Best Study Methods for PS/BS???

[Mwebs]

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So I've been searching all of the threads and there seems to be so much info on study methods it just left me so overwhelmed...

I'm taking the MCAT July 25th. All I've done so far is the Kaplan gen chem, and about 3/4 of the Kaplan bio. I took two practices so far, AAMC 7 and 3.

AAMC 7: 32 10PS/12VR/10BS
AAMC 3: 33 10PS/12VR/11BS (around two weeks later, with not too much studying in between)

The semester is finally ending this week so I can focus full time on studying.

Any ideas on the best way to improve the sciences? I finally learned optics in physics 2 and I'm guessing that should help with the PS, but what is the best way to improve on the science sections over the next 2 months???

Also is there any way I can improve on my verbal score, many people I've spoken to said that if I'm getting 12s there's really no way to improve... is that true?

Please help!!!

 

[Jesus1]

For PS,focus on an in depth understanding of the concepts-TBR questions with explanations AND Chad's videos will help.That should get you into the 13 range.Also make sure you know how to manipulate variables and know all formulas.Be an expert in solution chemistry.It almost always shows up.
For BS,try to know as much material as possible cold based on the AAMC outline.Keep on doing TPR Science Workbook Passages and read answer explanations.Read the passages carefully,think critically,attack the passages like VR passages,AND take your time (it's not like VR where you're pressed for time).My scores improved dramatically when I began to take the extra time instead of rushing through to finish 15 minutes early and making dumb mistakes.
Hope this helps.

 

[lcollier7]

If my baseline scores on FLs are 8 or 9 in BS and this is mostly due to poor performance on O chem- what are y'all's thoughts on me just doing TBR passages/ questions for bio and not really reading/ reviewing/ outlining notes- I have a degree in biology and feel pretty comfortable - am I screwing myself over by not reading chapters? I've heard TBR bio I pretty tough...

 

[Temperature101]

So I've been searching all of the threads and there seems to be so much info on study methods it just left me so overwhelmed...

I'm taking the MCAT July 25th. All I've done so far is the Kaplan gen chem, and about 3/4 of the Kaplan bio. I took two practices so far, AAMC 7 and 3.

AAMC 7: 32 10PS/12VR/10BS
AAMC 3: 33 10PS/12VR/11BS (around two weeks later, with not too much studying in between)

The semester is finally ending this week so I can focus full time on studying.

Any ideas on the best way to improve the sciences? I finally learned optics in physics 2 and I'm guessing that should help with the PS, but what is the best way to improve on the science sections over the next 2 months???

Also is there any way I can improve on my verbal score, many people I've spoken to said that if I'm getting 12s there's really no way to improve... is that true?

Please help!!!

Good scores on AAMC 7 and 3! With 2 months left, you have the potential to get 3-4 more points in BS/PS...Your VR score is amazing! Would you mind sharing your VR strategy (ies)?

 

[Temperature101]

If my baseline scores on FLs are 8 or 9 in BS and this is mostly due to poor performance on O chem- what are y'all's thoughts on me just doing TBR passages/ questions for bio and not really reading/ reviewing/ outlining notes- I have a degree in biology and feel pretty comfortable - am I screwing myself over by not reading chapters? I've heard TBR bio I pretty tough...

TBR O-chem is very good. It is not hard. In fact, it has the easiest passages of all the TBR books... I hated O- chem an I did alright in TBR O-chem (75% average)... On my first AAMC 3 FL test, there were 14 O-chem questions and I missed 3 and one of them was because I misread the question. It is not great score but it a good one considering I never liked O-chem in the first place. The good news for you is that if you use TBR O-chem books, your issue with O-chem will be solved. However, TBR is very comprehensive (a nice way of saying it is a little bit overkill).

 

[lcollier7]

Thanks! Will do!

 

[Temperature101]

Thanks! Will do!

Are you doing good in VR? If yes, what kind of strategies have been using?

 

[Mwebs]

Well I didn't do any verbal review, I just took the tests and got 12s on both. I have been reading/writing tons my whole life, and critical reading has always been my best subject. I think its just a skill that takes a long time to build up. Sorry that I'm not of too much help here.

 

[lcollier7]

No VR is not my strong point but I have improved some- I've been using EK101 VR passages - also it's incredibly time consuming but I also jot down notes as I go in order to stay attentive to the passages