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!

 

[tinydancer504]

i'm preparing to take the MCAT and a friend of mine gave me her books from a few years ago. i'm not sure how old they are (i think maybe 4-5 years?) but i know they are not the absolutely newest editions. does anyone know if the new books are significantly better? or more updated?

 

[loveanswers]

Are they really that easy? I improved but I'm still not doing too well. So many times I get confused by acidity. I swear half the time you want EN atoms nearby to pull the electrons in the bond away from hydrogen and other times you don't want EN atoms nearby because a negative site is less acidic. I'd like to think I'm a pretty logical person but I can't wrap my head around it.

I had a pretty bad ass college prof..

Here is what you gotta know when it comes to acidity. (Remember ISHARE)

I = Induction (F>Cl....)
S = Size (HI > HBr....)
H = Hybridization (SP > SP2 > SP3....)
A = Aromaticity (Look at the compound to see if removing or adding hydrogen makes it aromatic)
R = Resonance
E = Electronegativity

Hopefully that helps

 

[Synapsis]

Are they really that easy? I improved but I'm still not doing too well. So many times I get confused by acidity. I swear half the time you want EN atoms nearby to pull the electrons in the bond away from hydrogen and other times you don't want EN atoms nearby because a negative site is less acidic. I'd like to think I'm a pretty logical person but I can't wrap my head around it.

I find TBR orgo passages to not be too difficult. My school has amazing orgo professors though, so it actually turns out to be my strongest subject. But my school's physics professors are HORRIBLE so physics is much harder for me.

 

[Sarvish]

I had a pretty bad ass college prof..

Here is what you gotta know when it comes to acidity. (Remember ISHARE)

I = Induction (F>Cl....)
S = Size (HI > HBr....)
H = Hybridization (SP > SP2 > SP3....)
A = Aromaticity (Look at the compound to see if removing or adding hydrogen makes it aromatic)
R = Resonance
E = Electronegativity

Hopefully that helps

Thanks, I think my main problem right now is distinguishing what induction and electronegativity do. I know induction means that EN atoms that are far away can pull electron density away from the reaction site making it more acidic. But how exactly does electronegativity work?

The part in BR that was confusing me was "Secondary effects depend on the effect of the molecule on the atom bonded to the acidic proton. The more electron-rich that atom, the less acidic the proton. The more electron-poor that atom, the more acidic the proton."

 

[Synapsis]

Thanks, I think my main problem right now is distinguishing what induction and electronegativity do. I know induction means that EN atoms that are far away can pull electron density away from the reaction site making it more acidic. But how exactly does electronegativity work?

The part in BR that was confusing me was "Secondary effects depend on the effect of the molecule on the atom bonded to the acidic proton. The more electron-rich that atom, the less acidic the proton. The more electron-poor that atom, the more acidic the proton."

Electronegativity usually refers to an atom's ability to take electron density in a bond.

What they're talking about is likely induction. It can greatly change acidity. If you have an electronegative atom, say chlorine, bonded to something else (usually carbon) that's less electronegative, the chlorine can pull electron density from it gaining partial negative charge, and giving the carbon partial positive charge. Here's an example that I hope helps. You can have these two molecules, which are just structural isomers.

The chlorine pulls electron density from it's carbon, making the carbon partially positive. Now that partially positive carbon doesn't like the partial positive charge, so it pulls a little electron density from the next carbon. The effects wear off with distance, such that the third carbon doesn't feel as much partial positive charge.

So the acidic proton is obviously the carboxylic acid proton. And we know that the more stable the conjugate base is, the more acidic the acid is. Well the base has an anion, and we usually want to minimize charge to make something more stable. In order to weaken the magnitude of the negative charge, we want something that's electronegative to be closer to the negative charge so that it sucks some of it away through induction. The molecule with chlorine at the opposite end doesn't work as well because induction wears off with distance. The molecule that's closer can help minimize that negative charge by the same mechanism I just mentioned up above.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sarvish]

Electronegativity usually refers to an atom's ability to take electron density in a bond.

What they're talking about is likely induction. It can greatly change acidity. If you have an electronegative atom, say chlorine, bonded to something else (usually carbon) that's less electronegative, the chlorine can pull electron density from it gaining partial negative charge, and giving the carbon partial positive charge. Here's an example that I hope helps. You can have these two molecules, which are just structural isomers.

The chlorine pulls electron density from it's carbon, making the carbon partially positive. Now that partially positive carbon doesn't like the partial positive charge, so it pulls a little electron density from the next carbon. The effects wear off with distance, such that the third carbon doesn't feel as much partial positive charge.

So the acidic proton is obviously the carboxylic acid proton. And we know that the more stable the conjugate base is, the more acidic the acid is. Well the base has an anion, and we usually want to minimize charge to make something more stable. In order to weaken the magnitude of the negative charge, we want something that's electronegative to be closer to the negative charge so that it sucks some of it away through induction. The molecule with chlorine at the opposite end doesn't work as well because induction wears off with distance. The molecule that's closer can help minimize that negative charge by the same mechanism I just mentioned up above.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much! I think I'm definitely starting to understand it a little better. I think right now I understand all the individual effects and I just need to be able to put them together and realize which ones are more important.

Hybridization seems to always be the first thing to check along with resonance to see if the bond gets weakened. Then it looks like induction followed by stability of the conjugate base due to resonance/aromaticity.

I just need more practice with it, the organic chem textbook I have from first year doesn't go very in-depth into acidity but I'll probably skim it tomorrow along with looking through a couple other resources.

 

[Sarvish]

Finally finished the second 1/3 of the first 5 sections.
Physics
1 - 91% (14) - 92% (14)
2 - 88% (14) - 86% (13)

General Chem
1 - 88% (13) - 91% (14)

Orgo Chem
1 - 54% (8) - 74% (11)

Biology
1 - 60% (9) - 60% (9)

Biology continues to be a disaster, BR passages are kicking my ass and I got the exact same score despite all the analysis.

Orgo went up 20% which was nice but I would like to be hitting 80% eventually. The combination of the bad biology and orgo scores are scaring me, I was hoping to hit at least an 11 on the actual test and to already be under that on the very first chapter isn't so reassuring.

Physics and general chem stayed about the same, I always seem to make 2 mistakes in a tricky passage and then 1 or 2 random mistakes otherwise, not sure how to fix those but not super worried either.

 

[lcollier7]

Finally finished the second 1/3 of the first 5 sections.
Physics
1 - 91% (14) - 92% (14)
2 - 88% (14) - 86% (13)

General Chem
1 - 88% (13) - 91% (14)

Orgo Chem
1 - 54% (8) - 74% (11)

Biology
1 - 60% (9) - 60% (9)

Biology continues to be a disaster, BR passages are kicking my ass and I got the exact same score despite all the analysis.

Orgo went up 20% which was nice but I would like to be hitting 80% eventually. The combination of the bad biology and orgo scores are scaring me, I was hoping to hit at least an 11 on the actual test and to already be under that on the very first chapter isn't so reassuring.

Physics and general chem stayed about the same, I always seem to make 2 mistakes in a tricky passage and then 1 or 2 random mistakes otherwise, not sure how to fix those but not super worried either.

Holy crap your g chem and physics are amazing!!! Jealous! I am trudging through -tonight I did first 1/3 from phase 3 equilibrium and it totally kicked my butt! 59% 🙁 trying to keep a positive attitude but dang they really manipulate some of these things to make such a relatively simple idea a disaster! I'm going to check out the bio passages tomorrow 🙂 and unfortunately begin orgo chem :/

 

[Temperature101]

Holy crap your g chem and physics are amazing!!! Jealous! I am trudging through -tonight I did first 1/3 from phase 3 equilibrium and it totally kicked my butt! 59% 🙁 trying to keep a positive attitude but dang they really manipulate some of these things to make such a relatively simple idea a disaster! I'm going to check out the bio passages tomorrow 🙂 and unfortunately begin orgo chem :/

Be ready! This is also what the MCAT does...However, the passages in the equilibrium chapter are very complicated IMO...

 

[loveanswers]

Did any of guys do the Orgo Chem Chap 2 First 1/3's ??? (NMR and other stuff..)

What did you guys think of it? Hard or easy? And how did you do on it (% wise)?

 

[Temperature101]

Did any of guys do the Orgo Chem Chap 2 First 1/3's ??? (NMR and other stuff..)

What did you guys think of it? Hard or easy? And how did you do on it (% wise)?

71% in phase1 and 74% in phase2....

 

[pencap]

Could anyone help me with the Equilibrium chapter question 34 in passage V.

I thought equilibrium constant only changes with temperature variation? How are they changing with differing moles etc?

 

[loveanswers]

71% in phase1 and 74% in phase2....

Nice..
I got 86 on phase 1 (first 1/3's)...But it took me awhile to do the passages (~8.5 min per passage 🙁

 

[Synapsis]

Graded yesterday's stuff for 84% on Phase I GChem Ch.2. Got some work to do but still not bad. Let's see how orgo goes.

 

[pmarank]

Does anyone get number 8 from review passage 1 for ch 1?

"Review Question" number 8 says, "The greatest amount of energy is required to break which of the following C-C bonds?"

I knew to cancel out choices A and B because double bonds require more energy to break. I then thought the answer was C because if you look at table 1 "H3C-CH3" has a BE of 88 and "H5C2-CH3" has a BE of 85, so I thought by analogy answer D would also have a lower BE. I don't really understand the explanation either because it says, "A lower heat of hydrogenation implies that a reactant alkene molecule is more stable and thus a stronger bond"...Isnt -32.6 lower than -26.4? I don't really remember much about "enthalpy" and but is that necessary to solve this problem?

 

[loveanswers]

Does anyone get number 8 from review passage 1 for ch 1?

"Review Question" number 8 says, "The greatest amount of energy is required to break which of the following C-C bonds?"

I knew to cancel out choices A and B because double bonds require more energy to break. I then thought the answer was C because if you look at table 1 "H3C-CH3" has a BE of 88 and "H5C2-CH3" has a BE of 85, so I thought by analogy answer D would also have a lower BE. I don't really understand the explanation either because it says, "A lower heat of hydrogenation implies that a reactant alkene molecule is more stable and thus a stronger bond"...Isnt -32.6 lower than -26.4? I don't really remember much about "enthalpy" and but is that necessary to solve this problem?

Nvm

 

[pmarank]

Finally finished the second 1/3 of the first 5 sections.
Physics
1 - 91% (14) - 92% (14)
2 - 88% (14) - 86% (13)

General Chem
1 - 88% (13) - 91% (14)

Orgo Chem
1 - 54% (8) - 74% (11)

Biology
1 - 60% (9) - 60% (9)

Biology continues to be a disaster, BR passages are kicking my ass and I got the exact same score despite all the analysis.

Orgo went up 20% which was nice but I would like to be hitting 80% eventually. The combination of the bad biology and orgo scores are scaring me, I was hoping to hit at least an 11 on the actual test and to already be under that on the very first chapter isn't so reassuring.

Physics and general chem stayed about the same, I always seem to make 2 mistakes in a tricky passage and then 1 or 2 random mistakes otherwise, not sure how to fix those but not super worried either.

But doesnt your score go up with time? Isn't your score in the beginning suppose to be at its lowest? Or do you mean you studied all the material for the first chapter as much as you could and your scores are stagnant for that chapter??

 

[Sarvish]

But doesnt your score go up with time? Isn't your score in the beginning suppose to be at its lowest? Or do you mean you studied all the material for the first chapter as much as you could and your scores are stagnant for that chapter??

I figured it would just get harder from here on. To me, the low score indicates that I don't fully understand the material from the chapters and that going further would just pile on more information.

Nothing I can do about it now though, just need to work harder on the next chapters and maybe tying together some concepts as I get further might actually help.

 

[Synapsis]

I figured it would just get harder from here on. To me, the low score indicates that I don't fully understand the material from the chapters and that going further would just pile on more information.

Nothing I can do about it now though, just need to work harder on the next chapters and maybe tying together some concepts as I get further might actually help.

That's how I was looking at it. For instance I score in the 60%'s for Physics chapter one, which is my weakest subject. I figured that the low score was because I didn't work hard enough to understand the chapter material. But I'd say the score that should increase is the Phase II score from the Phase I. But even that can give masked results. Got like a 91% on Phase II physics but the passages had little math. If physics was mathless, I'd be great.

To fix it, I think a good idea is to do a couple problems or an extra passage or so in your spare time (outside of Sn2ed materials of course). Like, the first two physics chapters are so important that I can't imagine going on without practice at my current skill level. Just doesn't seem smart at all.

 

[Sarvish]

That's how I was looking at it. For instance I score in the 60%'s for Physics chapter one, which is my weakest subject. I figured that the low score was because I didn't work hard enough to understand the chapter material. But I'd say the score that should increase is the Phase II score from the Phase I. But even that can give masked results. Got like a 91% on Phase II physics but the passages had little math. If physics was mathless, I'd be great.

To fix it, I think a good idea is to do a couple problems or an extra passage or so in your spare time (outside of Sn2ed materials of course). Like, the first two physics chapters are so important that I can't imagine going on without practice at my current skill level. Just doesn't seem smart at all.

I love doing the calculations in physics and gen chem, it's one of the points where I can pick up an advantage. Amazing multiplication and adding abilities means I don't really worry too much about shortcuts and instead just do some estimating and doing calculations the long way. I credit that to playing math mayhem in school as a kid and having mastered criss-cross multiplication or whatever it's called.

Yeah, I had a 20% improvement in orgo, but 74% still isn't at the point where I'd say I was very comfortable with the chapter. I wish I had more practice on acidity but the EK1001 questions seemed to be on the easier topics and I went about 97% on the ones that I went through. Maybe it's an indication that the TBR acidity was actually confusing and that I shouldn't worry too much since I can generally figure out nucleo vs electrophilic.

Biology still feels like a crapshoot and it just feels like EK doesn't prepare me enough for the TBR passages.

 

[Benedictus123]

TBR acid/base stuff is about as intense as you can get with that stuff sans calculator.

Also, I'd kindly suggest that some of you stop sperging out over the percent of questions you get right or wrong. The only thing that matters is the test. If you suck at something, try to suck less at it by reviewing more. If you just sit and spend so much time and worry adding up every little point it's not going to be that helpful.

And anyways practice tests are more valuable for trying to see how you'll actually do. TBR is great for reviewing stuff, but nothing like a practice or the real exam.

 

[Synapsis]

Right but it's important for me to evaluate my practice as I go along. The score isn't so important as why I have that score, which is why I go over all problems, even if I get them right. But a score, even on a practice passage, still tells me something about how well I know a chapter's material and how well I can show it under pressure. And that's the main point of the test.

 

[lcollier7]

Ok I need some help/ motivation/ something!!!! I cannot manage to score over a 10 on any if these TBR phase I's?!?! Is anyone else having this problem? I go through the entire chapter and work all the problems within the chapters but I still feel there is a gap in my knowledge of what I am reading and taking notes on and how I am able to apply? I know ppl say don't worry about the scores but I do worry when I see ppl also saying these scores are very indicative of actual MCAT scores - help!? My lowest so far has been an 8 and that was physics phase I waves and oscillation - I literally have just about every study material out there but I agree with the user above EK seems useless compared to TBR passages??? Help?

 

[scruggs92]

Ok I need some help/ motivation/ something!!!! I cannot manage to score over a 10 on any if these TBR phase I's?!?! Is anyone else having this problem? I go through the entire chapter and work all the problems within the chapters but I still feel there is a gap in my knowledge of what I am reading and taking notes on and how I am able to apply? I know ppl say don't worry about the scores but I do worry when I see ppl also saying these scores are very indicative of actual MCAT scores - help!? My lowest so far has been an 8 and that was physics phase I waves and oscillation - I literally have just about every study material out there but I agree with the user above EK seems useless compared to TBR passages??? Help?

Just learn from the mistakes that you're making. As long as you understand the ones you missed you should be good.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Ok I need some help/ motivation/ something!!!! I cannot manage to score over a 10 on any if these TBR phase I's?!?! Is anyone else having this problem? I go through the entire chapter and work all the problems within the chapters but I still feel there is a gap in my knowledge of what I am reading and taking notes on and how I am able to apply? I know ppl say don't worry about the scores but I do worry when I see ppl also saying these scores are very indicative of actual MCAT scores - help!? My lowest so far has been an 8 and that was physics phase I waves and oscillation - I literally have just about every study material out there but I agree with the user above EK seems useless compared to TBR passages??? Help?

Just keep pushing on. Your brain will get into mcat mode and the scores will increase in each phase. BR bio seems to be kicking everyone's ass.

 

[lcollier7]

Ok will do! Trying to just keep pushing forward!

 

[Benedictus123]

Ok I need some help/ motivation/ something!!!! I cannot manage to score over a 10 on any if these TBR phase I's?!?! Is anyone else having this problem? I go through the entire chapter and work all the problems within the chapters but I still feel there is a gap in my knowledge of what I am reading and taking notes on and how I am able to apply? I know ppl say don't worry about the scores but I do worry when I see ppl also saying these scores are very indicative of actual MCAT scores - help!? My lowest so far has been an 8 and that was physics phase I waves and oscillation - I literally have just about every study material out there but I agree with the user above EK seems useless compared to TBR passages??? Help?

See, this is what I'm talking about.

Look, while I knew roughly what percent I got right or wrong (typically about 70-75% per chapter), I didn't spend a bunch of time obsessing over how to convert those scores into MCAT scores, or phase blah blah blah or whatever. Sometimes I got everything right, usually I missed one or two, sometimes I bombed an entire passage (which is rage inducing I agree). These scores are NOT very indicative of actual MCAT scores, though if you ace them you're definitely going to do well on the real thing too. Have you taken any of the practice AAMC MCATs? I took four, and every single one (including the so called 'scary' 8 and 10) was far easier than the passages you find in TBR. That's why TBR is valuable. It scares you straight and shows you what the absolute worst could be constantly.

Relax, go over what you did wrong a few times, and move on. It's going to be okay.

 

[plebeiansoldier]

Can you all tell me how long it took for you to receive your books? I sent my money in a couple of weeks ago and still have't gotten my books yet and I'm starting to worry.

 

[Benedictus123]

Did they cash your check or charge your credit card?

I think it took about two weeks for me if I can remember. They were very good about getting me a tracking number once they were sent out. Maybe call or email to make sure everything is okay?

 

[Synapsis]

See, this is what I'm talking about.

Look, while I knew roughly what percent I got right or wrong (typically about 70-75% per chapter), I didn't spend a bunch of time obsessing over how to convert those scores into MCAT scores, or phase blah blah blah or whatever. Sometimes I got everything right, usually I missed one or two, sometimes I bombed an entire passage (which is rage inducing I agree). These scores are NOT very indicative of actual MCAT scores, though if you ace them you're definitely going to do well on the real thing too. Have you taken any of the practice AAMC MCATs? I took four, and every single one (including the so called 'scary' 8 and 10) was far easier than the passages you find in TBR. That's why TBR is valuable. It scares you straight and shows you what the absolute worst could be constantly.

Relax, go over what you did wrong a few times, and move on. It's going to be okay.

And this is exactly what I'm talking about.

I'd rather use TBR and overprepare (if that's possible) such that when I get to my FL's and the actual test, I'm more calm than I would be otherwise. This is not to say that I'll be calm on the real thing because, well, it's the real thing. However, having practiced with passages that are very difficult, there will be some extra level of comfort. I've been telling myself that if I can dominate these passages, then I can do very well on the actual test, especially given that I'm doing them under harsher time conditions now. And while some of the questions may seem esoteric, why not just do them and understand them? Even if it's not something that you absolutely need to know for the test, it will likely be something that will make you more efficient.

 

[Benedictus123]

I'm not saying 'don't care and just hurff durff' through it. I did every passage under timed conditions too, and I've spent countless hours pouring over TBR and EK. I'm saying that it's pointless to overanalyze your performance, and that people are wasting their time worrying a bunch about it.

Then again, I've already wailed on all my FLs and I'm pretty confident going in to this Thursday. So do whatever makes you feel good dudes.

 

[Synapsis]

I'm not saying 'don't care and just hurff durff' through it. I did every passage under timed conditions too, and I've spent countless hours pouring over TBR and EK. I'm saying that it's pointless to overanalyze your performance, and that people are wasting their time worrying a bunch about it.

Then again, I've already wailed on all my FLs and I'm pretty confident going in to this Thursday. So do whatever makes you feel good dudes.

Yea I'm just saying I agree

 

[Benedictus123]

Oh.

I guess my Verbal skills aren't as honed as I thought.

 

[lcollier7]

See, this is what I'm talking about.

Look, while I knew roughly what percent I got right or wrong (typically about 70-75% per chapter), I didn't spend a bunch of time obsessing over how to convert those scores into MCAT scores, or phase blah blah blah or whatever. Sometimes I got everything right, usually I missed one or two, sometimes I bombed an entire passage (which is rage inducing I agree). These scores are NOT very indicative of actual MCAT scores, though if you ace them you're definitely going to do well on the real thing too. Have you taken any of the practice AAMC MCATs? I took four, and every single one (including the so called 'scary' 8 and 10) was far easier than the passages you find in TBR. That's why TBR is valuable. It scares you straight and shows you what the absolute worst could be constantly.

Relax, go over what you did wrong a few times, and move on. It's going to be okay.

Ok thanks for the advice- I am going through every answer and explanation so I am going to just try to focus on what I am getting wrong- I am also trying to do some EK 1001 questions right after chapter reviews then do the phase exams and see if that helps solidify concepts before doing passages- I haven't taken an AAMC since starting TBR- my score before content review in PS was 6 so hopefully I will see improvement on my next FL, I agree I would rather study the more difficult material bc EK compared to TBR is NOTHING and I don't feel like using that alone would really improve my scores much

 

[Vaseline]

just finished first physics booklet. no discussion of moment of inertia? am i missing something?....

 

[Vaseline]

...or angular momentum or torque=(moment of inertia)(angular acc). are these purposefully left out? not on MCAT?

 

[enervate]

not on MCAT?

There is a list of the MCAT topics on the AAMC website. Neither angular momentum, inertia, nor moment of inertia is found on the physical sciences list but torque is on there. Although, considering that moment of inertia isn't on the list, I doubt that your definition of torque is on there.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Just wanted to top by here and thank TBR for making a great set of books!

I went from a 26 to a 35, and one of the few things I changed was the books I used.

I recommend it to everyone who asks me how I did so well!

 

[gettheleadout]

Biology still feels like a crapshoot and it just feels like EK doesn't prepare me enough for the TBR passages.

I wholeheartedly believe EK is inadequate preparation for TBR Bio passages.

 

[loveanswers]

I wholeheartedly believe EK is inadequate preparation for TBR Bio passages.

so what are you doing to prepare for BR Bio passages? Reading BR chapters instead of EK? (BR chapters are looooong as s***)

 

[loveanswers]

Just wanted to top by here and thank TBR for making a great set of books!

I went from a 26 to a 35, and one of the few things I changed was the books I used.

I recommend it to everyone who asks me how I did so well!

Did you use EK Bio or BR Bio for chapter reviews? And how strong was your bio background?

 

[gettheleadout]

so what are you doing to prepare for BR Bio passages? Reading BR chapters instead of EK? (BR chapters are looooong as s***)

Reading EK Bio and supplementing with selected portions of the TBR Bio chapters that are relevant and that I feel present information that is A) different from that in EK or explained better and B) useful.

 

[Josh7]

I wholeheartedly believe EK is inadequate preparation for TBR Bio passages.

To anyone who has taken AAMC practice MCATs, does EK prepare you well enough for those? I feel like reading one book to help prepare for another books passages won't crossover correctly.

I've read multiple times that the MCAT biology section is slightly easier than TBR passages...

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Did you use EK Bio or BR Bio for chapter reviews? And how strong was your bio background?

BR Bio for the physiology
TPRH for the chapters not covered in TBR Book 1 (pathways/metabolism/genetics).

No EK for content. Did about 250-300 questions in the EK BIO 1001 to increase speed reading and overall content knowledge.

I'm strong on Bio. moderate on o-chem

 

[gettheleadout]

To anyone who has taken AAMC practice MCATs, does EK prepare you well enough for those? I feel like reading one book to help prepare for another books passages won't crossover correctly.

I've read multiple times that the MCAT biology section is slightly easier than TBR passages...

Obviously I can't answer this, having never taken an AAMC, but I'm really glad you asked, because I think it raises an interesting point. What I said only applies to TBR Bio in particular (i.e. EK Bio content is enough to do well on the EK Bio In-Class Exams, as it should be), and the consensus I've gotten from a number of high-scorers is that TBR Bio passages are unrepresentative of AAMC Bio, both in difficulty and in the nature of that difficulty.

So, I both can't and wouldn't say anything about the sufficiency of EK Bio for the real BS.

 

[Josh7]

Obviously I can't answer this, having never taken an AAMC, but I'm really glad you asked, because I think it raises an interesting point. What I said only applies to TBR Bio in particular (i.e. EK Bio content is enough to do well on the EK Bio In-Class Exams, as it should be), and the consensus I've gotten from a number of high-scorers is that TBR Bio passages are unrepresentative of AAMC Bio, both in difficulty and in the nature of that difficulty.

So, I both can't and wouldn't say anything about the sufficiency of EK Bio for the real BS.

I'm hoping that some people who are farther along in the Sn2ed schedule than us will be able to chime in and let us know how the AAMC biology is similar and different to TBR biology passages.

 

[gettheleadout]

I'm hoping that some people who are farther along in the Sn2ed schedule than us will be able to chime in and let us know how the AAMC biology is similar and different to TBR biology passages.

FWIW, Narmerguy (43) and OCD (39) have both emphasized that they feel TBR Bio is totally unrepresentative in terms of asking for specific passage details and emphasizing unnecessary knowledge of biochem content.

 

[Josh7]

FWIW, Narmerguy (43) and OCD (39) have both emphasized that they feel TBR Bio is totally unrepresentative in terms of asking for specific passage details and emphasizing unnecessary knowledge of biochem content.

That's similar to what I've heard IRL. I have a few friends who have already taken the MCAT that say the biology section was the easiest. Based upon TBR though (imo obivously) biology seems like the hardest section. The people I've talked to have had a fairly extensive biology background while I have not, so that may play a role as well.

 

[Benedictus123]

As someone who has taken many AAMC FLs, I can attest that the bio is significantly easier and usually does not require the sort of in depth information that TBR passages do. Furthermore, like others have indicated TBR goes way too deep into the subjects presented in the chapters.

That said, they are very much worth reading and practicing with. Why? Because the kind of background it gave me made me extremely confident in that section. I am very thankful to TBR for successfully prepping me for my MCAT, and I look forward to my scores later this month.

 

[gettheleadout]

As someone who has taken many AAMC FLs, I can attest that the bio is significantly easier and usually does not require the sort of in depth information that TBR passages do. Furthermore, like others have indicated TBR goes way too deep into the subjects presented in the chapters.

That said, they are very much worth reading and practicing with. Why? Because the kind of background it gave me made me extremely confident in that section. I am very thankful to TBR for successfully prepping me for my MCAT, and I look forward to my scores later this month.

👍

Thanks for the input and good luck!