postponing until April or May, so the average score might be a lot higher.
 
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Morzh said:
I'm getting nervous(er).

I took my first FL last Friday (#7): 9PS 11VR 12BS (32)
Took a second one today (#8): 10PS 10VR 11BS (31)

I can't complain, really, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if I could break at least 12s on both PS and BS and at least a 10 on VR. My GPA is mediocre (3.4) so I really need a MCAT score to off-set that and assure ADCOMS that I can hack it.

I keep tempting myself to reschedule for 4/9 by telling myself that two extra weeks would make a big difference... I know that sounds ridiculous but with only two weeks left, it sure feels like it.

Also, why is this date seemingly so unpopular? What influence, if any, could having a lot fewer test takers have on scaled scoring? I guess if there are less people competing overall, it may be easier to score in the 90th-percentile than usual. On the other hand, it could be that only a few brave, really bright people are taking it this date and not postponing until April or May, so the average score might be a lot higher.
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Here's some food for thought: Your 32 is a 12 bs, 11 vr, and 9 ps.

Vr is the most important section followed by bio. You did great on those two. If there's a good 32 score, yours is close to the definition of it. The only way it would have been much better is if the bio and VR were switched.

You're doing great!

Also, don't worry about the score scaling. That's predetermined.
 
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Alright, AAMC 9 down. Went reasonably well. Just two more practice tests to go before the real thing!
 
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Just took AAMC7, man it made #3 a cakewalk. 12PS 8VR 12BS. Can I get some input on the metabolism passages of BR for those who took it? I might have to skip those to put in 1 or 2 more break days. That VR really scares me since I've been consistent in 10s since last month.

woo 2 more weeks
 
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So, after some thoughtful consideration, I moved my test date to April 16. I think I might have done ok on March 26, but I like the assurance of extra time to make sure I'm strong on all sections. I feel like things are really coming together as far as knowledge and timing, but I'll be stronger in April than I would be in two weeks.

Good luck to all you March 26th guys!
 
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Good luck with the new date.

Personally, I just want to get this thing over with! Just 13 more days to go. 🙂
 
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blife said:
So, after some thoughtful consideration, I moved my test date to April 16. I think I might have done ok on March 26, but I like the assurance of extra time to make sure I'm strong on all sections. I feel like things are really coming together as far as knowledge and timing, but I'll be stronger in April than I would be in two weeks.

Good luck to all you March 26th guys!
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I know how you feel. I'm contemplating a test in April as well. This March test date..idk it's giving me weird vibes (and I don't think I'm alone since this thread lacks the usual numbers seen in other MCAT clubs). Hehe thanks for starting this thread though.
 
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What's up guys. Well we got less than 2 weeks to go, not that any of you have forgotten. HOwz everyone doing with their prep? Verbal scares me a bit, I usually get 10's and 11's with the Kaplan test prep material but I have heard that isn't a great representation of our actual verbal....but those are the toys I have to play with. Will take a few AAMC's this week and see how they go. Anyone else use Kaplan??

Yeah, not a lot of action here for this date, I guess March 26th is like the unwanted stepchild of the MCAT family. I like knowing that I'll get my scores back before the semester is over so I can make a better decision about retaking or not. Too bad it's at 8 AM lol, hope that doesn't affect anything.

Anyone considered taking a couple shots b4 going in to loosen you up lol? Keep working guys, we'll be good.
 
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anon747 said:
Alright, AAMC 9 down. Went reasonably well. Just two more practice tests to go before the real thing!
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Hey anon, what do you think about the gs tests compared to the aamc? I consistently get much lower on the gs than on the aamc.
 
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DaTruMD said:
Hey anon, what do you think about the gs tests compared to the aamc? I consistently get much lower on the gs than on the aamc.
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Well, I only took the one test b/c I needed something to replace AAMC 6, which isn't available anymore.
The one I took (GS-1) felt a little different in that there seemed to be more passages in the science sections but with fewer questions per passage. So structurally it felt a little different. In terms of difficulty, it felt roughly comparable while I was taking it. But then again my actual result was a 36, whereas on my last 3 AAMCs I've gotten at least 40.
Overall, the one GS I took seemed just different enough to where I would be hesitant to use that as my main source.
 
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Strawberries said:
Human nature - Why do something now when you get an additional 2-3 weeks of studying by moving it to Apr?
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I want to do April since it will give me a chance to slow down. Last week practically killed me. I was so worried with finishing things on time that I think was on the verge of burning out. I'm still on the borderline of that, but I think I'll just have to do what I can and take it easy.
 
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I'm hearing about a lot of folks pushing back their test dates to the tune of like a few weeks, and I wonder if people are doing it for the right reasons. Is it because that extra time would legitimately make an impact? Or is it more of a fear/procrastination thing?

Personally, I began heavily studying for this test at the end of October, and at this point, I don't think there's a whole lot I could do with an extra few weeks to significantly increase my chances. In fact, it might even decrease my chances because I would just prolong my stress and perhaps lose momentum. There's always more one can do I suppose, but I guess at a certain point you just have to make the plunge. Ultimately, I think there's only so much time a person can spend in hardcore MCAT study mode before going a little nuts.
 
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Why is it when I feel like I'm guessing more, I get a higher score on my AAMC?

Btw, what time are you all waking up right now?
 
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Just finished AAMC 10. Gonna do AAMC 11 on Sunday and then that's my last FL before the real deal.

I got a 40 on AAMC 9 but then got a 39 on AAMC 10 even though I missed the same number of questions overall. That verbal section is strict! I only missed 3 verbal questions on AAMC 10 and it dropped me to a 12. One whole freakin' drop in raw score per question missed. Argh. I suppose it depends on how the difficulty of the questions is weighted, because I also missed 3 on the verbal for AAMC 9 but it gave me a 13 that time. Oh well.
 
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Has anybody taken AAMC 11 yet? I'm saving it for last, probably this weekend or middle of next week, just wanted to know how anybody did on it or if it was pretty similar to the others. No specifics please lol, don't want a better score than I deserve, but I'm a bit curious. Thanks!
 
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Strawberries said:
Why is it when I feel like I'm guessing more, I get a higher score on my AAMC?

Btw, what time are you all waking up right now?
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I KNOW! So far I've taken 4 AAMCs.. the two that I felt "good" about were both lower than the two that I felt "uh-oh.." about. Fortunately, all four have been between 31-34.. so I can't really complain, even though I'd feel a lot more comfortable (given my mediocre 3.42 cGPA, 3.25 sGPA) with a 35+.

I get really nervous though because when I read past MCAT threads, it seems like most people score 2-3 points LOWER on the real thing than their average AAMC :scared:. Some hit their average, but few actually do better than it. Do you think that is because the real thing is a little harder or is it primarily because the extra-stress of it being "for-realz this time! OMGZ!!" makes you miss a few extra questions?

Other than continuing to take more FLs (I plan at least 2 more this week and two early next week) and reviewing what I miss, what is the best golden advice on what I can do to improve my score between now and next Saturday?

As for waking up, I usually work 5am-5pm on Saturday/Sunday in the ER where I live, so waking up early on a Saturday isn't really a major change in routine for me. I'm more worried about falling asleep early enough Friday night than I am waking up Saturday. I'm gonna be too nervous to sleep.
 
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4 days until gameday and this thread has sadly fallen almost to the third page... how is everybody feeling?

I've taken all AAMC fulls except 11, which I will take on Wednesday. My scores thus far have all been very consistent in the 31-33 range. Nearly every question I miss is not because of lack of conceptual understanding, but because of being rushed/misreading/not catching something from the passage or question stem. I wish there was some magical trick I could learn in the next four days that could get me to a 35. I'd be OK with my average now, but I'm terrified of something going wrong and not breaking 30.
 
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I hear you about missing things for stupid reasons. I've tried a Kaplan practice test and the Bio part of the AAMC 3, and when I look over my answers, I realize that I mostly got the ones I sat there stressing about for 5 minutes at a time, but I blew right by some of the others and answered the wrong question.

Personally, I'm glad to get it over with. I haven't done a bit of actual schoolwork in the past 2 or 3 weeks because every time I thought about doing my homework I felt guilty for not studying for this crazy test.
 
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Morzh said:
4 days until gameday and this thread has sadly fallen almost to the third page... how is everybody feeling?

I've taken all AAMC fulls except 11, which I will take on Wednesday. My scores thus far have all been very consistent in the 31-33 range. Nearly every question I miss is not because of lack of conceptual understanding, but because of being rushed/misreading/not catching something from the passage or question stem. I wish there was some magical trick I could learn in the next four days that could get me to a 35. I'd be OK with my average now, but I'm terrified of something going wrong and not breaking 30.
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Samesies on pointless mistakes and taking FL11 tmrw. I've tried to avoid SDN b/c I get caught up in the threads that says how freaking hard the real thing is compared to the practice. Needless to say I really start to panic. But its hard to stay away from the Q&A section since some of these questions are pretty confusing. I would say to take it easy and rest. My scores have progressively shot up since stress week and my abysmal time with AAMC 7.
 
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UIUCstudent said:
Samesies on pointless mistakes and taking FL11 tmrw. I've tried to avoid SDN b/c I get caught up in the threads that says how freaking hard the real thing is compared to the practice. Needless to say I really start to panic. But its hard to stay away from the Q&A section since some of these questions are pretty confusing. I would say to take it easy and rest. My scores have progressively shot up since stress week and my abysmal time with AAMC 7.
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Hey, I agree with you about how SDN sort of changes my expectation of a certain FL. have you taken Kaplan #10 tho? OMG I went from a 33 ave 35 highest to a freaking 26!!!! wtf? no bueno!😱bullcrap:
 
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ShukryMD said:
Hey, I agree with you about how SDN sort of changes my expectation of a certain FL. have you taken Kaplan #10 tho? OMG I went from a 33 ave 35 highest to a freaking 26!!!! wtf? no bueno!😱bullcrap:
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I would do a search on Kaplan#10 difficulty. I sort of recall coming across this search once. I think people said Kaplan 1-6 are better indicators. So definitely don't stress it too much. But considering how hard it was..a comprehensive review of it would be a good idea.
 
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Hi guys. I'm in your little club, too... only 2.5 days to go. I took off these last 3 days from work to get some solid review & practice before Saturday. I just finished up AAMC 10 this morning (33, whew!) and am off to review some of my trouble spots (hi, biology section). I'm jealous of you guys; I'm doing great at taking the test and finishing with plenty of time, but having taken most of the prereqs 8-10 years ago my concepts are a little wishy-washy, even after the PR class and reviewing on my own and such. Gah.

Good luck, guys!
 
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PostHaste said:
Hi guys. I'm in your little club, too... only 2.5 days to go. I took off these last 3 days from work to get some solid review & practice before Saturday. I just finished up AAMC 10 this morning (33, whew!) and am off to review some of my trouble spots (hi, biology section). I'm jealous of you guys; I'm doing great at taking the test and finishing with plenty of time, but having taken most of the prereqs 8-10 years ago my concepts are a little wishy-washy, even after the PR class and reviewing on my own and such. Gah.

Good luck, guys!
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If you bring your A game on Saturday and get another 33, many will be jealous of you!
 
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Awesome job on the score! Well I'm going to spend the next two days in Zen mode and not think too much about this test. Good luck everyone and can't wait to hear people's thoughts about the test later!
 
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Now that I'm officially freaked out, I guess I'll join the discussion.. Has anybody taken AAMC 11 yet? any feedback?
 
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PHATTIE said:
Now that I'm officially freaked out, I guess I'll join the discussion.. Has anybody taken AAMC 11 yet? any feedback?
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I took it this morning. I already posted the experience elsewhere but will just copy that because I don't want to go through the ordeal of thinking about it so much again. 🙁

Morzh said:
I've taken all the AAMCs now.. had been averaging 32-33 consistently (low 31, high 34).

This morning I woke up early (same time I will for MCAT), came to the library, and took my last AAMC (FL 11). Didn't miss any for the first couple passages of PS, but then I got tricked up on a couple of questions and was an IDIOT and didn't just move on but let my perfectionism make me spend almost 10 minutes on just two or three questions. That threw off my mojo BIG TIME as I was super rushed / had to guess on the last couple PS passages.

I stayed pretty flustered and sucked up the VR, too. And Bio too.

28 (9,9,10). I've been averaging 10s and 11s on PS and VR, and 12s and 13s on BS on all the previous AAMCs.

The real deal is on Saturday, so now I'm like :scared:😱:scared: :boom:

Was it waking up earlier (I wasn't that tired.. but most of my other FLs I had to take in the evening)? Was it getting flustered and losing my cool? Or is it that AAMC 11 is much more representative of the real deal, and thus more difficult.

Please don't say the last one.

Here's to hoping for rebound on test day equally dramatic as today's flop.
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Now that a few more hours have past, I'm actually feeling a bit better. I just need to get into zen mode and chill out tonight and tomorrow. Content-wise I'm fine.. my brain's just been trying to wage a psychological civil war in my head.

Good luck to everyone!
 
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PHATTIE said:
Now that I'm officially freaked out, I guess I'll join the discussion.. Has anybody taken AAMC 11 yet? any feedback?
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Tomorrow morning for me. I really subscribe to that whole "if not for the last minute" thing.😛

Morzh, I'm sure it was just you psyching yourself out on 11. If you've been making consistent numbers on every other test, and really spent 10 minutes on two questions, I'd say it was a fluke. You really have to make sure that you don't take one section with you to the next, too! Just remember, what's done is done.

I'm feeling pretty relaxed about the test so far. I've got too much other crap going on to get too worked up about it. I suppose it'll all hit me around 10:00 on Friday night. 😉
 
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PostHaste said:
Tomorrow morning for me. I really subscribe to that whole "if not for the last minute" thing.😛

Morzh, I'm sure it was just you psyching yourself out on 11. If you've been making consistent numbers on every other test, and really spent 10 minutes on two questions, I'd say it was a fluke. You really have to make sure that you don't take one section with you to the next, too! Just remember, what's done is done.

I'm feeling pretty relaxed about the test so far. I've got too much other crap going on to get too worked up about it. I suppose it'll all hit me around 10:00 on Friday night. 😉
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Just my ten cents: that's a terrible idea. Best case scenario you do well on AAMC 11, have a slight increase in your confidence level for Saturday, and you're only slightly more fatigued having taken a full-length the day before the real test. Worst case scenario you are mentally exhausted and have reduced confidence. You won't learn anything from a last minute full-length.
 
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So, future doctors, I have a question- would it be effective for me to take a bunch of Nyquil this Friday night before I take the test? I'm really not very good at being able to fall asleep- even if I pull an all nighter tonight, there's no guarantee I won't be too agitated to get any reasonable amount of sleep tomorrow night. But will Nyquil completely mess with my brain and leave me groggy the next day? I've never taken it, and I don't have time to sleep enough tonight to do a test run.
 
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