I'm not improving, seeking advise [Kaplan]

[BatmanBMW]

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Hello guys,

I'm a first time poster here and I found out about this forum from one of my friends who was accepted to an MD program this summer. I'm currently doing Kaplan and have been studying since November (review then and now practices). My undergrad major was biochemistry (graduated back in '12 so no biochem since then) and I have never taken psych, sociology, philosophy or humanities back in college.

Here are few quick stats about me according to Kaplan:

Diagnostic: 494 - 124/123/124/123 (half the length and I came in with just ~20% knowledge).
FL1 Kaplan: 494 - 123/122/126/123 (full length and I came in with 50% knowledge halfway the class).

I'm finishing up Unit 3 soon (end of class) and I don't feel like I'm improving. I finished Kaplan's PBQs for CARS with average of 70 - 83% on CARS but their time is very lenient (45min for 3 or 4 passages). I've been doing Kaplan's MCAT Qbank for CARS recently and they only given me 10 mins now for one passage and my scored tanked to 20% correct the first time. The next day it went up to about 50% correct and been staying there. My FL1 chem/phys is very poor because of my own fault. I thought I don't need to put much effort because of my undergrad degree and now I see I was mistaken.

I'm kinda demoralized and the best number I can probably hope for is 500 in the real Test Day. I have Kaplan's digital flashcard and I have been studying it for 1.5 hours/day. I try to study for 10 hrs per day until Test Day (so 8.5 hrs spending doing problems and review). Am I doing my studying correctly? I've done all Kaplan ask me to do, from watching videos, end of chapter questions and their PBQs but I don't feel firm/strong. Please, any advise will help me. Am I going to the right direction? Is my studying method correct? My friend who was accepted to his MD program told me you guys are the best at helping a fellow pre-meds or even meds students. Thank you so much you guys.

 

[Ad2b]

So, here's my "insider" scoop on Kaplan (in quotes because I do not work for the company, never have, but have become good friends with the MCAT teachers):

1) stop doing Kaplan's stuff - no more PBQs, no more CARS, no more section banks, no more anything
2) START doing the AAMC things they give you when you purchase the class
3) here's how to use it:

• Start with a section test from AAMC and use "Accommodated" settings. This allows you to answer a question, and see if you got it right or wrong
• Write down the ones you got wrong on a separate sheet of paper - why you got it wrong: stupid mistake, or missed content
• For all missed content ones, go back to Kaplan's specialized videos or on-camera live sessions to review
• For all those that Kaplan doesn't have, hit up Khan Academy or do both (I do both)

Take OG when you're done with the packs of AAMC section tests
Take the FL 1 week before real exam (no more than 2 weeks prior and not closer either)

Do not get demoralized with Kaplan. It is harder. It is more detailed. They do it so when you see the real thing, you don't panic.

 

[BatmanBMW]

I took my second FL a couple of days ago before I got ill but I don't believe in the improvement.

Kaplan FL 4: 500 - 127/122/126/125.

Chem/Phys: finished with 5:00 min remaining. I don't believe in this score since I've only practiced maybe very few passages for gen chem and physics.
CARS: I had to guessed randomly for one whole passage because I only had 2:45 remaining.
Bio/Biochem: finished with 1 min remaining.
Psych/Soc: 2:38 min left remaining.

My CARS score is poop but I'll keep studying it by doing daily Qbanks.

 

[sacholiver]

My highest Kaplan score was 504, got a 508 on the real thing. Don't sweat it too much. Just keep trying to improve!