Issues with Berkeley Review

[DarkHorizon]

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I have been using Berkeley Review for PS. I must say I have been extremely confused by the reasoning used to answer some of the questions. I am specifically talking about Physics, I was taught to approach physics problem in a pretty standard way but TBR uses a whole different approach. I get most of the questions right, however, when I go through the answers, I feel like I know less than I knew before. Further, some of the questions are worded entirely differently then what I have seen in TPR, Kaplan, and AAMC exams. I wonder if anyone is having a similar problem. As the big day approaches, I am getting very scared.

To people who prepared for PS using TBR (bozz, Vihsadas), did you feel the same way? Also, in each chapter exams, I have been scoring >12 according to the scale provided by TBR. But that's not saying much as anything above 52/70 is a 12 or higher. I usually get at least 10 questions wrong in each exam. Does this sound like I am making some progress? How have other people fared? How did that translate to the real MCAT? Some one please help!!!

 

[ellie42]

I took Berkeley review way back in '05. I remember thinking their Physical Sciences section was confusing, but I ended up with a 13. So, I guess it's helpful. I certainly would have gotten like an 8 without their study guides.

 

[DarkHorizon]

I took Berkeley review way back in '05. I remember thinking their Physical Sciences section was confusing, but I ended up with a 13. So, I guess it's helpful. I certainly would have gotten like an 8 without their study guides.

I hope that's the case, I am really dreading it. Anyone else?

 

[Vihsadas]

I have been using Berkeley Review for PS. I must say I have been extremely confused by the reasoning used to answer some of the questions. I am specifically talking about Physics, I was taught to approach physics problem in a pretty standard way but TBR uses a whole different approach. I get most of the questions right, however, when I go through the answers, I feel like I know less than I knew before. Further, some of the questions are worded entirely differently then what I have seen in TPR, Kaplan, and AAMC exams. I wonder if anyone is having a similar problem. As the big day approaches, I am getting very scared.

To people who prepared for PS using TBR (bozz, Vihsadas), did you feel the same way? Also, in each chapter exams, I have been scoring >12 according to the scale provided by TBR. But that's not saying much as anything above 52/70 is a 12 or higher. I usually get at least 10 questions wrong in each exam. Does this sound like I am making some progress? How have other people fared? How did that translate to the real MCAT? Some one please help!!!

Wait a second. I didn't use TBR so I can't comment on their effectiveness! Other people seem to like them though...I'm also pretty unqualified to comment on the effectiveness of the physics review/questions of any MCAT review since I went into the MCAT with a degree in physics. So I started off above the level of the average student in physics on the MCAT. Chemistry...now that's a whole another level. I'm certain I started below the average for most students in chemistry. 😛

 

[RoadRunner17]

It's tough, I agree. But it does a great job of preparing you for thinking like the test. Knowing the individual concepts from undergrad physics and chemistry is great, but you need to see the bigger picture, and be able to apply these concepts interchangeably under pressure.

Berkeley Review is great for learning test-taking skills, not necessarily teaching you the pre-requisite concepts up front. That's what makes it different from the others IMO. If you're getting them right but not the way they specify in the book, you should at least be amenable to the possibility that there are other ways to solve the problem, not just one, I guess. You're doing it to learn and improve, not just to confirm that you know your stuff (which I am sure you do).

I wouldn't worry about the grading scale, it's just a way for you to know how you're doing. I tend to focus on %'s and how I do on these passages; there's only one number that's important and its the number you get a month after taking the MCAT.

Good luck! I say you're in good hands with Berkeley Review but as always, diversify and grab some ExamKrackers books or Kaplan books and review from these too. I think you'll find that TBR has the advantage over all of those in terms of practice problems, though, but that's just my opinion.