berkeley review physics really hard?

[osprey099]

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Is the BK physics passages harder than the real MCAT PS? I did my first set of passages on translational motion and only got a 39/52 (10-12 range using their conversion scale). I'm just feeling really disappointed with myself right now..

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Is the BK physics passages harder than the real MCAT PS? I did my first set of passages on translational motion and only got a 39/52 (10-12 range using their conversion scale). I'm just feeling really disappointed with myself right now..

Why would you be disappointed with a 10-12 on your first problem set? That's a great starting point. You need to remember that the purpose of those tests is not as a diagnostic tool, because you'd never get a test with 52 physics questions, but as a learning tool. Rather than look at the score, honestly assess how you'd do the exam faster and more accurately if you ever saw it again. Homework is about getting better, not about getting a score.You also have to give yourself a break in that it's a multiple choice, conceptual test on physics. If your educational background is anything like mine, that's not at all how they taught us in college. Give it a little time to get used to the style of the passages and questions. Worry about improving the way you take the exam.

 

[gumbyj]

Is the BK physics passages harder than the real MCAT PS? I did my first set of passages on translational motion and only got a 39/52 (10-12 range using their conversion scale). I'm just feeling really disappointed with myself right now..

I started off with 7s and 8s on my first few sets (1st third of passages) and now my scores are getting much better with practice and re-reading the chapters. Don't be discouraged AT ALL I think 39/52 is an awesome starting point as many people would probably agree. Use the passages as a study tool and go over every question, try to focus less on the scores.

Also, TBR is hard, especially when you first start out.

 

[thelight02]

I started off with 7s and 8s on my first few sets (1st third of passages) and now my scores are getting much better with practice and re-reading the chapters. Don't be discouraged AT ALL I think 39/52 is an awesome starting point as many people would probably agree. Use the passages as a study tool and go over every question, try to focus less on the scores.

Also, TBR is hard, especially when you first start out.

I'm lucky if I even get 8s on the practices, and ive been getting 10-11 on the AAMCs. If you're starting with a 10-12 you're gonna rock the AAMCs don't even worry!

 

[Sub Rosa]

I'm not sure what's going on, but I just did my first 1/3 of the first chapter in BR and got the majority of questions wrong. I missed every. single. question. to one of the passages...

I was >80% right in EK 1001. I'm absolutely devastated.

 

[AktionPOTENTIAL]

Don't be discouraged! It takes a little while to get use to the flow of BR passages + some of them are really difficult. I started w/ 58% on my first 1/3; now I'm averaging 80s in everything except Bio where I'm averaging low 70s. Post game hard. You are gonna be ok.

 

[Sub Rosa]

Don't be discouraged! It takes a little while to get use to the flow of BR passages + some of them are really difficult. I started w/ 58% on my first 1/3; now I'm averaging 80s in everything except Bio where I'm averaging low 70s. Post game hard. You are gonna be ok.

I'm sorry, I should've noted that I've already finished the other subjects in BR. My averages for those subjects have been mid-70s (bio) to mid-80s (orgo). I just don't know wtf happened with physics. I'm kind of at a loss for words right now...

I even got As in all my pre-reqs. 🙁 I just don't know wtf happened...

 

[UoCfin]

I am in the same boat...but I think it will get better with time. That's why amo include in some TPRH

Sent from my LG-C800 using SDN Mobile

 

[Sub Rosa]

What's up with the questions on air resistance coming totally out of left field? And using KE and PE to solve questions in the first chapter on translational motion?

 

[Fifty 3rds]

What's up with the questions on air resistance coming totally out of left field? And using KE and PE to solve questions in the first chapter on translational motion?

Ha ha, I liked it. It killed my score for the second 1/3 of passages but I learned a few key concepts if air resistance comes into the equation. Likewise on the PE passage, I was also thrown for a loop but now I know what to look for in the next passages.

 

[Sub Rosa]

Ha ha, I liked it. It killed my score for the second 1/3 of passages but I learned a few key concepts if air resistance comes into the equation. Likewise on the PE passage, I was also thrown for a loop but now I know what to look for in the next passages.

But air resistance won't be on the MCAT, and if it is, information will be provided in the passage.

Ugh...

They did this kind of stuff in Gen Chem as well - presenting material that hasn't been covered yet. Maybe someone can explain the reasoning behind this?

 

[osprey099]

I'm not sure what's going on, but I just did my first 1/3 of the first chapter in BR and got the majority of questions wrong. I missed every. single. question. to one of the passages...

I was >80% right in EK 1001. I'm absolutely devastated.

Don't worry about it. This is the OP here (hehe). I ended up getting a 12 on PS last September and TBR Physics/Gen Chem had a lot to do with it.

 

[Sub Rosa]

Don't worry about it. This is the OP here (hehe). I ended up getting a 12 on PS last September and TBR Physics/Gen Chem had a lot to do with it.

My baseline is apparently much lower than yours, but thanks.

 

[Fifty 3rds]

My baseline is apparently much lower than yours, but thanks.

Seeing a new concept thrown into a passage isn't the worst thing. You'll remember how it was incorporated and how it altered what you were expecting.

The same with the air resistance, now I conceptually understand how air resistance affects things in flight. If they ask any conceptual problems, I'll understand what the passage author is getting at.

 

[circulus vitios]

Some of TBR physics is hard and some of it (especially in the later chapters of book 2) is just horribly written. If you're averaging 10-12 then that is very good, I have no idea what you're complaining about.

 

[MD Odyssey]

I found the Berkeley Review physics passages to be at the right level for the exam. I don't recall reading anything which I felt was beyond the scope of the real thing. Ignore the scoring though and just focus on learning the material, getting your timing down, and reviewing the material.

 

[Tots]

I found the Berkeley Review physics passages to be at the right level for the exam. I don't recall reading anything which I felt was beyond the scope of the real thing. Ignore the scoring though and just focus on learning the material, getting your timing down, and reviewing the material.

This. Treat the passages like learning experiences to learn content, the application of content, and techniques. If you were getting everything right then you would not need to be doing these passages 😛 Use practice tests to measure you preparedness for the MCAT not these passages.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Comparing TBR passages to those of the AAMC and the real test, I think that TBR passages are easier to comprehend, but their questions are harder than AAMC questions. Also, many of TBR passages are longer than passage you would expect on the real test.

In terms of physics and Gchem, they are superior to other prep material...if you have the time and the patience.

 

[StudyShy]

Seeing a new concept thrown into a passage isn't the worst thing. You'll remember how it was incorporated and how it altered what you were expecting.

The same with the air resistance, now I conceptually understand how air resistance affects things in flight. If they ask any conceptual problems, I'll understand what the passage author is getting at.

👍 I remember the ones that I got wrong way better. It makes moving forward in the books easier because the stuff gets repeated.

 

[CarefreeSurfboard]

Don't worry about it. This is the OP here (hehe). I ended up getting a 12 on PS last September and TBR Physics/Gen Chem had a lot to do with it.

Congrats!!! 😳👍

I'm using TBR for Physics/Gen Chem/O Chem as well! Finished Ch 1 Physics with a 35/52 and felt discouraged as well. Thank you for bringing me hope.