Is it counterproductive to study verbal most of the day?

[TX500]

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I am very happy with my science score averages (13 PS and 12 BS) but am stuck in the 5-6 range for verbal (not sure why - English is my fist language). Nevertheless, I went through all of EK 101 and reviewed questions thoroughly but it didn't seem to help.

I'm looking for a way to study verbal for a few hours a day. Anyone have any tips on how to actually do this? I obviously can't do passages or I'll run out in no time (besides, I only have TPRH left, which I want to do during my last few weeks). My exam is in 2 months.

 

[surfdoc29]

try finding some LSAT verbal passages. theyre very similar and can be helpful if you run out of MCAT specific passages.

 

[TX500]

try finding some LSAT verbal passages. theyre very similar and can be helpful if you run out of MCAT specific passages.

Based on what I've read, I heard LSAT passages are a terrible idea...

 

[edscribe86]

I don't think it'll hurt you. I went through the same struggles with VR and for the last 1.5-2 months of my prep, PS and BS studying only came through practice tests. The rest of my time was spent going through TPR and VR sections, reviewing heavily what I got wrong each time. TPR was the greatest source for improving my verbal score, but I went through it in about a month. I wouldn't try to cram TPR into a couple weeks in my opinion. They have a lot of strategies and passages that are extremely beneficial (I thought). Going through them quickly wouldn't be very fruitful if you want to increase by 5-7 points. Good luck!

 

[edscribe86]

Based on what I've read, I heard LSAT passages are a terrible idea...

I second this

 

[TX500]

I don't think it'll hurt you. I went through the same struggles with VR and for the last 1.5-2 months of my prep, PS and BS studying only came through practice tests. The rest of my time was spent going through TPR and VR sections, reviewing heavily what I got wrong each time. TPR was the greatest source for improving my verbal score, but I went through it in about a month. I wouldn't try to cram TPR into a couple weeks in my opinion. They have a lot of strategies and passages that are extremely beneficial (I thought). Going through them quickly wouldn't be very fruitful if you want to increase by 5-7 points. Good luck!

Thanks a lot man.

Even if I start a month before my test, I still have this upcoming month of free time. Any idea what I can do?

 

[osprey099]

Thanks a lot man.

Even if I start a month before my test, I still have this upcoming month of free time. Any idea what I can do?

AAMC SAP verbal has 20 or so passages taken straight from previous MCATs

 

[mcatforme]

I personally don't think studying verbal for more than 2 hours a day will be very useful. I would try spreading it out and making sure to review all my answers after taking them. It should take you 1.5-2 times longer to review your verbal passages than it did to actually take them.

If you are scoring in the 5-6 range, you are probably getting half or less of the answers correct (if you are answering all 7 passages). I would suggest only taking 6 of the 7 passages if this is the case. Take your time and answer those 6 passages very well, and straight up guess on the 7th passage. See how this goes. I know you don't like the sound of that, but if you are investing that much time in each passage, to only get half correct, it's better to really make sure those passages you do answer are all correct (at most minus 1 per passage).

 

[TX500]

I personally don't think studying verbal for more than 2 hours a day will be very useful. I would try spreading it out and making sure to review all my answers after taking them. It should take you 1.5-2 times longer to review your verbal passages than it did to actually take them.

If you are scoring in the 5-6 range, you are probably getting half or less of the answers correct (if you are answering all 7 passages). I would suggest only taking 6 of the 7 passages if this is the case. Take your time and answer those 6 passages very well, and straight up guess on the 7th passage. See how this goes. I know you don't like the sound of that, but if you are investing that much time in each passage, to only get half correct, it's better to really make sure those passages you do answer are all correct (at most minus 1 per passage).

I've heard mixed reviews about this technique. I guess 2 weeks prior to my exam, if I'm still not doing well, I'll have to do this on test day 🙁

 

[Shjanzey]

I've heard mixed reviews about this technique. I guess 2 weeks prior to my exam, if I'm still not doing well, I'll have to do this on test day 🙁

So you would sabotage yourself to try something new on test day? Doesn't sound like a great plan.

 

[TX500]

So you would sabotage yourself to try something new on test day? Doesn't sound like a great plan.

It's a last resort.