is it ever a good idea to do this? I find that on each of the two AAMC's i took so far, my mistakes have been from really easy things and that I am getting nervous and overthinking things missing alot of stuff. Is it a good idea to take a full length (obviously not close to test day) without timing on the biological/physical science sections, to better gauge whether the problem is lack of content knowledge, or just test-taking issues. Or is it a waste of a full length?
anyone do an untimed full length?
- Thread starter ronaldo23
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Yeah dude, I just work on this fat TPR science workbook and the EK 1001 series and berkely review problems and other problems throughout the content materials thinking these things cover the basic thought process (actually more than you'll need) and then i'd save the actual tests later on because those have structure when it comes to timing and the feel for the test even though some are just bogus. Still, i'm working on these other problems while timing myself, If I can get things done under a minute, I OWN that question feel me? but then If i'm taking forever, I do a post analysis to see where I was wasting time and work on improving that area (ex. content material, math, focus strategy of working with passages) Damn, I have a bad habit of not answer the question.... ok i'd say don't do it without timing. Practice on other stuff with a watch and then move on to the tests.
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i did a few practice test sections untimed just help out with content review as practice problems that would be similar to a test because i have a bunch of fl's that i will never complete them all. if your timing is fine then they are helpful, but if you struggle with finishing then do it under timed conditions
My first couple AAMC practice tests I did untimed because I have the philosophy accuracy first, speed second. I did however keep track of the time I started each section and the time I finished each section so that I had a general idea of how long I was taking. In most cases, it's just a couple of minutes over but it feels a lot better to go through the section and not worry about time in the beginning. I would start doing practice tests timed after only a couple untimed though, because as much as it sucks, timing is very important.
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Yeah, don't do that. There are only a few good full lengths, don't use them for something like that. Instead, if you really want to go this route, make up your own sectional test using your other practice material.
However, I still recommend you take everything timed. You need to get used to working under pressure. If you can't answer a question while under the time limit, that typically shows a weakness in both your content and test taking strategies. It's present in content because you can't remember the relevant content quick enough. It's present in your test taking strategies because you couldn't use PoE and move on. Get used to the time limit now and it will benefit you later on.
However, I still recommend you take everything timed. You need to get used to working under pressure. If you can't answer a question while under the time limit, that typically shows a weakness in both your content and test taking strategies. It's present in content because you can't remember the relevant content quick enough. It's present in your test taking strategies because you couldn't use PoE and move on. Get used to the time limit now and it will benefit you later on.
