I did 4 physics passages from the Berkeley Review, and I felt like I had to guess over 70% of them (I didn't grade it yet). Some I felt that I can just use common sense to try to solve it and they were right, but I have no idea what equations I had to apply.... I don't know if this is good or bad.. I also didn't feel the chapter I had read helped me prep for the consequent exam passages... For example, they asked about rotation stuff and there was nothing mentioned in the chapter.. Is this how it's suppose to be like or is it just me?.. thanks.
berkeley review making me feel super dumb
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How far along are you in your studying? I definitely felt this way a lot when I did the passages (ended up with a 12 PS on the real thing). I think you shouldn't get discouraged until you actually grade it--you may have done a lot better than you think. And, yes, sometimes they throw in information that you haven't reviewed yet, so just keep that in mind when you review.
But, the main thing is to make sure you spend a lot of time going through (when you're feeling more fresh) the answers to see what you were having problems with. Maybe start making yourself a little cheat sheet for formulas or pieces of information you find you have trouble remembering.
Using common sense instead of equations is a really good thing, actually. It's good to have equations memorized, but, it's better to be able to do these problems without 'em in case you forget some. Good luck!
Thanks for your reply! Today is my second day and it really is kind of discouraging, but I'll keep your advice in mind!
I'm also afraid that I'll have to end up guessing like crazy on my future Berkeley Review exam passages.
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Oh, it's only your second day, you're totally fine! It takes a little bit to get into it so don't get discouraged.
I felt the same way too when I began studying, but I'm sure you will begin to see improvement. They do often throw in some odd questions that do not seem relevant to the chapter, but this is just to get you thinking of how some subjects are related. When you look at the explanations make sure you fully understand why the right answer is right. You just have to get used to the way TBR explains things, and it does help a lot on test day! I also agree with using other materials (books, videos, etc) if you are not fully understanding concepts.
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Had to guesstimate on half of TBR's physics questions, and I still got a 12 PS. That's just how the MCAT is, it never feels like your answer is black and white 100% correct. If it does, you've probably done something wrong.
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OP, I felt the same. The real MCAT is easier than TBR passages so don't worry
From my experience, you don't really need to memorize a bunch formulas except for a few basic ones
Anything you need to know, they will give to you or you can derive yourself from common sense
From my experience, you don't really need to memorize a bunch formulas except for a few basic ones
Anything you need to know, they will give to you or you can derive yourself from common sense
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That's what I was thinking while I was studying, but now that I'm looking back, I really wish that I had committed more equations to memory. Sometimes you get lucky and knowing an equation lets you solve a problem without thinking, saving you a ton of time. It can be worth a point or two on PS if you're already scoring in the 11-12 range.
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That.
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My experience with BR was phenomenal. It was more of a textbook than a reviewbook, but after learning ~1/2 the MCAT physics material in my undergrad classes, it was essential to giving me the background I needed to get a 13 on the PS.
I often felt challenged by the BR passages and questions, but that was exactly what I wanted. After feeling comfortable with BR, taking old AAMC questions was significantly easier. It gave me the confidence I needed to succeed on exam day.
As for Chad's videos, I can't comment on them because I never used them. I did use EK 1001 questions and found those helpful for targeting specific topics I was struggling with.
I often felt challenged by the BR passages and questions, but that was exactly what I wanted. After feeling comfortable with BR, taking old AAMC questions was significantly easier. It gave me the confidence I needed to succeed on exam day.
As for Chad's videos, I can't comment on them because I never used them. I did use EK 1001 questions and found those helpful for targeting specific topics I was struggling with.
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Yup. I found that when I was super-confident about my responses, it turns out I did something wrong. I had pretty much this exact feeling throughout, and the result? 14 in PS.
I think a lot of it comes down to luck with topics you're familiar with. For instance, the first time I took the MCAT I got a nasty passage about flow rate and another about magnetism and an electromagnetic coil. That sucked.
The second time, I got a passage I finished in 2 minutes because all I needed were the basic kinematic equations. That felt good.
It sucks that so much of it can come down to luck - but TBR is definitely much, much more convoluted than most things the real thing will throw at you. If anything, it helps you improve your timing on the real thing (if you can stumble through a complex TBR passage in sub-5 minutes, that's got to translate for something). And when you do get a more difficult AAMC passage on practice or the real thing, TBR will have prepared you for being able to cope and work through it - you won't crash, burn and ruin the rest of your test because the stress got to you.
And you did mention you're very early in - I remember wanting to throw my book at the wall because I was like, "What the ****!". The hardest part of TBR is starting on, IMO - there's such a steep difficulty curve that it can be incredibly discouraging. But you're in good company, as very few people can do well right off the bat. So keep with it OP, because as you've probably seen, TBR has done very well with regard to yielding competitive scores here, but not without you working your ass off.
Good luck, OP.
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Did those who used TBR feel like their passages/questions matches well with the passages/questions asked on the AAMC. I'm looking at the sample questions from TBR and the AAMC #3 questions, and they kind of look similar but not really... My reasoning is... why can't I just purchase all the AAMC tests and just study those passages and the solutions instead? Won't it be much more beneficial to me that way?
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Volume. You need lots and lots of passages to condition yourself to almost instinctively be able to approach passages. If you relied on the tests for passages, not only would you run out of passages, but you would also deprive yourself of the best source to simulate testing conditions.
Taking the tests piece by piece doesn't allow you to develop the endurance for the test - you can do 144 questions piece by piece, but unless you take them all at once as the practice tests are intended, it's a waste.
Not to mention the AAMC tests only cover so many subjects. There will be an inevitable gap where you fail to be tested on a certain topic. You need to practice.
Overall, the TBR passages were difficult. But the first time I took an AAMC test, I found it more manageable than TBR by far.
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TBR made me feel like a ***** all the time when studying. This was especially true in the beginning before I got used to MCAT style passages. MCAT style is way different from classroom style physics.
I say just keep at it. It gets better. YMMV, but using those books and Examkrackers 1001 and 101 I ended up with a 35.
I say just keep at it. It gets better. YMMV, but using those books and Examkrackers 1001 and 101 I ended up with a 35.
I'm planning to do the 1001 questions from EK as well, but do you know if the sections in EK follow the order that is taught in TBR?
and what do u guys mean by "it'll get better"? Does it mean I'll catch on to what they're asking or like the types of questions they'll ask because I'm doing the questions and I'm getting half or sometimes more than half of them wrong. 🙁
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It means you will get better as long as you have the right approach, for whatever reason. Quite possibly because your knowledge of the subject becomes deeper.
Stop worrying and posting on forums and just study. You are now on your 4th day? Did you honestly think you would be getting most questions right on the second day? You can't even study for a hard premed science test in 2 days and do well, much less the MCAT. Sorry to be harsh, but stop worrying and just do work.
The MCAT is a really hard test, and it takes most people months to get a handle on the materials and the way questions are asked. I understand that it sucks and is demoralizing, but you gotta just keep plugging through it. I tried to start my studying using TBR and found it too tough, so I switched to EK, went through all of their stuff and then went back to TBR. The second time, it was much smoother and was actually really helpful. Keep working, you'll get through it.
