So I've been pseudo following the Sn2ed schedule (kinda been a little rushed since I wasted some time in between) and now I've done two practice tests a week apart. Got the same score on both: PS9/VR8/BS9 (26). I haven't reviewed AAMC 4 yet, but three was chockfull of careless errors. I'm taking my exam on August 23th. I'd really really like to get a 34, but not sure if that's even in my reach anymore. I'll continue to follow the Sn2ed schedule and try to get my content down really well and focus on doing tons of VR passages (since I didn't keep up with that either). Any suggestions on how to improve my score a ton over the next few days? Or any tips? I'm starting to get extremely worried I won't get the score I want.
Aamc 3/4 terrible scores?!?!
- Thread starter 428
- Start date
- Joined
- May 27, 2011
- Messages
- 3,486
- Reaction score
- 82
I am kinda in the same dilemma, a 26. My science improved by 3 points from aamc3 to aamc4, but my verbal dropped 2 points. However, I think it was a fluke because I rushed through the later 5 passages so I can have time for the 2 first passages I didn't "understand" . This totally backfired. All we can do is grind it out and see, and if need be, reschedule for January.
Yeah I understand that-the problem is I don't think its content...I think its just how I'm taking the test or something...I can't exactly put my finger on it. I can't delay the exam any further because I'm starting school after that and those really won't mix well for me. And I guess since I got the same score on both exams that it's not really a fluke and I need to take my score seriously. I'm just really not sure what my approach should be-if I should continue following the schedule and use up all my AAMC exams; or veer off of SN2ed and just spend some time reviewing content strictly before I continue.
Not sure if this will help, but maybe this will give you some optimism
I sort of made up my own MCAT plan using my own schedule and TPR/EK. I took AAMC4 earlier this week and made a 30, which is not bad, but I felt like I really could do better with the vast amount of time I spent studying.
After taking AAMC4, I realized that I was really surprised by how long the test was and how it wore me down.
I reviewed the test, and the night before I took AAMC 5, i made sure to get a good night's sleep. I also drank extra coffee and took the test when I felt very energetic. I ended up increasing my score by 4 points.
Basically, if you feel very confident in your knowledge of content, you might be able to change other parts of your routine to maximize your score. But good luck!
I sort of made up my own MCAT plan using my own schedule and TPR/EK. I took AAMC4 earlier this week and made a 30, which is not bad, but I felt like I really could do better with the vast amount of time I spent studying.
After taking AAMC4, I realized that I was really surprised by how long the test was and how it wore me down.
I reviewed the test, and the night before I took AAMC 5, i made sure to get a good night's sleep. I also drank extra coffee and took the test when I felt very energetic. I ended up increasing my score by 4 points.
Basically, if you feel very confident in your knowledge of content, you might be able to change other parts of your routine to maximize your score. But good luck!
So I've decided I'm going to spend sometime skimming through content and brushing up on weak spots (that I wrote down while reviewing earlier) over the next few days before my next exam paired with the passages for Sn2ed and FL review. Hopefully it helps my score increase somewhat! I think I might just be lacking confidence in myself-a lotta the times I second guess my own knowledge; and waste my time! I'll also try and eat some protein bars or something like Gatorade between sections. Oh, and I'm doing like a full verbal exam everyday to help my score even more. Does this plan sound doable? Or could I burnout?
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2011
- Messages
- 635
- Reaction score
- 58
I think someone that was crucial is improving your score is knowing how to take test. When I first took a diagnostic the score was extremely low. After taking multiple practice exams, I started to get the hang of it and understood how to approach questions better. Good luck!
I'm going to be completely honest with you, my previous instructor and several other students said that aamc 3/4 are the easiest practice tests compared to the others. Don't just look back at your test and say that you made careless mistakes; analyze every careless mistake and categorize or group them into certain types. I've noticed that many of the tricky science (esp. bio and gchem) questions have certain aspects that will encourage you to choose seemingly obvious answer choices, but they do this in different ways. You want to analyze the ways they do this so that you can get a feel for how they will try to trick you on the real mcat. Don't give up now because you don't think it's possible to improve enough. Make a physical list of things you want to do per day until you get to your mcat day, follow it diligently. Instead of telling yourself you can't improve X amount of points, tell yourself to try first. Good luck on your mcat.
Thanks for the help guys. I've been spending the last couple of days doing some intense review of both AAMC 3 and 4 (looking at why I'm missing the questions/what thought processes I'm using, how I can improve, etc.). As well as trying to hit my weaker topics. I'll be taking AAMC 5 tomorrow. I'm hoping for the best! I've always been the kind of person to do better on harder exams (it forces me to focus more)-i'm hoping that's the case. If you all have any more words of wisdom, let me know!
I cannot stress this enough. My first FL was aamc 3 and i was very apprehensive/ nervous before the test, and i ended doing terrible(28). After that I learned to calm myself down, get a good night's sleep, and eat moderately well all so i would have energy and the confidence to take the test. My next test i got a 35. Now, im averaging around 34.
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2011
- Messages
- 79
- Reaction score
- 10
Forget the content review right now. Do practice problems like 1001 EK physics/Chem/Organic or subject tests from Kaplan/EK. They give you a string of very similar questions, but each one is slightly different from the previous Q. It will help hammer home how to solve problems. After doing those, notice concepts that you still aren't comfortable with and only Content review those since you are in a time crunch. A 34 is totally in reach, but you gotta be smart about how you use your time. Content reviewing everything alone is pretty worthless at this point. It may add 1-2 points. I found that after I did practice Qs and then did content review on my weaknesses it helped me understand concepts much better. I went from a 28 to a 35. You cant really content review verbal and I wish I could give you advice on that, but I don't feel comfortable with giving you advice since I myself am not an expert on verbal strategy.
And do the other AAMCs every few days and review not only the questions you got wrong but also ones you weren't sure why you got right. You don't have to review every question, because I bet there is some stuff you know like the back of your hand. There's no need to review that stuff. But when I took the test, and graded it, I would remember questions I guessed on, and even if I got those correct, I would still review those. Remember its about time management. If at the end of it all, you exhausted all your materials, then you can do content review, but for now you should focus on practice!
]