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SilentSoldier said:
I'm told that AAMC 3 is significantly easier than the actual real MCAT, or at least that's what I was it was says on my Princeton Review tests website. I'm more inclined to not agree since the AAMC tests are for the most part from older real MCATs. This isn't to either dishearten those who did well on it or condemn those that did poorly (haven't taken it myself). I'm thinking about taking more of the AAMC tests anyway since I've done better on those than on the Princeton Review ones, I just want to know what you guys think.
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the real one was a lot harder than the AAMC's imo, but I think the curve is more lenient; I still ended up within my practice range (28-31) on the actual exam.

-edit-
I've had some friends who thought sections on the real test were easier than some AAMC's (but still scored within their practice range), so I think your own view on this will depend on your test day, and your specific strengths and weaknesses.
 
SilentSoldier said:
I'm told that AAMC 3 is significantly easier than the actual real MCAT, or at least that's what I was it was says on my Princeton Review tests website. I'm more inclined to not agree since the AAMC tests are for the most part from older real MCATs. This isn't to either dishearten those who did well on it or condemn those that did poorly (haven't taken it myself). I'm thinking about taking more of the AAMC tests anyway since I've done better on those than on the Princeton Review ones, I just want to know what you guys think.
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I agree AAMC 3 was fairly easy
 
hiyaman said:
I didn't do AAMC 3 because everyone told me it was super easy, I figured I wouldn't waste my time.
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that being said it's all about concepts, I think if you know the concepts well you'll be fine no matter what.
 
YouNeverKnow22 said:
that being said it's all about concepts, I think if you know the concepts well you'll be fine no matter what.
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Yeah if you don't do it as an exam, make sure you do the passages for practice and know all of the material.
 
Why would you not take AAMC 3? If anything, you will get to practice your timing. Half of the MCAT is testing endurance, and seeing if you can stay sharp for 5 hours. Take every practice you can.
 
powertoold said:
Wow, good job! I see you're an aspiring surgeon 👍
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hey thanks, I'm taking the score with a grain of salt. I know first tests don't mean much whether you did well or not. My main goal is to write down all major concepts from physics/chem/bio/orgo and do light review everyday and then take AAMC 7 after exams. and yes I am an aspiring surgeon 😀
Vandy Premed said:
Why would you not take AAMC 3? If anything, you will get to practice your timing. Half of the MCAT is testing endurance, and seeing if you can stay sharp for 5 hours. Take every practice you can.
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This. I'll admit I "paused" to break when I shouldn't have....it's pretty tough to concentrate that long...especially when you get as distracted as me 🙄
 
YouNeverKnow22 said:
This. I'll admit I "paused" to break when I shouldn't have....it's pretty tough to concentrate that long...especially when you get as distracted as me 🙄
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For sure, I was the same way when I practiced. Great job man!

Good luck for everyone who still has finals! Only a couple more weeks for me 😎
 
Vandy Premed said:
Why would you not take AAMC 3? If anything, you will get to practice your timing. Half of the MCAT is testing endurance, and seeing if you can stay sharp for 5 hours. Take every practice you can.
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Agreed. I've taken 3, 4, and 5 now and while I thought the the questions on 3 were slightly easier, I've scored within 1 point on all three exams. They all have different curves. Take all the AAMC's - I think it's silly not to unless you're really cramped on time.
 
This Thursday....:scared:

I have a midterm that day, so I will probably get cracking on the application next weekend.

Good luck on your practice tests/MCAT studying!
 
How are you guys studying for verbal? I can't seem to get that section down at all... I've been scoring 8-9 on every test (Kaplan and AAMC) while getting 13-15 on both PS and BS. My score is highly unbalanced and I need to get that verbal up!!

BTW, how does Kaplan scores compare to AAMC? I've gotten 36-39 on Kaplan while averaging ~34 on AAMC. Does this seem right?
 
rxnfiend said:
How are you guys studying for verbal? I can't seem to get that section down at all... I've been scoring 8-9 on every test (Kaplan and AAMC) while getting 13-15 on both PS and BS. My score is highly unbalanced and I need to get that verbal up!!

BTW, how does Kaplan scores compare to AAMC? I've gotten 36-39 on Kaplan while averaging ~34 on AAMC. Does this seem right?
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I felt like my scores for kaplan #10 and #11 were more in tune with my current score (11,7,10) compared to all of the AAMCs + other kaplan FLs (which were generally higher - the latest AAMC I had 11s across the board).
 
rxnfiend said:
How are you guys studying for verbal? I can't seem to get that section down at all... I've been scoring 8-9 on every test (Kaplan and AAMC) while getting 13-15 on both PS and BS. My score is highly unbalanced and I need to get that verbal up!!

BTW, how does Kaplan scores compare to AAMC? I've gotten 36-39 on Kaplan while averaging ~34 on AAMC. Does this seem right?
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For verbal: don't start timing yourself until you're scoring high. It's easier to speed up a good process than to try to fix a bad one. Maybe someone who's already taken the test can vouch for a method, but I really like a modified version of TPR's so far!
 
rxnfiend said:
How are you guys studying for verbal? I can't seem to get that section down at all... I've been scoring 8-9 on every test (Kaplan and AAMC) while getting 13-15 on both PS and BS. My score is highly unbalanced and I need to get that verbal up!!
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I tend to follow EK's advice and don't highlight/take notes. I do try and keep the main point in mind and I try and picture/stereotype in my head what kind of person is writing the passage. I'm scoring 11's and 12's on verbal and hoping to get that up a bit. I'm working through TPRH verbal workbook and will do EK 101 passages after that. I just need to work at pushing through hard passages. I find my mind wanders when I don't really understand a passage. On most of my FL's so far, I'll have one passage that I really bomb, and do fairly well on the rest. If I can stop bombing that one passage I think I can be closer to 13.

I don't really time myself on practice passages because time hasn't ever been an issue for me on the passages. I usually have 15 minutes leftover. I guess that means I should probably slow down my reading a bit. When I first started I was reading passages WAY too fast and wasn't doing that great.
 
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SoftwareKevin said:
I tend to follow EK's advice and don't highlight/take notes. I do try and keep the main point in mind and I try and picture/stereotype in my head what kind of person is writing the passage. I'm scoring 11's and 12's on verbal and hoping to get that up a bit. I'm working through TPRH verbal workbook and will do EK 101 passages after that. I just need to work at pushing through hard passages. I find my mind wanders when I don't really understand a passage. On most of my FL's so far, I'll have one passage that I really bomb, and do fairly well on the rest. If I can stop bombing that one passage I think I can be closer to 13.

I don't really time myself on practice passages because time hasn't ever been an issue for me on the passages. I usually have 15 minutes leftover. I guess that means I should probably slow down my reading a bit. When I first started I was reading passages WAY too fast and wasn't doing that great.
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I think the VR is either the easiest or hardest depending on the person, for me I find it fairly easy because I read fast. Best advice really is practice with no time until you're scoring decent then cut down your timing after you've got a method
 
I scored a 12 on my very first VR section ever, practice tests were in the 13-15 range (Kaplan and AAMC) and got a 11 on the real deal. My only advice for verbal is practice. That whole section still mystifies me.
 
I often enjoyed the VR practice tests (I am a sick man). EK 101 helps timing the most. On the AAMC tests and the real thing I just read through the passages as fast as possible and highlighted anything that sounded important (mapping wastes time IMO). After that you just have to analyze what they want you to think, not what you initially thought. After enough practice, the two will merge (pattern recognition). Was getting 11s and 12s on practices so I'm far from a VR God, and haven't got my real score back yet, so take it with a grain of salt.

Rxfiend: You may want to practice how I suggested, but seriously if you pull a 13+ BS/PS (or a 12 for that matter) you will have done exceptional, even with a 9VR. Stick with it. GL :luck:
 
Vandy Premed said:
I often enjoyed the VR practice tests (I am a sick man). EK 101 helps timing the most. On the AAMC tests and the real thing I just read through the passages as fast as possible and highlighted anything that sounded important (mapping wastes time IMO). After that you just have to analyze what they want you to think, not what you initially thought. After enough practice, the two will merge (pattern recognition). Was getting 11s and 12s on practices so I'm far from a VR God, and haven't got my real score back yet, so take it with a grain of salt.

Rxfiend: You may want to practice how I suggested, but seriously if you pull a 13+ BS/PS (or a 12 for that matter) you will have done exceptional, even with a 9VR. Stick with it. GL :luck:
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haha I loved doing verbal! So my drop from a 11 on practices to a 7 on the real thing hurt a lot 🙁
 
phnerd1105 said:
haha I loved doing verbal! So my drop from a 11 on practices to a 7 on the real thing hurt a lot 🙁
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I'm sorry 🙁. That is a really unfortunate drop considering you were prepping well. I hope that doesn't happen to me as well (I feel like I did in the 10-12 range, but who knows). Weren't your other scores solid (11ish if I recall correctly)?
 
They say verbal is designed in order you to not finish, and I'm a terribly slow reader (only because I want to make sure I get everything down) pacing is my biggest deal as is working with those insane strengthen/weaken argument type questions. We'll see how the study's been going when I take a full length tomorrow. It'll be my first one taking it at the same time my test is scheduled for (8 am :scared: ). Hoping I still keep improving as I'm fairly sure I haven't hit a plateau yet.
 
oh my gosh, I'm so hungry! Im sill laying in bed, watching Deliver Me. Some of the procedures look kinda cool, maybe. It got me thinking, I love heme, but I really hate Onc. oh, and I was religious about mcat question a day. :laugh:👍
 
still hungry bump. happy may day, y'all.
 
CougarMD said:
I saw an 11 year old run a marathon today.

Mind over matter. You guys can do this. Good luck with the MCAT studying:luck:
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Is the world conspiring to make me feel like a lazy piece of crap? My 55 year old mom runs marathons too. Curse you people with willpower and discipline.
 
Vandy Premed said:
I'm sorry 🙁. That is a really unfortunate drop considering you were prepping well. I hope that doesn't happen to me as well (I feel like I did in the 10-12 range, but who knows). Weren't your other scores solid (11ish if I recall correctly)?
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Not at all 🙁 My practices ranged from 8-10 ps, 11s on verbal, and 11-12 on bs and I ended up getting a 7 7 10 🙁🙁🙁 verbal was the biggest disappointment. Dunno how I scored that badly, but I'm retaking in 6.5 weeks because I'm set on applying this cycle. Let's hope it goes better! Just ordered BR for gchem and physics so hopefully I can raise the ps score as well
 
phnerd1105 said:
mmmm Tbell. Crave it all day, err'day
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Yes, especially because dell taco is terrible and they're way more of those here than back in NorCal where I'm from.

Although, I'm more of a McDonalds guy myself. Best.Fries.Evar.

in the meantime, finished AAMC 11 7/9/9 🙁 only up two points from last test and couldn't even finish on the Phys (had to guess like on the last 9 questions). Think I'm going to stop by a bar on my way to McDonalds
 
Chipotle IS amazing. I like them and taco bell equally. I think it would be blasphemy if I hated Tbell, being that I'm Indian and it's pretty much hard-wired into my DNA :laugh:

I also have no idea what Dell Taco is haha
 
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nadaba said:
Whaaa? Blasphemy.
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Well if you like marathon sessions on the toilet by all means have some Dell Taco. I, on the other hand, prefer not to spend my day sitting on the toilet.
 
3 days until AMCAS opens... that also means 2 days til my organic II final, and 3 days til my physics II final!
*Dies inside*
 
kexy said:
3 days until AMCAS opens... that also means 2 days til my organic II final, and 3 days til my physics II final!
*Dies inside*
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That's a sobering thought...looks like this week will be jam-packed with AMCAS preparation.

Just think how relaxed you'll be after those two finals are done! :luck:
 
nadaba said:
Maybe... but Chipotle is a little too highbrow for this fight :meanie:

I can get two big bean burritos from Del Taco for $2! Mmmmm
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Good point. I don't really have a preference between DTaco and Tbell, so I guess I'll just be a spectator in this fight.

phnerd1105 said:
Chipotle IS amazing. I like them and taco bell equally. I think it would be blasphemy if I hated Tbell, being that I'm Indian and it's pretty much hard-wired into my DNA

I also have no idea what Dell Taco is haha
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😱

SilentSoldier said:
Well if you like marathon sessions on the toilet by all means have some Dell Taco. I, on the other hand, prefer not to spend my day sitting on the toilet.
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:laugh:

kexy said:
3 days until AMCAS opens... that also means 2 days til my organic II final, and 3 days til my physics II final!
*Dies inside*
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Midterms this week, as well. 👎

phnerd1105 said:
YOU CAN DO IT! 👍
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+1

Glucagon said:
That's a sobering thought...looks like this week will be jam-packed with AMCAS preparation.

Just think how relaxed you'll be after those two finals are done! :luck:
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Relaxed? After those exams, there is AMCAS stuff to work on.

YouNeverKnow22 said:
at least you don't have 5 finals+MCAT 😎
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:scared:

First meaningful action regarding the med school process, which I accomplished today: Made a folder in my bookmarks for all those future websites. Woot. :laugh:
 
Just finished the final for my very last pre-med class. Feels pretty damn good 🙂.
 
lol deltaco seems like a west coast thing, am I right? Been livin in the midwest my entire life!
 
phnerd1105 said:
lol deltaco seems like a west coast thing, am I right? Been livin in the midwest my entire life!
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Yep, but I'm not sure exactly how far inland they go.

I've never been to the midwest, but I'm planning a trip to Chicago with my family. Hopefully next summer 👍
 
nadaba said:
Yep, but I'm not sure exactly how far inland they go.

I've never been to the midwest, but I'm planning a trip to Chicago with my family. Hopefully next summer 👍
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Best place on earth 🙂👍
 
nadaba said:
I'm excited! Any tourist suggestions? 😀
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You HAVE to get deep dish pizza. Gino's east is amazing, Lou Malnatis is good too. My favorite is Giordanos but theyre going bankrupt so I don't know if they'll be open.

If you want to do touristy things, definitely go to Sears tower (I will never call it the Willis tower), Millennium Park and Michigan Ave. The museums are also amazing (Field museum, Museum of Science and Industry). You could also hit up the Shedd aquarium and Navy Pier.

I personally am a huge Cubs fan so I would go to Wrigley and see a game. The ballpark is historic as well.

If you like improv, definitely hit up some of the numerous improv clubs. Second City is the most famous, notable alumni including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and pretty much anyone who has been on SNL.

If you're there end of June to beginning of July, you should hit up the Taste of Chicago. You can buy tickets and exchange them for portions of food from vendors all around the city. They also have good music depending on the day, and fireworks.

And there's just soooooo many amazing restaurants!

I can go on and on and on haha. Most of this is mainstream stuff, but probably what you would go to on your first trip there. Let me know if you want more!
 
phnerd1105 said:
You HAVE to get deep dish pizza. Gino's east is amazing, Lou Malnatis is good too. My favorite is Giordanos but theyre going bankrupt so I don't know if they'll be open.

If you want to do touristy things, definitely go to Sears tower (I will never call it the Willis tower), Millennium Park and Michigan Ave. The museums are also amazing (Field museum, Museum of Science and Industry). You could also hit up the Shedd aquarium and Navy Pier.

I personally am a huge Cubs fan so I would go to Wrigley and see a game. The ballpark is historic as well.

If you like improv, definitely hit up some of the numerous improv clubs. Second City is the most famous, notable alumni including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and pretty much anyone who has been on SNL.

If you're there end of June to beginning of July, you should hit up the Taste of Chicago. You can buy tickets and exchange them for portions of food from vendors all around the city. They also have good music depending on the day, and fireworks.

And there's just soooooo many amazing restaurants!

I can go on and on and on haha. Most of this is mainstream stuff, but probably what you would go to on your first trip there. Let me know if you want more!
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Everything she said x1,000,000. If you have a bunch of time, definitely go to North Shore Beach or Oak Street Beach...the atmosphere is unbelievable during the summer.

Also, I love driving from the Loyola area (northern Chicago) through Lake Shore Drive. You'll have such an amazing view of the city skyline and the lake.
 
phnerd1105 said:
You HAVE to get deep dish pizza. Gino's east is amazing, Lou Malnatis is good too. My favorite is Giordanos but theyre going bankrupt so I don't know if they'll be open.

If you want to do touristy things, definitely go to Sears tower (I will never call it the Willis tower), Millennium Park and Michigan Ave. The museums are also amazing (Field museum, Museum of Science and Industry). You could also hit up the Shedd aquarium and Navy Pier.

I personally am a huge Cubs fan so I would go to Wrigley and see a game. The ballpark is historic as well.

If you like improv, definitely hit up some of the numerous improv clubs. Second City is the most famous, notable alumni including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and pretty much anyone who has been on SNL.

If you're there end of June to beginning of July, you should hit up the Taste of Chicago. You can buy tickets and exchange them for portions of food from vendors all around the city. They also have good music depending on the day, and fireworks.

And there's just soooooo many amazing restaurants!

I can go on and on and on haha. Most of this is mainstream stuff, but probably what you would go to on your first trip there. Let me know if you want more!
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Wow, sounds good! I'm thinking maybe 4 days/3 nights, so I'll probably only have time to do the really obvious stuff. Pizza is a given. I've had New York, so we'll see how Chicago stacks up :meanie:

Glucagon said:
Everything she said x1,000,000. If you have a bunch of time, definitely go to North Shore Beach or Oak Street Beach...the atmosphere is unbelievable during the summer.

Also, I love driving from the Loyola area (northern Chicago) through Lake Shore Drive. You'll have such an amazing view of the city skyline and the lake.
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Thanks! I've heard Loyola has a beautiful campus.
 
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