Improving chem/physics section- HELP!

[medschool1718]

Hi everyone! Just looking for a bit of advice on how to improve my score on the chem/physics section of the MCAT. This is currently my lowest section and with my MCAT coming up in September, I still have some time to prepare. I feel like I have a fairly good understanding of the concepts, but then when I go to do practice passages I still feel like they are written in another language and are really confusing. Anyone have the same problem, and if so what did you do?

Thanks!

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[PlsLetMeIn21]

I have found that nothing beats TBR for this area. They have tons of passages and questions to practice with and their answer explanations teach you how to apply tricks to get fast. I have been using their science books and that area went from being a concern to probably being my strongest.

 

[Blanky]

I would argue that the Chem and physics Qpacks from AAMC are easy and if you can score 80%+ you have the basics down. NS1-4 FLs have solid CP sections that will strengthen your fundamentals. AAMC section bank for chem/phys is going to be hard but worth it.

 

[medschool1718]

I would argue that the Chem and physics Qpacks from AAMC are easy and if you can score 80%+ you have the basics down. NS1-4 FLs have solid CP sections that will strengthen your fundamentals. AAMC section bank for chem/phys is going to be hard but worth it.

Yeah, the section banks seemed impossible. I scored 70% on the question packs so I am going to do a bit more content review and go from there. It just seems as if I review the content for say a topic like acids and bases and feel like I understand it but then go to do a passage on acids and bases and get questions wrong.

 

[Blanky]

Yeah, the section banks seemed impossible. I scored 70% on the question packs so I am going to do a bit more content review and go from there. It just seems as if I review the content for say a topic like acids and bases and feel like I understand it but then go to do a passage on acids and bases and get questions wrong.

Yes, STOP doing the content review and learn from the Qpacks passages and how they solve problems. Once you have mastered that then maybe take another NS or two (reviewing each thoroughly when done) and then attempt the section banks.
The section banks are harder than the AAMC FLs but expect the real MCAT to have some section bank flavor.

 

[medschool1718]

Yes, STOP doing the content review and learn from the Qpacks passages and how they solve problems. Once you have mastered that then maybe take another NS or two (reviewing each thoroughly when done) and then attempt the section banks.
The section banks are harder than the AAMC FLs but expect the real MCAT to have some section bank flavor.

Do you mean next step full length exams? Are these the most representative full lengths besides the AAMC FLs?

 

[Blanky]

If I could start over I would do a LOT of things differently.
For one I would invest almost zero time in the content review because I understood the content but struggled with the passage based questions.
The NS 1-4 (I did NS 1-5) is something I would absolutely NOT change. The CARS is a little different but helps with timing. The others sections are awesome practice and will build your timing and endurance for that 7-hour stretch.
I would highly advise building test-taking strength from other sources before you "waste" the AAMC FLs.
You want to take the AAMC FLs in the last couple weeks leading into the real exam so that you know what score you can expect.

 

[Tobi222]

If I could start over I would do a LOT of things differently.
For one I would invest almost zero time in the content review because I understood the content but struggled with the passage based questions.
The NS 1-4 (I did NS 1-5) is something I would absolutely NOT change. The CARS is a little different but helps with timing. The others sections are awesome practice and will build your timing and endurance for that 7-hour stretch.
I would highly advise building test-taking strength from other sources before you "waste" the AAMC FLs.
You want to take the AAMC FLs in the last couple weeks leading into the real exam so that you know what score you can expect.

I've been reading some threads and I've seen quite a few of your responses! You seem to have really good advice on setting up a studying schedule and I was wondering if you could help me out with mine?

I have about a month - from today until July 21st (test day) - to study. I know it's really short time to study but I'm not able to take the test at a further date and it was difficult for me to study during my last quarter of senior year! I started studying the day right after graduation (Monday) and have been studying like 8 hours for the past 5 days! I'm very weak in content and I know a lot of people would recommend reading and reviewing the books (I have the Kaplan books), but like you said, I don't find reading content helping me at all as I forget easily. I learn from mistakes and by example and so for this past week, I've been doing Uworld's qbank (untimed). I love their explanations but they don't have as many questions as they're relatively new. I'm not sure who, what, where and how else I should be studying? All I know is that I plan on taking a FL every weekend (total 4) and that I have 4 weeks to cram.. Please help! Thank you!

 

[Blanky]

I've been reading some threads and I've seen quite a few of your responses! You seem to have really good advice on setting up a studying schedule and I was wondering if you could help me out with mine?

I have about a month - from today until July 21st (test day) - to study. I know it's really short time to study but I'm not able to take the test at a further date and it was difficult for me to study during my last quarter of senior year! I started studying the day right after graduation (Monday) and have been studying like 8 hours for the past 5 days! I'm very weak in content and I know a lot of people would recommend reading and reviewing the books (I have the Kaplan books), but like you said, I don't find reading content helping me at all as I forget easily. I learn from mistakes and by example and so for this past week, I've been doing Uworld's qbank (untimed). I love their explanations but they don't have as many questions as they're relatively new. I'm not sure who, what, where and how else I should be studying? All I know is that I plan on taking a FL every weekend (total 4) and that I have 4 weeks to cram.. Please help! Thank you!

First off im curious if you GPA and ECs are solid as well as yoir PS and LOR? Its unlikely that this is the best cycle for you. Even if your ECs and PS are finished and yoir GPA is solid you are starting to get into the late app range.
Having said that, you only have time for 4 exams which leave you at the free NS1, AAMC FL1, 2, and 3 only. You also dont get to retake any of these exams which is helpful.
Edit: Do not forget AAMC Sample. Thats a full length

 

[Blanky]

In the last month you need to be working on AAMc Qpacks, CARS will get you familiar eith the question types, but you have no room to build on timing if you arent reading fast enough. If you can 80%+ the Physics and chem Qpacks you are doing ok, then move into section banks.
You need to get rolling into the 100 page PS Khan Academy doc, or you may get swamped by PS.
I woukd say keep rolling full force and take AAMC Sample as a FL, then review and continue with the Qpacks. If you take FL1the next week and you are 3-4points from goal score good, otherwise its likely time to move your exam date.

 

[medschool1718]

In the last month you need to be working on AAMc Qpacks, CARS will get you familiar eith the question types, but you have no room to build on timing if you arent reading fast enough. If you can 80%+ the Physics and chem Qpacks you are doing ok, then move into section banks.
You need to get rolling into the 100 page PS Khan Academy doc, or you may get swamped by PS.
I woukd say keep rolling full force and take AAMC Sample as a FL, then review and continue with the Qpacks. If you take FL1the next week and you are 3-4points from goal score good, otherwise its likely time to move your exam date.

Is FL1 closest to what your actual score on the test would be? At this point, the score I got on the FL1 is my target score, so just curious what your opinion is!

 

[Blanky]

FL2 was the exact same score I got on the actual, although the breakdown was a little different.
My CP was really easy and that’s my best section so I think I got a harsh curve. My real CP was 1-2 points below my average.