Ditching TBR Orgo Content Review for TPR Orgo

[Mister T]

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I have to say that I have to ditch the TBR Orgo content review because they're simply far too detailed and excruciating than the MCAT really needs.

Their physics and gen. chemistry books are great however, but I just don't think it makes much sense to read for 4-7 hours from TBR Orgo, only to forget a lot of it a day afterwards when TPR does the just in an hour or two at the max. Besides the MCAT tends to have 1-3 orgo passages at the most, and orgo seems to be low yield (it's not like TPR content wouldn't cover what you need to know to ACE it.

So, with that in mind, I think I'm just going to use TPR Orgo (because they keep it nice and simple with what you need to know and not too much superfluous info) for content review and use the TBR Orgo books for practice.

At least I'll get the good stuff out of the TBR Orgo books then.

Anyone else encounter the same thing?

 

[IndianVercetti]

I started out with TBR Orgo, and I'd agree, it is overkill; but good questions

Now, I'm finishing up the Kaplan/EK books, and will be doing the TBR passages. I think either section 3 or 4 took me about 5 hours to complete, at which time I figured it wasn't worth it.

 

[J ROD]

I would recommend reading TPR and doing practice passages out of BR. 👍

 

[HopefulOncoDoc]

Yo Mister T, I was thinking of doing the same thing. What edition of the TPR Ochem book do you have? I have the 2007 TPR Ochem Book but I'm wondering if it's a little too old to be used.. 😕 Do you guys think the Examkrackers Ochem would be sufficient? But without a doubt, I'll defintiely use the passages on TBR's Ochem Books.

 

[Mister T]

Yo Mister T, I was thinking of doing the same thing. What edition of the TPR Ochem book do you have? I have the 2007 TPR Ochem Book but I'm wondering if it's a little too old to be used.. 😕 Do you guys think the Examkrackers Ochem would be sufficient? But without a doubt, I'll defintiely use the passages on TBR's Ochem Books.

The latest one I believe (which is 2007 if I remember correctly). There's no reason to think it's too old to be used because the MCAT hasn't changed what will be tested on really for the past 10-12 years (just the layout has changed).

I don't know too much about EK Ochem tbh. I much prefer Princeton Review as it's a happy medium between EK and TBR.

TBR is superdetailed in its review whereas EK is very brief and covers the extreme basics (it won't cover the "Why?" part too much if you're weak on something). If your fundamentals are weak, and you have a feeling that you forgot a lot, then TPR is probably good, but your mile may vary, you know yourself better than I do (I know that for myself, I understand orgo pretty well, I just don't remember all the bull**** because I drank it all away once it was done!)

The EK 1001s are solid though. Excellent for getting down teh fundamentals which is probably more important to getting over an excellent score than doing all advanced topics alone (students end up focusing on teh latter often than the former, and end up not realizing that their fundamentals are weak --- fundamentals being mostly a lot of plug and chugs and concepts --- that are simply, but oh so overly glanced).

I just took a quick look at the number of pages in TBR orgo versus TPR orgo

and TBR has 615 pages of DENSELY written text whereas TPR has 390 (THIS IS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SCIENCE WORKBOOK QUESTIONS/PASSAGES TOO!!).

If you had to had to take into account the two different companies' in terms of total words/page, I would say that if TBR had 615 pages, then TPR would have 260-300 pages total, but that's my rough estimate.

Not bad imo for TPR.

Summary: TPR dumbs it down to 1st grade and 2nd grade English and you end up just remembering it (it just sticks), but it's not too sparse that you end up feeling like you're an idiot. I would say the same applies for their gen. chem and physics too (though their TPR Biological Sciences is SUPER DETAILED which may be a good thing considering how the MCAT B.S. sections have been testing bull**** memorization/trivia facts lately).

The problem is with TBR is that you end up forgetting a lot of it. The information is excellent, but it is overboard for Orgo imo.

 

[LostInStudy]

the MCAT hasn't changed what will be tested on really for the past 10-12 years (just the layout has changed).

This isn't true at all. When the MCAT changed formats in 2007 it also changed what was and was not tested in organic. Benzenes, alkenes, alkynes and some other things were supposedly taken out.

Secondly, I think that TBR is pretty detailed but not to the point that they're giving you a lot of useless information. A lot of their information is repeated over and over in their books. Plus having used TPR Organic and TBR I can tell you that there are DEFINITELY things that TPR is not adequate or is just flat out missing that you do need to know. I could look them up but I'm not up for it right now.

Also, I think earlier you said that the MCAT has 1-3 passages of orgo at the most. I don't know about you but I consider 2 or more passages out of 7 to be a lot so it sort of does become a big deal (and yes they could all be hard, just ask the people from the june 18th thread).

The point I'm trying to make is that the attitude you have about the organic section is very very dangerous and can (and probably will) get you into a lot of trouble as it did with many people this past summer. I used to brush off organic also and now I know that to make 12+ in the BS section then you HAVE to have mastered organic or expect to get really really lucky.

In terms of materials I still think that SN2ed's list is the best representation because content and passages in TBR G. Chem and O. Chem sections are much better and have you better prepared than the rest.

Yes it takes time but if you do TBR for G. Chem and O. Chem then you will come out a master of those subjects. Just depends on how much work you're willing to put into it and how comfortable you are with putting a large portion of the test up to chance in case you get 2 or 3 difficult passages.

Also, TBR isn't so bad that you forget a lot of the stuff the next day. Maybe that's your own isolated experience but I found that TBR repeats and presents a lot of concepts in different ways so you can learn it and really get the concepts down. Are you doing the phases and the questions after you finish reading? Because if you are I find that I don't really forget the material all that much.

Just my thoughts
-LIS

 

[Mister T]

This isn't true at all. When the MCAT changed formats in 2007 it also changed what was and was not tested in organic. Benzenes, alkenes, alkynes and some other things were supposedly taken out.

Secondly, I think that TBR is pretty detailed but not to the point that they're giving you a lot of useless information. A lot of their information is repeated over and over in their books. Plus having used TPR Organic and TBR I can tell you that there are DEFINITELY things that TPR is not adequate or is just flat out missing that you do need to know. I could look them up but I'm not up for it right now.

Also, I think earlier you said that the MCAT has 1-3 passages of orgo at the most. I don't know about you but I consider 2 or more passages out of 7 to be a lot so it sort of does become a big deal (and yes they could all be hard, just ask the people from the june 18th thread).

The point I'm trying to make is that the attitude you have about the organic section is very very dangerous and can (and probably will) get you into a lot of trouble as it did with many people this past summer. I used to brush off organic also and now I know that to make 12+ in the BS section then you HAVE to have mastered organic or expect to get really really lucky.

In terms of materials I still think that SNed's list is the best representation because content and passages in TBR G. Chem and O. Chem sections are much better and have you better prepared than the rest.

Yes it takes time but if you do TBR for G. Chem and O. Chem then you will come out a master of those subjects. Just depends on how much work you're willing to put into it and how comfortable you are with putting a large portion of the test up to chance in case you get 2 or 3 difficult passages.

Just my thoughts,

-LIS

I received the TBR books about 12 months ago, and the copyright on them were 2007 for TBR Orgo I and II. from what i've read so far TBR discussed alkynes, benzenes, and alkenes, can you give me a source on thAT?

Also, do you have a link on the june 18th 2009 MCAT thread? I tried finding it but to no avail. i'm curious to see what elements of that exam people thought were difficult about the orgo sections and why they found those passages difficult (was it lack of orgo prep, did they use TPr, TBR, oR EK?)

i don't disagree with you that TBR ochem is useful, I'm just going to use TPR for content review, anD i'll still use the TBr problems.

i suppose the sections that i do really poorly on in TBr i can read up on further detail in case TPr is lacking.

 

[horn]

Is TPR orgo book a hyperlearning biological sciences review?

If I have hard time reading TBR physics, would you guys recommand reading TPR and doing practice passages out of TBR too ?

or should I just stick to TBR for physics ?

 

[LostInStudy]

I received the TBR books about 12 months ago, and the copyright on them were 2007 for TBR Orgo I and II. from what i've read so far TBR discussed alkynes, benzenes, and alkenes, can you give me a source on thAT?

Also, do you have a link on the june 18th 2009 MCAT thread? I tried finding it but to no avail. i'm curious to see what elements of that exam people thought were difficult about the orgo sections and why they found those passages difficult (was it lack of orgo prep, did they use TPr, TBR, oR EK?)

i don't disagree with you that TBR ochem is useful, I'm just going to use TPR for content review, anD i'll still use the TBr problems.

i suppose the sections that i do really poorly on in TBr i can read up on further detail in case TPr is lacking.

The link is here:

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/preparing/bstopics.pdf

Also, I used "supposedly" for a reason, many prep books still teach those parts of organic because they still show up on some tests. Just look at the first section of alkenes in your EK Organic book (section 2.6 first sentence). The benzene reference is on page 212 under the benzene section of the EK Organic book (in yellow). You need to know ortho, para, meta but apparently not any reactions. They used to have official articles on AAMC.org but have since taken them down but you can see on the topics list that they don't show up. I thought this was common knowledge but I guess not. Anyway, my point is that content did change when they changed the format but it's all in the topics list (again supposedly)

Here is where the relevant starts for the 18th. Go about half way down and read at least 2-3 pages. Not only were there 3 orgo passages for most people but they were also 3 difficult orgo passages. The surprising thing is that this isn't the only time it happened over the summer. It happened at least 4-5 times.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=607887&highlight=June+18th+2009+MCAT&page=13

TBR orgo content, in my opinion is just as good at explaining concepts as their explanations but I guess if you don't have the time to read it then don't but if you have a few months until you're exam then don't take shortcuts for organic.

Hope that clarifies things,

-LIS

 

[LostInStudy]

Is TPR orgo book a hyperlearning biological sciences review?

If I have hard time reading TBR physics, would you guys recommand reading TPR and doing practice passages out of TBR too ?

or should I just stick to TBR for physics ?

Here is one place I disagree with SN2ed about the list. In my opinion, the best physics prep is TPR physics for content and TBR content and passages. Of course this is if you have time. I think that TPR does a better job in most sections but not all for physics but the TBR physics passages are just crucial.

Hope this helps,

-LIS

 

[equityrange]

when people say TPR do they mean hyperlearning?

 

[LostInStudy]

when people say TPR do they mean hyperlearning?

Yep

 

[joshto]

I did the first section of TBR physics today, along with the first 1/3 (1,4,7,10) of passages. I don't think I did too well, and, almost lost at times. I think it would be better to do 1/3 of the EK 1001 physics questions before doing the respective TBR physics passages.

What do you guys think?

 

[Mister T]

Sounds fine to me. If you're weak with the formulas it will help you drill them into your better.

 

[LostInStudy]

Yea... all I can say about the PS section, especially the first portion of physics (mechanics) is that it is all practice and drilling concepts. No other way around it, I guess it really doesn't matter which way you go.

Hope this helps,

-LIS

 

[Kalyx]

Oh man! This has been a tough thread to read.


Thank you SO MUCH for your post, Mister T, as I've been feeling similarly about the horrendous length of BR's Orgo! So I also considered using TPR Biological Sciences Review for organic.

But now LostInStudy has me worried that Ochem content review with TPR will be insufficient.

🙁

I've been ridiculously lucky in amassing so many study materials, but I'm having a hard time deciding which ones to use for content review! (I plan on doing BR practice passages regardless).

~Kalyx

 

[Mister T]

Oh man! This has been a tough thread to read.


Thank you SO MUCH for your post, Mister T, as I've been feeling similarly about the horrendous length of BR's Orgo! So I also considered using TPR Biological Sciences Review for organic.

But now LostInStudy has me worried that Ochem content review with TPR will be insufficient.

🙁

I've been ridiculously lucky in amassing so many study materials, but I'm having a hard time deciding which ones to use for content review! (I plan on doing BR practice passages regardless).

~Kalyx

Save yourself the headache and use TPR. It's simpler, easier to remember, and the MCAT orgo passages test basics, nothing advanced.

Besides, it's the whole concept of diminishing returns. You put in 20% effort, and you'll get 80% results (Pareto's principle), and 80% effort will get you the remaining 20%. It's up to you if you want to master organic chemistry with that 80% extra effort. I know that for myself, my energy, motivation, and concentration is better spent on B.S./Gen CHem/Physics/Verbal.

In my opinion, burn out and frustration are far more important to control for than mastering organic chemistry to a T. Most of the time you'll have a strong intuition from your experience in gen. chem and orgo to figure out most of the questions. Besides, it's not like TPR has bad review, it seems as though that it's just quite right and beyond adequate.

Of course, there's a big of a risk/gambling involved with this, but imo, it's not worth it to just sit there for 8-10 hours feel really strong on it the day I read the chapter, and then forget most of it a few days later --- and if that's how I feel now, 3 months from now, I'm going to remember the basics again too.

But I'm planning on take the MCAT twice if necessary. I plan on studying couple of days after the May MCAT regardless of outcome, and if I find that the MCAT had way too much unanswerable orgo and too many orgo passages, then i'll have anotnher month-2 months to get that down.

In any case, I'll follow "losts" advice, and I'll be closely monitoring the upcoming exam threads to see what the breakdowns are to see whether or not there is a trend in more orgo passages or not (and to see if they are NMR stuff, or a lot of bull**** reactions that can go eat ****).

 

[LostInStudy]

Save yourself the headache and use TPR. It's simpler, easier to remember, and the MCAT orgo passages test basics, nothing advanced.

Besides, it's the whole concept of diminishing returns. You put in 20% effort, and you'll get 80% results (Pareto's principle), and 80% effort will get you the remaining 20%. It's up to you if you want to master organic chemistry with that 80% extra effort. I know that for myself, my energy, motivation, and concentration is better spent on B.S./Gen CHem/Physics/Verbal.

In my opinion, burn out and frustration are far more important to control for than mastering organic chemistry to a T. Most of the time you'll have a strong intuition from your experience in gen. chem and orgo to figure out most of the questions. Besides, it's not like TPR has bad review, it seems as though that it's just quite right and beyond adequate.

Of course, there's a big of a risk/gambling involved with this, but imo, it's not worth it to just sit there for 8-10 hours feel really strong on it the day I read the chapter, and then forget most of it a few days later --- and if that's how I feel now, 3 months from now, I'm going to remember the basics again too.

But I'm planning on take the MCAT twice if necessary. I plan on studying couple of days after the May MCAT regardless of outcome, and if I find that the MCAT had way too much unanswerable orgo and too many orgo passages, then i'll have anotnher month-2 months to get that down.

In any case, I'll follow "losts" advice, and I'll be closely monitoring the upcoming exam threads to see what the breakdowns are to see whether or not there is a trend in more orgo passages or not (and to see if they are NMR stuff, or a lot of bull**** reactions that can go eat ****).

Yea, One thing that I think it's important to emphasize is that you do what is most comfortable with you. For me, it has always been being over prepared and confident that I couldn't do anymore, even though doing less would have been enough but I always felt I needed the extra work so that I could gain the confidence but that's just me.

With that said, I don't want to leave organic up in the air. To me organic is an important strategical part because I do want to score high and I feel that it is very difficult if you don't have organic mastered. I know other people might feel 10 times more comfortable and are better at winging it and trying to figure it out from the test, which as these forums indicate can work too, it just depends on what you're comfortable and confident with. In all honesty, I think it would probably be best to do organic first with TPR or EK and then when you're doing FLs at the end in the last month or so, then come back and clean up every weak/everything else you have left to master for organic with TBR content (passages are obviously necessary to do). But if you have time then I think TBR would certainly be the best option for content.

Hope this helps,

-LIS

P.S. Yea I hated memorizing NMR and IR values but the truth is that those show up often enough and are freebies when they do because they're not very difficult so you're just better off spending an hour or whatever just memorizing them.

Also don't worry too much Kaylx because if you do practice and make an effort to go over the practice then you'll quickly figure out what you're supposed to/not supposed to know. Just make sure you get enough practice in. For the first read through though I would go with TBR just because you KNOW it is complete.

 

[vanillabreen]

I just took the MCAT yesterday...now I'm not sure how I did in the BS section, but one thing is for certain: if you follow TPR and memorize EVERYTHING (almost) you should be more than fine.

All you need to know are simple concepts that are in that book. Like nucleophilic, elimination, and addition reactions, as well as H-NMR (MEMORIZE the stupid numbers!), know the lab techniques especially extractions and which type of solutions will do what (want amino acids? use HCl; carboxylic acids? use a dilute weak base, usually NaHCO3; phenols? use a strong base- NaOH).

I don't want to go into details about what my MCAT tested me on because I don't feel like getting banned...haha, but just look back at the practice aamc exams if you don't believe me. You'll notice that the questions usually ask you simple things - nothing complicated. (Did you notice there's a C=O? it's definitely 1700cm-1). If it sounds or looks complicated, look at the passages, it's definitely there, or it's relating back to a dumb concept like the -OH means it has a higher boiling point. I know it might sounds silly and easy...but you usually get so scared looking at the complicated passages that you don't notice how straightforward the questions are! It's only when you go back that you realize the passage wouldn't be hard IF you just memorized the BASICS.

Sometimes they'll throw oddballs...but you'll only master that if you took the class and done well (like actually understood everything, something I regret not doing) or have a good 4-5 months to study. So if you have only a month or two - TPR is amazing as long as you dedicate yourself to memorizing it. I feel like there's no point in trying to spend hours studying and trying to understand the details in Orgo using a large book like TBR; there are just way too many exceptions to a lot of reactions (like 1,2-Hydride shift MAY occur here but because this random other thing is there it won't happen but usually it does...it's like WTF really?). Rather than spending those precious hours trying to decipher the organic - spend that time memorizing key things in the TPR book and devoting even more time in mastering G. Chem, Physics, and Bio...it's much more worth it.

I only say this because looking back...I wish I memorized more simple things in that book because then I wouldn't have made stupid mistakes in easy questions that were in my MCAT yesterday.

 

[Mister T]

I just took the MCAT yesterday...now I'm not sure how I did in the BS section, but one thing is for certain: if you follow TPR and memorize EVERYTHING (almost) you should be more than fine.

All you need to know are simple concepts that are in that book. Like nucleophilic, elimination, and addition reactions, as well as H-NMR (MEMORIZE the stupid numbers!), know the lab techniques especially extractions and which type of solutions will do what (want amino acids? use HCl; carboxylic acids? use a dilute weak base, usually NaHCO3; phenols? use a strong base- NaOH).

I don't want to go into details about what my MCAT tested me on because I don't feel like getting banned...haha, but just look back at the practice aamc exams if you don't believe me. You'll notice that the questions usually ask you simple things - nothing complicated. (Did you notice there's a C=O? it's definitely 1700cm-1). If it sounds or looks complicated, look at the passages, it's definitely there, or it's relating back to a dumb concept like the -OH means it has a higher boiling point. I know it might sounds silly and easy...but you usually get so scared looking at the complicated passages that you don't notice how straightforward the questions are! It's only when you go back that you realize the passage wouldn't be hard IF you just memorized the BASICS.

Sometimes they'll throw oddballs...but you'll only master that if you took the class and done well (like actually understood everything, something I regret not doing) or have a good 4-5 months to study. So if you have only a month or two - TPR is amazing as long as you dedicate yourself to memorizing it. I feel like there's no point in trying to spend hours studying and trying to understand the details in Orgo using a large book like TBR; there are just way too many exceptions to a lot of reactions (like 1,2-Hydride shift MAY occur here but because this random other thing is there it won't happen but usually it does...it's like WTF really?). Rather than spending those precious hours trying to decipher the organic - spend that time memorizing key things in the TPR book and devoting even more time in mastering G. Chem, Physics, and Bio...it's much more worth it.

I only say this because looking back...I wish I memorized more simple things in that book because then I wouldn't have made stupid mistakes in easy questions that were in my MCAT yesterday.

Good advice, I'm glad I dropped reading TBR Orgo as the gains were minimal at best with that no thanks to "TheBoondocks"

My question is, seeing as orgo is a weak subject for a lot of people, how did you know what stuff to memorize and what not to?

Did you just say ok I'll memorize everything? Did you make a list? etc. Seeing as it's been close to 3 years now since I've done orgo, I agree with what you're saying and you're probably right.

My background has always been on UNDERSTANDING over memorizing which was good for physics and verbal.

Also, how were your feelings about the bio? Mostly conceptual or random details about glycolysis or biochemistry, genetics, etc. that you needed to know to do well?

 

[vanillabreen]

Oh man...that's a tough one. Organic Chemistry and I don't have a good relationship. You see...I try to get close to him, but he always turns against me and leaves me! 🙁

I've seen you on these forums for a LONG time so I know you must have been studying for a while at least. If you'd taken practice tests, you'd automatically realize what things are blatant point-makers and I'm pretty sure it's been said before what those are.

To give a short breakdown if you own the 2009 TPR Hyperlearning PS book...

Chapter 1- Structure and Bonding: Understand and memorize everything. Point-makers are "which of these are sp3, sp2, sp, etc. Or is this R or S? Diastereromers or Enantiomers?

Chapter 2 - Substitution and Elimination Reactions: UNDERSTAND and learn to recognize when what is used. This only comes from practice. So not a lot of memorization here...just understand.

Chapter 3 and 4 - Memorize the reactions. Understanding this chapter is ideal, but not if you are pressed on time (like I was; I only studied 3.5 weeks).

Chapter 5 - Lab Techniques and Spectroscopy - MEMORIZE ALL OF IT and UNDERSTAND IT!!! These are point-makers and the MCAT always asks 2-3 questions on it.

Chapter 6 - Try to memorize it. It came easy to me because I JUST took Biochemistry, but the MCAT loves carbohydrates and fatty acids (based on the last two times I took the exam.) So try to really understand and memorize the little details. Know that alpha and beta carbohydrates are anomers and they have hemiacetals and exist in equilibrium in mutarotation. The things I italicized are conceptual topics that are point-makers.

You basically get a feel for it after you take a lot of practice passages. As for Biology in general...Oh man, I'm prone to making silly mistakes. But have a good grasp of Genetics and remember, passages usually combine topics. So nothing is going to be solely Genetics; they usually have a Genetics passage but they give references to familiar things like the Cardiovascular, Immune, or Endocrine system.

Random facts always pop up to stop people from getting a perfect score. I'm lucky I took Physiology, Histology, Genetics, and that I remembered random facts from BIO II (so I have a better grasp of Evolution) but because I make silly errors, I never get over 10 🙁 BUT don't focus on trying to get those discrete odd-balls. If you get a question you've never seen before then take a deep breath, don't get anxious, don't make it seem like getting it wrong will ruin your test-experience. My best advice is: just learn to eliminate answers. Usually, if the question is totally off-base, something you NEVER came across, then the answer choices have familiar choices of which you can narrow down.

Like my boyfriend told me a million times: "If you're spending too much time on a question, you're over-thinking. STOP!" At that point, just go back to the basics, read the choices, and watch - the answers are glaring right at you.

Good luck! Don't sweat it.

 

[Mister T]

Oh man...that's a tough one. Organic Chemistry and I don't have a good relationship. You see...I try to get close to him, but he always turns against me and leaves me! 🙁

I've seen you on these forums for a LONG time so I know you must have been studying for a while at least. If you'd taken practice tests, you'd automatically realize what things are blatant point-makers and I'm pretty sure it's been said before what those are.

To give a short breakdown if you own the 2009 TPR Hyperlearning PS book...

Chapter 1- Structure and Bonding: Understand and memorize everything. Point-makers are "which of these are sp3, sp2, sp, etc. Or is this R or S? Diastereromers or Enantiomers?

Chapter 2 - Substitution and Elimination Reactions: UNDERSTAND and learn to recognize when what is used. This only comes from practice. So not a lot of memorization here...just understand.

Chapter 3 and 4 - Memorize the reactions. Understanding this chapter is ideal, but not if you are pressed on time (like I was; I only studied 3.5 weeks).

Chapter 5 - Lab Techniques and Spectroscopy - MEMORIZE ALL OF IT and UNDERSTAND IT!!! These are point-makers and the MCAT always asks 2-3 questions on it.

Chapter 6 - Try to memorize it. It came easy to me because I JUST took Biochemistry, but the MCAT loves carbohydrates and fatty acids (based on the last two times I took the exam.) So try to really understand and memorize the little details. Know that alpha and beta carbohydrates are anomers and they have hemiacetals and exist in equilibrium in mutarotation. The things I italicized are conceptual topics that are point-makers.

You basically get a feel for it after you take a lot of practice passages. As for Biology in general...Oh man, I'm prone to making silly mistakes. But have a good grasp of Genetics and remember, passages usually combine topics. So nothing is going to be solely Genetics; they usually have a Genetics passage but they give references to familiar things like the Cardiovascular, Immune, or Endocrine system.

Random facts always pop up to stop people from getting a perfect score. I'm lucky I took Physiology, Histology, Genetics, and that I remembered random facts from BIO II (so I have a better grasp of Evolution) but because I make silly errors, I never get over 10 🙁 BUT don't focus on trying to get those discrete odd-balls. If you get a question you've never seen before then take a deep breath, don't get anxious, don't make it seem like getting it wrong will ruin your test-experience. My best advice is: just learn to eliminate answers. Usually, if the question is totally off-base, something you NEVER came across, then the answer choices have familiar choices of which you can narrow down.

Like my boyfriend told me a million times: "If you're spending too much time on a question, you're over-thinking. STOP!" At that point, just go back to the basics, read the choices, and watch - the answers are glaring right at you.

Good luck! Don't sweat it.

Great practical advice, appreciate it again! And tbh, I haven't really studied that much, first time through, maybe for a month for like an hour or two a day --- i only did 3 AAMCs back then. But I've been going "hardcore" over the past month, 3 months left!

Good luck on the wait game now. Hopefully you'll do well!

 

[TheBoondocks]

Good advice, I'm glad I dropped reading TBR Orgo as the gains were minimal at best with that no thanks to "TheBoondocks"

My question is, seeing as orgo is a weak subject for a lot of people, how did you know what stuff to memorize and what not to?

Did you just say ok I'll memorize everything? Did you make a list? etc. Seeing as it's been close to 3 years now since I've done orgo, I agree with what you're saying and you're probably right.

My background has always been on UNDERSTANDING over memorizing which was good for physics and verbal.

Also, how were your feelings about the bio? Mostly conceptual or random details about glycolysis or biochemistry, genetics, etc. that you needed to know to do well?

You do realize there are different versions right? I read through TPR as well in one day. It is good, but it explains the basic stuff. There was one passage I had that if it were not for TBR, I would have been left for dead. It's up to you. If you want a 40 on any test date, then suck it up and go through it. The O-chem varies and the AAMC o-chem is a joke. At least do all of the passages.

I think you owe an apology to GS1G2 if you haven't already. I don't care what you think of me. I posted nothing inaccurate. Next time, take the time to read someones post before jumping on them.

In addition, show some humility. You rub A LOT of people the wrong way. I never said I'm a savior, but you mocked me for coming to the forum. My reply was I bring value here. There are tons of kids who take the MCAT and return to offer advice (Bleargh, Vihsadas, Washme, Wanderer100, just to name a few).

Finally, why would I want a girlfriend when my school, University of Iowa, is loaded with gorgeous girls. Hmmm. One hot girl, or any of my choosing. Believe me, if you even have a modicum of game, you get all the tail you want. That's the advantage of having 55% girls of which 50% hail from Chicago. Seriously, who brags about having a girlfriend. In my group, we laugh at the engaged/ serious relationship ones.

PS, don't call anyone an internet dork when you spend a decent amount of time on here, pot meet kettle. We're all dorks on some level to be on SDN. There are tons of smart med students I know who haven't even heard of this place.

 

[HopefulOncoDoc]

You do realize there are different versions right? I read through TPR as well in one day. It is good, but it explains the basic stuff. There was one passage I had that if it were not for TBR, I would have been left for dead. It's up to you. If you want a 40 on any test date, then suck it up and go through it. The O-chem varies and the AAMC o-chem is a joke. At least do all of the passages.

I think you owe an apology to GS1G2 if you haven't already. I don't care what you think of me. I posted nothing inaccurate. Next time, take the time to read someones post before jumping on them.

In addition, show some humility. You rub A LOT of people the wrong way. I never said I'm a savior, but you mocked me for coming to the forum. My reply was I bring value here. There are tons of kids who take the MCAT and return to offer advice (Bleargh, Vihsadas, Washme, Wanderer100, just to name a few).

Finally, why would I want a girlfriend when my school, University of Iowa, is loaded with gorgeous girls. Hmmm. One hot girl, or any of my choosing. Believe me, if you even have a modicum of game, you get all the tail you want. That's the advantage of having 55% girls of which 50% hail from Chicago. Seriously, who brags about having a girlfriend. In my group, we laugh at the engaged/ serious relationship ones.

PS, don't call anyone an internet dork when you spend a decent amount of time on here, pot meet kettle. We're all dorks on some level to be on SDN. There are tons of smart med students I know who haven't even heard of this place.

Hey Boondocks thanks for the heads up. How about utilizing TPR for content review and using TBR for passages is that sufficient enough? The passage you had that if it wasn't for TBR, are you referring to the content within TBR or one of the passages? Thanks a lot.

 

[Mister T]

How about utilizing TPR for content review and using TBR for passages is that sufficient enough? The passage you had that if it wasn't for TBR, are you referring to the content within TBR or one of the passages? Thanks a lot.

I've been reading from TPR orgo and doing TBR passages for the practice but skipping the TBR content review because it's too dense to remember/learn from. So far, it's been a very favorable and pleasant experience, whereas reading the TBR orgo was NOT FUN and was making me burn out. It was just very dull, very dry, and I didn't want to put that much energy in that subject.

The stuff they cover is too low yield to focus on imo. I'm not a perfectionist, but I'm aiming for 12-15 on the biology, and having taken the MCAT once before (10 on BS), I didn't see too much orgo on mine.

I do understand that the MCAT is variable, and that some people will end up with harder orgo passages or even 2 orgo passages. Two orgo passages is not a big deal as long as they are deducible and based on logic (fortunately that seems to be the trend).

The general idea on the Saturday one seems that that it was fairly easy for orgo, as "Vanilla" described in this thread.

But again your mileage may vary. I personally hate orgo (seems as though premeds are split between the "physics" and "orgo" camps, and I'm one of the former), so I like the "K.I.S.S." method better. For me, it's a risk to "neglect" reading the TBR content review, but it's a risk worth taking seeing as on average it's low yield, and time is better spent focusing on biology/physics/gen. chem stuff which is practically always high yield and avoiding burn out/maintaining focus.

I think TPR (on Chapter 3 right now), does an excellent job of dumbing it down so that it sticks, and you know the basics/regain your sense of intuition (which is what a lot of orgo really is).

That combined with TBR passages/EK Orgo 1001/TPR Hyperlearning Science Workbook Orgo passages/discretes has been VERY useful.

So the feeling I'm getting is that TBR content review spends too much time describing, and not enough time DOING. Like you'll read TBR Orgo, and you'll nod your head okay yeah I understand this or that, and then if you go hit the TBR passages you'll get upset because of the change in difficulty from the content review to to the passages. Imo, it's too extreme of a jump and it screws up confidence, and that's why the TPR stuff seems to reinforce the "baby" steps a lot better.

My two cents anyways...

 

[TheBoondocks]

Hey Boondocks thanks for the heads up. How about utilizing TPR for content review and using TBR for passages is that sufficient enough? The passage you had that if it wasn't for TBR, are you referring to the content within TBR or one of the passages? Thanks a lot.

Yes, Mr. T is right for once. READ TPR and as Vanilla Breen said Memorize it. The First 4 chapters of TPR O-chem are GOLD. Really spend time on Chapter one because that will make you a master at Stereochemistry like R,S, enantiomers, diasteriosomers, etc. I really like how they explain the basics Sn1, aldol, carbocations.

Moreover, they delve into why hydroboration occurs with non-markovnikov by showing mechanisms. However, do all of TBR passages or at least as many as you can. Why? They're long and complicated and will force you to learn to wade through stuff and learn when you need to apply outside knowledge and when to use the passage.

In closing, after taking the MCAT on Friday here's why people said the passages are weird. A typical PS passage requires you to skim and most of the questions are discretes in disguise. On Friday, a lot of the passages didn't test your KNOWLEDGE. It was all UNDERSTAND the passage and the EQUATIONS IN THEM and apply. The key to doing well is to REFER to the passage and make inferences off it These suck at first, but TBR passages force you to do this time and time again.

To illustrate, in their chem passages, they have lots of experimental set ups where the only way you will answer a majority of the questions is to understand and reason based on conclusions. If you're like me this sucks because it is all intuition and not based on using your basic knowledge to come to a conclusion.

However, this is what the MCAT is trending because the old ways of testing us are to easy. Kids are thoroughly prepared and if they use standard methods a kid who normally gets 12-13 gets 12 plus. With this knew method, they most likely drop. Practice making inferences. If you can't buy TBR then buy GS tests because their tests have a ton of these types of questions and you'll be ready.

My long 2 cents

 

[HopefulOncoDoc]

Yes, Mr. T is right for once. READ TPR and as Vanilla Breen said Memorize it. The First 4 chapters of TPR O-chem are GOLD. Really spend time on Chapter one because that will make you a master at Stereochemistry like R,S, enantiomers, diasteriosomers, etc. I really like how they explain the basics Sn1, aldol, carbocations.

Moreover, they delve into why hydroboration occurs with non-markovnikov by showing mechanisms. However, do all of TBR passages or at least as many as you can. Why? They're long and complicated and will force you to learn to wade through stuff and learn when you need to apply outside knowledge and when to use the passage.

In closing, after taking the MCAT on Friday here's why people said the passages are weird. A typical PS passage requires you to skim and most of the questions are discretes in disguise. On Friday, a lot of the passages didn't test your KNOWLEDGE. It was all UNDERSTAND the passage and the EQUATIONS IN THEM and apply. The key to doing well is to REFER to the passage and make inferences off it These suck at first, but TBR passages force you to do this time and time again.

To illustrate, in their chem passages, they have lots of experimental set ups where the only way you will answer a majority of the questions is to understand and reason based on conclusions. If you're like me this sucks because it is all intuition and not based on using your basic knowledge to come to a conclusion.

However, this is what the MCAT is trending because the old ways of testing us are to easy. Kids are thoroughly prepared and if they use standard methods a kid who normally gets 12-13 gets 12 plus. With this knew method, they most likely drop. Practice making inferences. If you can't buy TBR then buy GS tests because their tests have a ton of these types of questions and you'll be ready.

My long 2 cents

Long but informative 👍. Thanks a lot!

 

[MT2MD]

Mister T, I have only started studying and have only read TBR chapt 1, so far I have to agree with you; I find the TBR orgo really boring. I am going to read another chapter tonight to see how I am doing before switching to TPR.

I am also ******ed in physics so I actually find myself having to read ER, TPR and TBR to try to understand the stuff lol.

(non-trad for the win!)

 

[Mister T]

Mister T, I have only started studying and have only read TBR chapt 1, so far I have to agree with you; I find the TBR orgo really boring. I am going to read another chapter tonight to see how I am doing before switching to TPR.

I am also ******ed in physics so I actually find myself having to read ER, TPR and TBR to try to understand the stuff lol.

(non-trad for the win!)

TBR content review only gets worse, comrade.

Find the light, and believe in TPR Orgo Content Review.

Just believe, and the good Lord AAMC will embrace you lovingly and caressingly in the lands of Gunneria, where all Gunners can sing songs about the fabled dermatology and get high off of oxycontin and adderall, all while fantasizing about trophy wives to marry and touching their first genitalia ever from cadavers. This place, if it truly does exist, would be the opposite of medschoolhell.com --- but rather, medschoolheaven.com. Ahhhh Shanghri-La.

Of course, you have have noticed that in Gunneria, you'll be doing a lot of dreaming and fantasizing, because the reality is the light is perpetually at the end of the tunnel.

It's kind of like the story of Tantalus where Tantalus's punishment for his act, (the source of the word "tantalise"), was to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water receded before he could get any.

 

[MT2MD]

TBR content review only gets worse, comrade.

Find the light, and believe in TPR Orgo Content Review.

Just believe, and the good Lord AAMC will embrace you lovingly and caressingly in the lands of Gunneria, where all Gunners can sing songs about the fabled dermatology and get high off of oxycontin and adderall, all while fantasizing about trophy wives to marry and touching their first genitalia ever from cadavers. This place, if it truly does exist, would be the opposite of medschoolhell.com --- but rather, medschoolheaven.com. Ahhhh Shanghri-La.

Of course, you have have noticed that in Gunneria, you'll be doing a lot of dreaming and fantasizing, because the reality is the light is perpetually at the end of the tunnel.

It's kind of like the story of Tantalus where Tantalus's punishment for his act, (the source of the word "tantalise"), was to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches. Whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches raised his intended meal from his grasp. Whenever he bent down to get a drink, the water receded before he could get any.

wtf...

 

[vanillabreen]

Yes, Mr. T is right for once. READ TPR and as Vanilla Breen said Memorize it. The First 4 chapters of TPR O-chem are GOLD. Really spend time on Chapter one because that will make you a master at Stereochemistry like R,S, enantiomers, diasteriosomers, etc. I really like how they explain the basics Sn1, aldol, carbocations.

Moreover, they delve into why hydroboration occurs with non-markovnikov by showing mechanisms. However, do all of TBR passages or at least as many as you can. Why? They're long and complicated and will force you to learn to wade through stuff and learn when you need to apply outside knowledge and when to use the passage.

In closing, after taking the MCAT on Friday here's why people said the passages are weird. A typical PS passage requires you to skim and most of the questions are discretes in disguise. On Friday, a lot of the passages didn't test your KNOWLEDGE. It was all UNDERSTAND the passage and the EQUATIONS IN THEM and apply. The key to doing well is to REFER to the passage and make inferences off it These suck at first, but TBR passages force you to do this time and time again.

To illustrate, in their chem passages, they have lots of experimental set ups where the only way you will answer a majority of the questions is to understand and reason based on conclusions. If you're like me this sucks because it is all intuition and not based on using your basic knowledge to come to a conclusion.

However, this is what the MCAT is trending because the old ways of testing us are to easy. Kids are thoroughly prepared and if they use standard methods a kid who normally gets 12-13 gets 12 plus. With this knew method, they most likely drop. Practice making inferences. If you can't buy TBR then buy GS tests because their tests have a ton of these types of questions and you'll be ready.

My long 2 cents

Very true!

If you understand TPR and memorize pretty much everything at least, nothing should phase you out in the MCAT. I never tried TBR because the book was too large and I only had less than 4 weeks to study plus a part time job so that large book was out of the question. But practice is key, so pick up those practice books from those other companies that people like theBoondocks recommend.

At the same time, I don't believe you need to know the complicated steps or mechanisms to do well in the MCAT because let's face it...the test has a time-limit and they won't ask you for anything too off the wall. Apart from the basic exceptions that is a MUST to memorize, the rest will be in a passage. Rather than memorizing content and wasting time, do practice that will force you into that mental state and force to to base your answers on the passage and your instincts. Learn how to master the art of elimination because during the MCAT...for a lot of the questions, that's all you can bring to table.

 

[ilayawake]

what about o chem from TPR cracking the CBT? Does anyone know how that is....

 

[Mister T]

what about o chem from TPR cracking the CBT? Does anyone know how that is....

It sucks balls. Return it and get the TPR Biological Sciences book from Amazon.

just type on amazon, "hyperlearning mcat" and you'll find some biological science books.

You can go as far back as 2005 without any differences whatsoever (they're exactly the same).

I paid $20.00 for mine.

 

[nds86]

So I have to agree with most of you regarding the long content review for Orgo in TBR than TPR. But I wanted to know if using TBR for g-chem, physics is a good idea. I have both TBR n TPR all books and so far I think its just the passages that are important part of the TBR rather than the content review. To me, TPR is a bit easier to understand for the all subjects. Any one else thinks the same or different?

 

[cpufreak3]

Oh man...that's a tough one. Organic Chemistry and I don't have a good relationship. You see...I try to get close to him, but he always turns against me and leaves me! 🙁

I've seen you on these forums for a LONG time so I know you must have been studying for a while at least. If you'd taken practice tests, you'd automatically realize what things are blatant point-makers and I'm pretty sure it's been said before what those are.

To give a short breakdown if you own the 2009 TPR Hyperlearning PS book...

Chapter 1- Structure and Bonding: Understand and memorize everything. Point-makers are "which of these are sp3, sp2, sp, etc. Or is this R or S? Diastereromers or Enantiomers?

Chapter 2 - Substitution and Elimination Reactions: UNDERSTAND and learn to recognize when what is used. This only comes from practice. So not a lot of memorization here...just understand.

Chapter 3 and 4 - Memorize the reactions. Understanding this chapter is ideal, but not if you are pressed on time (like I was; I only studied 3.5 weeks).

Chapter 5 - Lab Techniques and Spectroscopy - MEMORIZE ALL OF IT and UNDERSTAND IT!!! These are point-makers and the MCAT always asks 2-3 questions on it.

Chapter 6 - Try to memorize it. It came easy to me because I JUST took Biochemistry, but the MCAT loves carbohydrates and fatty acids (based on the last two times I took the exam.) So try to really understand and memorize the little details. Know that alpha and beta carbohydrates are anomers and they have hemiacetals and exist in equilibrium in mutarotation. The things I italicized are conceptual topics that are point-makers.

You basically get a feel for it after you take a lot of practice passages. As for Biology in general...Oh man, I'm prone to making silly mistakes. But have a good grasp of Genetics and remember, passages usually combine topics. So nothing is going to be solely Genetics; they usually have a Genetics passage but they give references to familiar things like the Cardiovascular, Immune, or Endocrine system.

Random facts always pop up to stop people from getting a perfect score. I'm lucky I took Physiology, Histology, Genetics, and that I remembered random facts from BIO II (so I have a better grasp of Evolution) but because I make silly errors, I never get over 10 🙁 BUT don't focus on trying to get those discrete odd-balls. If you get a question you've never seen before then take a deep breath, don't get anxious, don't make it seem like getting it wrong will ruin your test-experience. My best advice is: just learn to eliminate answers. Usually, if the question is totally off-base, something you NEVER came across, then the answer choices have familiar choices of which you can narrow down.

Like my boyfriend told me a million times: "If you're spending too much time on a question, you're over-thinking. STOP!" At that point, just go back to the basics, read the choices, and watch - the answers are glaring right at you.

Good luck! Don't sweat it.

Just a question, what are Ch 3, 4, and 6 about?

 

[JP2740]

So which TBR books would be recommended over TPRH for content review???

 

[LostInStudy]

So which TBR books would be recommended over TPRH for content review???

If you have the time and want to assure yourself the score on organic, then yes.

Hope this helps,

-LIS

 

[Mister T]

So which TBR books would be recommended over TPRH for content review???

TPR Physics and Gen chem and TBR Physics and Gen. Chem are both pretty good. You can't go wrong with either/or.

But TBR Orgo just sucks for content review. Just use their passages and thats it.

I didn't use TBR Bio or even TPR Bio because i have a good background in bio, so I'm using EK Bio + EK Bio 1001 for that.

If I feel that my Bio is not strong enough then I'll order some TBR and Gold Standard tests methinks.

 

[Mister T]

So I have to agree with most of you regarding the long content review for Orgo in TBR than TPR. But I wanted to know if using TBR for g-chem, physics is a good idea. I have both TBR n TPR all books and so far I think its just the passages that are important part of the TBR rather than the content review. To me, TPR is a bit easier to understand for the all subjects. Any one else thinks the same or different?

I think exactly the same way. 👍 So far I've just been reading TPRH content review for the most part and rereading some sections in TBR if TPRH didn't elaborate too well on something, and just using TBR for the passages.

So far I'm getting 13-15s on the BS sections, and it's not orgo that's killing me whatsover (and I suck at orgo got B-s in it). Orgo, is probably the last section that needs to be focused on to perfection on this exam if at all. As VanillaBreen said in this thread, a lot of the orgo passages on her test were nothing picky, a lot of intuition and basic stuff.

If it's teh case that my real test has 7 orgo passages then i'll just void and take it a 2nd time, but I'm not counting on any more than 2 orgo passages at the most, and that having read TPR Orgo and doing all the Science workbook problems for orgo and the TBR passages that i'll feel pretty ****ing confident as far as that goes.

 

[nds86]

I think exactly the same way. 👍 So far I've just been reading TPRH content review for the most part and rereading some sections in TBR if TPRH didn't elaborate too well on something, and just using TBR for the passages.

So far I'm getting 13-15s on the BS sections, and it's not orgo that's killing me whatsover (and I suck at orgo got B-s in it). Orgo, is probably the last section that needs to be focused on to perfection on this exam if at all. As VanillaBreen said in this thread, a lot of the orgo passages on her test were nothing picky, a lot of intuition and basic stuff.

If it's teh case that my real test has 7 orgo passages then i'll just void and take it a 2nd time, but I'm not counting on any more than 2 orgo passages at the most, and that having read TPR Orgo and doing all the Science workbook problems for orgo and the TBR passages that i'll feel pretty ****ing confident as far as that goes.

Yeah I hear what you saying. But I know u saw this but maybe few others did as well that the Jan 30th MCAT had like 4 Orgo Passages out of the 7 in BS. Now to me thats just ridiculous..more Orgo than Bio, what are these test makers thinking 😱. So bottom line, we need to get our ogranic down cold..reagardless of wat path we're taking.

As far the Bio is concerned, I'm using the TBR for it. So far it's okey. And is it me or those passages after each section of the TBR are a bit out of topic. They don't really ask you what you just reviewed in that chapter. Maybe its so that one can get a head start on other topics?...oh well..we'll see where we going with this schedule..😎

 

[Mister T]

Yeah I hear what you saying. But I know u saw this but maybe few others did as well that the Jan 30th MCAT had like 4 Orgo Passages out of the 7 in BS. Now to me thats just ridiculous..more Orgo than Bio, what are these test makers thinking 😱. So bottom line, we need to get our ogranic down cold..reagardless of wat path we're taking.

As far the Bio is concerned, I'm using the TBR for it. So far it's okey. And is it me or those passages after each section of the TBR are a bit out of topic. They don't really ask you what you just reviewed in that chapter. Maybe its so that one can get a head start on other topics?...oh well..we'll see where we going with this schedule..😎

I don't recall that had 4 passages, maybe more like 2 or 3? I remember not worrying about it too much and the people who took the test told me that the orgo was very easy (like Vanillabreen said above)

Just to be clear, I am using the TBR orgo passages, just not the TBR content review. I find that I spent too much time just slowly digesting each sentence and breaking it down to remember it the day of the test, but then a day or two later ending up forgetting most of it anyways.

 

[JP2740]

Do you think it's a dumb idea to read both TPRH and TBR for gen chem and physics? I read everything first in TPR then do it in Berkeley some time later. I thought it might be good to attack it from multiple angles.

 

[Mister T]

Do you think it's a dumb idea to read both TPRH and TBR for gen chem and physics? I read everything first in TPR then do it in Berkeley some time later. I thought it might be good to attack it from multiple angles.

You have to go with your gut feeling. Do you know a given topic pretty well? Do you feel you understood the basics in TPRH? Then probably not.

If you felt that TPRH was weak in a given section, then read up on TBR, but imo it's overkill to double read the same exact stuff if you already understand it.

The concepts for what the MCAT tests are not hard, it's the questions (and thus drilling) that will give you the best benefits.

 

[LostInStudy]

You have to go with your gut feeling. Do you know a given topic pretty well? Do you feel you understood the basics in TPRH? Then probably not.

If you felt that TPRH was weak in a given section, then read up on TBR, but imo it's overkill to double read the same exact stuff if you already understand it.

The concepts for what the MCAT tests are not hard, it's the questions (and thus drilling) that will give you the best benefits.

Agreed. More useful to practice than keep going over content review and hoping it clicks. A way to bypass the guy feeling is to do a bunch of practice problems and see how you do on that subject. Sometimes for concepts you don't understand, doing problems can help identify where your facts/logic about the subject is flawed.

Hope this helps,

-LIS

 

[JP2740]

Well I got a 9 on my diagnostic for biological sciences so I probably don't need anything more than Princeton for bio and orgo, but I got a 7 on physical sciences, then on the next one dropped to a 5 (bio stayed at 9 but I scored more right). So I think I will read both princeton and berkeley for the physical sciences, but stick with princeton for biological sciences because it's more brief and use both for passages.

 

[nds86]

Anyone who is currently studying using a planned schedule, their own or something similar to Sn2Ed (3 or 4-month), I wanted to know if it make sense to read all the chapters first for all the subjects then attack the problems (problems passages from BR, Ek 30 min exams, Ek 1001, TPR Workbook, then finally AAMC FL). When I mean reading chapters, I'm talking about reading plus taking notes on important concepts, formulas, something that is always tested on the MCAT.

So basically if one is studying from Organic-chem from TPRH, they can finish the entire section (chap 1-6) in about 2 weeks max/ with good notes. Then after that they can devote all the time to the ques from the sources they have. Can anyone please give me their feedback on this? Did anyone ever do this? Adv/disadvag....thanks!

 

[Mister T]

Anyone who is currently studying using a planned schedule, their own or something similar to Sn2Ed (3 or 4-month), I wanted to know if it make sense to read all the chapters first for all the subjects then attack the problems (problems passages from BR, Ek 30 min exams, Ek 1001, TPR Workbook, then finally AAMC FL). When I mean reading chapters, I'm talking about reading plus taking notes on important concepts, formulas, something that is always tested on the MCAT.

So basically if one is studying from Organic-chem from TPRH, they can finish the entire section (chap 1-6) in about 2 weeks max/ with good notes. Then after that they can devote all the time to the ques from the sources they have. Can anyone please give me their feedback on this? Did anyone ever do this? Adv/disadvag....thanks!

don't do it.

 

[LostInStudy]

Anyone who is currently studying using a planned schedule, their own or something similar to Sn2Ed (3 or 4-month), I wanted to know if it make sense to read all the chapters first for all the subjects then attack the problems (problems passages from BR, Ek 30 min exams, Ek 1001, TPR Workbook, then finally AAMC FL). When I mean reading chapters, I'm talking about reading plus taking notes on important concepts, formulas, something that is always tested on the MCAT.

So basically if one is studying from Organic-chem from TPRH, they can finish the entire section (chap 1-6) in about 2 weeks max/ with good notes. Then after that they can devote all the time to the ques from the sources they have. Can anyone please give me their feedback on this? Did anyone ever do this? Adv/disadvag....thanks!

I think it's best to split up the work. Do some while you're content reviewing to make sure that you understand it so you can move on. Then once you're done with everything, finish the practice you have left. So for example, do what you can do in each subject in one day and then the next day do Phase I for that subject in TBR and/or some EK 1001 and/or TPR Workbook if you have time. Then repeat this for all the subjects. Then once you're done with content review, finish up what you have or finish it in between FLs. I think if you do your content review straight then you're in danger of not understanding what you're reading while you're actually reading it which basically wastes your time because when you do problems and get those questions wrong then you need to go back and reread everything again because you didn't fully understand it to begin with. Practicing while reviewing helps avoid this.

Just an opinion,

-LIS

 

[nds86]

I think it's best to split up the work. Do some while you're content reviewing to make sure that you understand it so you can move on. Then once you're done with everything, finish the practice you have left. So for example, do what you can do in each subject in one day and then the next day do Phase I for that subject in TBR and/or some EK 1001 and/or TPR Workbook if you have time. Then repeat this for all the subjects. Then once you're done with content review, finish up what you have or finish it in between FLs. I think if you do your content review straight then you're in danger of not understanding what you're reading while you're actually reading it which basically wastes your time because when you do problems and get those questions wrong then you need to go back and reread everything again because you didn't fully understand it to begin with. Practicing while reviewing helps avoid this.

Just an opinion,

-LIS

Thanks. I appreciate it. I was thinking to do the content review first was because originally I was going to take the exam in about 1.5 month so I just wanted to finish the studying material fast... but now I'll be taking it in June. So now that I have more time, I might just use the TBR for everything...because I realized that the topics don't match when doing the passages from the TBR and content review from TPRH.