Best way to improve speed

[AugustMCAT]

So I've realized a trend. Having taken 15+ practice tests + 1 real mcat, I've noticed that if that specific mcat is too verbose or long, my score drops tremendously.

I always get to every problem, and the only time I had to straight up guess was my real mcat 🙂(), but I'm too rushed at the end, and that's where I make my errors. If you look at my assessment, it shows that every problem I get wrong in PS is in the last quarter of the problems.

So my Q is: How can I get faster (MCAT is in 10 days)? In particular, I need help in PS and VR, but I occasionally get rushed in BS too if there's a lot of organic chemistry.

I have taken a TON of practice exams but it doesn't seem to help because I fall into the same trap every time of spending too long on hard Qs.

My present plan is to do individual passages and set the timer for 1-2 minutes less than is recommended for each passage. Thoughts?

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[SN2ed]

I doubt you'll get consistently faster in only 10 days. This isn't something you should have addressed so late into you schedule.

 

[leaveit2rani]

It's all psychological. Go back and vigorously reread all your passages for an entire day. Don't stop except for food, water and bathroom breaks. Then tomorrow, try a new passage. You will be so assimilated to MCAT material, that you will feel as if you have already done the passage before. It should work.

It's like back in elementary school when we reread our books or rechecked homework. It's sticks so well the second time. You need to reassure yourself.

 

[AugustMCAT]

I doubt you'll get consistently faster in only 10 days. This isn't something you should have addressed so late into you schedule.

I found no need to address it earlier (no, I will not post my test scores).

It's all psychological. Go back and vigorously reread all your passages for an entire day. Don't stop except for food, water and bathroom breaks. Then tomorrow, try a new passage. You will be so assimilated to MCAT material, that you will feel as if you have already done the passage before. It should work.

It's like back in elementary school when we reread our books or rechecked homework. It's sticks so well the second time. You need to reassure yourself.

Thanks bro. So you think I should build up my stamina? You think the full length versions of the test would be better?

 

[AugustMCAT]

Also, not to derail, but is it just me or are the TPR tests WAY harder than the AAMC tests.

 

[kehlsh]

So I've realized a trend. Having taken 15+ practice tests + 1 real mcat, I've noticed that if that specific mcat is too verbose or long, my score drops tremendously.

I always get to every problem, and the only time I had to straight up guess was my real mcat 🙂(), but I'm too rushed at the end, and that's where I make my errors. If you look at my assessment, it shows that every problem I get wrong in PS is in the last quarter of the problems.

So my Q is: How can I get faster (MCAT is in 10 days)? In particular, I need help in PS and VR, but I occasionally get rushed in BS too if there's a lot of organic chemistry.

I have taken a TON of practice exams but it doesn't seem to help because I fall into the same trap every time of spending too long on hard Qs.

My present plan is to do individual passages and set the timer for 1-2 minutes less than is recommended for each passage. Thoughts?

There will always be some verbose passages in the real mcat
You learn how to manage your time and deal with harder passages by doing FLs, not to get consistently bogged down by same mistakes
That being said... earlier AAMCs hardly has any passages that are hard to comprehend for sciences.... That is why I think it may be a good idea to do a harder FLs (TBR, Kaplan, GS, TPR)
Practice FL is about maximizing efficiency... not to re-iterate your problem over and over... Just doing them blindly won't help you in the long run... think about how you can CHANGE after each FL time so that you will be more prepared

Also doing easier passages with less time won't be effective, either

 

[dreamer67]

I'm having this same problem too but only slightly with PS and its more of a problem with VR. I am always finishing either right on time or could use a little extra time. I think for PS my problem is just I spend to much time making sure every single one of my answers is right and I need to just pick my answer and move on. The thing for VR is that I can do the longer EK VR passages (the old format) in 6-7 min a piece...so I don't know how to improve my timing on the aamc VR. It seems like I never have to refer back to the passages for EK, but on the last aamc I took (aamc 9) it seemed like a lot of the questions asked something specific that you had to go back to the passage for. Any suggestions? I only have 2 aamc practice exams left. Test date is sept. 1