Can someone guide me on how to use section banks and q-packs?

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californiadreaming93

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I'm testing 3/24 and finished with content review. At what point do I start to incorporate AAMC section banks and Q-packs? Should I stop using 3rd party material now?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Most people start with third party materials, then move to the AAMC materials, and then AAMC FLs. Your test date is close enough that it's time for the Q packs.
 
Definitely use the section banks with your test 5 weeks away! You can spend a lot of time with those, and they're gold, Jerry, gold!
 
I am also testing then. Here is a tentative schedule I made for myself that might also help you.

16-Feb REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
17-Feb Section Bank C/P 1/2
18-Feb Section Bank B/B 1/2
19-Feb Section Bank P/S 1/2
20-Feb PRACTICE TEST 4
21-Feb REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
22-Feb Section Bank C/P 1/2
23-Feb Section Bank B/B 1/2
24-Feb Section Bank P/S 1/2
25-Feb PRACTICE TEST 5
26-Feb REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
27-Feb AAMC Official Guide C/P
28-Feb AAMC Official Guide CARS
1-Mar AAMC Official Guide B/B
2-Mar AAMC Official Guide P/S
3-Mar PRACTICE TEST 6
4-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
5-Mar SPACER 1/5 cars 1 question pack
6-Mar SPACER 1/5 cars 1 question pack
7-Mar 1/2 chem question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
8-Mar 1/2 physics question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
9-Mar PRACTICE TEST 7
10-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
11-Mar 1/2 bio 1 question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
12-Mar 1/2 chem question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
13-Mar 1/2 physics question pack 1/5 cars 2 question pack
14-Mar 1/2 bio 1 question pack 1/5 cars 2 question pack
15-Mar PRACTICE TEST 8
16-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
17-Mar 1/2 bio question pack 2 1/5 cars 2 question pack
18-Mar 1/2 bio question pack 2 1/5 cars 2 question pack
19-Mar Review Section Bank 1/5 cars 2 question pack
20-Mar PRACTICE TEST 9
21-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
22-Mar Review Section Bank
23-Mar REST
24-Mar TEST
 
I am also testing then. Here is a tentative schedule I made for myself that might also help you.

16-Feb REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
17-Feb Section Bank C/P 1/2
18-Feb Section Bank B/B 1/2
19-Feb Section Bank P/S 1/2
20-Feb PRACTICE TEST 4
21-Feb REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
22-Feb Section Bank C/P 1/2
23-Feb Section Bank B/B 1/2
24-Feb Section Bank P/S 1/2
25-Feb PRACTICE TEST 5
26-Feb REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
27-Feb AAMC Official Guide C/P
28-Feb AAMC Official Guide CARS
1-Mar AAMC Official Guide B/B
2-Mar AAMC Official Guide P/S
3-Mar PRACTICE TEST 6
4-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
5-Mar SPACER 1/5 cars 1 question pack
6-Mar SPACER 1/5 cars 1 question pack
7-Mar 1/2 chem question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
8-Mar 1/2 physics question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
9-Mar PRACTICE TEST 7
10-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
11-Mar 1/2 bio 1 question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
12-Mar 1/2 chem question pack 1/5 cars 1 question pack
13-Mar 1/2 physics question pack 1/5 cars 2 question pack
14-Mar 1/2 bio 1 question pack 1/5 cars 2 question pack
15-Mar PRACTICE TEST 8
16-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
17-Mar 1/2 bio question pack 2 1/5 cars 2 question pack
18-Mar 1/2 bio question pack 2 1/5 cars 2 question pack
19-Mar Review Section Bank 1/5 cars 2 question pack
20-Mar PRACTICE TEST 9
21-Mar REVIEW PRACTICE TEST
22-Mar Review Section Bank
23-Mar REST
24-Mar TEST

Thanks so much! When you say half of a question pack, about how many questions is that? Also, what 3rd party tests are you using?
 
Each question pack has 120 questions, which means about 60. Those 60 questions is about equivalent to a section of the mcat, which you could do under timed or untimed conditions if you prefer. I think I will do mine untimed and really analyze them. Being that if I did it timed it would only take 95 minutes compared to actually learning things. Maybe others will have better ideas on that.

I am using NextStep FLs right now.
 
Each question pack has 120 questions, which means about 60. Those 60 questions is about equivalent to a section of the mcat, which you could do under timed or untimed conditions if you prefer. I think I will do mine untimed and really analyze them. Being that if I did it timed it would only take 95 minutes compared to actually learning things. Maybe others will have better ideas on that.

I am using NextStep FLs right now.

Again, thank you so much for your response. I'm wondering if I should work on q packs first as a warm up, and then work my way into section banks. Then again, I think the section banks may identify strengths/weaknesses sooner.
 
That's what I was thinking and since they are before the gold zone to reschedule, I figured I should use them to take my next FL to make any decisions that need to be made. I also included ~3 days that you could use however you want. Some people recommend taking the SB again under timed conditions
 
That's what I was thinking and since they are before the gold zone to reschedule, I figured I should use them to take my next FL to make any decisions that need to be made. I also included ~3 days that you could use however you want. Some people recommend taking the SB again under timed conditions

Makes sense. Best of luck to you!
 
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