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Man alive that was brutal but all in all I'm relatively happy with my scores. Thanks to everyone on SDN who posted useful information and links to help with preparation for the test.
PA 22 (97%)
QR 20
RC 21
BIO 20
GC 20
OC 21
TS 20 (84%)
AA 20 (84%)
Bio: I don't think you'll fully understand the meaning of the word "random" that used time and time again to describe this section until you actually take the exam. Took way longer than I expected and I'd venture to say about 75% of the material I studied never even showed up. My advice to anyone who hasn't taken it would be to continue with your regular studying/memorization of facts, but find some sort of means by which to apply the concepts you've learned. I don't know how else to describe it. Prep materials: Barron's AP Biology, notes from Alan (thanks man), Campbell text & class notes, and Destroyer. Topscores scores: 20, 20, 18.
GChem: Pretty disappointed with my score here as I was shooting for a 22. This section seemed a bit random to me as well with a couple questions that I outright just guessed on. Similar to what others have said, it was about 50/50 regarding concepts vs. calculations. Prep materials: Destroyer, Chad's videos, Examkrackers 1001 Q's in MCAT Chemistry, and my old text & class notes. Topscore scores: 20, 19, 23.
OChem: This section took the least amount of time and was, in my opinion, the easiest section of all the sciences. Had an IR and a couple NMRs that seemed straight forward. Can't remember seeing any of the named reactions, ie. Aldol, Wittig, etc, but I was prepared for them nonetheless. Prep materials: Destroyer, Chad's videos, Examkrackers 1001 Q's in MCAT Organic Chemistry, my old text & class notes. Topscore scores: 19, 23, 25.
PAT: I'm happy with my score but man this section was easy and I thought I aced it. But, the 22 was 97% so I'm cool with that. Prep materials: 5 test version of CDP and Topscore. TFE seemed easier than CDP but the keyholes and angles were about the same. Hole punching was way easier that CDP and the cubes were a bit easier. I did find the pattern folding to be a bit more complicated but I am good at those. CDP scores: 22, 20, 20, 21, 25. Topscore scores: 22, 23, 22.
RC: I'm very happy with this score as I thought I was goiing to bomb this. I got vision, fungi, and crocodile. I read very slow, so reading through the passages quickly was a waste for me as I retained absolutely nothing. So, I resorted to search and destroy and it seemed to work out. The tone/inference questions could basically be answered through process of elimination even if you had no idea what the question was referring to. The only prep for this was Topscore: 21, 21, 22.
QR: After all the threads about this I gotta say it really wasn't that difficult. And, trust me, I'm no math whiz. Time was not an issue as I finished with about 7 minutes left so I went back to try some of the more difficult problems I had marked. With regard to preparation I was sorta all over the place. Used Destroyer (not Math Destroyer) as well as numerous links people have posted on here with practice problems. Whenever I came across a problem I didn't know I'd resort to eliminating answer choices. I guess it worked. Topscore scores: 20, 19, 19.
I have to agree that the Destroyer is an invaluable source for exam preparation. I purchased it this past May after finals and began to dive in... big mistake. I can honestly say I'd go through problem after problem completely clueless. So, I put it away and started to review everything. After which I'd dive back into Destroyer and actually could answer some questions. Then I'd review more, then go back to Destroyer. By this time a week ago I could go through Destroyer getting 9/10 correct. It's a great tool but you really need to do a comprehensive review prior to using it.
For anyone that is having trouble or getting frustrated with Destroyer you might want to check out the Examkracker 1001 Q's books. They literally start off with the simpliest of problems and get gradually harder and harder. Personally, I thought it was great resource for solidifying topics. As far as Topscore, I saved all 3 exams for my last 3 weeks. I will say that I thought my Topscore scores were indicative of my DAT scores, but I will also say that the tests are not indicative of each other.
Anyway, that's about it. I'm non-traditional with a 4.0 post-bac GPA so I'm hoping these scores land me a couple interviews. Best of luck to everyone who has yet to take the test, and best of luck with the application process to those who already have.
PA 22 (97%)
QR 20
RC 21
BIO 20
GC 20
OC 21
TS 20 (84%)
AA 20 (84%)
Bio: I don't think you'll fully understand the meaning of the word "random" that used time and time again to describe this section until you actually take the exam. Took way longer than I expected and I'd venture to say about 75% of the material I studied never even showed up. My advice to anyone who hasn't taken it would be to continue with your regular studying/memorization of facts, but find some sort of means by which to apply the concepts you've learned. I don't know how else to describe it. Prep materials: Barron's AP Biology, notes from Alan (thanks man), Campbell text & class notes, and Destroyer. Topscores scores: 20, 20, 18.
GChem: Pretty disappointed with my score here as I was shooting for a 22. This section seemed a bit random to me as well with a couple questions that I outright just guessed on. Similar to what others have said, it was about 50/50 regarding concepts vs. calculations. Prep materials: Destroyer, Chad's videos, Examkrackers 1001 Q's in MCAT Chemistry, and my old text & class notes. Topscore scores: 20, 19, 23.
OChem: This section took the least amount of time and was, in my opinion, the easiest section of all the sciences. Had an IR and a couple NMRs that seemed straight forward. Can't remember seeing any of the named reactions, ie. Aldol, Wittig, etc, but I was prepared for them nonetheless. Prep materials: Destroyer, Chad's videos, Examkrackers 1001 Q's in MCAT Organic Chemistry, my old text & class notes. Topscore scores: 19, 23, 25.
PAT: I'm happy with my score but man this section was easy and I thought I aced it. But, the 22 was 97% so I'm cool with that. Prep materials: 5 test version of CDP and Topscore. TFE seemed easier than CDP but the keyholes and angles were about the same. Hole punching was way easier that CDP and the cubes were a bit easier. I did find the pattern folding to be a bit more complicated but I am good at those. CDP scores: 22, 20, 20, 21, 25. Topscore scores: 22, 23, 22.
RC: I'm very happy with this score as I thought I was goiing to bomb this. I got vision, fungi, and crocodile. I read very slow, so reading through the passages quickly was a waste for me as I retained absolutely nothing. So, I resorted to search and destroy and it seemed to work out. The tone/inference questions could basically be answered through process of elimination even if you had no idea what the question was referring to. The only prep for this was Topscore: 21, 21, 22.
QR: After all the threads about this I gotta say it really wasn't that difficult. And, trust me, I'm no math whiz. Time was not an issue as I finished with about 7 minutes left so I went back to try some of the more difficult problems I had marked. With regard to preparation I was sorta all over the place. Used Destroyer (not Math Destroyer) as well as numerous links people have posted on here with practice problems. Whenever I came across a problem I didn't know I'd resort to eliminating answer choices. I guess it worked. Topscore scores: 20, 19, 19.
I have to agree that the Destroyer is an invaluable source for exam preparation. I purchased it this past May after finals and began to dive in... big mistake. I can honestly say I'd go through problem after problem completely clueless. So, I put it away and started to review everything. After which I'd dive back into Destroyer and actually could answer some questions. Then I'd review more, then go back to Destroyer. By this time a week ago I could go through Destroyer getting 9/10 correct. It's a great tool but you really need to do a comprehensive review prior to using it.
For anyone that is having trouble or getting frustrated with Destroyer you might want to check out the Examkracker 1001 Q's books. They literally start off with the simpliest of problems and get gradually harder and harder. Personally, I thought it was great resource for solidifying topics. As far as Topscore, I saved all 3 exams for my last 3 weeks. I will say that I thought my Topscore scores were indicative of my DAT scores, but I will also say that the tests are not indicative of each other.
Anyway, that's about it. I'm non-traditional with a 4.0 post-bac GPA so I'm hoping these scores land me a couple interviews. Best of luck to everyone who has yet to take the test, and best of luck with the application process to those who already have.
