January 2008 MCAT Central

[DrJD]

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Hey all! Anyone start studying now for the January 2008 test? Seems weird that its only 6 months away... What are all of you doing to study?

Best of luck!

 

[ChubbyChaser]

4, 8, and 10 were the Hardest IMO. 3 was easy and so was 7 ( Imade a 37 on that one, go figure). 9 was somewhere in the middle

 

[eppendorf]

Hello from another Jan MCAT taker.

I am almost finished with the Princeton Review course, and have been doing practice tests every week. I've seen my science scores skyrocket like nothing else, but Verbal... don't even want to think about it. I've been doing 101 Verbal and it seems helpful, but I don't know if it's TPR's verbal passage that's the problem or me. Can't succeed in shooting in the double digits. Any suggestions?

by the way, I've been told that those getting 30+ in TPR's diagnostics are in good hands since AAMC will be relatively similar in length and a little softer on passages (anyone else to vouch on this one?).

it's almost a month now from the Jan test, and i am sure you'll are doing a good job putting in 10+ hours for the test. good luck to ya'll.👍

 

[moto_za]

Have you been using the TPR workbook? What are your thoughts on it? Particularly the physical sciences problems? thanks and good luck!

Hello from another Jan MCAT taker.

I am almost finished with the Princeton Review course, and have been doing practice tests every week. I've seen my science scores skyrocket like nothing else, but Verbal... don't even want to think about it. I've been doing 101 Verbal and it seems helpful, but I don't know if it's TPR's verbal passage that's the problem or me. Can't succeed in shooting in the double digits. Any suggestions?

by the way, I've been told that those getting 30+ in TPR's diagnostics are in good hands since AAMC will be relatively similar in length and a little softer on passages (anyone else to vouch on this one?).

it's almost a month now from the Jan test, and i am sure you'll are doing a good job putting in 10+ hours for the test. good luck to ya'll.👍

 

[hopedoc11]

Hello from another Jan MCAT taker.

it's almost a month now from the Jan test, and i am sure you'll are doing a good job putting in 10+ hours for the test. good luck to ya'll.👍

10 hours??? Nah, I would say everyone is probably hitting around 19-22 hrs

come on now

 

[DocWalken]

1 month away on X-mas day... All I want for Christmas is a good MCAT score

 

[bozz]

I'm a retaker

CBT 4:

13 PS, 12 BS

I feel kinda behind for some reason... I have PS down... BS kinda... but I keep missing "random-detail" questions on BS.. random obscure facts... I didn't take VR since I'm a retaker.... and I felt I would remember the answers

First time I took CBT 4:

12 PS, 11 BS

So not really much of a difference... :/

I always did fine on the practice tests.. I just got my @$$ handed to me on the real thing (10 bs, 10 ps)

I was hoping to blow these out of the water with 13s or 14s in both... I just hope I don't get the same 10 ps and 10 bs on the real thing >.<

 

[eppendorf]

TPR's science workbook is quite substantial to get good scores in both PS and BS (my buddy did all problems in that workbook and got 12 each on the MCAT test). although, some have suggested to also do problem sets from examcrakers.

To hopedoc11: oh, my 10+ meant per day, not weekly!

 

[bozz]

TPR's science workbook is quite substantial to get good scores in both PS and BS (my buddy did all problems in that workbook and got 12 each on the MCAT test). although, some have suggested to also do problem sets from examcrakers.

To hopedoc11: oh, my 10+ meant per day, not weekly!

lol, I'm sure he knew you meant 10 hours per day.. and he was being sarcastic on top of that

3 hours/day is enough 👍

 

[moto_za]

TPR's science workbook is quite substantial to get good scores in both PS and BS (my buddy did all problems in that workbook and got 12 each on the MCAT test). although, some have suggested to also do problem sets from examcrakers.

To hopedoc11: oh, my 10+ meant per day, not weekly!

Thanks for the advice! Do you have any experience using the EK 1001 bio? Do you know if that is better than the bio section of the workbook or not?

 

[bigserve99]

All I want for christmas is a 10 on MCAT verbal.

 

[bigserve99]

Thanks for the advice! Do you have any experience using the EK 1001 bio? Do you know if that is better than the bio section of the workbook or not?

I don't know too much about PR workbook; however, the EK bio is good for getting really familiar with details......it's not as passage critical as AAMC bio sections seem to be these days.

 

[moto_za]

I don't know too much about PR workbook; however, the EK bio is good for getting really familiar with details......it's not as passage critical as AAMC bio sections seem to be these days.

Sounds good thank you. Where is everyone in their studying?... I am finishing up studying so that i can start taking practice exams....

 

[stylinMD]

hey TPR users,

I saw that some of you are taking the TPR course and was just wondering if the books that you get from the class have changed within the past few years because I got like 9 or so books from a family member who took the course in about 2005 or so and the published date in the book I believe was around 2003. I was just wondering if these books were too out of date in terms of what we need to know for the CB MCAT or if they should be good enough for studying for the MCAT's. Let me know. Thanks!

Hello from another Jan MCAT taker.

I am almost finished with the Princeton Review course, and have been doing practice tests every week. I've seen my science scores skyrocket like nothing else, but Verbal... don't even want to think about it. I've been doing 101 Verbal and it seems helpful, but I don't know if it's TPR's verbal passage that's the problem or me. Can't succeed in shooting in the double digits. Any suggestions?

by the way, I've been told that those getting 30+ in TPR's diagnostics are in good hands since AAMC will be relatively similar in length and a little softer on passages (anyone else to vouch on this one?).

it's almost a month now from the Jan test, and i am sure you'll are doing a good job putting in 10+ hours for the test. good luck to ya'll.👍

 

[eppendorf]

I saw that some of you are taking the TPR course and was just wondering if the books that you get from the class have changed within the past few years because I got like 9 or so books from a family member who took the course in about 2005 or so and the published date in the book I believe was around 2003. I was just wondering if these books were too out of date in terms of what we need to know for the CB MCAT or if they should be good enough for studying for the MCAT's. Let me know. Thanks!

yes, the new books are 2007 edition and they are quite good actually. i have a feeling that they are good in preparing you for the CBT. i have taken a couple of aamc tests, and it seems that the relevancy of my scores compared to TPR's is steady. In fact, AAMC seems to be a little more doable.

p.s. thanks bozz. as you can tell i am quite ignoble in reading sarcasms.

moto_za, i've heard great reviews about 1001 bio. yes, i am also doing practices now.

 

[fufushatoora]

hey guys do y'all think it's too late to start doing the prectice exams. i am almost done with the TPR stuff and thought taking the practices would be better once i knew all the stuff....kinda really scared. geez, i keep dreaming that it's mcat day and i'm taking it. is anyone else having these dreams?

 

[bigserve99]

why would it be too late to do practice exams? You still have 4+ weeks. You could probably do every practice exam out there (at least the ones you have access too...) and still have time to review them all at least once again.

Don't worry, I'm feeling the same pressures as you these days, and work isn't making it any easier. I've found that being "worried" only makes it worse, and that if I just concentrate on the material each day or just the "the test in front of me" that day, I can avoid those feelings.

Good Luck.

 

[hopedoc11]

hey guys do y'all think it's too late to start doing the prectice exams. i am almost done with the TPR stuff and thought taking the practices would be better once i knew all the stuff....kinda really scared. geez, i keep dreaming that it's mcat day and i'm taking it. is anyone else having these dreams?

I second the post above me. This is the prime time to take practice exams. You have time for numerous exams and their review.

Worrying = counter-productive

...everyone is nervous on some level, but this will only take away from the true focus...success! 👍

 

[MedSchoolChica]

So I've been observing, and haven't posted yet on this thread, but I'm a January MCAT-taker as well. January 25th...less than a month to go. and I'm officially freaking out...

Good luck everyone...we'll get through this somehow...right?

 

[fufushatoora]

thanks lots you guys. I was really freaking cause it seems like everyone was done with all the practice exams. oh my goodness, I thibk yall are right just take it one step at a time. for me some days i study really well and other days I freak out and try to study but it's like dont even sit there and try. just go to a bar. heehe just joking i havent been out doing anything fun for the past month and half. BUT it'll be done with if we can all just concentrate for the next month and do awesome so we never ever have to retake! but really the less nervous i am, the better i do on them passages. how's every1 doing on prac. exams?

 

[stylinMD]

Question about the TPR books again: If you sign up for the course, how many books do they provide? Do the books cover everything you need to know? Is most of their practice stuff online and not in their books? Thanks

 

[priam18]

At this point, I honestly dont even know what to do/where to begin regarding this stupid exam.

I have a vague idea in my head of what I should be studying for, but the entire test just seems so overwhelming that I wonder if I'm tricking myself as to the fact that I can actually do well (and by well, I mean 30+).

I'm not taking a class, so I'm studying on my own..which isn't bad, but..hm.

Verbal, I get a 9-11, which is okay I guess. BS and PS on the other hand, are just ridiculous. My last BS grade was a..9? And my PS grade was a 7. Horrible. How do I score just 2 points higher on a section that I just spent a year taking a class for? I haven't taken physics or chem in 3 years at least!

I absolutely hate hate hate physics, haven't studied optics (which is really my fault I guess) and some other random stuff. And chemistry just seems to be stupid. I mean seriously, orgo is so much more fun and fascinating. Stupid titrations.

I know I'm ranting..it's because I'm stressed. I have two weeks of service notes due for work by Monday, I'm just starting to go through the high yield topics for Bio, I still have physics/chemistry high yields to cover, and have yet to review Orgo, I dont have any clean clothes for tomorrow, and I just spent the past 2 hours goofing off.

I'm gonna go have *another* brownie.

 

[MedSchoolChica]

My anxiety over this test just got the better of me. I've dropped out of that great race in January that is the MCAT.

Switched my registration for April 5th! Good luck to all you January-takers! You'll be in my thoughts!

 

[da8s0859q]

My anxiety over this test just got the better of me. I've dropped out of that great race in January that is the MCAT.

Switched my registration for April 5th! Good luck to all you January-takers! You'll be in my thoughts!

Good luck to you. I'll be taking another AAMC or two to make sure I'm sticking with January. 👍

 

[bozz]

I've taken CBTs 4,5, and 6 so far... plan to take 7 - 10

and Kaplans 7 to whatever I can fit in

 

[ahmedqman]

On Kaplan FL2...

Holy crap I got a 34! How easy is this exam supposedly? Am I getting a false sense of security (got a 25 on the first one)? Is this one too easy?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

 

[bozz]

On Kaplan FL2...

Holy crap I got a 34! How easy is this exam supposedly? Am I getting a false sense of security (got a 25 on the first one)? Is this one too easy?

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Good job man... mine went 29, 33 (FL2), 37 ... wayyyy too high (for me atleast). They do correlate with some people though. Take the AAMCs.

 

[ahmedqman]

Good job man... mine went 29, 33 (FL2), 37 ... wayyyy too high (for me atleast). They do correlate with some people though. Take the AAMCs.

I'm planning on doing the AAMCs 8-10 after I get through Kaplan 3-5. Do the AAMC scores correlate with the Kaplan ones?

 

[bozz]

Take them and find out for yourself

for some people they are.. in my case AAMC was low 30s (31 - 33) back in the summer

 

[Scean]

anybody losing steam?

Im ready to just take it and get it over with. I feel like im not improving anymore. I wish I had another two months to study but then again I'm realllllly glad that I dont, life will resume after the 26th.

Any plateau tips?

 

[moto_za]

Getting close! Just want to get this thing over with!

 

[NAVYLABTECH08]

I'm taking the test on APril 5, 2008. I am using the four books to prepare.
1. Princeton Review
2. Kaplan REview
3. Barron's Mcat REview
4. EK verbal review.

After I go through those books, that should leave me about one full month to do nothing but practice tests. Hopefully, I will get my scores back sometime in June and aply on AMCAS. If scores suck, I will retake in August.

Good luck

 

[BassPlease]

Checking in here... ahhhh... I had a meltdown the other night when I realized that January 1st was right around the corner (and here it is!).

I've just about finished extensive note sheets on the entire Kaplan PS book. I'm one of those people that needs to write things over and over again, and to look at it in a way that is logical for me, in order for things to sink in. I took AAMC CBT 3 a few weeks ago, and am planning on taking another tomorrow morning.

It sucks... I'm still home on break (and contemplating skipping the first week of classes actually) and the last thing that I want to be doing is studying... especially now that my boyfriend got me ADDICTED to Diablo II. I'm managing to get through something with the "study for 3 hours, play for 45 min" plan of action 😉

Oh, and Happy New Year! I hope everyone managed to have some sort of a fun!

-BP

 

[smeagol]

It sucks... I'm still home on break (and contemplating skipping the first week of classes actually) and the last thing that I want to be doing is studying... especially now that my boyfriend got me ADDICTED to Diablo II. I'm managing to get through something with the "study for 3 hours, play for 45 min" plan of action 😉


-BP

Diablo II addiction lol 🙁

Watch out for gloams...

 

[ahmedqman]

Got a 31 on CBT8... a bit scared now, since the real deal is supposedly much harder than that.

 

[bozz]

AAMC 4: 13 PS, 10 VR, 12 BS (35)
AAMC 5: 12 PS, no VR, 12 BS
AAMC 6: 12 PS, 12 VR, 12 BS (36)


Kaplan FULL LENGTHS

FL#7: 12 PS, 12 VR, 14 BS (38)

Definitely a fluke above ^ I've never broken a 12 on BS before on the AAMCs.

Within the next 3 weeks, I'm looking to do AAMC 7 - 10 ... and Kaplan FL #8

 

[BassPlease]

Glad to see things are coming together for everyone... 20 days for me til the real deal take 2!

I'm trying to work through EK 1001 books for gen chem and physics, which is absolutely my weak point. My goal is to get through all 2002 questions by mid-next week, then do them all again! I need the repetition... right now I'm amazed that I even managed a 9 in PS in August based on how little I actually knew.

Keep going!

-BP

 

[sherruns]

LET'S NAIL THE MCAT!
Good luck to all of you January test-takers. I'm down to the WIRE!
I'm not scoring as well as some of you guys but I'm doing exactly what I thought I'd be doing right now -- exceptional on VR, good on BS and sucky on PS....

Take care and remember to practice a couple of written samples before the real deal!
good luck everyone!!!😍😍😍😍

 

[sherruns]

Glad to see things are coming together for everyone... 20 days for me til the real deal take 2!

I'm trying to work through EK 1001 books for gen chem and physics, which is absolutely my weak point. My goal is to get through all 2002 questions by mid-next week, then do them all again! I need the repetition... right now I'm amazed that I even managed a 9 in PS in August based on how little I actually knew.

Keep going!

-BP

I'm exactly with you on this and feel that these Examcrackers books are great. I wish you well!

 

[Nazra]

I signed up for a Kaplan course. Hopefully it will be worth the money! I'll keep ya'll folks posted. Has anyone taken Kaplan MCAT course... how did it go and did it really improve your score?

 

[runner898]

I am using ExamKrackers materials and Audio Osmosis. I feel like my studying is on track right now. I am ready for the test date to be over with so that I can have my 6-7 hours back that I have been studying per day. Hopefully all of this studying will pay off!

 

[DrJD]

So, everyone! I find that right now one of the most stressful things isn't actually taking the test, it is deciding what I should be studying from now until the test!

Are any of the rest of you feeling this? We've gone through all the material once, thoroughly... I am taking practice tests with the intent to "work on my weak areas" but I miss maybe one question here, one there... There aren't any glaring content decencies... So the question is, what do I study? What do I memorize!

HAHA... I told my wife, I'm not that stressed about the test, I am more stressed about what I should be studying up until then! Anyone else?

 

[Scean]

So, everyone! I find that right now one of the most stressful things isn't actually taking the test, it is deciding what I should be studying from now until the test!

Are any of the rest of you feeling this? We've gone through all the material once, thoroughly... I am taking practice tests with the intent to "work on my weak areas" but I miss maybe one question here, one there... There aren't any glaring content decencies... So the question is, what do I study? What do I memorize!

HAHA... I told my wife, I'm not that stressed about the test, I am more stressed about what I should be studying up until then! Anyone else?

im right with you, its just like man, I am really ready for it to be over so i dont even have to decide. Heres something ive done today for instance, may help you:

I have a kaplan complete formula sheet that one of my friends got in their class (nice laminated organized)....So i look at each equation in each subject and just simply explain the equation in my mind, what it represents or what it can be applied to, for those that I don't completely understand or have any uncertainty, i go review that formula/its applications and/or the concepts involved.

Honestley one time i simple flipped randomly though the physical science sections of my study books until i saw something i knew I wasnt completely strong in.

Today has been electrochemistry and some more nitty gritty momentum impluse stuff......maybe a little wave stuff late night😎 whoo cant wait


good luck everybody

 

[BloodySurgeon]

twenty more days! man im freakin out! Im not nearly scoring as high as I want to and I am having bad thoughts that I may totally mess up on verbal for the real thing.

This is an update of all my test in chronological order:

Kap 6: PS-11 VR-11 BS-9 (31)
Kap 7: PS-11 VR-8 BS-11 (30)
Kap 8: PS-10 VR-10 BS-10 (30)
Kap 1: PS-10 VR-5 BS-10 (25)
Kap 2: PS-12 VR-7 BS-12 (31)
Kap 3: PS-12 VR-9 BS-12 (33)
Kap 4: PS-11 VR-7 BS-11 (29)
Kap 5: PS-12 VR-7 BS-11 (30)
Kap 9: PS-11 VR-7 BS-12 (30)
Kap 10: PS-9 VR-7 BS-7 (23)
Kap 11: PS-10 VR-5 BS-10 (25)
TPR 1: PS-5 VR-4 BS-11 (20)
TPR 3: PS-14 VR-5 BS-10 (29)
AAMC 3: PS-12 VR-9 BS-12 (33)
TPR 5: PS-10 VR-7 BS-11 (28)
TPR 4: PS-10 VR-X BS-10 [Did not take verbal]
AAMC 4😛S-10 VR-9 BS-13 (32)
-------------------------------------------------

My scores are not consistent and as you can see, verbal is really bringing me down. I will take AAMC 5 tomorrow and hope it goes well.

 

[bozz]

twenty more days! man im freakin out! Im not nearly scoring as high as I want to and I am having bad thoughts that I may totally mess up on verbal for the real thing.

This is an update of all my test in chronological order:

Kap 6: PS-11 VR-11 BS-9 (31)
Kap 7: PS-11 VR-8 BS-11 (30)
Kap 8: PS-10 VR-10 BS-10 (30)
Kap 1: PS-10 VR-5 BS-10 (25)
Kap 2: PS-12 VR-7 BS-12 (31)
Kap 3: PS-12 VR-9 BS-12 (33)
Kap 4: PS-11 VR-7 BS-11 (29)
Kap 5: PS-12 VR-7 BS-11 (30)
Kap 9: PS-11 VR-7 BS-12 (30)
Kap 10: PS-9 VR-7 BS-7 (23)
Kap 11: PS-10 VR-5 BS-10 (25)
TPR 1: PS-5 VR-4 BS-11 (20)
TPR 3: PS-14 VR-5 BS-10 (29)
AAMC 3: PS-12 VR-9 BS-12 (33)
TPR 5: PS-10 VR-7 BS-11 (28)
TPR 4: PS-10 VR-X BS-10 [Did not take verbal]
AAMC 4😛S-10 VR-9 BS-13 (32)
-------------------------------------------------

My scores are not consistent and as you can see, verbal is really bringing me down. I will take AAMC 5 tomorrow and hope it goes well.

Your PS and BS look fine... were you taking online versions.. for all these tests?

 

[BloodySurgeon]

Your PS and BS look fine... were you taking online versions.. for all these tests?

yes I did the online versions. I usually don't have problem with sciences but verbal is really bringing down my score. Also since ive been getting more 7s then 9s, it is really scaring me. And in the event I do not perform as well in the sciences there will be no hope for me.

(p.s. I score significantly worst on TPR... are their scaling much harsher?)

 

[Scean]

yes I did the online versions. I usually don't have problem with sciences but verbal is really bringing down my score. Also since ive been getting more 7s then 9s, it is really scaring me. And in the event I do not perform as well in the sciences there will be no hope for me.

(p.s. I score significantly worst on TPR... are their scaling much harsher?)

I took most of the TPR tests online via a friends old account, it expired on the 1st though😡, didnt realize that, can't finish OR look back at my socres. Anyway, yes I would say the TPR tests seemed to be difficult as well as scored harder. Ive taken two kaplans and about 4 AAMCs now to base my comparisons on.

 

[DrJD]

im right with you, its just like man, I am really ready for it to be over so i dont even have to decide. Heres something ive done today for instance, may help you:

I have a kaplan complete formula sheet that one of my friends got in their class (nice laminated organized)....So i look at each equation in each subject and just simply explain the equation in my mind, what it represents or what it can be applied to, for those that I don't completely understand or have any uncertainty, i go review that formula/its applications and/or the concepts involved.

Honestley one time i simple flipped randomly though the physical science sections of my study books until i saw something i knew I wasnt completely strong in.

Today has been electrochemistry and some more nitty gritty momentum impluse stuff......maybe a little wave stuff late night😎 whoo cant wait


good luck everybody

I know exactly what you are talking about! I did something similar, the whole flipping through the book looking for something to study! I am definitely ready for the test to be over, blah!

Thanks for the idea about the formula sheet, I think that is a great idea! I'll probably do that today!

I did electrochemistry the other day too... Galvanic vs. electrolytic cells, and refreshing the redox suff, especially reduction potentials...

Keep me posted on what you decide to study in the hopes that you might remind me of something that i should review as well! Good luck!

 

[streetlight]

Test...............PS......VR.....BS.....TOTAL
Kaplan FL 01....9........11.....8.......28
Kaplan FL 02....11......10.....13......34
Kaplan FL 03....12......15......9.......36
Kaplan FL 04....13......10.....13......36
Kaplan FL 06....12......13.....14.......39
AAMC 06.........13......12.....10.......35
AAMC 07.........10......11......12......33

goin 1 test every morning now until i run out of tests (have FL 7-11 and AAMC 1-5,8-10 left) ...made some stupid mistakes on aamc 07 physics (like checking the wrong answer when I didn't mean to...)

orgo is definitely my weak point and am gonna read through examkrackers orgo to see if i can get that stuff down!

 

[BloodySurgeon]

Took AAMC 5 today.

Test...............PS......VR.....BS.....TOTAL
AAMC 5.........13.......10.....10.....33

I really got owned on bio for some reason. I just didnt know the answers. I had 20 mins remaining (usually i have 10 mins) and with the bio I feel like, its either you know it or you don't there is no use trying to figure it out (contrary to the other sections).

 

[BloodySurgeon]

On another note, I am extremely ecstatic that I got a 10 on verbal!! I feel that the AAMC verbal was much easier than I was accustomed to though.