Approaching MCAT science Q's, help!

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

WonderBoy

Full Member
20+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2001
Messages
770
Reaction score
53
I have been preparing the august MCATs. I have been working pretty consistently, a few hours everyday for the last month or so. Also I have been using EK materials. On my first diag a month ago AAMC IV, I got 8V, 5P, 7B. This weekend I took TPR 483 and scored a 8V, 7P, 7B.

I am getting a bit concerned since there are only 24 days left till the test. I know the science cause I know I have been doing the work. However, when it comes to passages it just does not come through. I don't if I am overreacting or if I am in serious trouble. Just wanted everyone's opinion on my situation. And if anyone has faced a similar problem, i am sure someone has, and how it should be resolved. How long does it take to get the MCAT part, i.e. approaching science questions, down? Thanks for your help.

P.S.: I took AAMC III two weeks ago and got 6V, 7P, 8-9B.

Members don't see this ad.
 
For some, it's from the very first question they do. For others, it takes hundreds of passages to figure out the secret for them.

It all comes down to never forgetting that it's a multiple choice exam, any way you slice it. Try the following approach, if your science information is strong.

First read the question and identify the key words. If the questions is:

"What is the pH of a solution after 10.0 mL 0.10 M KOH(aq) had been added to 25.0 mL 0.10 HOAc(aq)?"

Then the key words are pH KOH added to HOAc.

Before reading any answer choices, think about the question first. HOAc is a weak acid, and less than one equivalent of KOH has been added. This means that the soultion is made of unreacted HOAc in equilibrium with OAc- formed upon the addition of KOH. A buffer has been made, so the pH must be close to the pKa. Less than half an equivalent of strong base has been added, so [HOAc] > [OAc-], and therefore the pH is slightly less than the pKa. From the passage, the pKa may be given (it's 4.74). From here I know it's slightly less than the pKa.

Now it's time to look at answer choices:
a) 1.0
b) 4.6
c) 4.8
d) 7.0

Although I know it's B, I want to see "why" they put the other choices. Choice A would be true if it were a strong acid without any base added. Choice C would be true is it was more than half an equivalent (more than 12.5 mL) of KOH added. Choice D is foolish. I feel solid in my selection of choice B.

Although this may seem time draining at first, if you do this in your head, you'll get fast.

Get a hierarchy to follow:
1. Read the question and identify key words.
2. Try to answer the question before looking at the answer choices.
3. If you can answer the question in step 2, then find it in the answer choice that fits and determine why the other three are wrong (if time permits).
4. If you can't think of an answer in step 2, look for key words in the answer choices.
5. If you still have no clue, offer the proctor a bribe. (J/K)

I hope this approach seems viable.
 
try the 2 science sessions w/o time constraints. It could be b/c you're rushed and just need to practice and calm down.
 
While having no time constraints will remove some stress, it's too close to the exam to not do a few exams with the clock ticking in your head. Try a few untimed passages and see how you do. If you score better without time constraints, then all you have to do is overcome your nerves (although far easier said than done).
 
Thanks for the reply guys, appreciate your input. I don't the time is much of a problem. After going over the exams I took, I found out that I tended to make stupid mistakes or i didn't know the info. Hopefully with practice that problem will go away.
 
Top