given the material a 'once over', where do I go from here?

[utdallasguy2006]

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So as of right now, I've given all the MCAT material a once over, thru TPR class/books and other resources I've used. I took AAMC 3R on my own, and while I didn't do as well as I'd hoped (VR 8, PS 8, BS 10) for that test, since everyone says it's by far the easiest of the AAMC tests, I know that I'm feeling better than I did a few weeks ago. I'm trying to hit that '30' mark, and I really don't want to have to take it in August '06, so I'm trying to figure out how to maximize these 9 weeks or so left. So since I have actually finished all of the passages in the TPR science workbook and such, I'm wondering where do I go from here: focus on a 'slow and thorough' reading on each of the chapters in the TPR book, or find more practice problems to do from anywhere? I'm going over all the workbook stand-alone problems, and the workbook passage problems (I've heard to emphasize those more than the stand alones), but I'm wondering what the best way to approach things now are. Thanks.

 

[utdallasguy2006]

Gujudoc,

Thanks for the fast reply.


As for the EK 101 book, I've gone through about 6 tests (mostly 9's, with an 8 sprinkled here and there). They are very useful, though not much of a confidence booster, since I want to hit that 10 mark in verbal.


As for the TPR science workbook, like I said, I've finished well ahead of the TPR syllabus, so I have all the practice problems and passages finished, but each day I'm going over the ones I've missed and what not.


Another question: a TPR instructor recommended to me to NOT do a "slow and thorough" reading of each topic, instead focusing primarily on getting my hands on as many practice passages and problems as possible, and doing them. Where do you stand on that?


Thanks again.

 

[Anastasis]

Well I wonder... were your wrong answers on your exam an example of "Wow I'm so nervous about this test and I'm not used to this format" or a "Crap - how do I do that again? Man I can't remember"

I hope that makes sense. If you're getting lower than you would like and it's because you're sure of what you know but unfamilar with the exam, then I say go for the practice exams. But if you really have no clue how to work some of the problems, it might be better to focus on really understanding the parts you're getting hung up on.

Either way:

 

[utdallasguy2006]

Allright, I'll lay it out on the line.

I've taken two TPR diags (was enrolled in their early start class in February), so it's not like 3R was my first test.


If I had to honestly assess why I missed most of the questions on 3R, I would say it was more often than not because of stupid mistakes, not extrapolating the information correctly, etc, and not because I didn't flat out know the material. I'm not the best test taker precisely because I tend to second guess myself often. I wouldn't say that I was nervous, either.

So I really am wondering where do I go from here. It's not like when I finished the TPR workbook passages and questions, that I didn't review the answers that I missed and such. I did review. And now I'm basically just going over each section of the workbook, and looking over questions I've gotten wrong.

When I looked at the diag score reports and how I did on 3R, I see that I do well in certain stretches, but then inevitably have a bad stretch.


So I guess to sum it all up, I was planning on working practice passages from other review books that I have, and then reviewing the concepts that I tend to get wrong. I guess I just worry about having difficulty applying the knowledge that I have to when I take the passages.

Perhaps it's more of a problem with critical reading more than anything else. I'm not sure.

 

[utdallasguy2006]

I get the feeling that it is more a lack of focus and stamina than not knowing the material as well; although I know I'm not 100% on the material, I'm well aware of the fact that I "space out" sometimes during passages, and lose my focus.


As far as practice passages go....the other sources of material I have are the big Kaplan Comprehensive Review book (and their full length test inside, and whatever questions), a few of the thin Kaplan Review Note books, and a 1998 Flowers and Silver Princeton Review Comprehensive Book. Most of those are stand alone questions that aren't passage related. Should I be doing those and timing them still, or are there other sources you recommend I work from? Thanks.