BERKELEY REVIEW scores/discussion

[capn jazz]

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Just like the EK Verbal 101 thread, this is a thread to talk about how you're doing with the TBR passages. I don't know how people are generally going through these, but I'm doing Phase I and II after reading the chapter, and saving Phase III for after I finish all content review.

I'm currently working on Gen Chem.

Chapter 1:
Phase I: 27/41 = 66% = 10
Phase II: 10/20 = 50% = 8 (ouch!)

Chapter 2:
Phase I: 29/37 = 78% = 11
Phase II: 28/33 = 85% = 13

So far I LOVE the book. I hated Gen Chem and I'm enjoying reading this and I really feel like it's helping me grasp the topics. Hopefully future chapters will continue this trend...

Now it's up to you guys! Keep this thread alive!

 

[StudyShy]

Temperature101, you seem to be tracking well in the sciences and look like a 10/11/12 (depending on the exam you get), so that's great. But that's not the reason I want to post. I just want to say that I've been particularly impressed by a couple of really positive posts you've made in threads that were taking a negative turn. Its positivity like that, that will make you do superb in your interviews. Thanks for adding your perspective.

Thanks....

👍

 

[fritolays08]

I just took the old long version of the BR full length #2. I substituted the verbal section with the PR hyperlearning section. I got a 10 and a 9 on PS and BS respectively, but I'm not sure how representative the BS score is since I thought the BS was definitely more difficult than what I've seen before, and there was so much mroe orgo than I am used to seeing. That being said, I'm signed up to take the exam on May 11 - should I still aim to take it then or should I postpone? I'd like to get a score in the low-mid 30s. I need to decide soon whether I want to postpone or not so any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[fritolays08]

BerkReviewTeach, if you see my above post, I would really appreciate your feedback the most because you probably know the most about these BR old full lengths. I just want to know if you think these science scores are worrisome since my test is in 2 weeks and I am a little on edge. Thanks much.

Ps I tried looking for old forums on this topic but couldn't really find much other than most found the exams challenging. I didn't really see much information on how accurate these exams are at predicting scores either. It seemed like some people said that the scores you get on the BR exams will probably be on the lower end but there just wasn't much consensus that i could find

 

[kmp0410]

How have your AAMC scores been? Thats really all I would worry about.

 

[fritolays08]

I'm a retaker so I've already exhausted the aamcs...I've retaken most of them already and scored 30+ but I don't know how much to trust those scores since they may he slightly inflated....

 

[amethystdoc]

How do you guys use TBR books? Do you make notes as you read the sections?
& how long does it take to get through a section?
I'm gonna start doing SN2ed schedule next week.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I just took the old long version of the BR full length #2. I substituted the verbal section with the PR hyperlearning section. I got a 10 and a 9 on PS and BS respectively, but I'm not sure how representative the BS score is since I thought the BS was definitely more difficult than what I've seen before, and there was so much mroe orgo than I am used to seeing. That being said, I'm signed up to take the exam on May 11 - should I still aim to take it then or should I postpone? I'd like to get a score in the low-mid 30s. I need to decide soon whether I want to postpone or not so any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks!

The curve is the curve, so if you have the curve that goes with that exam (which you should given that the old version of the exam came in a booklet that included the test, the explanations, the scale, and a review summary), then it should be a good predictor of your score. I'd say that 10 and 9 are probably accurate scores. You are going by the curve in the booklet aren't you?

 

[fritolays08]

The curve is the curve, so if you have the curve that goes with that exam (which you should given that the old version of the exam came in a booklet that included the test, the explanations, the scale, and a review summary), then it should be a good predictor of your score. I'd say that 10 and 9 are probably accurate scores. You are going by the curve in the booklet aren't you?

I bought the paper tests on ebay 😳 So all I have are the paper tests for I, II, and IV, and the paper solutions that came with it. I'm using the revised curve posted by Todd in one of the other threads:

Hello All,

For those of you who chose to take exam 2 today, here is the revised curve
for it. If you have the time, see what you score would have been without
the careless errors. It should prove to be both eye opening and
inspirational.

Todd

Exam 2 PS omit questions 11, 12, 46, 47, 53, and 72 leaving 71 total
questions
57-71: 13-15
48-56: 11-12
44-47: 10
40-43: 9
35-39: 8
33-34: 7
28-32: 6
24-27: 5

Exam 2 VR the original curve was too harsh
48-60: 13-15
40-47: 11-12
37-39: 10
33-36: 9
28-32: 8
25-27: 7
23-24: 6
21-22: 5

Exam 2 BS no questions to omit
65-77: 13-15
58-64: 11-12
53-57: 10
48-52: 9
44-47: 8
39-43: 7
35-38: 6
31-34: 5

Todd

The few people who commented on these full lengths seemed to say that the scores were a little lower than their AAMCs, and that the tests are mainly good for practice but not score prediction, which is why I am wondering about this. Sigh, I will take my last paper full length t(#4) this weekend before the May 11 exam, hopefully I can get at least 11s in both the science sections...

 

[Sarvish]

Just finished the first 1/3 of the first Physics chapter today, I think I'll probably post scores in here semi-regularly.

Physics
1 - 91% (14)

I know it's a good score, but 1 mistake was super careless, 1 mistake was not really my fault since the material hadn't been taught, and the last one was running out of time computationally. No reason to have lost that 15 and I guess I'll just be more careful next time I get to this chapter.

 

[sdominator21]

Which version of BR books are you guys using?

I managed to get the 2011 editions. Are these ones good enough or should I try to get 2013?

 

[opersian]

.

 

[opersian]

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[opersian]

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[BerkReviewTeach]

Finished another chapter of physics today (chapter 8) - got a 9. At least it's an increase! Gotta keep that study grind going!!!

That's excellent, because chapter 8 is the one where many people get the rug pulled out from under them. Are these the scores on your 52-question exams? In addition to looking at the score you got, after you go back over each answer explanation you should come up with an honest assessment of how you should have done had you made less careless errors and knowing what you know now.

 

[opersian]

.

 

[fritolays08]

I just did the old full length VIII today - according to the scale, I got an 11 in biology. However, I have a question about the old scale - is it accurate score-wise? I missed 14 questions out of 77 in biology, which translates to an 11. For the AAMCs, usually around a 40/52 (12 questions wrong) is a 10, and the number of questions is a lot fewer than the old full lengths. Just trying to gauge where I am before my upcoming test since I've exhausted all AAMC practice material.

I like the PS section for practice, but the questions are so hard! I really hope that this will prepare me better for the real thing because my confidence has really been taking a toll with BR physics and chem...

 

[Sarvish]

Physics
1 - 91% (14)

General Chem
1 - 88% (13)

I meant to post less frequently in here (and I will from now on) but I am over the moon. I did horribly in my first-year chem course and I expected to struggle with general chem. To see a good mark to start is encouraging.

 

[Roxas]

I just scored 69% on the 2/3 of Physics chap 1, 61% on chap 2, 60% on G-Chem chap 1, 81% on O-chem chap 1, and 56% on Bio chap 1.

I'm getting pretty frustrated because I feel like I understand the material pretty well, but I have a hard time applying it to what the passages/questions want. Are my physics/G-chem/bio scores abysmally low? I'm not planning on a score in the 40's on the real thing, but I was hoping to at least break 30....

 

[opersian]

.

 

[Swagster]

Just make sure you analyze everything you get wrong and make sure you understand their tricks. I got suckerpunched by some of their passages, but was so glad for it by the time I took the MCAT. You'll be really thnakful later.

 

[Roxas]

Just make sure you analyze everything you get wrong and make sure you understand their tricks. I got suckerpunched by some of their passages, but was so glad for it by the time I took the MCAT. You'll be really thnakful later.

What is your exact thought process as you review passages? I've read SN2ed's, and some other people's opinions on how to review thoroughly, but I just want to make sure I"m getting the most I can out of it.

 

[opersian]

.

 

[MTHFR]

Heart & Lungs: Started off 6/7, 7/7, 6/7... ended 4/7, 3/8. Faaaccck.

 

[Sarvish]

Physics
1 - 91% (14)

General Chem
1 - 88% (13)

Orgo Chem
1 - 54% (8)

Part of the problem was attempting these set of problems at 2:30 am. The other was that there was definitely a lot of outside knowledge that I didn't have, we take organic our first semester of first year and most of that information has long left my brain. Not going to freak out too much unless I don't improve with the next third of this chapter.

A quick look tells me I missed at least 2 questions because I didn't know what an ester was, 1 due to not knowing what the UV-visible spectrum has to do with anything, 2 because I didn't realize that conjugation and resonance were slightly different, and then had a huge misinterpretation in one passage making me get 2/7 on it. I'm definitely feeling better about my score and I think I can pull it up to at least a 10 on the next go at this chapter.

 

[Roxas]

Physics
1 - 91% (14)

General Chem
1 - 88% (13)

Orgo Chem
1 - 54% (8)

Part of the problem was attempting these set of problems at 2:30 am. The other was that there was definitely a lot of outside knowledge that I didn't have, we take organic our first semester of first year and most of that information has long left my brain. Not going to freak out too much unless I don't improve with the next third of this chapter.

A quick look tells me I missed at least 2 questions because I didn't know what an ester was, 1 due to not knowing what the UV-visible spectrum has to do with anything, 2 because I didn't realize that conjugation and resonance were slightly different, and then had a huge misinterpretation in one passage making me get 2/7 on it. I'm definitely feeling better about my score and I think I can pull it up to at least a 10 on the next go at this chapter.

Dang your physics and g-chem scores are impressive. I scored 85% on g-chem chapter 2 and I felt like I was on cloud 9. Don't sweat o-chem, (depending on how well you learned it) since its such an intuitive topic the rust tends to come off the gears after reading the first couple chapters and doing some q's.

 

[Swagster]

What is your exact thought process as you review passages? I've read SN2ed's, and some other people's opinions on how to review thoroughly, but I just want to make sure I"m getting the most I can out of it.

For my first pass (which I used exclusively BR materials for), I used the color-coding method I got from a friend's class notes. I did the passages in pencil using scratch paper. If I got a question right I'd read the explanation, and write anything I liked next to the question in blue. If I got a question wrong, I'd try it again (with only three answer choices). If I got it right on my second try, then I'd read the explanations and add anything I wanted using blue ink. If I got it wrong twice, then I'd show my work in red ink and compare it to the answer explanation. I'd cross out anything I did wrong and then rewrite it using red ink. Once I finished each phase, I made a list of equations, definitions, and thoughts that helped me answer the questions. I'd compare the notes following each of the phases to see what was common for all three.

It was extremely time consuming, but it really paid off in the end.

 

[Benedictus123]

I gotta say, I really like the BR material. Like, let's just forget about the MCAT for a moment (OMG JUST TRY). I think working through it is a nice review of basic undergraduate science. I almost want to keep my books just to read through for fun.

After having taken my first practice exam, I definitely appreciate how much more difficult the BR material is in comparison to AAMC #3.

 

[MTHFR]

I gotta say, I really like the BR material. Like, let's just forget about the MCAT for a moment (OMG JUST TRY). I think working through it is a nice review of basic undergraduate science. I almost want to keep my books just to read through for fun.

After having taken my first practice exam, I definitely appreciate how much more difficult the BR material is in comparison to AAMC #3.

Word. AAMC #3 seems like a joke in comparison.

 

[brood910]

Word. AAMC #3 seems like a joke in comparison.

It is a joke compared to the real thing too.

 

[Benedictus123]

It is a joke compared to the real thing too.

Great, now I feel bad again. I guess that makes my 31 like a 14. Now I'll never get into med school.

At least the cardboard box option is still open. I just need to find a state that's warm in the winter.

 

[Temperature101]

Great, now I feel bad again. I guess that makes my 31 like a 14. Now I'll never get into med school.

At least the cardboard box option is still open. I just need to find a state that's warm in the winter.

31 in AAMC#3 is a good starting score. I heard VR on AAMC#3 is one of the worst VR of all the AAMCs. Also, people have to remember that these AAMCs are graded on a scale. The later AAMCs might be more difficult but for some of them (10 and 11) the scales are more generous.

 

[brood910]

Great, now I feel bad again. I guess that makes my 31 like a 14. Now I'll never get into med school.

At least the cardboard box option is still open. I just need to find a state that's warm in the winter.

Dont.
That means you are at least good at interpreting the passages + finishing the test on time.

 

[Ironman322]

I've been following SN2ed's study plan for the last week.

Doing my BR 2nd 1/3 questions today has been disheartening, especially for physics. I made a 7 on the first 1/3, and then a 5 on the second. My EK 1001 was bad too. How should I do additional review, since I'm clearly weak here? Running out of practice problems.

Biology didn't go well either. Despite getting a 13 on the EK 30 minute test, I made ~9 on both the first and second thirds of BR. Is EK just that much easier?

 

[brood910]

I've been following SN2ed's study plan for the last week.

Doing my BR 2nd 1/3 questions today has been disheartening, especially for physics. I made a 7 on the first 1/3, and then a 5 on the second. My EK 1001 was bad too. How should I do additional review, since I'm clearly weak here? Running out of practice problems.

Biology didn't go well either. Despite getting a 13 on the EK 30 minute test, I made ~9 on both the first and second thirds of BR. Is EK just that much easier?

Use TPRH for bio..

 

[Benedictus123]

I've been following SN2ed's study plan for the last week.

Doing my BR 2nd 1/3 questions today has been disheartening, especially for physics. I made a 7 on the first 1/3, and then a 5 on the second. My EK 1001 was bad too. How should I do additional review, since I'm clearly weak here? Running out of practice problems.

Biology didn't go well either. Despite getting a 13 on the EK 30 minute test, I made ~9 on both the first and second thirds of BR. Is EK just that much easier?

In my experience EK is WAY easier when it comes to Bio - that's why I bought the BR! In fact, I'd say that BR is harder than all of the subjects in the EK. EK is way closer to what AAMC #3 was like - I've yet to take the other practice tests but I hear they get tougher.

Really, just go over again and again the physics problems you already have. BR has so many passages that really just reviewing exactly what you did wrong is a valuable exercise. If you really want more practice problems, go start taking practice exams.

 

[clothcut]

pro-tip for any of you starting the tbr books -- don't put so much thought into your score, unless you're doing extremely poorly. i just stopped caring after a while and focused on understanding why i was getting what i was getting wrong. i haven't taken the mcat yet (next week), but i went up from a 6 (pre-studying) in PS to averaging 11's on the PS section... it still surprises me, too. in fact, im going through the explanations for all the passages this week just to ensure i can retain the kind of intuitive approach thats stressed... at least for physics and chem

 

[Benedictus123]

pro-tip for any of you starting the tbr books -- don't put so much thought into your score, unless you're doing extremely poorly. i just stopped caring after a while and focused on understanding why i was getting what i was getting wrong. i haven't taken the mcat yet (next week), but i went up from a 6 (pre-studying) in PS to averaging 11's on the PS section... it still surprises me, too. in fact, im going through the explanations for all the passages this week just to ensure i can retain the kind of intuitive approach thats stressed... at least for physics and chem

This times 1000. This is exactly what I did. Stop worrying and love the bomb.

Tomorrow is mechanics day for me. Reading through the first four chapters, along with all the passages and their solutions. Not even going to bother trying to redo them (I already did them earlier), but just cramming as much physics goodness in my head as possible.

The acid-base chapters (4 and 5) in the chemistry section are REALLY good too for that material.

The biology stuff is way too content heavy, but it's well written and sort of fun to learn. EK does a better job summarizing what you need to know for the MCAT (and goes into stuff like bone and eye and ear physiology and evolutionary biology in ways the BR somehow oddly skips - the kidney and lung stuff in EK is better written too).

I was going to sell all my TBR stuff after the MCAT, but you know what? I like it. I've grown really fond of it in fact. I'm keeping it around, in case I ever want to brush up on that aspect of science, or in case I ever have kids and want a good resource for them to study from.

 

[Roxas]

So I really like BR, but I feel like there's an enormous amount of errata, which is starting to keep me from trusting the books as much as I should (does anyone else notice this?). A lot of them are things that you kind of know what they meant, but nevertheless shouldn't be in there after this many editions.

 

[MTHFR]

Orgo 1 (every 3rd passage): 31/34 (91%; 14) LET'S GOOOOOOOO!

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

So I really like BR, but I feel like there's an enormous amount of errata, which is starting to keep me from trusting the books as much as I should (does anyone else notice this?). A lot of them are things that you kind of know what they meant, but nevertheless shouldn't be in there after this many editions.

When it comes to facts and definitions, I don't think there is any errata. There are cases of oversimplification to keep it at the level of the MCAT, but that is by design. When it comes to passage content, some errata is by design (to reflect what you can expect to see on a passage or two on your actual MCAT). I'm curious what you consider errata. Is it typos in the explanations?

 

[Roxas]

When it comes to facts and definitions, I don't think there is any errata. There are cases of oversimplification to keep it at the level of the MCAT, but that is by design. When it comes to passage content, some errata is by design (to reflect what you can expect to see on a passage or two on your actual MCAT). I'm curious what you consider errata. Is it typos in the explanations?

There have been some grammatical errors in the text, and yes some of the passages/answer choices are off as well (for example an electron configuration answer had s for every orbital instead of s, p, and d. Luckily none of them have been too obstructive to my learning, so yes the facts and definitions are ok. I haven't kept a running list of them, but I'm sure they are there. I'm not trying to slander BR, but I didn't know if anyone else notices or finds it odd.

 

[enervate]

I think this is the ideal spot to post an updated message about how to get the most out of the BR books.

All of this is crucial information that really should be supplied in the introduction of the books.

The one last thing I want to add is that for all the reasons in the world, get a current version of the physics and organic chemistry books. Current for physics is October 2010 or later and for organic chemistry it's March 2012 or later. There are enough floating around that there's no reason to use the older versions if you opt to buy them used.

Are you sure it should be March 2012 or later? My books were ordered direct late last year and the letter from the editor is dated January 2012. Is there any other way to tell which version we have?

 

[sjrobinson]

Great, now I feel bad again. I guess that makes my 31 like a 14. Now I'll never get into med school.

At least the cardboard box option is still open. I just need to find a state that's warm in the winter.

Stop freaking out. I took aamc#3 cold and got a 27 or 28. After using the berkely review science books and EK 101 verbal, I took the real thing 3 months later and got a36R. You can do it!!

P.S. Coastal cities in Florida or anything south of Orlando are good options if you decide to go with the box afterall 😉

 

[lcollier7]

How are people scoring the passages accurately from TBR if your only doing a portion of the passages? What's a good number of passages to do and within what amount of time- I have been studying EK but just recently started looking through my TBR books and I love it! Only issue I have is some of the math is a little dense on G chem- other than that incredibly thorough- I want to start working on passage questions just curious what's a decent number of questions to start off doing

 

[endoscopises]

Physics (my weakest area):
1 - 53% (8?)

Gen Chem:
1 - 81% (12)

Orgo:
1 - 62% (9)

I find that I have the tendency to lose focus while reading passages, then I end up rushing through the questions and sometimes guessing just to get it all over with. It was particularly bad with Orgo since it was a long chapter and I just wanted it to be over. Definitely something I need to work on! Going through Physics explanations after was very helpful, hopefully a heavy post-game analysis will up my scores in that area.

 

[Benedictus123]

Stop freaking out. I took aamc#3 cold and got a 27 or 28. After using the berkely review science books and EK 101 verbal, I took the real thing 3 months later and got a36R. You can do it!!

P.S. Coastal cities in Florida or anything south of Orlando are good options if you decide to go with the box afterall 😉

Hahaha, thanks man!

I just nabbed a 35 on AAMC 5. I'm alright with that.

EK101 Verbal is way harder than the AAMC practice tests.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Where can I find this grading scale for phase 1, 2, 3?

 

[valkener]

Don't freak out.. TBR is very hard and best supplemented with some other materials. They do make you improve though -- but don't despair if you get mediocre scores.

 

[Sarvish]

Physics
1 - 91% (14)

General Chem
1 - 88% (13)

Orgo Chem
1 - 54% (8)

Biology
1 - 60% (9) (Questions in BR corresponding to EK Chapter 1)

I posted it in the Aug 16 thread but it'll probably get more results here. Obviously 60% is not great but I felt like it tested more than what was in the EK chapters. Lots of orgo chem that I'm super rusty on and some extra details on the amino acids that needed structures or properties to be memorized that EK didn't touch on.

I'll go into reviewing the questions tomorrow and hopefully that helps. It seemed like everything I studied from EK wasn't useful and maybe when I do the EK in-class exam and EK1001 it'll help solidify the background knowledge.

 

[MCATMountain]

What is this Phase stuff you guys are talking about? At the end of each section in TBR books, there's a 25 question review, and a 52 question test. Are those Phase I, Phase 2?