AAMC vs EK Verbal

[dangit]

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I just took the AAMC 5 CBT verbal and got a 5. I'm taking the June 13 test...i just don't get it. I've been doing better on the EK verbal (7,8) and was hoping to keep improving that, but what's up with the AAMC verbal...they're so hard! anybody feel me on that?

 

[tncekm]

I've been doing better on AAMC than EK, honestly. I think the difference is that EK passages are easier to understand the main point. AAMC is definitely harder in that regard, however, the AAMC passages where you have to retrieve information are much easier.

I really feel that writing a 3-5 word summary after each paragraph really helps to understand the "main idea" in more difficult passages. Give it a try.

 

[dangit]

thanks man.

 

[iA-MD2013]

I've been doing better on AAMC than EK, honestly. I think the difference is that EK passages are easier to understand the main point. AAMC is definitely harder in that regard, however, the AAMC passages where you have to retrieve information are much easier.

I really feel that writing a 3-5 word summary after each paragraph really helps to understand the "main idea" in more difficult passages. Give it a try.

Haha I feel like it's the opposite. EK seems easier than aamc! I think it's because they're passages are more interesting.

 

[quiksilver87]

Last year I was in the same boat...I was scoring 8's on EK tests and on AAMCs I was scoring 5-7...This year I'm doing slightly better on VR...the last test I scored an 8 with 11 on PS and 13 on BS...The increase in VR score was probably due to increased concentration.

 

[dangit]

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[stylinMD]

I have the same problem man. I've been through the entire EK verbal and was doing better until I started taking the actual AAMC ones. I've been reading through the threads for verbal and all these techniques seem really time consuming for me. I think its just your ability to concentrate fully. My problem is mainly time for each passage. I even started to use a strategy where I would skip a 5 question passage and guess completely on that passage hoping for at least 2/5 so I would have more time for the other 6 passages (about 10 min a passage). I tried the technique once and actually ended up getting 28/40 which is usually around a 7 or 8. If I can't get this verbal up to at least an 8 I might have to change fields or stick around for another year, its hopeless. God I wish I read more as a child.

 

[justapremed]

I did better on the AAMC ones! I think although the passages on the AAMC were more boring, I thought the EK answer choices were really tricky. I usually came down to 2 choices and picked the wrong one (on EK).

But also, I think my concentration level was better on the AAMC because I took them with the mindset of "okay, I paid $35 for this one practice test and I need to make the most out of it... approach it like a real test." so my concentration level was high.

With EK, I think I was more like "man, I hope this one was easier than the previous one... but well, this is just practice, so no pressure if I get a 5. I guess I'll find out in an hour or so"

 

[dangit]

I have the same problem man. I've been through the entire EK verbal and was doing better until I started taking the actual AAMC ones. I've been reading through the threads for verbal and all these techniques seem really time consuming for me. I think its just your ability to concentrate fully. My problem is mainly time for each passage. I even started to use a strategy where I would skip a 5 question passage and guess completely on that passage hoping for at least 2/5 so I would have more time for the other 6 passages (about 10 min a passage). I tried the technique once and actually ended up getting 28/40 which is usually around a 7 or 8. If I can't get this verbal up to at least an 8 I might have to change fields or stick around for another year, its hopeless. God I wish I read more as a child.

hmm....thanks! i'm gonna try that strategy tomm. i'll let you know if it works or not. Yea, my prob is time as well. If i have time, i'm good, but because there isn't a lot of time, i rush and end up not really understanding what i read. that's the thing...if you don't understand the Main idea, you just wasted 3 minutes! so comprehension is sooooo important before you answer the questions. yea, i'd rather try spending some more time comprehending....cool let's try again. let's not give up! 🙂

 

[stylinMD]

howd that theory go dangit? Oh and now I have a new theory that has seemed to work for me. I actually bought some No-Doz and I just take half a tablet and it seems to be helping a lot. It actually helps me focus a ton more on the verbal! My last two full verbal tests I did in the 8-9 range, which is way better than my usual 5-6. If its a placebo-effect thing or not, I don't care its working! haha (kids dont try this at home!)

 

[tncekm]

howd that theory go dangit? Oh and now I have a new theory that has seemed to work for me. I actually bought some No-Doz and I just take half a tablet and it seems to be helping a lot. It actually helps me focus a ton more on the verbal! My last two full verbal tests I did in the 8-9 range, which is way better than my usual 5-6. If its a placebo-effect thing or not, I don't care its working! haha (kids dont try this at home!)

I used to always "prime my brain" by reading beforehand. I don't know if it helped, but at the time it did. Since then I've become more confident and don't do that anymore. Point: placebo = good 😀

 

[quiksilver87]

Wow my verbal just took a nose dive...
13PS 5VR 12BS...CBT 7

I really think the READING LOBE OF MY BRAIN IS F!#$#ED 😡

 

[ofoshoukno]

I've been doing better on AAMC than EK, honestly. I think the difference is that EK passages are easier to understand the main point. AAMC is definitely harder in that regard, however, the AAMC passages where you have to retrieve information are much easier.

I really feel that writing a 3-5 word summary after each paragraph really helps to understand the "main idea" in more difficult passages. Give it a try.

Totally agree.

The EK passages have a simple structure compared to aamc/TPR, while the aamc/TPR are complex and many times there will be exceptions to the main point the author is making, thrown in the passage, to confuse you.