Intuition taking over? Effects of SN2ed guide.

[whiteshadodw]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've been studying using a 'modified' SN2ed schedule (I basically do passages whenever I want, at least 1 set a day sometimes 2 sets a day, etc, but that's not the main point of this post)

What I'm feeling weird about, is that my intuition is taking over. When I get passages, whether its verbal or science, I sometimes feel like I could be wrong and try to double check an answer, but if I remain confident I usually end up picking the right answer. this is leading to figuring out questions very quickly, and yielding very high scores.

what i'm trying to say is, sometimes i can't even 100% prove on paper or in my head that an answer is a certain answer. however, i get this strong intuitive feeling about an answer and when i go with it, it ends up being right. i went from getting 10-12 wrong on any 4 passages in TBR to getting maybe 4-5 wrong on any 4 TBR passages.

of course, when i do 'post-game' analysis, I can see why i picked a certain answer and i can do the math/reasoning on paper when i have more time to do it. while the intuitive approach is yielding great results, it just feels super weird and for me personally, it doesn't feel good at all. i like to have a very deep conceptual understanding, but sometimes i hate getting an answer right because i could eliminate 3 OBV wrong answers.

 

[ridethecliche]

If you're right, you're right.

Intuitively understanding something means that you're either getting a feel for the question/answer style and can discern the language.

OR

It means that the info is second nature so you have to posit why you picked it after you've already figured it out. Happens to me in orgo. Often stuff just doesn't look right and I have no idea why, but it works.

 

[tman5890]

If you're right, you're right.

Intuitively understanding something means that you're either getting a feel for the question/answer style and can discern the language.

OR

It means that the info is second nature so you have to posit why you picked it after you've already figured it out. Happens to me in orgo. Often stuff just doesn't look right and I have no idea why, but it works.

👍

 

[Im Learning]

NEVER go against your intuition.

With that being said, although TBR passages are good, they aren't true aamc passages. Take an aamc fl and see how you do.

 

[salim271]

I'm curious to how many practice passages you've done to gain said intuition? I'm not following SN2ed's schedule, mostly because I've only just recently gotten a set of BR (bad of me, I know) so my passage practice has been a bit dismal.

I can be intuitive if given enough time and practice (my last month before my mcat is looking good to be set up to just spamming practice passages from berkley, EK, FLs/CBTs.) so I'm just wondering, who knows, maybe I can set a baseline... lol.

 

[muhali3]

well, it's good to know why an answer is the right answer. but having this intuitive skill is good when you are pressed for time.

 

[ridethecliche]

The only way I can see this backfiring is if you second guess yourself on the real deal.

When you take AAMC exams, you'll start to see if you really knew what you were talking about or if you just knew the question style.

DON'T SECOND GUESS YOURSELF OR DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY ON THE REAL THING AFTER YOU'VE BEEN ON A ROLL WITH THE AAMC'S.

Was that clear enough, or did it need more cowbell?

 

[whiteshadodw]

I'm curious to how many practice passages you've done to gain said intuition? I'm not following SN2ed's schedule, mostly because I've only just recently gotten a set of BR (bad of me, I know) so my passage practice has been a bit dismal.

I can be intuitive if given enough time and practice (my last month before my mcat is looking good to be set up to just spamming practice passages from berkley, EK, FLs/CBTs.) so I'm just wondering, who knows, maybe I can set a baseline... lol.

it takes a while. when i first started TBR i was getting raped, in a set of 4 passages i'd get anywhere from 8-11 wrong. now i'm doing much better. things i've learned and started to see:

-sometimes you can right off the bat get rid of 2 answer choices, the clue to the 3rd wrong answer choice might be extremely clear in the passage.
-if two answer choices basically say the same thing, they are wrong (this is a BIG one i found in both EK verbal 101 AND in the physical sciences. also, you have to be careful with this one and be 100% positive that two answer choices say the same thing)
-for physics, especially kinematics, try to imagine real life examples or situations.

honestly, i feel like this is 40% hard work 40% test taking strategy and becoming accustomed to the format, and maybe 10% intelligence and 10% luck. of course, i'm sure other people will have their own opinions and i haven't taken any AAMC tests, but does anyone mind chiming in?

 

[tman5890]

it takes a while. when i first started TBR i was getting raped, in a set of 4 passages i'd get anywhere from 8-11 wrong. now i'm doing much better. things i've learned and started to see:

-sometimes you can right off the bat get rid of 2 answer choices, the clue to the 3rd wrong answer choice might be extremely clear in the passage.
-if two answer choices basically say the same thing, they are wrong (this is a BIG one i found in both EK verbal 101 AND in the physical sciences. also, you have to be careful with this one and be 100% positive that two answer choices say the same thing)
-for physics, especially kinematics, try to imagine real life examples or situations.

honestly, i feel like this is 40% hard work 40% test taking strategy and becoming accustomed to the format, and maybe 10% intelligence and 10% luck. of course, i'm sure other people will have their own opinions and i haven't taken any AAMC tests, but does anyone mind chiming in?

Sounds like good advice. I started TBR and wasn't getting many questions right, but there's a small improvement everyday 🙂

 

[FirefighterDoc]

When they read this thread did anyone else just hear "Intuitive" in their head, from the Audio Osmosis CD's?

 

[Donald Juan]

.

 

[Donald Juan]

OP, I understand exactly the same issue you are having, I have been scoring higher and higher on practice passages, and I don't really feel that confident in my knowledge. Still, some intuitive power seems to be driving me toward correct answers.

It makes me nervous because when I am doing BR passages I often don't have any issues overall with the end of the chapter problems (overall, I have lately been scoring in their highest range 13-15). But, what usually brings me down is one or two passages that just rape the crap out of me, and oftentimes it doesn't seem like those passages are over any subject that is extremely different from the rest of the topics that I do well on

Well, I figure overall I am doing well. Time to cross my fingers, and hope for the best this week when I take it for real.

 

[plzNOCarribbean]

NEVER go against your intuition.

With that being said, although TBR passages are good, they aren't true aamc passages. Take an aamc fl and see how you do.

I don't have a twitter, but I read some of your posts. I like you you annotate on your verbal stuff. If you don't mind me asking, what day of the SN2ed schedule are you on? I currently have a sept test date as well

 

[coyotelime]

it takes a while. when i first started TBR i was getting raped, in a set of 4 passages i'd get anywhere from 8-11 wrong. now i'm doing much better. things i've learned and started to see:

-sometimes you can right off the bat get rid of 2 answer choices, the clue to the 3rd wrong answer choice might be extremely clear in the passage.
-if two answer choices basically say the same thing, they are wrong (this is a BIG one i found in both EK verbal 101 AND in the physical sciences. also, you have to be careful with this one and be 100% positive that two answer choices say the same thing)
-for physics, especially kinematics, try to imagine real life examples or situations.

honestly, i feel like this is 40% hard work 40% test taking strategy and becoming accustomed to the format, and maybe 10% intelligence and 10% luck. of course, i'm sure other people will have their own opinions and i haven't taken any AAMC tests, but does anyone mind chiming in?

👍

Almost in the exact same boat, I was missing 8-11 on 4-5 passages and have managed to go down to 5-6 +/- 2-3 depending on the subject.

I think the fact that EK starts with biochem/metabolic pathways which corresponds to ridiculously difficult passages in TBR was a good thing, because it killed my confidence and made me work that much harder.

 

[raltima07]

honestly, i feel like this is 40% hard work 40% test taking strategy and becoming accustomed to the format, and maybe 10% intelligence and 10% luck. of course, i'm sure other people will have their own opinions and i haven't taken any AAMC tests, but does anyone mind chiming in?

I agree with that

 

[Red Clown]

....