For those who did TBR...

[dartmed]

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This question was probably asked before...but I just want a reassurance for those who took the MCAT recently.

So, I have been doing their practice BS passages and I have been getting 10 wrong for every 5 passages (out of approximately 40 questions). How accurate is their scale? If I am aiming for a 12...am I on the right track?

Were the MCAT passages similar or a little easier...because some passages in TBR are just tough. Any input from those who did TBR and took the MCAT recently?

 

[muhali3]

I never scored below a 12 on BS on the AAMCs. But in TBR Bio I rarely got a 10+.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

TBR is tough, there's no doubt about that. I never scored below a 11 on BS on the AAMC FLs, but I would routinely get my butt kicked by TBR Bio (I think my average might have been worse than yours at some points, haha).

TBR introduces a LOT of detail in its passages, which is the main factor (I feel) in tripping a lot of people up, but I think it helped me to know how to read through tough passages even when I didn't totally know what was going on.

 

[PingPongPro]

I think TBR should just get rid of the whole "scale" they put before each section passages. I think you are on the right track. It can't be stressed enough, but make sure to focus on learning from the passages rather than using it as a measuring stick.

They are a great source of learning, and I often got like 50% on the Bio sections, but I still did well on practice tests. I can't really say that they are similar, but they will prepare u well nonetheless.

 

[AntonFreeman]

if you miss questions due to little details, then it should be ok. but you should really learn how to analyze passages and graphs from tbr. try to get used to seeing dense passages and paragraphs.

 

[coyotelime]

Yeah that's fine you can definitely get 12s. Good luck!

 

[Swagster]

All I can say is that after all the times I dropped f-bombs on BR while I was practicing, it paid off in the end. There is no way I would have done as well yesterday if it weren't for their way of mixing things together and asking things in an atypical way. Don't worry about your scores. Worry about learning from their questions by going over their explanations with a fine-toothed comb.

 

[medceg]

The Berkeley Review books, especially Biology, have tough questions. But it really gets your mind thinking on the right track. Like others said, don't even pay attention to their scale because it is near useless.

I like ExamKraker's Biology in addition to TBR's other books.

 

[dartmed]

Did any of you use TBR Bio for content?

I am currently using TPR Biology Content Review for content review. I think it's good, but is it enough?

 

[kehlsh]

Did any of you use TBR Bio for content?

I am currently using TPR Biology Content Review for content review. I think it's good, but is it enough?

HOPE THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME TO SAY THIS (on behalf of SDN's general consensus): TPR BIO for content is more than enough

But remember, content should take only about 10-20% of the prep!
This does not mean you should neglect the content, but rather you have to spend that much more time doing passages/problems/FLs and going over them.

 

[dartmed]

One more question:

I am planning out a schedule, and it seems like I need to prioritize what I need to do first.

I want to go through TBR practice passages thoroughly and TPRH Verbal and EK Verbal and then start taking Kaplan FL 1-6 and then AAMC.

I also have the TPR Science Workbook...do I have to go through this to be in good shape? Or is the above practice material more than enough? I don't know if I will have enough time to focus on the Science Workbook...if I do I would have to procrastinate on my test till February/March...what do you guys think?

 

[ak21]

i credit my 12 in BS solely to TBR.

 

[CyberMaxx]

Dartmed, like others have said, the TBR biology books are excellent for preparing you but not for predicting your score. I decided to exclusively use the Berkeley Review for my biology content review and was constantly frustrated at scoring around 6 or 7 on their practice tests. However, when I started to take AAMC practice tests I averaged around 12.

Try not to be discouraged by the score and just examine why you got questions wrong. I would recommend though, if you feel like you're burning out because of constantly getting questions wrong, switch books.

 

[Sailor Senshi Dermystify]

HOPE THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME TO SAY THIS (on behalf of SDN's general consensus): TPR BIO for content is more than enough

But remember, content should take only about 10-20% of the prep!
This does not mean you should neglect the content, but rather you have to spend that much more time doing passages/problems/FLs and going over them.

I am using both TBR Bio and sometimes EK and TPRH. I love TBR Bio even though it's heavy detailed 🙂. But that's my personal preference though