How long does it take you to complete TBR passages?

[ilovemcat]

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I plan on saving TBR passages for practice during my last few weeks before the MCAT. I'd like to plan my time accordingly. How long did it take you to finish and review them? Do you think dedicating 2 weeks to complete all the passages in TBR Physics, Organic, and Gen Chemistry sections will be okay? That's about 300 passages lol or 20 a day.

 

[LostInStudy]

No, even coming from me, it seems impossible. It took me about 20 mins to do and review each passage. So for 20 a day would take about 400 minutes or more than 5 hours which seems unreasonable because at that time you should be concentrating on AAMC tests. Do Phase I and II as you do content review and save only phase III for the last few weeks.

Hope this helps,

-LIS

 

[Don Draper]

I believe the BR passages should be used to master sciences and test skills rather than to mimic your MCAT. The FLs are there to simulate the test. So I wouldn't try to preserve the passages. Use them.

Based on strengths and weaknesses, your timing may change.

Time per passage: 7-10 min
Review time per passage: 5-15 min

So I would just take an average which would be around 20 min a passage (as LIS said). That would be around 7 hours. FLs are more appropriate close to the exam. You must know your own work capacity to answer this question.

 

[ilovemcat]

Ah, let me clarify lol. My last 2 weeks will be spent doing AAMC FLs #3 - 10. I planned on delaying BR passages for 2 weeks prior to me taking the AAMC FLs (which basically is a month before my MCAT date). I figured by then, I would have mastered the content and I'd benefit most by saving those for last since they are considered to be the most difficult. I should also mention, I'm using TPRH science workbook and EK 1001s during my content review to make sure I'm grasping the material. Thank you both for the advice. I'll try to squeeze BR with my other practice materials.

 

[LostInStudy]

I believe the BR passages should be used to master sciences and test skills rather than to mimic your MCAT. The FLs are there to simulate the test. So I wouldn't try to preserve the passages. Use them.

Based on strengths and weaknesses, your timing may change.

Time per passage: 7-10 min
Review time per passage: 5-15 min

So I would just take an average which would be around 20 min a passage (as LIS said). That would be around 7 hours. FLs are more appropriate close to the exam. You must know your own work capacity to answer this question.

Nicely said, that's what I left out. Thanks Don. OP, the TBR are harder but they should be used to master and learn the material NOT to mimic it. That's why the AAMCs and Phase III are there. But while you're taking FLs, even on off days you should not practice more than 5 hours a day because you will not only burn out but possibly tire you brain out before the test. Towards the end, your days should consist of taking FLs and reviewing them very thoroughly and then working a few problems to cover your weaknesses. The majority of your practice (excluding FL questions) should NOT be at the end. I think SN2ed and BerkReviewTeach would agree with me on that.

On a side note, do you guys think I should open a thread for questions about me? Before I got my scores I got about a PM a day and laid out schedules for guys like eez, acsheldor, and 4 or 5 others but now since I've gotten my score back that number has increased at least 5 or 6 fold and my PM box has gotten full twice in two weeks after I deleted over half the messages. Maybe I could post a thread with previous posts about my studying and answer any questions posted, then when I finish my 30+ post and scores spreadsheet I can post it there too.

Anyway, hope this helps,

-LIS

 

[LostInStudy]

Ah, let me clarify lol. My last 2 weeks will be spent doing AAMC FLs #3 - 10. I planned on delaying BR passages for 2 weeks prior to me taking the AAMC FLs (which basically is a month before my MCAT date). I figured by then, I would have mastered the content and I'd benefit most by saving those for last since they are considered to be the most difficult. I should also mention, I'm using TPRH science workbook and EK 1001s during my content review to make sure I'm grasping the material. Thank you both for the advice. I'll try to squeeze BR with my other practice materials.

Man, get on the TPR Science Workbook. That thing was immensely helpful but it was a royal pain to go through because it has so many freaking passages.

-LIS

 

[Don Draper]

On a side note, do you guys think I should open a thread for questions about me? Before I got my scores I got about a PM a day and laid out schedules for guys like eez, acsheldor, and 4 or 5 others but now since I've gotten my score back that number has increased at least 5 or 6 fold and my PM box has gotten full twice in two weeks after I deleted over half the messages. Maybe I could post a thread with previous posts about my studying and answer any questions posted, then when I finish my 30+ post and scores spreadsheet I can post it there too.

Anyway, hope this helps,

-LIS

I definitely think you should start a thread. ASAP.

 

[coach55]

LIS, I have all the TBR books but what do people mean by phase I, II, III ?

 

[Don Draper]

Man, get on the TPR Science Workbook. That thing was immensely helpful but it was a royal pain to go through because it has so many freaking passages.

-LIS

I pretty much only have time for BR but if I wanted to punish myself I could go through some of the TPR Science Workbook.

You would still say BR > TPR SWBK for Ochem/Gchem/Phys passages, correct?

 

[ilovemcat]

Nicely said, that's what I left out. Thanks Don. OP, the TBR are harder but they should be used to master and learn the material NOT to mimic it. That's why the AAMCs and Phase III are there. But while you're taking FLs, even on off days you should not practice more than 5 hours a day because you will not only burn out but possibly tire you brain out before the test. Towards the end, your days should consist of taking FLs and reviewing them very thoroughly and then working a few problems to cover your weaknesses. The majority of your practice (excluding FL questions) should NOT be at the end. I think SN2ed and BerkReviewTeach would agree with me on that.

On a side note, do you guys think I should open a thread for questions about me? Before I got my scores I got about a PM a day and laid out schedules for guys like eez, acsheldor, and 4 or 5 others but now since I've gotten my score back that number has increased at least 5 or 6 fold and my PM box has gotten full twice in two weeks after I deleted over half the messages. Maybe I could post a thread with previous posts about my studying and answer any questions posted, then when I finish my 30+ post and scores spreadsheet I can post it there too.

Anyway, hope this helps,

-LIS

Definetly dude. Do it! I've been waiting for your post on the 30+ thread for days now, but you never got around to posting it. I'd like to incorporate your study habits into my schedule, especially since we've used the same material.

 

[LostInStudy]

Well, I want to make sure there is a need for it before I spend a significant amount of time going through all my previous posts and picking out the helpful ones. So if I can get at least 4 more people then I'll do it. Also, it wouldn't be my official post yet, it would be some previous posts and Q&A type thing until I can get that post done which is going to take me a little while.

-LIS

 

[LostInStudy]

Look on the TBR scores and discussion thread on the first page of the MCAT forum. The phases are the order to do the passages in. It's a PDF that CAPN Jazz posted.

-LIS

 

[coach55]

Well, I want to make sure there is a need for it before I spend a significant amount of time going through all my previous posts and picking out the helpful ones. So if I can get at least 4 more people then I'll do it. Also, it wouldn't be my official post yet, it would be some previous posts and Q&A type thing until I can get that post done which is going to take me a little while.

-LIS

Yeah I think you should do it too. Especially focusing on the differences btween TBR & TPR (passages) since you used both.

 

[ilovemcat]

Well, I want to make sure there is a need for it before I spend a significant amount of time going through all my previous posts and picking out the helpful ones. So if I can get at least 4 more people then I'll do it. Also, it wouldn't be my official post yet, it would be some previous posts and Q&A type thing until I can get that post done which is going to take me a little while.

-LIS

Person 1: Omg Lost, do it.
Person 2: Totally dude. Make it happen.
Person 3: Yeah lost, count me in.
Person 4: Me too!

This is not weird at all. ...and that's 4 more people.

 

[coach55]

I bet he started creating a thread already 😀

Btw, thanks LIS, I figured out the phase thing I was asking earlier..

 

[LostInStudy]

I bet he started creating a thread already 😀

Btw, thanks LIS, I figured out the phase thing I was asking earlier..

Aren't you the clever one. I'll have it up by the weekend. So either tomorrow or Saturday.

-LIS

 

[coach55]

Aren't you the clever one. I'll have it up by the weekend. So either tomorrow or Saturday.

-LIS

lol...
btw, what's your opinion on the
"BR > TPR SWBK for Ochem/Gchem/Phys passages" question that was asked earlier ?

 

[LostInStudy]

Did I forget to answer that?

For practice, yes. But the TPR is still an amazing resource that I think people shouldn't choose either one or the other but use both to compliment each other. TBR has only hard passages which can be good and bad because although it does prepare you for the hard stuff, that's not exactly how the test is. TPR does a better job at giving you the spectrum that you'll see on AAMCS and on the real thing. Not all of your passages are going to be TBR hard. A few will but some will be easy and some will be in the middle and that's exactly what TPR has.

Also as far as Bio goes: TPR>>EK 1001 Bio>TBR for passages. I think they all are used for different purposes. TPR tests content and passage comprehension and EK Bio 1001 tests mostly content and not much passage comprehension, TBR was sort of weird. They have passage comprehension but some questions are just sort of weird as hell in that it's not mentioned in the passage and they expect you to know minute details that aren't important. Detail wise, EK 1001 covers everything as far as facts you need to know. TBR is still decent practice though. If you have time do all 3 but if not stick with the top 2. That's just my personal suggestion though.

Hope this helps,

-LIS

 

[ready2rumble10]

Well, I want to make sure there is a need for it before I spend a significant amount of time going through all my previous posts and picking out the helpful ones. So if I can get at least 4 more people then I'll do it. Also, it wouldn't be my official post yet, it would be some previous posts and Q&A type thing until I can get that post done which is going to take me a little while.

-LIS

Hey LIS,

I'd like to see you post your tips. Now we need three more people to chime in. 👍