AAMC specific: VR easier to read when it's PREDICTABLE! Let's list observations

[Gauss44]

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Let's list observations about AAMC VR ONLY! It's easier to read when you know what to expect.

I'll start (my observations):

5-6 paragraphs typically

Stucture (most frequently):
p1 - vague intro
p2-p3 - topic
p4 - fudge factor
p5 - conclusion (with new info like author's opinion)

Difficulty
1st paragraph usually reveals if it's a straight forward story (ie read fast, <3mins) or full of esoteric words, similar definitions or a bizarre concept, etc. (ie take a little longer and save for last, 4 mins)

Answer choices:
On practice tests so far, I'd say the most frequent answer is, "B." When I take the real thing, I will pay attention to the frequency of answer choices (a, b, c, or d) so I can guess wisely if needed.


Please contribute your observations for AAMC VR.

 

[DocMC]

I read the passage the best I can, as if I know what is going on. I go through each question, and eliminate answers that sound stupid/extreme. Pick the one that isn't so obvious. That's all I got.

 

[The_Sunny_Doc]

That's a good little outline! Handy.

Know your SAT words. 🙂 You don't even have to read the passage for those questions if you know the big word.

 

[Melomare17]

i wouldn't pick an answer based off what is the most common answer on practice lol

 

[wjs010]

I read the passage the best I can, as if I know what is going on. I go through each question, and eliminate answers that sound stupid/extreme. Pick the one that isn't so obvious. That's all I got.

This is actually the best way to do verbal. I think if you just focus and try to make a main idea, you will be able to do it. Why its so hard to do 7 in a row? I wish I could answer that.

 

[ComplexNapoleon]

OP,
Thanks for the heads up about 'B'

 

[DocMC]

Here's what I noticed for the SA's. I submitted all of my answers as A). And, for EACH section, answer choice A) was the correct answer choice for ~40% of the "hard" questions. Cool thought. So I guess if you just somehow know on your real MCAT that you are on a "hard" question, and you don't know what's going on, pick A)

 

[Gauss44]

i wouldn't pick an answer based off what is the most common answer on practice lol

Suit yourself.

Obviously, if you know the correct answer, choose it! If you've narrowed down your answer choices, choose a non-eliminated answer. If you have no clue, you might as well pick a popular letter (the one the test maker favors). For example, if only 10% of the correct answer choices are D, then I wouldn't guess that (all other factors being equal). Most tests don't have perfectly equal percentages of every answer choice.

It's simple, if you need to guess, look at the answers you didn't guess on. If a good deal of those are the same letter, then good for you. Take it as a hint!

 

[ComplexNapoleon]

I think you might be on to something. 'B' could quite possible stand for 'B'est answer. The test makers may use this as a code.

Also, 10 is C. Always.

 

[enervate]

Always.

Always?

 

[Gauss44]

AAMC specific tip: There are at least 3 different published explanations to every AAMC question, one from AAMC, one from TPR, and one from Kaplan. Kaplan even provides a passage map! I just noticed this and am making use of it!

Please contribute!

 

[Synapsis]

Don't you guys think that if everyone runs around and says "the most likely answer is X!" then the test makers have likely seen that and done something about it to fool people who believe it?

 

[bear2roo]

based on my previous mcat sittings....if an answer choice like pops out/screams at you, don't pick it immediately. Take 1-2 seconds and try to rule out the other answer choices even if you're a bit short on time. Happened to me June 20.....too many AC just liike "seemed to fit my predicted answer so well" that I hardly looked at the other answers. Probably got those wrong, hence the low VR i ended up with.

 

[Gauss44]

Don't you guys think that if everyone runs around and says "the most likely answer is X!" then the test makers have likely seen that and done something about it to fool people who believe it?

He's angry that he got a bad score. Now he's trying to take this thread off topic.

Nah, I don't really know that. This was already answered on 7/23 a few replies ago.

 

[Synapsis]

He's angry that he got a bad score. Now he's trying to take this thread off topic.

Nah, I don't really know that. This was already answered on 7/23 a few replies ago.

Wha? Who got a bad score?

This was to the general concept of guessing based on frequency. To each their own, but it just doesn't make sense to me. No one know's "what the test maker favors". Also, how smart is it to go off of a vague pattern that you might see in a group of AAMCs which were made years ago? Who knows if: 1) that was a coincidence or 2) that's been changed by now.

It's just so much smarter to ignore the letters and make your educated or, if necessary, wild guesses. If I was a test writer, I could psych a lot people out who think like this by making the answers to the first six questions all A, because they'd get more nervous, start wasting time questioning themselves, and maybe even change a correct answer. Not to try to bring this down, but this just doesn't seem beneficial at all. In fact, it's probably more likely to hurt your score.

 

[ComplexNapoleon]

But still, #10 is C.

 

[Gauss44]

Particularly in the verbal reasoning help section, off-topic and unproductive replies serve to deny those with reading disabilities, slow readers, and those who have struggled with reading for their entire lives, the opportunity to learn and participate. Somehow I find it disgusting that future doctors aren't mindful and sensitive to this.

In the VR section at least, I wish there were some way to eliminate unproductive responses so those who have difficulty reading could find help efficiently. ...And not be blamed or feel hated for missing things when there's so much to read and so much of that is just unproductive remarks! (...Or for looking for help in the first place by making, yet another, VR discussion. Again, I think there should be a separate section for VR, like there is for MCAT, Q&A, MD, DO, etc. Not just a separate thread or single discussion because that would make the problem I'm describing even worse.)

This all reminds me of learned helplessness where a mouse is shocked every time it tries to eat, until it just sits there and starves. Even with the electricity turned off. If it is so difficult to get help with reading, some people with reading disabilities might just give up.

(I understand that it may seem like a funny joke to pretend to misread the original post, and my response, as an excuse to keep responding. This is not subtle. It shows a lack of maturity and concern for other people. Whether or not the moderators catch on is another story. I've certainly noticed, and think it's a crappy thing to do.)