How can I avoid letting frustration slow me down (especially with Examkrackers 30 minute exams)?

[osckey]

I really need some input here. I am finishing up my content review (which should be done by this weekend) but I have consistently been scoring low on my MCAT 30 minute Examkrackers test. I consistently score 9-10 on each test with a 7 one time and a 12 another time. I'm noticing that most of my wrong answers tend to come from the first passage of each 30 minute test where I am getting slaughtered. Usually 5-6 wrong on the first passage right off the bat. When it comes to the other passages it is a completely different story and I may have a COMBINED 4-5 wrong.

The frustration these exams cause can be exhausting to me.

Has anyone else experienced this? Am I doing something wrong or are these tests notoriously over-difficult? When it comes to the actual material of the lectures, I can follow along easily with the questions interspersed within the subject text and I feel confident when finishing the chapter; and then I reach the 30 minute exam and get demolished. I'm trying to gauge what the problem is here: me or the test?

F.Y.I - I am doing self study using primarily Examkrackers and supplementing with Princeton Review when necessary (physics and chemistry). My MCAT date is April 24, and these low scores are concerning me.

I appreciate any help concerning this matter. I really, really do.

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[Roxas]

I really need some input here. I am finishing up my content review (which should be done by this weekend) but I have consistently been scoring low on my MCAT 30 minute Examkrackers test. I consistently score 9-10 on each test with a 7 one time and a 12 another time. I'm noticing that most of my wrong answers tend to come from the first passage of each 30 minute test where I am getting slaughtered. Usually 5-6 wrong on the first passage right off the bat. When it comes to the other passages it is a completely different story and I may have a COMBINED 4-5 wrong.

The frustration these exams cause can be exhausting to me.

Has anyone else experienced this? Am I doing something wrong or are these tests notoriously over-difficult? When it comes to the actual material of the lectures, I can follow along easily with the questions interspersed within the subject text and I feel confident when finishing the chapter; and then I reach the 30 minute exam and get demolished. I'm trying to gauge what the problem is here: me or the test?

F.Y.I - I am doing self study using primarily Examkrackers and supplementing with Princeton Review when necessary (physics and chemistry). My MCAT date is April 24, and these low scores are concerning me.

I appreciate any help concerning this matter. I really, really do.

I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. If your wrong answers are front-heavy, just try to take a deep breath or something before you start because your nerves might be getting to you. I would just keep chugging and get more comfortable doing times passages, and try and adjust where you can.

The only EK 30 minute exams I did were Bio, and I did think some of the questions were total garbage, so it could just be the material itself. Wait til you take a FL or 2 before you freak out.

 

[Sammy1024]

Is it that you're having difficult with a certain topic? Maybe that topic is something you need to read more on, possibly BR?

If it's just that every time that first passage is just a killer, maybe you should try going in reverse? If you're still getting the first passage wrong (going in reverse) you need to take a deep breathe, hold it in for 5 seconds, let it out, and tell yourself that this is it, going to get that 15 and take the 30 minute thing. :]

 

[osckey]

It's not necessarily with any topic, it's consistent across the board. Usually when reviewing the wrong answers I have an "oh of course" kind of reaction. So I think it is that I know the info and I need to calm down.

Also, some of the questions are worded with a great deal of complexity that can leave me confused as to what the question is even asking or how it is relevant to what was covered in the lecture. Out of eagerness to see where I stood in my studying I took AAMCA 4 (I know, I should have waited until I finished my content review), four weeks ago and got a 28 (9-9-10). I'm looking to improve that score by at least 5-6 points before test day April 24.

Orgo review is done and I'm working on finishing physics and biology content review by this weekend. Do you feel that your performance on these tests are reflective of your score/how confident you really feel about the material?

 

[Sammy1024]

Most people feel that AAMC is more reflective that'll any other test. Try taking the AAMC assessments to be sure that you're solid on everything.