Check list of things to do when you have NO IDEA what the answer is before guessing

[csx]

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for example:
-if you are trying to find the time and you have no idea how to do it, check the units for each answer.
-maybe the answer was directly in the passage (in which case you refer back)
-Check for relevancy of answer (and not just random fact)

other things?

 

[Gauss44]

Check to see if there's ANYTHING false about any of the answers, mark those off. (Ask yourself, "What DO I know about this?")
If the question isn't about an "MCAT topic" that we are required to know, suspect that the answer might be in the passage.

 

[TheAnonymous]

Assuming you have done your homework and are prepared for the test: if you see something and you have no idea how to do it, I promise you that is most probably a very simply concept that you are overlooking - take a breath and think again. It's either stated in the passage or it's a very simple logic/concept that you can deduce from the question stem. Now you might be thinking that I'm crazy and the MCAT is supposed to be hard, but from my point of view, MCAT absolutely loves to take a very simple concept, worded it such that you feel like it's the hardest thing in the world and makes you feel like it's probably something you didn't study.

1. Look at the question again, what is the question EXACTLY asking you?
2. Look at the answer choices and extract as much information as possible.
3. Refer back to the passage, could it be possibly associated with any part of the passage?
4. Take a deep breath, think again, what could it POSSIBLY be?
5. Remember my advice above - it is most probably something easy that you are overlooking and NOT something you forgot to study
6. Still have no idea? Eliminate the obviously wrong answer choices, guess, and move on.

What I personally like to do in these cases is that I immediately mark these questions and move on. I usually have 20-25 minutes at the end with 3-5 questions like these that I focus on first, then review the other unsure ones.

 

[mrmecedes]

besides those good points ^^^

hope for a miracle, maybe say a small prayer

 

[RC4L]

1) Don't lose your cool and be confident that your brain took in more than you're consciously aware of
2) Eliminate any answer choice you know cant be correct- pay attention to absolutes like "always" or "never" as they are usually good indicators
3) Make sure the answer you choose actually answers the question. A lot of MCAT traps come in the way of giving a factual piece of info from the passage as an answer choice but it wont actually answer what is being addressed.
4) Don't look back at the passage. You will lose precious time that may get you easy points later, you may find a sentence or paragraph that validates a particular answer but in the context of the entire passage is incorrect, you will subconsciously read less intently knowing you have the opportunity to look back if you need.
5) In PS and BS look for obvious false information like proteins being named sugars or vice versa, incorrect units, mathematical discrepancies, non related info.
6) Avoid over-complication and keep your common sense just as close as your knowledge of content.
7) Keep track of time and absolutely do not go over your time limit because you feel uncomfortable with a question. If your time is running up and your still drawing blanks then eliminate as much as possible, go with the gut, and move on. It is dangerously easy to spend 2 or 3 minutes on a question without realizing it. When realize how much time you've wasted, you freak out and rush yourself on the remaining material and subsequently lose concentration and miss easy questions. You pull yourself together and try to slow back down but by this time you have two passages left and only 8 minutes to spare. You frantically fill in C on each question and then go back to hopefully spot easy questions but run out of time right away. You walk into the bathroom to pee and beat yourself up for not using your time more wisely. After five minutes of self-loathing, you carry that negative energy into your next section.. Not worth it!