January 2008 MCAT Central

[DrJD]

---

Members do not see this ad.

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!

 

[robocop1998]

hey so i am planning to take the MCAT on jan 26. Today I took the AAMC practice test #3 for the first time. This is what I got:

PS - 12
VB - 9
BS - 11

Since I planning to take all the AAMC practice tests before the real thing. Do you guys think is it possible for me to gain a couple more points to get about 34/35? I have only 3 weeks left. Thanks

 

[DocWalken]

Practice tests:

Diagnostic (way back in august):
PS: 7 , VR: 10, BS: 11 (28)

Kaplan FL 8 (week or two ago)
PS: 11, VR:8, BS:14 (33)

AAMC 5 (today)
PS:12, VR:10, BS:11 (33)

Planning on doing a test every other day or so and reviewing the other days b/c I have to work in the mornings...wish me luck!

Also good luck to all you as well.

 

[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

AAMC 08.........13......8........11......32
I'm beginning to tank. I just could NOT concentrate during the verbal today. I actually had to click pause after one of the passages/questions and walked around the house for a few minutes before getting back to it. I just couldn't get through. Maybe one-a-day is hurting me...good news is that my PS is back up

 

[DocWalken]

Seriously, how did you get a 15 on verbal?! I must know...

 

[streetlight]

not sure, must've gotten lucky, just like i most recently got unlucky and got an 8 --- 8 to 15, now there's quite a range

 

[DocWalken]

Quite a range indeed...it's so funny, when I started studying for this test I figured I wouldn't have to do anything for verbal, now it's really all I care about.

 

[SBK]

Can someone direct me to where I can read about the policies about the electronic mcat, I keep hearing different answers about highligthing text, scrath paper, food/drink, Ctrl +F, etc...

 

[eppendorf]

hey all,

so with less than 3 weeks before the day that we've all been awaiting for with more or less anticipation, i hope things are going well for all you test takers.

i have been taking aamc practice tests now and yes, i must agree that their verbal is definitely doable compared to the sucky princeton's diagnostics.

i also think that bio 1001 (examcrackers) is of big help. i just started doing their passages and i've been feeling better.

any tips or advice for the Jan 08n test takers?

epp

 

[BassPlease]

Well... with 18 days left to go, I booked a trip to Florida (I'm from MA). I'm not totally sure what I was thinking, but I got the idea into my head that a change of scenery and the opportunity to study outside in the sun by the pool would be the perfect thing for my brain. So, I'm off tomorrow for 6 days to stay with a friend (who is studying for the DAT). I'll arrive back with 12 days left to pull everything together, finish the last few practice exams I want to take, and get psyched for the exam! As I mentioned before, I'm a re-taker, so I'm not too too worried about timing/becoming acclimated with the exam, but rather really making sure that I have the content nailed down.

I'm just over halfway now doing all 2002 EK Gen Chem/Physics questions... the books are awesome. The repetition, although sometimes I can't stand it, is really helping drill the information into my head. I can't wait until I'm all through it, and I'm hopefully that it will make a noticeable difference with my PS score!

Happy studying... hang in there.

-BP

 

[BloodySurgeon]

Can someone direct me to where I can read about the policies about the electronic mcat, I keep hearing different answers about highligthing text, scrath paper, food/drink, Ctrl +F, etc...

The reason why you hear different policies from different people because the policies are somewhat different at different test locations. let me explain. Of course none of the test sites have ctr+F, a mouse with a scroller, or and search function. However, other policies like food scratch paper, writing during the tutorial are variable upon test location. So I hope this clarifies some stuff.

 

[da8s0859q]

The reason why you hear different policies from different people because the policies are somewhat different at different test locations. let me explain. Of course none of the test sites have ctr+F, a mouse with a scroller, or and search function. However, other policies like food scratch paper, writing during the tutorial are variable upon test location. So I hope this clarifies some stuff.

But the AAMC does have its own guidelines (pdf) that specify the availability of scratch paper or equivalent dry erase board.

Foods/drinks are supposedly a no-no, but I can see a proctor saying, "Sure, bring in something quiet or your diet coke or whatever, I don't care."

 

[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
AAMC 08.........13......8........11......32
AAMC 04.........13......10......11......34

seriously i can't stand how variable i am on verbal. geez only 3 questions wrong on PS and that's a 13 , is this close to how the real MCAT curve is?

 

[BloodySurgeon]

seriously i can't stand how variable i am on verbal. geez only 3 questions wrong on PS and that's a 13 , is this close to how the real MCAT curve is?

sometimes.

But the AAMC does have its own guidelines (pdf) that specify the availability of scratch paper or equivalent dry erase board.

Foods/drinks are supposedly a no-no, but I can see a proctor saying, "Sure, bring in something quiet or your diet coke or whatever, I don't care."

Im sorry I should have said that. what i meant was that each proctor allow certain nuisances but there is a general guideline.

 

[prakdiddy20]

Bah, took my first AAMC today! Kaplan's curve is too nice.

VR BS PS
Diagnostic: 8 9 11
FL 2 10 9 10
FL 3 7 11 10
FL 4 9 12 11
FL 5 9 14 12
FL 6 10 13 11
FL 7 10 14 11
FL 8 10 13 11
FL 9 9 15 13
CUM: 9.11 12.22 11.111= 32 (I want a 34!)

AAMC today (Practice Test #3) : 9 10 9 (Bah, 28 looks like a measle)

👎

Any similar trends that actually got a 34+ on the Actual MCAT? I need some solace. Tommorow is two AAMC's in a row. The layer of fat around my stomach is growing.

 

[BloodySurgeon]

AAMC 6 today...

PS-12 VR-11 BS-12 (35)...but i am not too excited cuz i did this test back in june and i must have recognized some of the passages.

also made many stupid mistakes that I shouldn't have, like clicking the second wrong choice when i meant to click the right one. Or misreading a question. So I will not be happy until I do well on a test I haven't done. I also did aamc 7 and 8 in august, should I still do them or do Princeton review tests i haven't already done?

 

[DrJD]

AAMC 6 today...

PS-12 VR-11 BS-12 (35)...but i am not too excited cuz i did this test back in june and i must have recognized some of the passages.

also made many stupid mistakes that I shouldn't have, like clicking the second wrong choice when i meant to click the right one. Or misreading a question. So I will not be happy until I do well on a test I haven't done. I also did aamc 7 and 8 in august, should I still do them or do Princeton review tests i haven't already done?

Depends on how good of a memory you have... Since it was only 6 months ago, it wouldn't hurt to go through them... but I wouldn't waste your time taking them under timed conditions... DEFINITELY go through them, but don't take 4.5 hours taking the test... You'd be better off finding new ones for that... In my opinion...

 

[DocWalken]

Prakdiddy, what did you do to get your verbal up so high so consistently??

 

[DrJD]

Prakdiddy, what did you do to get your verbal up so high so consistently??

It looks like you have been getting a couple 10's in verbal, that is good! Best thing you can do is just keep practicing. REALLY pay attention to the questions you get wrong, and try and really figure out why you got it wrong. There is a huge strategy portion to the Verbal reasoning. Eliminating wrong answers can be really helpful.

Why do you typically get questions wrong? Not understanding the passage? Or falling for a trap?

Things you should look for!

 

[prakdiddy20]

Haha, you think 10's are high? I'm still waiting to break an 11. When that happens I'm going to buy myself something.

I think I'm glazing on the screen too much. I am doing much much better on practice VR on paper. I'm like getting 13 or 14's. It's just hard for me to critically read on a screen so I'm stuck with highlighting just to get the stuff stick into my brain.

I'm going over my explanations, and it just sucks so bad when I know I could have had the right answer. It's always 50-50. I think I have to cry once or twice, which I did today in order to get my butt into gear and treat every practice test like a true test now.

Kaplan brought up my hopes too much. I'm just praying now and I'm going to put in 16 hour days from now on. 1 hour SDN, 1 hour excercising (I'm getting fat). I'll put a massive update on Sunday with all my AAMC scores. I think I'm doing an experiment.

It would be cool to see how the cumulative average scores of AAMC and Kaplan (doing every test) compares to how I actually do on test day. I'm going to try to obliterate that PR Science workbook and the EK 1001 Questions soon as well. Maybe SDN should come up with a funky MCAT calculator/algorithm that students can use to gauge their progress (i.e. weight Kaplan, PR, Goldstandard, and AAMC test scores together).

 

[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 FL#7: 12 PS, 12 VR, 14 BS (38)
Kaplan FL #8: 12 PS, 13 VR, 13 BS (38)

Just took AAMC 7:

Wow, the PS was eas(ier) than any AAMC I have taken.... I guess I just got all the topics I liked... especially chemistry.... I totally guessed on 1 question and got lucky... the doppler effect one

15 PS, 12 VR, 13 BS (40)

The only thing is... I remembered the answer to 2 questions in biology... that I otherwise wouldn't have picked.... with these adjustments, I get a 11 in BS

so really 15 PS, 12 VR, 11 BS (38)... overall, I'll give myself a 36.. considering I retook it... minus 1 for verbal, and minus 1 for PS =) cus there's no way I got a 38 on an AAMC lol

BS is kicking my ass for some reason... I'm a Bio major... but I'm never confident when I pick an answer... missed 4 Bio, 3 O Chem.... Gotta stop those damn O Chem mistakes... jeez

 

[DocWalken]

Yea I guess for verbal I'm just going to take practice tests every day. I have enough to do at least 1 every day. Internet has been acting up and making it hard to practice/stay focused while arguing with internet provider...

Anyways, looks like you guys are getting some killer scores.. really hope I can bring my scores up a good 2-3 points just by taking lots of tests and getting my strategy down.

 

[mikeyworm]

I am hitting a wall. It is so hard for me to study. What is everyone doing to move past this wall. Here are my scores so far.

PS VR BS
KFL 1- 8 8 9 (25)
KFL 2- 9 10 9 (28)
KFL 3- 11 9 13 (33) (I had to quit VR after only 5 passages to go help my fiance after she ran out of gas!
KFL 4- 12 12 11 (35)
KFL 6- 8 10 8 (taken before KFL 1 as a 2nd diagnostic)

AAMC3-11 11 11 (33)
AAMC4-11 12 9 (32) (on this one the BS was totally messed up and had the wrong passages for the last 3 question sets)
AAMC5-12 11 11 (34)

 

[bozz]

I am hitting a wall. It is so hard for me to study. What is everyone doing to move past this wall. Here are my scores so far.

PS VR BS
KFL 1- 8 8 9 (25)
KFL 2- 9 10 9 (28)
KFL 3- 11 9 13 (33) (I had to quit VR after only 5 passages to go help my fiance after she ran out of gas!
KFL 4- 12 12 11 (35)
KFL 6- 8 10 8 (taken before KFL 1 as a 2nd diagnostic)

AAMC3-11 11 11 (33)
AAMC4-11 12 9 (32) (on this one the BS was totally messed up and had the wrong passages for the last 3 question sets)
AAMC5-12 11 11 (34)

Those are some pretty solid scores.... especially verbal... chances are: your verbal skills will help you with bio on the real deal

 

[streetlight]

does anyone else feel like they're burning out? i'm taking a test a day and i think my burnout is reflected in declining verbal score/inability to stay focused during verbal. i think i'm going to take the day off from taking a test a day and just use the entire day for review instead :/

any other stories of burning out?

 

[mcglockz]

You guys doing the hour writing portion when your taking the practice tests? I haven't done it yet but I am starting to wonder if it would be worth while to get my stamina up because after all it is another hour of focusing, no matter how trivial the section may seem.

 

[mcglockz]

i hear ya, i actually am just excited to get this stupid thing over with and have a life. I'm taking a full length today at noon and saturday at noon, and will do this next week and the following wednesday before the test. I feel like im burning out also, but we only got 17 days left so keep on keeping on.

 

[streetlight]

kaplans SUCH a cocktease compared to AAMC, i had a false sense of security with kaplans curve, and now am getting real nervous after taking a few AAMCs

 

[streetlight]

i haven't been (mostly cuz it takes time and i'll get no feedback from it); instead of studying the last day, im gonna look over writing things. i'm going to take the writing section as an extended break from the MCAT; and just write away with whatever writing skills i have. plus, i've heard the writing score isn't too big a deal

 

[streetlight]

We're all stressed and are about 2 weeks away from the test. I'm sure we'll get to know each other real well in our last minute attempts to maximize our scores. So how bout we start now?

Here are some fields that might get us started:
Age
M/F
UG School
Major/minor
Test prep you did? (selfstudy/Kaplan/etc)
Test location
Retaker or not
etc.

Maybe after we get our scores we can work the data around to see any trends with location or major.

 

[BloodySurgeon]

U'd expect the person who created the thread to start the thread but it'd guess i'll go first.

Age- 19
Sex-Male
UG- UCLA
Major- Psych
Test prep- Kaplan
Test location- Los Angeles
Not a retaker
*will be happy with anything 30+ w/ VR-8+

 

[DocWalken]

Age- 21
Sex-Male
UG- UMD
Major- Nutritional Science
Test prep- Kaplan Online
Test location- Bethesda, MD

First-timer

Would really like a 32 or more with at least a 10 in VR

 

[eman53007]

Age - 21
M/F - Male
UG School - College of the Holy Cross
Major/minor - Chemistry
Test prep you did? (selfstudy/Kaplan/etc) - Kaplan (January-March 2007)
Test location - New York, NY
Retaker or not - retaker (unfortunately) 27S (10PS 7VR 10BS)
etc.

 

[eman53007]

I've heard several times the Writing Section isn't that significant, even from my school's pre-medical/pre-dental director. I did not really prep that section, and I ended up getting an "S", one away from the top "T." You simply need to give an eloquent, persuasive argument. The grading is inherently subjective, which makes the section less important.

 

[mikeyworm]

kaplans SUCH a cocktease compared to AAMC, i had a false sense of security with kaplans curve, and now am getting real nervous after taking a few AAMCs

I agree that Kaplan's curve is way more forgiving but I also think that the Kaplan tests are much more difficult than the AAMCs. I find myself having to take an educated guess way more often on the Kaplan sections. My scores are pretty similar with both.

 

[mikeyworm]

Age- 24
Sex - Male
College - Brandeis
Major/Minor - Political Science/History with an Econ minor
Class - Kaplan class and EK books
Loc - Los Angeles, CA
First timer

Hoping for ~34

 

[DocWalken]

Random post of my mcat misery:

stressful day today and yesterday, internet working haphazardly so I've had to deal with being on the phone for hours/waiting for technicians, yelling at internet company, etc, etc. I like to study early in the mornings and get focused first thing, but when stuff like this happens it totally messes me up and I cannot get back on track, sometimes even for the rest of the day..

In an attempt to be productive I tried to start a full length but just could not focus; after completing 35 or so questions of the PS section I realized I had like 5 minutes left or something ridiculous like that. This happened to me twice. What a bummer.

I remain hopeful though b/c I have been getting consistently good scores on PS and have not had timing problems... I think it's a combo of having a long day of being off track and just not being in the mood for it. After my second screw up I figured I would just wait a good 2 days or so to take another FL, cool down, and study in the meantime.

Anyways, this is officially a rant now, but I'm sure you guys have at least a partial understanding of what I mean. Does anyone else find they just have to quit sometimes, switch sections/take a break to gain some enthusiasm, and then start again when you forgot how annoyed you were the last time?

oh yea, good luck to all.

 

[njinga413]

Age- 19
Sex - Male
College - UMASS amherst
Major/Minor - Microbiology
Class - Kaplan class
Loc - Amherst, MA
First timer

Hoping for >30

 

[njinga413]

Hey eman53007, since you did so well on the WS, can you give me some advice on how to go on about the 2nd task( which is to give a counter example) from what i write i dont feel like i explain that well. Also how to end, bcoz all of them ask for factors that will determine something over something. Any help will be appreciated. thanks

 

[poococoon]

kaplans SUCH a cocktease compared to AAMC, i had a false sense of security with kaplans curve, and now am getting real nervous after taking a few AAMCs

"cocktease" lol that's a cute word!

 

[bozz]

take a test every 4 days or so... I'm spending most of my "off" days reviewing my tests in detail... taking many without reviewing won't do much

 

[streetlight]

I should probably chime into my own thread:

Age - 20
Sex - Male
College - MIT
Major/Minor - Neuroscience/nuclear eng.
Class - Kaplan online and self study EK books
Loc - Washington, DC
First timer

hoping for >35 like everyone else

 

[BassPlease]

Wow... first female to represent here?

Age - 20
M/F - Female
UG School - University of New Hampshire
Major/minor - Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology/Spanish
Test prep you did? - Kaplan course, EK self-study
Test location - RI
Retaker or not - Retaker (8/9/07 - PS 9 BS 10 VR 10 W = 29R)

Hoping >30... anything with a 3 as the first digit please!

Keep trucking!

-BP

 

[eman53007]

Hey eman53007, since you did so well on the WS, can you give me some advice on how to go on about the 2nd task( which is to give a counter example) from what i write i dont feel like i explain that well. Also how to end, bcoz all of them ask for factors that will determine something over something. Any help will be appreciated. thanks

Let's see if I can remember. I remember from the Kaplan course that the first task, to give an example about how the statement is true, can be a real example or a hypothetical one. Of course, it is imperative you make logical and convincing arguments.
For the counterexample, it is NECESSARY you have a concrete example with supporting details. It's typical to start the paragraph with "In contrast", "However," basically a good word or phrase that lets the reader know you are changing directions. I try to write a good 5-8 sentences defending my answer, so the length is good, and not too brief.
Finally for conclusion, you can start with, "In conclusion," "To summarize," etc. you essentially reiterate what you wrote above. Use a little different langauge so you don't write verbatim. I think I wrote something to the effect of, "In the case of ABC, XYZ is certainly true. However, in situations where GHI are present, XYZ does not apply, and thus JKL appears more convincing."

 

[xylitol]

Here's my progress:

PS VR BS Cumulative
Kaplan Diag: 11, 7, 10, 28
Kaplan FL 6: 14, 13, 13, 40 (relax)
Kaplan FL 7: 12, 9, 14, 35 (too cocky from FL 6, >.<)
Kaplan FL 1: 11, 7, 11, 29 (began panicking, didn't help score)
Kaplan FL 2: 14, 11, 14, 39
Kaplan FL 3: 12, 11, 13, 36
Kaplan FL 4: 14, 10, 13, 37
Kaplan FL 5: 14, 9, 11, 34 (Burned out from finals. x_x)
AAMC FL 3: 14, 12, 15, 41
AAMC FL 4: 14, 12, 13, 39
AAMC FL 5: 14, 11, 13, 38
AAMC FL 6: 13, 12, 14, 39
AAMC FL 7: 13, 13, 14, 40
AAMC FL 8: 14, 8, 11, 33
Kaplan FL 8 (today): 13, 14, 14, 41 (better)

:sigh: My scores have pretty big discrepancies. I do better when don't feel panicked, but inevitably, on test day, I'm gonna get panicked and do badly. 🙁

AAMC 10 this Saturday. If I can get a 40 on this one, I won't worry as much... Just no more AAMC 8 experiences. : dies:

 

[streetlight]

Here's my progress:

PS VR BS Cumulative
Kaplan Diag: 11, 7, 10, 28
Kaplan FL 6: 14, 13, 13, 40 (relax)
Kaplan FL 7: 12, 9, 14, 35 (too cocky from FL 6, >.<)
Kaplan FL 1: 11, 7, 11, 29 (began panicking, didn't help score)
Kaplan FL 2: 14, 11, 14, 39
Kaplan FL 3: 12, 11, 13, 36
Kaplan FL 4: 14, 10, 13, 37
Kaplan FL 5: 14, 9, 11, 34 (Burned out from finals. x_x)
AAMC FL 3: 14, 12, 15, 41
AAMC FL 4: 14, 12, 13, 39
AAMC FL 5: 14, 11, 13, 38
AAMC FL 6: 13, 12, 14, 39
AAMC FL 7: 13, 13, 14, 40
AAMC FL 8: 14, 8, 11, 33 🙂cries:, panic, also bf was proctoring, phone ringing, excuses excuses, I JUST PLAIN SUCK. >.<)
Kaplan FL 8 (today): 13, 14, 14, 41 (better)

:sigh: My scores have pretty big discrepancies. I do better when don't feel panicked, but inevitably, on test day, I'm gonna get panicked and do badly. 🙁

AAMC 10 this Saturday. If I can get a 40 on this one, I won't worry as much... Just no more AAMC 8 experiences. : dies:

Jesus....

 

[ahmedqman]

35 on AAMC9

14 - PS
10 - VR
11 - BS

Kinda happy... I guess.

 

[DO dreamin]

Hopefully I’m not the only one who rescheduled, please tell me I’m not….. I rescheduled because i was not even close to hitting my goal (30) consistently. Why did you?

 

[robocop1998]

here's my progress:

AAMC #3 ------ 12 PS, 9 VR, 11 BS (32)
TPR #1 -------- 10 PS, 9 VR, 12 BS (31)
TPR #2 -------- 10 PS, 6 VR, 11 BS (27) !!!!!


Do you guys know if TPR exams are supposed to be harder than the actual exam? I find verbal to be especially harder. I'm gonna do AAMC #4 tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[DrJD]

Anybody take the Kaplan tests in the separate blue book? I was very demoralized by the first physical science section, hoping to rant about it with someone...

 

[bozz]

here's my progress:

AAMC #3 ------ 12 PS, 9 VR, 11 BS (32)
TPR #1 -------- 10 PS, 9 VR, 12 BS (31)
TPR #2 -------- 10 PS, 6 VR, 11 BS (27) !!!!!


Do you guys know if TPR exams are supposed to be harder than the actual exam? I find verbal to be especially harder. I'm gonna do AAMC #4 tomorrow and see how it goes.

I wouldn't worry too much.. take aamcs.... I hear people do like 5-10 points worse on princeton review