EK 101 Verbal - Cant Complete Tests

[wasvsdal]

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I just took the first two verbal tests in the EK 101 book, and I was 2 passages short (~10 questions) in each of those two passages. After finishing the test, I got 8 on the first one and 9 on the second. Does this get better with practice?

What is the best strategy to rip through these verbal passages? Some of my mistakes were def. careless and I think I can def push my score up 1-3 points from 8/9. But speed is my biggest concern right now, because if I am leaving two passages then I can subtract 1-3 points from 8/9.

 

[NickNaylor]

Definitely gets better with practice. Don't panic. Almost all of the VR passages have the same sort of feel for them even though they might be discussing different topics. If you're just starting, give it some time before you start to freak out.

I don't really have any specific tips since VR is very personal and almost everyone does their own thong. Try strategies until you find something that works. If something isn't working, don't be afraid to try something else (this is despite what's said in the EK VR manual).

Good luck!

 

[SN2ed]

As ColeOnTheRoll mentioned, you'll get better with practice. Though I do agree that you should find the verbal method that works for you, you should have that technique down well before your test. If you continually jump from strategy to strategy, you won't get anywhere.

For some specific verbal strategy tips, check out the verbal help threads in the MCAT Guide Sticky: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=7723925&postcount=2

Vihsadas's guide is a good one to start with.

 

[IDreamtIChased]

Speed was always my problem too. No matter how much practice I did, I was never able to finish all the passages (and I did a LOT of practice!!). Some of us are just slow readers 🙁 (but as cole said, practice helps!)

On the actual mcat I had 3.5 min for the last passage.

 

[MilkIsGood]

Speed was always my problem too. No matter how much practice I did, I was never able to finish all the passages (and I did a LOT of practice!!). Some of us are just slow readers 🙁 (but as cole said, practice helps!)

On the actual mcat I had 3.5 min for the last passage.

practice def helps. ive been consistently getting 8 min per passage, which is a good rate to aim for. about 3 min to read the passage and the rest to answer ques.

 

[vickpick]

What is the view on te quality of these ek 101 passages compared to the real stuff? I'm taking my exam in Jan, should I invest?

 

[NYR56]

If you are having timing problems, it means you are spending way too much time on the questions, and you probably are going back to the passage numerous times. Referring back to the passage uses precious time and often misleads you to an incorrect answer anyway. Only use this technique EXTREMELY sparingly. Also, if you are stuck on a question, after ~20 seconds of thinking, pick what you think is best, mark it, and move on. If you have time at the end, go back.

Vickpick, EK 101 passages are the best practice you can have for the MCAT. The passages are extremely close to the real thing; I highly recommend you get a copy.