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!

 

[olemissbabydoc]

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!

If, God forbid, I have to retake AGAIN this will be my next test date. And IF I have to do this and reapply for next cycle, my studying will mainly just be going to class and adding more sciences to my repetoire.

I'm retaking this August, and praying (and studying) my way to getting in this year...

 

[mj4md]

Is there nobody out there taking the MCAT in January 2008?

I am currently preparing using the ExamKrackers home-study schedule and hopefully every-other-weekend full length tests (I've only recently gotten started). It would be great to get together a group of members working towards this common goal. We could motivate one another and help to propel each other to success on the MCAT. Sounds fruity, but motivation is the key, I think, especially if you're not taking a prep course.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

Is there nobody out there taking the MCAT in January 2008?

I am currently preparing using the ExamKrackers home-study schedule and hopefully every-other-weekend full length tests (I've only recently gotten started). It would be great to get together a group of members working towards this common goal. We could motivate one another and help to propel each other to success on the MCAT. Sounds fruity, but motivation is the key, I think, especially if you're not taking a prep course.

I'm retaking in Jan if I'm waitlisted. Otherwise, I'm waiting til April to retake for a reapp cycle next year.

 

[mj4md]

I hope things work out for the best for you. I have been thinking to myself that maybe after I take the MCAT for the 1st time I will continue to do light review, etc. until I get my results back. Some people I know breathed a sigh of relief after taking the exam, stopped looking at the material altogether, then panicked after receiving their scores. Just a thought, I suppose..

 

[DrJD]

After much consideration, I am also going through the Examkrackers home study schedule. I love the Examkrackers complete study kit!

I was a teacher for Kaplan for the August test so I got exposed to their material, and personally I think that Examkrackers is better for my needs. So, January everybody... Are you studying yet? How much? What you using? And most importantly, how is it going?

Keep up the good work everybody!

 

[princey0gi]

hey guys,
yea i had to retake after my abysmal verbal score from the june test so i started studying for the january test i think 2wks ago. I'm doing the kaplan online course mainly for all their practice materials and hope to supplement w/the EK books eventually...but EK or not... 101 verbal is definitely in my verbal plans haha.

 

[mj4md]

As I mentioned earlier, I have been working with the home schedule, and I am also in the second week of preparation for the exam. I hope to complete everything in the predicted 10 weeks and spend the remaining time (especially Winter Break) to "ramp up" to the actual MCAT with some AAMC practice exams and just working on what I feel are my weaknesses.

Something I would like to ask you guys is, how do you approach the advice of the home-study schedule to "get out your highlighter/pen and take notes" when reading through each lecture a second time? My first week I was taking some pretty detailed notes of the lectures (particularly biology b/c of the mass of info in that book). I find that doing this is particularly time consuming and after taking the 30-min. exams, it seems the methods you might employ when actually taking a bio course may not necessarily be needed here.

SO, do you think it would be best to just take note of what you may not have seen before or concepts that are "fuzzy?" If you have familiarity with a particular topic, run through it, but don't worry heavily about details. What do you guys think about that?

The feeling I got with the 30-min. tests was that obviously a lot of the questions are passage-based, there is usually not an answer that is verbatim from the passage, and that the "stand-alone" questions are sometimes very picky. My concern is over the stand-alone questions. How can I prepare for that aspect of the exam? I got to the first 30-min test and it was asking me about disulfide bonds and whether this would happen if a proline was involved or that would happen if cysteine was involved... Do you just kind of bite the bullet on these types of questions? Any advice would be appreciated.

Sorry for being so verbose, but I am starting to really feel some pressure with regard to my performance, whether on the end of section questions, the 30-min. tests, or a full length practice. I have a tendency to want to evaluate myself frequently and see whether I am making progress in the right direction. The difficulty of some of the questions presented in the EK books is demoralizing. Overall, I am having trouble gauging my progress thus far, but I think patience is the key (It's only week 2-3, right?).

 

[DrJD]

I've heard that the examkrackers questions are much harder than other test prep companies questions. So, I wouldn't beat yourself up for those being difficult!

As far as the not taking/highlighting thing goes... It is definitely time consuming, but I think that is the point. Now, do you benefit from writing down something you already know? Well, you know it a little bit better right? In Psychology, I believe they say you need to see something 7 times before you remember it. Examkrackers is just trying to up the amount of times you see this material. Plus it is thought that actually writing the material helps get it into our brains. I dont think you score will be hurt greatly if you just write the stuff you are "fuzzy" about or don't know at all.

Go with what works with your timing, and with your knowledge base. Biologists might have to write less for Biology, than a Physicist, where as a Physicist wouldn't have to write as much Physics as a Biologist...

Keep up the good work though, Examkrackers seems to be very helpful so far!

 

[Doc Henry]

Already posted this once, but since this thread is dedicated to the January 2008 MCAT specifically I thought I'd post it here.

I really try not to post too many new threads but I'm really seeking personal advice right now so it's not really anything I can search the forum for. Sorry in advance if this annoys you!

I took the kaplan course this summer but didn't feel ready to take the MCAT in august so I'm "re-taking" the course (in reality, I'm just extending my access to the online material) and will take the January MCAT.

As many of you know Kaplan teaches the material in 3 units and in the spirit of being organized I thought I study the material in the same order. I am still a full time student so I'm planning on starting asap and using the whole term.

Here is my plan, please tell me if you think its logical:

Oct 1-20: UNIT 1
Oct 21-Nov 10: UNIT 2
Nov 11-30: UNIT 3
DEC-JAN: review, do practice probs + 2 tests per week.

This gives me 9 weeks to memorize material and do practice problems + passages and then about 6 weeks for practice tests and review.

Your thoughts?

 

[princey0gi]

doc henry
...thats a similar plan that i have layed out for myself. im going to finish the course on dec2nd then taking 2 full lenghts a week until test week. during the weeks i plan on doing the subject tests and the ek verbal and bio passage books. as well as reviewing weak areas...probably will hit up qbank as well.

 

[Doc Henry]

doc henry
...thats a similar plan that i have layed out for myself. im going to finish the course on dec2nd then taking 2 full lenghts a week until test week. during the weeks i plan on doing the subject tests and the ek verbal and bio passage books. as well as reviewing weak areas...probably will hit up qbank as well.

Good luck with that. Hopefully we'll both do great! I just really want to find a study partner...It's just so much material and so many hours of studying. I really don't know how well I can do it alone. Any chance you go to Oregon State? Ha Ha😀

 

[Jonari]

Signing in to take the MCAT at end of January. I initially had planned on studying each subject for a month straight. Bio in Sept, Orgo in Oct, Chem in Nov, and Physics in Dec. With that doing practice exams in the month of January.

However, I realized that is probably not the best thing to do. Instead I've decided to devout a week for each of the topics. So in Oct, first week will be Bio, 2nd week will be Orgo, 3rd week Chem, 4th week Physics.

At the end of the month, take a practice exam. I'm hoping, I can do 2 at the end. Say on on Friday & one on Sunday. Don't know how easy it'll be able to do, but we'll see. Any input on this is appreciated.

 

[Doc Henry]

Signing in to take the MCAT at end of January. I initially had planned on studying each subject for a month straight. Bio in Sept, Orgo in Oct, Chem in Nov, and Physics in Dec. With that doing practice exams in the month of January.

However, I realized that is probably not the best thing to do. Instead I've decided to devout a week for each of the topics. So in Oct, first week will be Bio, 2nd week will be Orgo, 3rd week Chem, 4th week Physics.

At the end of the month, take a practice exam. I'm hoping, I can do 2 at the end. Say on on Friday & one on Sunday. Don't know how easy it'll be able to do, but we'll see. Any input on this is appreciated.

That sounds a lot like what I'll be doing, but I don't know if I can devote a whole week to each topic all at once. I tend to burn out if I focus too much on one subject...

I really hope it works out for you though. I think we should totally keep this thread going as sort of a way to keep our motivation and check in on how we're all doing.

 

[Omel]

Taking Jan MCAT also, I am probably going to do the Exam Krackers 10wk plan and supplement it with Kaplan. I am kinda starting to freak out January is almost here😱. Does anyone know when we can start to register for it???

 

[Doc Henry]

Taking Jan MCAT also, I am probably going to do the Exam Krackers 10wk plan and supplement it with Kaplan. I am kinda starting to freak out January is almost here😱. Does anyone know when we can start to register for it???

November sometime.

 

[Jonari]

I don't see how somebody that goes to school full time can implement the 10 week study from EK. It just seems physically impossible to do a whole lecture each day from EACH topic. What do you guys think?

 

[Omel]

I don't see how somebody that goes to school full time can implement the 10 week study from EK. It just seems physically impossible to do a whole lecture each day from EACH topic. What do you guys think?

It should take about one-two hours of studying each day according to what EK states. I suppose it is possible to study the material if you have long breaks between classes or at the end of the day.

 

[princey0gi]

Good luck with that. Hopefully we'll both do great! I just really want to find a study partner...It's just so much material and so many hours of studying. I really don't know how well I can do it alone. Any chance you go to Oregon State? Ha Ha😀

haha a study partner would be great especially to review all that bio! but im on the east coast at Rutgers. maybe we could meet up in iowa haha jk.

 

[mj4md]

I don't see how somebody that goes to school full time can implement the 10 week study from EK. It just seems physically impossible to do a whole lecture each day from EACH topic. What do you guys think?

Jonari, I am trying to accomplish what you have stated here. Like Omel said, you've got to find a time of day where you can dedicate it to MCAT on a consistent basis. For full-time students like ourselves, saying "Oh, I'll find time for it sometime today" only leads to further procrastination, and before you know it, a week has gone by and you've finished one lecture of one EK book. Iam exaggerating, but you know what I mean.

I am in my 3rd year of biomed. engineering, and this is my most difficult semester yet (until next semester). Fortunately, I have put aside time from about 1-2 PM until about 4 PM each day. I tell myself that like a class, I have to be at my normal study spot at 1 or 2 depending on the day. Then I work at the chapter assigned for that day until my evening class begins. It seems to work best for me when I remind myself exactly what my goal is and that the ONLY way to achieve it is to study hard for the MCAT.

I should also point out that by this point in his/her academic career, one should have a pretty built up GPA (varies with major, of course). Maybe focusing most of your attention towards courses that will be factored into your Science GPA and MCAT prep, while just doing enough for your other classes will allow you to budget your time more efficiently as well.

Either way, I hope you are able to work out a nice schedule for yourself to accomplish all of your goals this semester. When I posted on this seemingly dead thread a few weeks ago, I hardly expected a reply. I am so glad to see all of my fellow pre-meds with nice prep strategies and positive attitudes. Let's keep up the good work and keep updating each other on our progress! 👍

 

[drjds]

Starting again!🙁

 

[Doc Henry]

Today was my first day of studying for the January MCAT and it went well. I got through two Kaplan Bio chapters taking notes on what I didn't already know really well. Tomorrow I'll spend 2-3 hours on either gen chem, ochem or physics and also review what I did today.

I love how motivated I'm feeling! I couldn't get myself to study ANYTHING last year (which showed in my grades) but this is a great year to have motivation!

Hows everyones studying going?

 

[Doc Henry]

OK. So everybody has bailed on me already? Well, if for no other reason than my own affirmation I will tell you (or myself) what I did today, my second day of prep. I very slowly and reluctantly got through the first two chapters of gen chem. God I hate quantum numbers!

I sort of feel like I'm wasting my time with the first few chapters of bio and chem because i've learned it a gazillion times...but I guess I don't have it down solidly enough for the MCAT so I'm just starting from ch 1 and going through all of it.

 

[Atossa]

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!

If you're already in medical school, why are you thinking of writing the MCAT???

 

[Doc Henry]

If you're already in medical school, why are you thinking of writing the MCAT???

I'm guessing that must be a mistake...who knows🙄

 

[ChubbyChaser]

January MCAT 2008- GOd i hope not, but ill know in a week.

 

[mj4md]

OK. So everybody has bailed on me already? Well, if for no other reason than my own affirmation I will tell you (or myself) what I did today, my second day of prep. I very slowly and reluctantly got through the first two chapters of gen chem. God I hate quantum numbers!

I sort of feel like I'm wasting my time with the first few chapters of bio and chem because i've learned it a gazillion times...but I guess I don't have it down solidly enough for the MCAT so I'm just starting from ch 1 and going through all of it.

Sorry to leave you hangin' like that Doc Henry. I was so wrapped up in my own prep schedule today that I didn't get a chance to post something. It seems some are choosing to study with Kaplan materials, while others use EK, and some both. For now, I fall into the EK group as I stated somewhere up above.

The 10-week home-study format is nice b/c it's easy to follow. At the same time someone mentioned earlier, and I have to agree, that the suggested time are way off. To read a 30-page lecture of Bio containing everything from nucleic acids to genes to transcription, translation, mitosis, meiosis, blotting techniques, etc., take notes on the material, and take a 30-min. practice test with 3 passages & about 23 questions AND review your answers/reasons why in 3 hours seems like a stretch to me. Others using EK, how do you feel about the home-study (sorry for the long-windedness here)?

I'm just trying to force myself to finish the alotted work for each day before I wake up the next day. Bottom line, I really only want to have to take the MCAT once.

On a positive note, I really like the verbal strategy posited by the EK books. I would definitely recommend checking it out for those of you studying Kaplan materials. The question-stem method is quite handy, and to prove to you that it works, they give you 30-min. to answer 23 questions (3 passages) worth of questions without the passages. You must rely solely on what you can extrapolate from the questions and answers. The questions are apparently reprinted from and old AAMC exam, too. Anyway, following their instructions, I was able to score a 10 (scaled obviously b/c of only 3 passages) without reading the passages.

Come on people, Doc Henry is right, we need to keep each other posted on how things are going, things that might be useful, and what to watch out for.

 

[Doc Henry]

Thanks for the support!

I actually have EK books too, but not a 10-week set up. I plan on using them to supplement info and practice material, but since I took the kaplan class, I know their format best, so I figure its good for me to use as a schedule.

I think that what you are doing sounds like a lot too. I've only been getting 2 chapters done in two hours, taking detailed notes, but not really practicing yet (My online materials are expired, haven't gotten to the center to renew). So I can't imagine getting all of that done!

Good luck and keep at it!

 

[DrJD]

Hey all! I am not actually in medical school... I think I changed that a while ago when I was going to be going to St. George's... (was accepted and had the plane ticket and everything) I'll change it back to "pre-med"!

I am currently in my third day of actual full on studying! Today I am taking notes and highlighting in the Examkrackers Physics. Lecture 1!

MJ4md, I totally know what you are saying with the EK stuff! It definitely takes longer than they think it does. I am working really hard to try and get this stuff, so maybe they expect people to go through it a little quicker than we are?

I guess this is as good a place as any... Maybe we could ask each other questions as we go through the studying material? For example, I am curious if you guys are going to memorize the amino acids or not. EK said you didn't have to, but I don't know. I think I may memorize a couple, such as Cysteine and Proline.

For the EK folks such as Doc Henry, did you do physics lecture 1 yet? I am curious if you got question 1 right, the balloon one... I got it wrong! Gah!!

We can use this for encouragement, updates, and talking about some of the trickier points...

Keep up the good work everyone!

 

[Omel]

Doc Henry: So are you using Kaplan course books to study??? What is you schedule like.... two chapters of one subject area a day? I took the prep course about a year ago but did not feel like it helped(so i ended up not taking the MCAT's). I am wondering if I should use the course books or buy the EK package so I can do the 10wk plan. I really need to decide by the end of this week....I have to start studying ASAP.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL STUDYING!!!🙂

 

[dallas007md]

i just started studying toooooooooo.
does anyone know the date that we can register?

good luck to everyone!

 

[Doc Henry]

i just started studying toooooooooo.
does anyone know the date that we can register?

good luck to everyone!

November sometime

 

[DocWalken]

January MCAT, taking Kaplan course started at end of August. Finding difficulty taking class and managing 17 credits. However, will have allllllll winter break to study 8 million hours a day.
Check out my "kaplan scores and course" thread and post so I can feel better!
peace

 

[DrJD]

Doc Henry: So are you using Kaplan course books to study??? What is you schedule like.... two chapters of one subject area a day? I took the prep course about a year ago but did not feel like it helped(so i ended up not taking the MCAT's). I am wondering if I should use the course books or buy the EK package so I can do the 10wk plan. I really need to decide by the end of this week....I have to start studying ASAP.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL STUDYING!!!🙂

Hey Omel,

I used to be an instructor for Kaplan and I am currently going through the Examkrackers 10-week home study plan. So I am somewhat familiar with both of them, do you have an specific questions that I could answer to help you in deciding what to do? Just let me know, I'd be happy to help in any way I can!

Everyone! So amino acids, memorize?

Today I am doing the first Verbal for the EK plan... Should be interesting, I'll post later with how it went!

 

[mshheaddoc]

I'll probably retake b/c I like the exam 😛 j/k but seriously I might retake. This time I'll study.

Oh and EK questions aren't "harder" but they just really test your content knowledge well.

to everyone.

 

[BassPlease]

Hey everyone... I'm going to be taking the Jan 08 exam as well!

I took the exam on August 9th and was dissapointed when I barely missed my target score. Nonetheless, I know what I need to improve on. I'm just bummed that I spent all summer studying and now I have to spend all of my winter break studying as well. The one thing I'm grateful for is that I am at school full-time, and I'm the type of person that gets more things done with the less time I have.

Doc Henry- what did you have to tell Kaplan to get access back to your MCAT materials? I'd love this because I still have about a half dozen unused practice test (mostly AAMCs) and I think it is terrible that I don't have access to them anymore, especially considering how expensive the course was. My only concern is that I did not complete EVERYTHING that they recommended, and I'm worried that they will deny my request to have access again.

I also ordered EK Gen Chem 1001, Physics 1001, and Verbal 101 to supplement my Kaplan books with. PS was definitly my tough point, but thankfully I think it is the one place where I can really improve.

I'm really excited that this thread was started and I'm glad that there is support already for this exam!

As to memorizing the amino acids... haha I JUST finished doing that for my first biochemistry exam yesterday; I learned structures, long names, three letter names, and single letter names! AH!

-BP

 

[DrJD]

Doc Henry- what did you have to tell Kaplan to get access back to your MCAT materials? I'd love this because I still have about a half dozen unused practice test (mostly AAMCs) and I think it is terrible that I don't have access to them anymore, especially considering how expensive the course was. My only concern is that I did not complete EVERYTHING that they recommended, and I'm worried that they will deny my request to have access again.

-BP

With Kaplan it is a little confusing. When you say "recommended" that is vague. Did you do everything required? If you did everything required, than ALL you have to do is tell them that you aren't satisfied with your score and that you want access to your online account again. They will extend it for about 3 months or so. 1-800-Kap-TEST It is part of their HSG(Higher score gaurantee) If you have any other questions, just ask!

Again I used to teach for them...

For those of you going through Examkrackers... In the verbal book for the scaled score at the end, it says 23 right is a 15 but there are only 21 questions? HOW does that work? Anyone figure that out?

 

[bigserve99]

I'm also taking January 08.

I've just finished Nova Physics, and am about to finish Chemistry.....I just decided to use my textbook, since I was most comfortable with it's material presentation. Can't say enough about Nova, it's quick and dirty.

I am using EK 1001 to supplement till I start the Kaplan course (October 23rd I believe). I finished the majority of physics questions in 1001, and a quarter of the biology ones. I have done the first couple of Verbals from 101.

Does anyone else recommend the Verbal strategy from EK or using it? I'm not sure whether to go ahead and put my time into learning it if it won't work.

Good luck to everyone. It's gonna be a long fall, but I think we'll all be alright, if we just keep our head down and mush.

Peace.

 

[Omel]

Hey Omel,

I used to be an instructor for Kaplan and I am currently going through the Examkrackers 10-week home study plan. So I am somewhat familiar with both of them, do you have an specific questions that I could answer to help you in deciding what to do? Just let me know, I'd be happy to help in any way I can!

I am just torn on what to do because I have all the kaplan materials but it seems as though most people recommend ek. Also, I am leaning towards ek because they have a schedule written out for you. Although I was thinking of making such a schedule with my kaplan books. I guess my question is would you recommend ek over kaplan???

 

[BassPlease]

With Kaplan it is a little confusing. When you say "recommended" that is vague. Did you do everything required? If you did everything required, than ALL you have to do is tell them that you aren't satisfied with your score and that you want access to your online account again. They will extend it for about 3 months or so. 1-800-Kap-TEST It is part of their HSG(Higher score gaurantee) If you have any other questions, just ask!

I don't think I did everything "required," although I may have. What if I haven't, is there anything they can do for me?

Thanks for all your help.

-BP

 

[Doc Henry]

BP i pm'd you

 

[DrJD]

I don't think I did everything "required," although I may have. What if I haven't, is there anything they can do for me?

Thanks for all your help.

-BP

They may, they may not... I think that will somewhat depend on the temperment of the person you get a hold of at 1800kaptest...

Definitely worth a try though!

 

[DrJD]

I am just torn on what to do because I have all the kaplan materials but it seems as though most people recommend ek. Also, I am leaning towards ek because they have a schedule written out for you. Although I was thinking of making such a schedule with my kaplan books. I guess my question is would you recommend ek over kaplan???

For as far into the material as I have gotten, I would recommend EK over Kaplan. I have yet to finish EK so I am not a perfect judge but it seems to me that EK is written better and easier to understand. I also feel like EK hones in more on what the MCAT will actually test. Kaplan material is good as a back up though! I have also heard that it is good to supplement your EK questions with other questions, and I think that the Kaplan Q-bank is quite good!

 

[chiller]

My city's only Oct-Jan prep course for the MCAT has been just cancelled, right as I was about to enroll (Princeton Review).

So now I am stuck with my EK complete study guide as my only source of information. My background is Comp.Sci so the Organic and Bio is completely new. You think the 10 week program with the practice AAMC exams is sufficient to prepare? I have resigned from my job just to concentrate on this, but I feel as if the legs underneath me were taken away when the prep course got cancelled.

Any tips or advice on my situation? Is the 10 week program sufficient to prepare well for the exam? I really would have liked a cirriculum that could allow me to judge where I would be at in the whole process.

 

[Doc Henry]

I have the EK books (not 10 week method) and I have actually noticed that the reading is easier- especially since the books are more colorful and not just pages and pages of text.

Do you guys think I should abandon the kaplan study books and just use the supplemental materials like the practice passages and tests while studying with EK?

 

[Doc Henry]

The other thing I really hate with kaplan is how there practice probs at the end of each chapter are impossible to do without a calculator. thats so stupid when the test we are taking doesn't allow them! I just tried to do my best at setting them up and getting to the point where I needed a calculator, then checking my work

 

[sushichubs]

Hi all,
I completed the Princeton Review course during summer, but found their books not the best to study from (ochem seemed insufficient in coverage and bio seemed too detailed and unorganized). I really need to find a clear, understandable, organized, and succinct yet thorough enough (the right amount of information needed to do well on the exam, neither overkill nor insufficient) study book. It seems as though the examkrackers is the best from what you guys have been saying. Are you guys studying from:

Examkrackers MCAT: Complete Study Package (Examkrackers) (Paperback)
by Jonathan Orsay (Author)- 5 volume set, 7th edition, nearly 1,000 pages, $174.95

Or is it another book(s) by examkrackers? Also, I'm very weak in the ochem and physics sections (and never did all that well in those subjects in college); would this book package be good to study from for those subjects, given my poor mastery of them? And where did you purchase the book package (I can only find it at amazon.com)? Where is it cheap to buy from? Thanks a bunch guys and good luck!! 😉

 

[mshheaddoc]

yes, that the EK they are talking about.

 

[Doc Henry]

So...I was looking at the EK 10 week plan and I really like it, plus I really like their books. I already have the "complete study package" but that does not include any of the 1001 books that the 10 week plan requires. Should I invest the extra couple 100 bucks to get those? I feel like I need to stick to one plan, and I like that EK has the schedule all worked out for me- so I'm really leaning towards it (although I'd be a week behind where I planned, but oh well)

Thanks!

 

[mshheaddoc]

if there are areas of content that you are weak they will help you.