I got really lucky on my MCAT

[texas aggie]

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My AAMC 3-11 average for VR was a 6.25 (range of 4 to 8). I only made one 8. The most common score I received was a 6.

On my real exam, I got lucky and received a 31, with a 10 in VR. I have no idea how I dd this, considering I answered C for every question on the last passage. I guess I got really lucky. Really really really lucky.

I obviously do not have some skill that verbal tests, and I'd like to take this year to work on it so I have that "skill" when medical school begins. What exactly do I need to work on? In other words, VR relates to studying medicine in some way - how can I improve this skill that I lack? I want to get stronger before I start med school next year.

 

[Womb Raider]

Read books. By books, I do not mean Dr. Seuss.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Read books, and, if you're really motivated, try your hand at some creative writing.

 

[BlueLabel]

Read books, and, if you're really motivated, try your hand at some creative writing.

I don't see how writing would help unless you're getting your work edited regularly by a proficient writer.

 

[Modder]

My AAMC 3-11 average for VR was a 6.25 (range of 4 to 8). I only made one 8. The most common score I received was a 6.

On my real exam, I got lucky and received a 31, with a 10 in VR. I have no idea how I dd this, considering I answered C for every question on the last passage. I guess I got really lucky. Really really really lucky.

I obviously do not have some skill that verbal tests, and I'd like to take this year to work on it so I have that "skill" when medical school begins. What exactly do I need to work on? In other words, VR relates to studying medicine in some way - how can I improve this skill that I lack? I want to get stronger before I start med school next year.

Examkrackers VR... 👍

Seriously tho, I'm not sure that improving ur VR is gonna do you any good in med school. You got a 31, it's a great score and it's competitive for med school admissions. I'll spend my year doing other things I enjoy and try to gain experiences u may not have the chance to do in med school. Don't waste ur time pre-studying for med school for trying to improve ur VR. U've done well on the MCAT, let it be, and move on to other things.

 

[thisisansley]

I would also recommend books but also news. I got a 13 on VR and attribute that to fact that I spend way too much reading Internet news. News articles are a lot more formal and shorter than books, much like the articles presented in the VR section.

 

[link2swim06]

Study MCAT after MCAT?

Seriously just relax till you start.

 

[SN12357]

My AAMC 3-11 average for VR was a 6.25 (range of 4 to 8). I only made one 8. The most common score I received was a 6.

On my real exam, I got lucky and received a 31, with a 10 in VR. I have no idea how I dd this, considering I answered C for every question on the last passage. I guess I got really lucky. Really really really lucky.

I obviously do not have some skill that verbal tests, and I'd like to take this year to work on it so I have that "skill" when medical school begins. What exactly do I need to work on? In other words, VR relates to studying medicine in some way - how can I improve this skill that I lack? I want to get stronger before I start med school next year.

Read. Read a lot. Read varied things. I'm a big fan of longform jounalism--longreads.com is great for that. Newspapers and magazines are good too. Don't feel you need to read heavy fiction. Even reading YA and other mainstream fiction is good.

What you want is not to be good at standardized tests, which is a narrow and impractical skill, but rather to improve your written communication skills. You aren't going to be asked to take verbal exams when you're a doctor. But you WILL need to write quick, efficient, precise messages, whether in charts or email, etc. Best way to become a better communicator is to immerse yourself in the words of good communicators. This is why reading the news is one of the best places to start--journalists need to write in clear language under tight timelines and word limits.

Find things that you want to read.

 

[IonClaws]

My AAMC 3-11 average for VR was a 6.25 (range of 4 to 8). I only made one 8. The most common score I received was a 6.

On my real exam, I got lucky and received a 31, with a 10 in VR. I have no idea how I dd this, considering I answered C for every question on the last passage. I guess I got really lucky. Really really really lucky.

I obviously do not have some skill that verbal tests, and I'd like to take this year to work on it so I have that "skill" when medical school begins. What exactly do I need to work on? In other words, VR relates to studying medicine in some way - how can I improve this skill that I lack? I want to get stronger before I start med school next year.

The VR section on the MCAT only relates to the VR section on the MCAT and to reading comprehension sections on other standardized tests. There is virtually no correlation between VR scores and USMLE scores (the standard tests by which your medical school performance will ultimately be judged). The only reason the VR section is on the MCAT is so that the MCAT could be more like other standardized tests.

So, there is no need for you to become stronger at answering VR questions correctly. So just relax and focus more on applying to medical schools, you've passed a major hurdle.

 

[psswrd]

.

 

[texas aggie]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I heard that VR tests this: it gives you foreign looking passages (such as 14th century art history) and expects you to incorporate the information fast. The reason they do this is because you're going to be seeing a lot of foreign looking material in medical school and they expect you to be able to take in a large amount of (what seems to be) gibberish rather quickly. Anyone else heard this?

 

[Aerus]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I heard that VR tests this: it gives you foreign looking passages (such as 14th century art history) and expects you to incorporate the information fast. The reason they do this is because you're going to be seeing a lot of foreign looking material in medical school and they expect you to be able to take in a large amount of (what seems to be) gibberish rather quickly. Anyone else heard this?

It doesn't really matter now. You took the MCAT and you're done. You lucked out, so what? Doesn't mean you're bound to fail if you get into med school.

Work hard and keep your eyes on your goal. Good luck!

 

[IonClaws]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I heard that VR tests this: it gives you foreign looking passages (such as 14th century art history) and expects you to incorporate the information fast. The reason they do this is because you're going to be seeing a lot of foreign looking material in medical school and they expect you to be able to take in a large amount of (what seems to be) gibberish rather quickly. Anyone else heard this?

Medicine is just applied biology. It isn't really as foreign as something like art history or most of the other topics VR may pass over. 😛

 

[DocMC]

I hate and envy people like you for this reason. That is all.

 

[getdown]

After you get into med school, no really gives a flying F about what your MCAT scores are. No one is going to ask you to draw a stupid organic chemistry molecule or explain SN1 vs SN2 reactions. If anything you should pick up a stat book and learn how to read and evaluate journal articles as those are more common. Seriously, press the flush button and drain your brain of that useless garbage material called MCAT.

 

[KnuxNole]

Study MCAT after MCAT?

Seriously just relax till you start.

This.

Be happy you made a good score and move on 😀

 

[IonClaws]

After you get into med school, no really gives a flying F about what your MCAT scores are. No one is going to ask you to draw a stupid organic chemistry molecule or explain SN1 vs SN2 reactions. If anything you should pick up a stat book and learn how to read and evaluate journal articles as those are more common. Seriously, press the flush button and drain your brain of that useless garbage material called MCAT.

 

[LondonBridge]

It doesn't really matter now. You took the MCAT and you're done. You lucked out, so what? Doesn't mean you're bound to fail if you get into med school.

Work hard and keep your eyes on your goal. Good luck!

This.

PLEASE don't study anything before med school starts. Especially anything MCAT related. The VR section (and all of the MCAT, for that matter) is a sucky indicator of how well you'll do in med school. For the love of God, please don't study.

 

[gettheleadout]

Just read more and make it reading for pleasure.

 

[texas aggie]

I hate and envy people like you for this reason. That is all.

Why so angry?

Thanks a lot for calming my nerves, guys!

 

[SOMBound13]

Study MCAT after MCAT?

Seriously just relax till you start.

I agree. I worried that I would do poorly on the V because I took a practice test the night before the MCAT and scored a 8. On the "real deal" taken the next day I scored a 10, my lowest section but good enough.

Your MCAT is over, move on.

However, I do agree with the idea of reading news articles...either online or in print when you have time. It will help you to stay informed and improve any deficiencies in comprehension.