Are you using EK Verbal tests? Post your scores here!

[firebird69guy]

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For those of you who are practicing with EK Verbal "101 passages in MCAT Verbal Reasoning," I'm curious as to how you're doing on the 11 practice tests. Verbal is my toughest section, by far, and is the reason I am re-taking the MCAT after getting a 7 on last April's MCAT. So far, I have taken tests 1, 2 and 3, each after completing a physical sciences section to help simulate the real thing, and my results are as follows:

Test 1: 8
Test 2: 8
Test 3: 9
Test 4: 9
Test 5: 9
Test 6: 9
Test 7: 9
Test 8: 8
Test 9: 9 OK, is this a waste of time or what?
Test 10:9
Test 11:9

Never broke the 10 mark.. came close a couple times.. but alas, I must try to do it on the actual test.

Good luck everyone!!! I'll post my actual score when it comes out for you future MCATers..

 

[firebird69guy]

EK1: 9
EK2: 9
EK3: 11
EK4: 9
EK5: 11
EK6: 11
EK7: 11
EK8: 11

Not a single 12 😡
great thread, keep on posting.

I wouldn't worry about verbal one bit... how do you do it? Still working on getting a 10

 

[shuzee]

EK1: 9
EK2: 9
EK3: 11
EK4: 9
EK5: 11
EK6: 11
EK7: 11
EK8: 11

Not a single 12 😡
great thread, keep on posting.

yeh richardlo, i could certainly use some tips. those look like awesome scores, im still struggling with 8-9s. thanks!

 

[synapse]

I did all of the EK tests when I studied for the August MCAT.... and surprisingly, my actual score was very low.... 😡

Now I"m studying for the April test... I'm not sure if I should re-do those EK passages since I have already seen them before. WHat do you think? I don't remember the answers though.

 

[optimistique]

where you nervous or was the EK material different from the actual test?

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

When using the EK method after you take the full length verbal:

1) you are supposed to wait a few days and then look at the question stems and answer choices only. spend 30 minutes on each passage and try to answer the questions without reading the passage. if you spend less than 30 minutes/passage you are probably missing something.

2)wait again a few days and then read the first passage and write out a main idea about 1-2 sentences. Look at the questions and try to answer them based only on the main idea and not going back to the passage. repeat for all passages.

So you could redo all the old passages this way if you have not done this already.

I did all of the EK tests when I studied for the August MCAT.... and surprisingly, my actual score was very low.... 😡

Now I"m studying for the April test... I'm not sure if I should re-do those EK passages since I have already seen them before. WHat do you think? I don't remember the answers though.

 

[tsazmand]

8
7
9
8
7
10
9
9
9

 

[richardlo]

yeh richardlo, i could certainly use some tips. those look like awesome scores, im still struggling with 8-9s. thanks!

Frankly, I use TPR method and am more comfortable with it. I would want to know if anyone (using the TPR method) is able to score a 12 or better in EK 101 and the real MCAT. Thank you.

 

[junebuguf]

First Two: 10, 10

I really disagree with the logic provided on about two questions of explanations. Is anyone else having this problem? Just seems vague to a fault.

richardlo: Are you doing EK's prescribed method of going back, rereading each passage, writing out a theme and then redoing the questions?

 

[richardlo]

First Two: 10, 10

I really disagree with the logic provided on about two questions of explanations. Is anyone else having this problem? Just seems vague to a fault.

richardlo: Are you doing EK's prescribed method of going back, rereading each passage, writing out a theme and then redoing the questions?

No, I am not. Does it help?

 

[sharpnerd00]

There are so many different types of strategies out there... What do you guys think the best way to do those verbal passages are? I can't keep all the methods straight in my head (PR, EK, Kaplan, etc) so do elaborate! please share any modifications you might have made to the strategies...

i think i'm going to try a new strategy.... reading 3 passages, then going back and answering the questions for those 3 passages...

thx!

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

This sounds like a very very bad plan.

i think i'm going to try a new strategy.... reading 3 passages, then going back and answering the questions for those 3 passages...

thx!

 

[clenny]

EK test 1: 7
EK test 2: 7
EK test 3: 11

i have no idea...well I did do some kaplan passages in between 2 and 3

 

[monijah]

I have been getting 8's and got a 6 on this test did anyone find that this test was a little more difficult or did I miss something .

 

[richardlo]

EK1: 9
EK2: 9
EK3: 11
EK4: 9
EK5: 11
EK6: 11
EK7: 11
EK8: 11

Not a single 12 😡
great thread, keep on posting.

EK9: I WENT BACK TO a 9 AGAIN!!!! 😱

 

[richardlo]

EK9: I WENT BACK TO a 9 AGAIN!!!! 😱

I really want to know if people are hitting 13 or above on these EK tests????????? The questions are very convoluted, and (what's worse) some of the answers are so arbitrary... I strongly dispute at least 50% of the "correct" answers.

😱

 

[firebird69guy]

b u m p

 

[TicAL]

Have taken two of the tests so far...incredibly discouraging ;(

EK1: 8
EK2: 8

 

[pseudoknot]

I really want to know if people are hitting 13 or above on these EK tests????????? The questions are very convoluted, and (what's worse) some of the answers are so arbitrary... I strongly dispute at least 50% of the "correct" answers.

On the first four I've gotten 11, 10, 13, and 12. I do agree the logic can be pretty twisted, but on the ones I get wrong I'm increasingly able to see their point. As I've said before, the verbal sections in 3R and 4R were much easier, but the EK questions do seem like really good practice.

[edit/update:] 11 on test #5; I had four wrong answers out of the seven questions from the first passage. I felt like the questions were pretty poorly worded. I also had a problem with questions 20 and 54, but maybe I'm being bitter.

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

Maybe one question of each verbal exam will I find a questions that seems like a bit of a stretch but I agree with you.

I'm scoring 40-46 raw on the EK verbal exams 1-7 and on AAMC 5R I scored a 42 raw so I think the EK exams are pretty close with 2-5 questions on each EK exam being tougher that what you will see on AAMC exams.

On the first four I've gotten 11, 10, 13, and 12. I do agree the logic can be pretty twisted, but on the ones I get wrong I'm increasingly able to see their point.

 

[Overeducated]

I started doing the EK101 tests the other day after getting an 8 for VR on AAMC-6R (1 answer away from a 9 though). I intend to keep doing one every free morning that I have available. Progress so far:

EK1: 10 (a month or so ago for practice, untimed, doesn't count)
EK2: 8 (yesterday)
EK3: 9 (today)

I do feel I'm getting somewhat more consistent but I guess we'll have to wait and see...

 

[Hotbell312]

on ek 30 min's i got 10, 12,10
on ek 101's
#1 8
#2 9
#3 8
#4 8
I have this major problem with finishing to early, I am reading the passage throughly and i am even making a main idea, I am following all of their stratagies, I just don't know what to do I am reading as slowly as possible. I sometimes don't get the reasoning behind their answers. I'm going to keep on chugging, but I need to see an improvement soon. Any suggestions. 😀

 

[riceman04]

For those of you who are practicing with EK Verbal "101 passages in MCAT Verbal Reasoning," I'm curious as to how you're doing on the 11 practice tests. Verbal is my toughest section, by far, and is the reason I am re-taking the MCAT after getting a 7 on last April's MCAT. So far, I have taken tests 1, 2 and 3, each after completing a physical sciences section to help simulate the real thing, and my results are as follows:

Test 1: 8
Test 2: 8
Test 3: 9
Test 4: 9
Test 5: 9
Test 6: 9
Test 7: 9
Test 8: 8
Test 9: 9 OK, is this a waste of time or what?
Test 10:
Test 11:


I finally am finishing every passage, and am reading the passages and answering the questions much better than I did with last year's preparation. I'll be happy with a 10 on this section and feel that I can move up to that range easily with more practice in the next few months. Let me know how you are doing with these tests, support leads to confidence and ultimately a better score for all of us.

TPR:
1: 6
2: 9
3: 10
4: 11

I think if you dont worry so much about fnishing and take a little more time on the passages you will probably see a jump in your score. You are doing one passage that is definitely the KILLER.
I know that if your accuracy is good and you finish at least 6.5/7 passages, you can get a 9.

 

[Overeducated]

all of my full length VR tests so far...

TPR 4911: 7
TPR 4921: 6
TPR 4931: 7
AAMC 6R: 8
EK2: 8
EK3: 9
EK4: 8
EK5: 9

so, I guess that qualifies as an upward trend... just very, very gradual. I guess I tend to lose most of my points on 1-2 difficult passages per test but I really just need 2-3 more correct answers in the easier passages.

 

[DOUBLEDIGITSII]

Ek1: 6
Ek2: 7
Ek3: 8

 

[place]

1. Kaplan Diag: 5
2. Kaplan FL 1: 5
3. ---Did the 3 verbal tests from kaplan book---
4. Kaplan FL 2: 7
5. Got EK verbal Book.... 30 min tests: 7,7,...8(barely)
6. Kaplan FL3: Solid 8
7. ---Got EK verbal 101 in mail---
8. EK 1: 8 (1 pt away from 9)

Practice makes perfect!... I am encouraged and am excited to do more of the EK 101 tests.. I think they are really good practice.

To be continued...

 

[huseyin]

1. Kaplan Diag: 5
2. Kaplan FL 1: 5
3. ---Did the 3 verbal tests from kaplan book---
4. Kaplan FL 2: 7
5. Got EK verbal Book.... 30 min tests: 7,7,...8(barely)
6. Kaplan FL3: Solid 8
7. ---Got EK verbal 101 in mail---
8. EK 1: 8 (1 pt away from 9)

Practice makes perfect!... I am encouraged and am excited to do more of the EK 101 tests.. I think they are really good practice.

To be continued...

Do you guys have any EK Full Length test in pdf format. I have a bunch of practice tests in pdf. If you are interested in,PM me.

 

[optimistique]

Is anyone using other materials in addition to EK book?

 

[TicAL]

Have taken two of the tests so far...incredibly discouraging ;(

EK1: 8
EK2: 8

Update:

EK3: 10
EK4: 9

I've been getting a raw score of around 40-45 on these things. I took AAMC 4R today and got a 52 though...but that was probably luck 😉

 

[clenny]

I find the EK verbal passages a lot different from Kaplan's. I feel that a lot of EK questions I can answer w/o really going back to the passage for detail while in Kaplan I'm like frantically reading over the passage all the time, although my performance score-wise is similar. Did any other Kaplan students think this too? Anyone know if the real MCAT is more similar to EK or Kaplan tests?

 

[River Rat]

test 1: 11
test 2: 11
test 3: 12
test 4: 12
test 5: 10

4/4 - wow EK 5's passages seemed much more difficult than the others. crap.

 

[run_4ever]

I'm trying to give verbal a little attention. So far my Examkrackers Verbal scores are:

EK #1 - 8
EK #2 - 10
EK #3 - 11

Hope to keep moving in this direction!

 

[run_4ever]

test 1: 11
test 2: 11

is EK a good indicator of the real MCAT?

Actually if you look at some of the earlier posts on this thread, some people feel you will score 1 or 2 points higher (or more) on the real thing than what you get on EK Verbal tests. Either way, you're on the right track. Good luck.

 

[junebuguf]

EK1: 10
EK2: 10
EK3: 11
EK4: 9

AAMC 7r: 10

I keep having problems with pacing. I'm usually always rushing through the last 2 passages, so consequently, I miss the most questions there. Only two weeks to go. I'm hoping to score in 11-12 range. Only 2 questions away from an 11 and 5 from a 12 on 7r. Lets hope!!!

 

[junebuguf]

I just took AAMC 7 and was surprised to find that the verbal section does not have line numbers listed and concurrently, nor are references in questions to particular quotes or words accompanied by the line numbers where they would be found. In the EK 101 book, however, every passage has a line number and references in questions have line numbers as well, to make it easier to find them. Does the actual MCAT have line numbers? If not, I think this is a major error in the 101 books, as I spent considerable time searching passages for references while taking AAMC 7 because I was so used to having the reference point listed in the questions.

 

[Engin]

EK#2 - 8 (low) - first real test ever....read whole passages and then answered questions. Bad strategy and noticied I must change it to below one. Ran out of time, and I'm a good reader....
Ek#3 - 10 (high) - using new strategy...I missed alot of easy questions

So i'm curious, does anyone fully read the passages and then answer the questions?

My strategy so far is to read the first 1-2 sentences in each paragraph (I also read the thesis statement in the intro and skim the conclusion). This takes around 1.5 minutes for each. THen I answer the questions. THe tough questions I skip and answer later. The easy questions I go back to the specific line given or skim where it is in the passage. For the most part, I only read that paragraph (read below for why).

THE BIGGEST THING I RECCOMEND is to notice that normally each question lies in a specific paragraph in the passage. Most of the time you can tell which one by the topic sentence in each passage. Quickly skim the paragraph until you find the answer. Don;t waste you time looking in another paragraph because many times the other muliple choice options are somehwoe listed in the other paragraphs (so while the options are right they don't answer the questions and this are not the correct answer) but don't answer the question. I hope that makes sense. Tis is the biggest thing that has helped me.

I'm in a bit of trouble is the aamcs don't list the line numbers for some of the questions. Since I'm taking in august so far I've only done EK 101 passages and perfected my stretegy for that.

 

[JDWflash44]

Here's my scores:
Test Score
1.......9
2.......9
3......11
4......10
5......11
6.......9
7.......9
8......10
VACATION
9......10
10and 11 the next two wednesdays

have been taking EK exams on wednesday nights and an AAMC exam every saturday. My verbal scores on the AAMC's 3r: 10, 4r: 10, 5r: 11, 6r: 9

The verbal on the 6r was just stupid hard i thought, only one where i ran out of time.

 

[pseudoknot]

So i'm curious, does anyone fully read the passages and then answer the questions?

Yes, I do. I go through the passages in their order, read every word of the passage, and then move on to the questions. I don't necessarily stress over understanding everything while I'm reading it b/c there will be things they don't ask about, but I also find that if I've at least read every word I can usually either answer the questions or know where to look.

But, I'm sure different people find that different techniques work for them. I do think it's dangerous not to read the whole passage because otherwise you can miss things, and I haven't observed that important information is exclusively located at the beginnings or ends of paragraphs.

 

[River Rat]

So i'm curious, does anyone fully read the passages and then answer the questions?

My strategy so far is to read the first 1-2 sentences in each paragraph (I also read the thesis statement in the intro and skim the conclusion). This takes around 1.5 minutes for each. THen I answer the questions. THe tough questions I skip and answer later. The easy questions I go back to the specific line given or skim where it is in the passage. For the most part, I only read that paragraph (read below for why).

yep. following the whole EK strategy. Reading the passage to understand, completely. Then answer the questions sequentially. No skipping around or any shananigans of that sort. Must say it's working like a charm.
I dunno about your method though, it seems like you might be prone to a lot more distractions like that. I think the major part about doing well in verbal is understanding the author and the point he's trying to get across. I'm content with my scores consistently without having to go back to the passage for specifics, and the way I see it, reading in chunks like that will only take away from my ability to retain the "main claim" of the passage. All in all, I think this EK method is extremely efficient and would reccommend it to anyone 👍.

 

[optimistique]

Actually the EK Strategy book says to read each passage and every single word.

"attack them like you are a Harvard English professor grading high school essays"
they say.

Get in the critical attitude....and glossing over parts is not going to cut it.

my scores:
1: 9
2: 9
3: 10
4: 10
5: 9
6: 8
7: 10

AAMC 3r: 10
EK full length 1: 10
EK full length 2: 9
EK full length 3: 9
AAMC 8: 10

 

[aye]

What is everyone elses strategy? My main problem is that I do good (most 2 wrong on a passage) for like 6 passages out of the 9. I tend to lose focus near the end of Verbal. Typically I do decent on most passages, but one or two usually destroy me (where I get almost all questions wrong).

it sounds like you're just fading at the end... maybe you need to work on your endurance. i know by the end of the verbal section, i'm really eager to finish so i can check my score and see how i did. but you have to remember to chill and take your time in answering the questions... you're so close to the end that you don't wanna make careless mistakes! instead of taking 5 seconds to relax between passages, i take about 10-15 seconds just reminidng myself to relax, take my time, and focus on the main idea. i realized that i was too into finishing the test on time that i was interpreting the questions wrong and making mistakes. a friend of mine, who teaches 3rd grade, told me that she's teaching her students reading comprehension and teaching them to rephrase the questions into their own words. that might sound childish but it ensures that your truly understand what the question is asking you. its working for me so far: 8,8,8,9,10

good luck 👍

 

[JohnH]

hey guys i'm just about to start the 10 week program and i was wondering what the mini-mcats were on the schedule

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

test 1: 11
test 2: 11
test 3: 12
test 4: 12
test 5: 10

4/4 - wow EK 5's passages seemed much more difficult than the others. crap.

Boom Shakalaka! I agree that EK 5 was unusually hard. Actually, I really think that the logic is twisted, and I blame my low(er) score on faulty/stretched logic by David Orsay.

 

[place]

EK 30 min: 7,7,7

EK FL:
1 -- 8
2 -- 8
3 -- 10

Kaplan FL:

1 -- 5
2 -- 7
3 -- 8
4 -- 11

I think that the EK3 is much eaiser, but that doesnt explain my 11 on the Kaplan last week. Maybe i am really improving!

 

[sharpnerd00]

Boom Shakalaka! I agree that EK 5 was unusually hard. Actually, I really think that the logic is twisted, and I blame my low(er) score on faulty/stretched logic by David Orsay.

hmmm did my best on EK5
1-4 all scoring around 8,9 and then got a 10 on EK5
Have been doing a lot better on AAMC tests though with score ranges from 10-12 usually.
I also might just focus better during AAMC cuz I'm not busy yelling at Orsay (and his pretentious book cover).
Also, AAMC6R was easier than all the EK's I've taken so far I thought.
I think everyone is different and it just depends on how well you're concentrating that day.

 

[firebird69guy]

Bump.. did anyone finish all the tests?

And if so, how are your scores comparing with AAMC tests? I got an 8 on AAMC 7


Taking AAMC 8 verbal tomorrow

 

[Overeducated]

hmm, I got a 10 on EK test 9 today... first time I've ever reached double digits in VR. 🙂 ...and the strange thing was that on one passage near the end, where I had to guess, I got EVERY single question wrong. Usually I get at least 1 or 2 guesses right.