6/16ers: How would you change the way you studied after taking the actual test?

[Dr Dazzle]

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Would you change the way you studied after taking the test? If so, how?

 

[LukeC]

Cross-sectional relationships... IE, how does chapter 1 of my review book relate to chapter 6? Any interchangable formulas?

 

[raltima07]

Would you change the way you studied after taking the test? If so, how?

Good question

 

[Redwood]

AKA what did u do so i dont f up like u guys did lol

 

[tman5890]

AKA what did u do so i dont f up like u guys did lol

That sums it up nicely

 

[salim271]

Cross-sectional relationships... IE, how does chapter 1 of my review book relate to chapter 6? Any interchangable formulas?

Sort of like the hat trick that SN2ed recommends in his study schedule, then. I definitely need to start doing that... lol.

 

[AkGand]

More practice tests. More more more more more. BUT you MUST go over them in detail. Both the answers you got right and wrong.

The material is honestly not that bad on the MCAT - basic knowledge of most topics will get you through with more studying what you are weak in. It is all about working with passages and timing.

The test seems to be getting longer. Much longer than most practice exams. So if you do some sort of program like Kaplan, try and do all of the difficult and lengthy passages.

 

[stsa84]

Honestly, I don't think there's any way to prepare better for the test we just took. I took 5 Kaplan tests and 3 AAMC tests...had maybe 220 hours of studying in the past 6 weeks. I scored between a 35 and a 40 on each test, felt confident, but this morning's test was a killer.

Even with an additional year to study, I don't think I could have been truly prepared for the test. I was at the point in my studying that the only questions I'd miss on practice tests were those that required some obscure knowledge to answer...I was missing basically no questions (maybe 1-2 per test) as a result of a lapse in memory or not knowing a normal subject matter in depth enough.

Time will tell how the scoring rubric breaks down, and maybe I got a decent score after all, but I believe I could not studied more or better than I did.

 

[BME11]

Honestly, I don't think there's any way to prepare better for the test we just took. I studied almost exclusively from Kaplan's big book, took 5 Kaplan tests and 3 AAMC tests...a total of maybe 220 hours of studying in the past 6 weeks. I scored between a 35 and a 40 on each test, but this morning's test was a killer.

Even with an additional year to study, I don't think I could have been truly prepared for the test. I was at the point in my studying that the only questions I'd miss on practice tests were those that required some obscure knowledge to answer...I was missing basically no questions (maybe 1-2 per test) as a result of a lapse in memory or not knowing a normal subject matter in depth enough.

Time will tell how the scoring rubric breaks down, and maybe I got a decent score after all, but I believe I could not studied more or better than I did.

i agreed. I studied my butt off and it just depends on the passages that they give you. Some crap they throw in is beyond what you can study for 😡. If i can change anything I'd study in even more details...but I'm not sure if that would help either. Emphasis on understanding rather than memorize.

 

[movax]

I did every single AAMC FL (the old paper versions, so extra long) after what I deemed enough content review...

1. More content review...well, reviewing more of it.
2. Find whatever review company puts out bio passages in the style of CBT10 and 11, because that's what they're moving too. Analyzing charts and graphs with stuff you've never heard of.

I averaged 38 on my practice tests (with a 29 on the first one), and I feel lucky if I got above 30 on this one...

 

[tman5890]

Honestly, I don't think there's any way to prepare better for the test we just took. I took 5 Kaplan tests and 3 AAMC tests...had maybe 220 hours of studying in the past 6 weeks. I scored between a 35 and a 40 on each test, felt confident, but this morning's test was a killer.

Even with an additional year to study, I don't think I could have been truly prepared for the test. I was at the point in my studying that the only questions I'd miss on practice tests were those that required some obscure knowledge to answer...I was missing basically no questions (maybe 1-2 per test) as a result of a lapse in memory or not knowing a normal subject matter in depth enough.

Time will tell how the scoring rubric breaks down, and maybe I got a decent score after all, but I believe I could not studied more or better than I did.

You probably did around your average, which is really high. Everyone feels like that after their tests.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Any of you guys use BR passages and reading? How comparable was that? Were Kaplan Fls at all helpful? OR should the focus be AAMCs and other practice passages?

 

[Hafez]

Any of you guys use BR passages and reading? How comparable was that? Were Kaplan Fls at all helpful? OR should the focus be AAMCs and other practice passages?

First of all relax, i think it has a large part to do with luck of the draw and if you get questions that you happened to go over

On a more helpful note, aamc's 7, 9, 10, 11 are the best IMO (especially 10, & 11)


....also make sure your ID matches, today someone got sent home not able to take the exam cuz their name on their ID did not match...😱😱

 

[nola2016]

I studied from May 02 until June 14, at least 6 hours a day and the past two weeks I've done 10hours a day. I took 2 Kaplan and every AAMC available, and honestly? that 2PM test ripped me a new *******. case closed, just practice thats all anyone can do.

and thats with me averaging 36s on every AAMC. trust me, it was that bad

 

[salim271]

....also make sure your ID matches, today someone got sent home not able to take the exam cuz their name on their ID did not match...😱😱

Cough failcheating cough... lol.

 

[kehlsh]

no amount of preparation can prepare you fully for the mcat

you gotta pray you will get lucky IMHO

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Which specific things from kaplan? Sectionals, topicals? I hear that 1-6 fls are most representative so far.

More practice tests. More more more more more. BUT you MUST go over them in detail. Both the answers you got right and wrong.

The material is honestly not that bad on the MCAT - basic knowledge of most topics will get you through with more studying what you are weak in. It is all about working with passages and timing.

The test seems to be getting longer. Much longer than most practice exams. So if you do some sort of program like Kaplan, try and do all of the difficult and lengthy passages.

 

[CodeBlu]

I'm writing this because I had a friend who wrote the exam today. I didn't disclose the passage specifically to her. The passage I am talking about right now showed up on my test. I had actually covered this paper in my molecular virology class. I scrolled down to the bottom of the passage to look at the citation and I was like, no way, I KNOW THIS GUY, AND I KNOW HIS PAPER!

This definitely doesn't count as violating the AAMC rules, but my friend called me after her test today screaming, THERE WAS AN ENTIRE PASSAGE ON A PAPER WE DISCUSSED IN THIS CLASS!!!! I laughed and said, no way... I think I had the same one. But she's the crazy paranoid type, and thinks the AAMC has a phone tap on her. So we didn't talk about it. But how cool is that... that class was torture, but I guess we both turned out for the better.

Basically, take advanced classes, they help you develop your reasoning skills. Those come in handy on the MCAT apparently.

 

[jab8220]

I took the 2pm test today.

I feel the AAMCs or Kaplans can help with the PS section, and def EK for VR, but I don't think any tests can prepare you for the Bio (maybe AAMC 11 is somewhat comparable). But understand that the 8am testers are claiming that their bio was relatively easy and the PS was insanely difficult.

I guess that's how they get us to studying everything.

 

[Hafez]

I took all 8 AAMC FL's and none were as convoluted/lengthy as today's real thing.

true...sometimes i felt in the sciences if i just read the questions i would have saved more time...

 

[Hafez]

Cough failcheating cough... lol.

LOL yikes ...didn't think of that but i guess a possibility

 

[movax]

Yeah, as above posters mentioned...the older AAMCs are good for developing stamina and such, but the exam's shifted focus in BS. 10 and 11 are going to give you a much better prep for BS.

Hopefully I do not have to take the MCAT again, but if I did, I would spend more time with EK Verbal strategies and hitting up scientific papers / "tough" Kaplan-style BS passages to get better at analyzing acronyms and experimental data.

Protip: don't be afraid to take notes and re-outline the experiment, you have scratch paper for a reason.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

Thanks for the input guys! I guess the best approach is to focus/relearn weaknesses in a short amount of time and then just do a TON of passages to have a shot at being able to do the ones they ask on the actual test. Further, I guess it would be helpful to finish prac. exams like 20 mins before so that you have a shot at finishing on the actual test....yikes!

 

[ridethecliche]

I would have done more of the 'difficult' orgo stuff that I glazed over and made sure to start memorizing physics equations and doing associated practice problems to drill them in right from the very start.

 

[npparikh90]

i thought on the yesterday's exam that PS was a killer but again i am weak in that area i think the one thing i would do differently now is jus go through all my exam kracker books thoroughly and understand each concept b/c if you have the basic understanding than thats all mcat is. You jus have to be willing to see the simplicity of it idk i am planning on taking it again no matter what i get. To those that have never taken the MCAT trust me if you really really like science and u are doing your study based on understanding you will be fine for the exam

 

[Donald Juan]

I'm writing this because I had a friend who wrote the exam today. I didn't disclose the passage specifically to her. The passage I am talking about right now showed up on my test. I had actually covered this paper in my molecular virology class. I scrolled down to the bottom of the passage to look at the citation and I was like, no way, I KNOW THIS GUY, AND I KNOW HIS PAPER!

Wow what luck! I didn't have anything that good, but there was one of the VR passages that was discussing two peoples oppossing views, and I had read and discussed both of the two peoples writings in a class (I'm trying my best to be vague), so I was pretty happy when I saw that. The good thing is, it made understanding the passage a breeze, the bad thing is, the questions were still vague as hell.

 

[thestrokes14]

I've taken the test twice and I pretty much fully understand the real MCAT, in my opinion. It's a concentration based test. They will throw a mixture of relatively easy problems with relatively convoluted passages. They like to throw tons of diagrams on the test, and make everything essentially longer than your practice test.

Is this the end of the world? No. You need to train your brain to concentrate for a longer period of time. At no point should your brain get tired before your body. If you lose focus for even a minute, you'll honestly decrease your score on that section almost inevitably.

I personally found ExamKrackers to be the best source of material. The stuff Examkrackers covers in their books overlaps tremendously with the stuff I have seen on the real MCAT. Avoid, however, the 1001 questions. A complete waste of time. Remember, passages are important, but doing several passages for 5 hours at a time is the most important.

Of course, there is the chance that one particular MCAT will be much tougher than another. It's unfortunate, but it is true. I recommend taking the test early and voiding if you have to. Preparation is important, but concentration is the most important.

 

[iceman720]

we all hate vague, that's specifically why they use it on the VR

 

[selfreflection]

Hey, how did you guys find the TBR physics passages compared to the TPR? Are they worth practicing?

 

[tman5890]

Hey, how did you guys find the TBR physics passages compared to the TPR? Are they worth practicing?

All TBR passages are very much worth it.

 

[Research3r]

Based on everyone's experience with this most recent July 16th MCAT, is TBR now easier than the real thing? Sounds like a game change from the AAMC MCAT writers. 👎

 

[salim271]

Based on everyone's experience with this most recent July 16th MCAT, is TBR now easier than the real thing? Sounds like a game change from the AAMC MCAT writers. 👎

People experienced using TBR seem to think it was comparable... which is actually pretty scary in and of itself. TBR is some hard shtuff...

 

[premedk]

"Avoid, however, the 1001 questions. A complete waste of time. Remember, passages are important, but doing several passages for 5 hours at a time is the most important."
I disagree, I was really weak on a several topics, I don't know what I would have done without these. Also, considering the mcat is all about intuition and background nuances and tidbits of info, the 1001 were a huge asset.

As far as what else can one do to improve their score. After just taking the mcat, all I could come up with is pray. Really Hard.....After you know your content, (any mcat review book will be fine, I used kaplan,the sdn "lowest rated") and do the aamc practice tests(all) I'm convinced there is not much else you can do to improve. The rest is up to chance, fate, God, lady luck, tooth fairy...etc.

 

[MDminded]

I would have done more of the 'difficult' orgo stuff that I glazed over and made sure to start memorizing physics equations and doing associated practice problems to drill them in right from the very start.

That's great advice. Thanks RTC!

...there was one of the VR passages that was discussing two peoples oppossing views, and I had read and discussed both of the two peoples writings in a class (I'm trying my best to be vague), so I was pretty happy when I saw that. The good thing is, it made understanding the passage a breeze, the bad thing is, the questions were still vague as hell.

What coincidences!

I've taken the test twice and I pretty much fully understand the real MCAT, in my opinion. It's a concentration based test. They will throw a mixture of relatively easy problems with relatively convoluted passages. They like to throw tons of diagrams on the test, and make everything essentially longer than your practice test.

How do you suggest "preparing" to interpret graphs/diagrams/charts? I need more exposure to that since I tend to get overwhelmed or misinterpret them completely incorrectly.

People experienced using TBR seem to think it was comparable... which is actually pretty scary in and of itself. TBR is some hard shtuff...

I agree - I believe TBR passages more closely simulate and prepare you for the real thing.

 

[SilentSoldier]

I think someone said something about cross content review for PS. I would agree, especially since I feel like the PS is getting way more equation heavy. That was my hardest subject during my practice tests and I finally got up to a score where i feel was comfortable only to be blindsided by the actual thing. Don't want to retake it but we'll see how it goes.

 

[Monocles]

Take AAMC 11. It's supposed to be drastically different from 3-10, and the most representative of the newer MCAT tests.

 

[movax]

Take AAMC 11. It's supposed to be drastically different from 3-10, and the most representative of the newer MCAT tests.

This is absolutely true, I took 3-11, 11 was most like 6/16, followed closely by 10. Older ones were nice for general questions, but the BS on the old tests are not like what showed up on 6/16.

Of course it's common knowledge when it comes to the trend on organic questions as well.

I peaked at 37 on AAMC 9R IIRC, but got a 32 on 11 the day after I took 9R. And that was with 11 being the shorter, CBT now too...

 

[kkoopman]

.

 

[pinkzebra]

took the 6/16 2PM MCAT.

i dont exactly know what i would have done differently, but i do want to stress that VR is definitely longer than the practice passages 🙁 i found myself scrambling for time, which really stressed me out. i had gone through TPR verbal workbook...1-12 of EK passages...and all the AAMC verbals. my score did improve 3 points from my diagnostic, but i think next time around (i hope there wont be a next time!) id also focus on reading more (The Economist, classic novels).

i would not have taken a PR course. i dont want to say they are a waste of money, but they weren't worth the $ for me.

one thing i will say is that physics is by far my WORST subject. i ended up hiring a local tutor (MIT grad) and he was a lifesaver. expensive, but well worth the money. he really prepared me for MCAT physics. i am in the boston area...if anyone is interested in his info, def PM me 🙂

 

[Benedias]

8 a.m. Here

I wasn't scoring as high as some but I was consistently at or above 30 on all my practice tests. I have been struggling but getting better with the physics part with constant 10-11s on VR and BS.

The prob with the 8 a.m. test imo was the sheer length of passages, the fact all the major passages were things we don't deal with normally, and just the large amount of new information we had to deal with and interpret that I think some of us had never seen before.

I think the test would have been more fair if there was like one passage/section that we were like wtf never seen before but I can figure this out and trade the other two for some semi-complex ballistic questions.

I understand that the tests are built to have an equal number of hard, medium, and easy questions but I'm not sure where the mediums were. It seemed they were either hard, or easy.