Horrible AAMC FL #3 and #4 Score

[Sm0ke]

I'm currently on day 72 of the SN2 study schedule and just noticed my score for AAMC FL #4 is 17. FL #3 was the first MCAT test I ever took after I finished content review . I scored a 15 on FL #3 and I was hoping it was just a fluke but my score on FL #4 is just as bad. I did ~2 months of content review with TBR and I was doing decent on all the practice passages, including EK101 and TPRH workbook for verbal.

I'm currently registered to take the MCAT on August 16. According to the SN2 MCAT study schedule, I'm supposed to take AAMC FL #5 in 2 days. I was considering buying the self-assessment package from AAMC and doing those passages before I proceed to take FL #5 and waste anymore practice tests. Should I continue doing practice passages and taking practice tests until my MCAT on August 16 or should I consider postponing the exam until January/February after I graduate in December? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

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[Fivo]

If you're not in a rush or deadset on applying this year, then DEFINITELY postpone til next year. I usually advocate for people to postpone a couple of months and still apply this year, but in your case, a 15 then a 17 this late in the cycle is low enough to warrant a complete revamp of your studying habits. Whatever you're doing is clearly not working. Either come up with a new strategy or fine-tune your current one. Do not waste any more practice tests before you get a better understanding of the content. Good luck

 

[BB8730]

If you're not in a rush or deadset on applying this year, then DEFINITELY postpone til next year.

👍

 

[BABSstudent]

I'm currently on day 72 of the SN2 study schedule and just noticed my score for AAMC FL #4 is 17. FL #3 was the first MCAT test I ever took after I finished content review . I scored a 15 on FL #3 and I was hoping it was just a fluke but my score on FL #4 is just as bad. I did ~2 months of content review with TBR and I was doing decent on all the practice passages, including EK101 and TPRH workbook for verbal.

I'm currently registered to take the MCAT on August 16. According to the SN2 MCAT study schedule, I'm supposed to take AAMC FL #5 in 2 days. I was considering buying the self-assessment package from AAMC and doing those passages before I proceed to take FL #5 and waste anymore practice tests. Should I continue doing practice passages and taking practice tests until my MCAT on August 16 or should I consider postponing the exam until January/February after I graduate in December? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Postpone!!! You low scores suggest that you are not understanding the basic science of the test. Try to get a refund or take the test and void.

 

[Sm0ke]

If you're not in a rush or deadset on applying this year, then DEFINITELY postpone til next year. I usually advocate for people to postpone a couple of months and still apply this year, but in your case, a 15 then a 17 this late in the cycle is low enough to warrant a complete revamp of your studying habits. Whatever you're doing is clearly not working. Either come up with a new strategy or fine-tune your current one. Do not waste any more practice tests before you get a better understanding of the content. Good luck

Thank you for your advice. I'm only planning on applying to SMP programs this year. The application for my top choice SMP program opens in October and the minimum MCAT requirement is a 27. I suppose the best decision would be to postpone the exam until January and maybe switch to TPR for content review.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Thank you for your advice. I'm only planning on applying to SMP programs this year. The application for my top choice SMP program opens in October and the minimum MCAT requirement is a 27. I suppose the best decision would be to postpone the exam until January and maybe switch to TPR for content review.

I'm not sure if switching prep materials is going to help. To study for 2 months and come away with a 15 and 17 on your first two FLs after content review strongly suggests that it was the way you were studying that's the real problem. You need to examine your habits and methods over the last two months to figure out what went wrong, or else you probably won't fare much better.

 

[Fivo]

Thank you for your advice. I'm only planning on applying to SMP programs this year. The application for my top choice SMP program opens in October and the minimum MCAT requirement is a 27. I suppose the best decision would be to postpone the exam until January and maybe switch to TPR for content review.

I'm not sure if switching prep materials is going to help. To study for 2 months and come away with a 15 and 17 on your first two FLs after content review strongly suggests that it was the way you were studying that's the real problem. You need to examine your habits and methods over the last two months to figure out what went wrong, or else you probably won't fare much better.

Definitely this man. Though some people might prefer TPR to TBR, either alone should not be the cause of sub-20 score. Basically, they are very similar in that they have their weaknesses and strengths, but either one, with proper studying techniques, can land you a 27+ score. I agree that you don't need to change books, but instead the way you studied. However, if you are waiting and you do have money, I guess you could glance through some TPR books and see if you like those better? Either way you have a lot of work ahead of you. Good luck in your decision and hopefully you update us on your progression.

👍

 

[Sm0ke]

Thank you to everyone who posted. All of your comments have been extremely beneficial. I assumed I had done a thorough content review because I was doing decent on practice passages. I'm going to review all the TBR materials again, buy the AAMC self-assessment package, and most likely reschedule the MCAT for January 2013. I might also pick up the TPR science book to aid in content review. I hope I can come back to this thread with positive results some day.