Help me defeat my Arch Nemesis: Physics

[christinalouise]

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I've searched through the forums and haven't seen a similar thread (recently anyways), so I apologize if there has been one and I've missed it.

I have been studying part time for the past 8 or 9 weeks and have my MCAT scheduled for June 13. I feel confident (or on my way) in all of the sections except for physics. I haven't taken a single physics course (not in high school, not in university, not in grad school. Nada. Zilch). So of course this is giving me major issues. I am working with TBR as resource material (will start writing the AAMC practice exams in the coming weeks) but end up demoralized when I do the practice questions.

So for those of you who fought the same nemesis or those of you who have a good grasp on physics (wizards!), could you point me in the direction of any physics resource you think would help? I learn formula-based material best through practicing questions from every possible angle so is the EK Phys 1001 questions worth it? Is there an online resource, a great study resource, a great book, etc?

Thanks so much for any and all of your help!
(and I understand many schools require university level physics but obviously I won't be applying to them)

 

[shahcoco]

Things people like: hyperphysics, chad's videos, khan academy

 

[daking]

EK 1001 is great for starters

 

[butters221]

The kaplan high yield problem examples were pretty good.

I don't understand why you are opposed to physics? Although I am still unsure if there are actually med schools that do not require physics, I assume that schools not requiring physics are not only rare, but probably not great schools. You should reconsider not taking physics. Not only will it open up tons of schools for you, but I'm sure you will do much better on the MCAT because of it. Also it is pretty interesting, but that is my own opinion...

 

[christinalouise]

I am Canadian and am limiting myself to Canadian schools. There are only two (University of Alberta and McGill University) which absolutely require Physics. There are still good Canadian medical schools I can apply to (Queen's, University of Toronto, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa).

I am absolutely not the strongest math student, so I never had an affinity towards Physics even in high school. It is just a flat out struggle. I knew Chemistry would have more relevance later on so I pushed through it. But it's the formula manipulation I have issues with. I've considered upgrading but this means I need to upgrade both my high school Physics and and University level Physics which would take a year or two of my time.

Flat out, I need some extra resources so I can catch up and have a deep enough understanding to perform well on the MCAT.

Thanks so much for your suggestions!

 

[John2448]

Use Kaplan the first time around....It's the most basic and straightforward (along with khan) and afterwards berkely review is great

 

[inasensegone]

I am Canadian and am limiting myself to Canadian schools. There are only two (University of Alberta and McGill University) which absolutely require Physics. There are still good Canadian medical schools I can apply to (Queen's, University of Toronto, University of Calgary, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa).

I am absolutely not the strongest math student, so I never had an affinity towards Physics even in high school. It is just a flat out struggle. I knew Chemistry would have more relevance later on so I pushed through it. But it's the formula manipulation I have issues with. I've considered upgrading but this means I need to upgrade both my high school Physics and and University level Physics which would take a year or two of my time.

Flat out, I need some extra resources so I can catch up and have a deep enough understanding to perform well on the MCAT.

Thanks so much for your suggestions!

First and foremost, you are going to have to spend SIGNIFICANTLY more time on physics than someone who took Physics in University. That much seems obvious to you, but I had to state that as a preface to my advice because my advice of course entails a lot of review. My 2 cents:

Given what I know now, and my familiarity with just about all the prep material except for Kaplan, I would suggest the following:

I would review a chapter in Nova Physics, do the problems for that chapter, and then read the corresponding chapter in Berkeley Review (and of course do those problems especially). If I still had trouble with the topic, I would use Wikipremed. I have used Nova's, Berkeley Review, Wikipremed, Examkrackers, Princeton Review, Youtube from various sources, and Hyperphysics. In the end, my advice is that above. Now, since I had all these resources, on some subjects I actually consulted all of them just to make sure I had a solid understanding of the material. If I were to choose the content of just 2 of them though, I would choose Nova and TBR. Wikipremed is absolutely awesome, but the content is a bunch of flashcards and some videos, so I wouldn't count that as a textbook that you have to review.

Also, Nova's Physics is about 38$ on Amazon, Wikipremed is free, and TBR is variable depending on if you buy your books used or not and who you buy them from.

Good luck!

 

[brood910]

EK 1001 sucks. Just my opinion.
Use TPRH + TBR for PS.

 

[madmuttal]

TBR for PS for sure;

I would use wiki physics flashcards...they are gold mine!! very helpful....

 

[christinalouise]

Thanks so much!