January 2008 MCAT Central

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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!
 
I'm taking the Jan 26 MCAT and have taken my last practice test today (AAMC 6r) and got:
PS: 11
VR: 10
BS: 11

Had I caught JUST ONE stupid mistake in each section, each score would have gone up by 1 (I was on the border for each section), which would have put me at a 35. Most of my mistakes included stuff like totally missing key information in a passage, misreading the question etc. I think it's because as test day approaches, I'm getting more and more nervous. Does anyone have any advice on how to avoid such stupid mistakes and any relaxation tips?

Many Thanks.
 
AAMC logic = read passages closely and choose the simplest answer based on what's stated in the passages and using your own knowledge. When you narrow it down to two, I've noticed the simplest answer, that is, the most direct answer, is the correct one. You just have to reason it yourself directly in order to convince yourself. I think that was where the pitfall was for me today.

Kaplan requires long drawn out thought regarding a bajillion tables and realizing complex trends. Figuring out a lot of complex trends on the AAMCs often gets you into trouble, from what I've seen.

yup, remember that one question on the first passage in BS... about the toxin that can cross membranes... that one question about a mutation in which of the following would lead to cancer? very simple question... they unnecessarily included EXTRA info.
 
I agree that Kaplan's curve is a little over-generous. However, the questions are more difficult/vague than the AAMC ones and the material is a whole lot less familiar on the Kaplan tests. This I think is good because it gives you some confidence with the test, knowing that you can apply what you know to unfamiliar areas and with a little guesswork can still get some questions right. However, I do see how it could make you lazy. I'm just taking it one day at a time and I'll take it when I get there, just meaning that I'm not going in (or spending these next few days) with the preformed notion that "Oh Kaplan says I got a 39, so I don't even have to try on this test or continue studying hard."

i agree. the score inflation kinda sucks, but i think i do proportionally worse (raw score-wise) on kaplans. and when i take aamc's, i'm REALLY confident during the PS section. that confidence might translate to better test taking because you don't feel as stressed? but aamc leaves no room for a silly mistake. kaplan gives you tons of room for that. so you have to just make sure you're completely focused.
 
You write these prep tests having in mind that they are prep test (i.e not the real thing). On the actual test, the elevated epinephrine levels in your blood will make sure that you pay enough attention for everything. It's natural that everybody scores higher on the real thing in any test, stress helps sometimes 😛.
I wouldn't think about it too much for now. You will be stressed enough on the test to avoid your casual mistakes. Don't stress too much though 😛
 
i agree. the score inflation kinda sucks, but i think i do proportionally worse (raw score-wise) on kaplans. and when i take aamc's, i'm REALLY confident during the PS section. that confidence might translate to better test taking because you don't feel as stressed? but aamc leaves no room for a silly mistake. kaplan gives you tons of room for that. so you have to just make sure you're completely focused.

I agree about having way better raw scores on AAMC tests. My friend took the August 20th killer one and she said that there definitely was a godly curve.
 
What have you guys been doing for the writing sample? I haven't done anything yet (pretty bad, I know), but I'm to start practicing some outlines/essays and writing them on the next 3 tests I take (the final 3 before the test). So yeah, have you guys been practicing a lot?
 
What have you guys been doing for the writing sample? I haven't done anything yet (pretty bad, I know), but I'm to start practicing some outlines/essays and writing them on the next 3 tests I take (the final 3 before the test). So yeah, have you guys been practicing a lot?

haven't practiced at all. i'm going practice it with the last two tests i take. but i am not gonna work on it at all otherwise becuase i don't really care about my writing score...
 
I'm taking the Jan 26 MCAT and have taken my last practice test today (AAMC 6r) and got:
PS: 11
VR: 10
BS: 11

Had I caught JUST ONE stupid mistake in each section, each score would have gone up by 1 (I was on the border for each section), which would have put me at a 35. Most of my mistakes included stuff like totally missing key information in a passage, misreading the question etc. I think it's because as test day approaches, I'm getting more and more nervous. Does anyone have any advice on how to avoid such stupid mistakes and any relaxation tips?

Many Thanks.

You'll definitely be running on adrenaline on test day and it'll help keep you from making those kind of mistakes. Just relax, your scores are great and if you can do that on your real test you will be just fine!
 
Hi everyone, i am taking my actual test on jan 26th. I can't raise my score above 7 to 8 range. I too aamc test 10 and got
ps 9, vb 7, bs 9.

I took aamc test 8 a week before and go got
ps 10, vb 8, bs 10.

I ve been doing passages from examcrackers and looking over wrong answers from my test. They aren't helping. Please help. Any advise is welcom. i just want to raise my ps to atleast 10.
 
Just do questions non-stop and read the answer explanations. I like to do one question at a time while looking at the answer whenever I'm studying something I'm unsure of even though it's a little tedious. It's worked for me throughout UG and it's helped me improve my MCAT scores (diagnostic PS was a 7, now up to 12).

Also if you have trouble remembering little details or formulas try to keep a formula/cheat sheet nearby...never hurts to boost the confidence a little bit, although you-obviously-have to give it up before test day.
 
Hey what snacks is everyone bringing with them? Being a nutritional science major, I'm weighing the pros and cons of the whole granola bar/apple route against something maybe a little more proteinaceous like a sandwhich. Hmm..tough choices..ten minutes is not a lot of time to eat though.

Does anybody know if they let you chew gum in the test room, provided you don't stick it under your seat?
 
took kaplan 9 today.
14ps, 11vr, 15bs. i really hope that the real thing will give us nice curves too, though i kind of doubt it.
 
Took EK Test #1H and got a PS-11, VR-10, BS-9...
happy to see my verbal up but i am really bummed out on my sciences. I am starting to doubt how much I really know cuz I didnt think the test was too hard, but I didnt get the answers right. I usually finish with more than enough time on bio too but on this test I finished just on time... same with physical.

Does anyone know anything about EK tests? Are they easier, harder, or equivalent to what the real thing might be?
 
AAMC 10 - 12 11 10 (33). Seems like the curve on this one was particularly unforgiving. Got almost 85% overall. What did everyone else think?
 
AAMC 10 - 12 11 10 (33). Seems like the curve on this one was particularly unforgiving. Got almost 85% overall. What did everyone else think?

Bio and physics were normal... bio seemed a little simpler than some of the other ones IMO

Verbal was hard as hell... from taking the Aug MCAT, the verbal was almost exactly like this... not like the other tests.. passages weren't too bad... but the questions REALLY required you to think critically

I found AAMC 8 to be my worst
AAMC 10 (14,9,13) was in the middle... crazy curve though.... 2 questions on PS I guessed on (water droplet one and anode signal one)... if I had gotten them wrong... 14 PS -> 12 PS
 
btw guys, do you remember that question with sulfur dioxide, trioxide etc... how is carbon dioxide made from HCl and CO32- ? I'd think that would give you HCO3- ? These types of questions always stump me.. I never feel like I have the intuition/chemistry background to "predict" gas evolved questions =(
 
btw guys, do you remember that question with sulfur dioxide, trioxide etc... how is carbon dioxide made from HCl and CO32- ? I'd think that would give you HCO3- ? These types of questions always stump me.. I never feel like I have the intuition/chemistry background to "predict" gas evolved questions =(

agreede i said h2, i have no idea just guessed
 
btw guys, do you remember that question with sulfur dioxide, trioxide etc... how is carbon dioxide made from HCl and CO32- ? I'd think that would give you HCO3- ? These types of questions always stump me.. I never feel like I have the intuition/chemistry background to "predict" gas evolved questions =(

I don't know the specific question but if you have HCl and CO32- and a gas coming out of it, you can assume it's CO2 because you know H2CO3---> H2O + CO2. HCO3- would be formed but it wouldn't come out of the solution as a gas.
 
For those getting above 10 on verbal, how quick do you read the passages? Do you go back to the passages for anything?
 
For those getting above 10 on verbal, how quick do you read the passages? Do you go back to the passages for anything?

I fairly consistently get in the 12 range on verbal on my practice tests and when I took the actual MCAT 4 years ago I got an 11 on verbal...

I read the passages at a decent pace the first time through. Imagine how fast you would read a journal article. I definitely read for understanding. Because you only have 60 minutes it is important that you read it in its entirety only once. So stay interested, pretend you are proof reading this journal article before it gets published.

Now, I know some of verbal is just intuitive. But I think it is important to make sure you have the gist of the main idea by the time you are done reading. If the question references a word, or quote from the passage, you definitely need to go read a from a little before the quote to a little after for context.

So don't read them quickly, but don't ready them slowly... I know this is vague, but unfortunately Verbal is one of those sections that just takes a lot of practice. If I can answer any other questions I totally will! Good luck!
 
I thought AAMC 8 was particularly hard! I have one practice test left which I will be taking tomorrow... (Thank you Dr. King!!)

AAMC 9, so hopefully a confidence booster... Have you guys found that AAMC 9 was in fact a confidence booster?

So we are 6/5 days away... and given that most of us arent going to study the day before we are 5/4 days away... (Unless you count today since it is the morning, but you get the point, lol)

So, what are you going to be doing over the next 5ish days? Hammering weak points? Flash cards, just practice sections?

I am curious to hear what people thought of AAMC 8 though, freaking A... That question that used q instead of theta... I didnt' get that, did anyone else understand what was going on with that? Why q?

And, how are we supposed to know what Metathesis is?? Did anyone else know that off the top of their head? Heres to a good day of studying!

DrJD
 
Looking to conquer AAMC 8 today, so ill be back at about 7 to give you my thoughts JD

good luck with 9, i thought it was harder than 10 but i took it on a very OFF day with alot going on around here,

alright headed to the library to kick 8's ass.......
 
I fairly consistently get in the 12 range on verbal on my practice tests and when I took the actual MCAT 4 years ago I got an 11 on verbal...

I read the passages at a decent pace the first time through. Imagine how fast you would read a journal article. I definitely read for understanding. Because you only have 60 minutes it is important that you read it in its entirety only once. So stay interested, pretend you are proof reading this journal article before it gets published.

Now, I know some of verbal is just intuitive. But I think it is important to make sure you have the gist of the main idea by the time you are done reading. If the question references a word, or quote from the passage, you definitely need to go read a from a little before the quote to a little after for context.

So don't read them quickly, but don't ready them slowly... I know this is vague, but unfortunately Verbal is one of those sections that just takes a lot of practice. If I can answer any other questions I totally will! Good luck!

Sound advice. Read the thing; don't just glance through it.
 
I think I'm going to take AAMC 5 today. I haven't touched that exam for 3 months and I barely remember anything from it.
 
Kap Diag: ___PS:7__ VR:10 __BS: 11 (28)
Kap FL 8: ___PS:11 __VR:8__ BS:14 (33)
AAMC 5 : ___PS:12__ VR:10 __BS:11 (33)
Kap FL4: ____PS:8 __VR:10 __BS:14 (32) *gave up on PS boo-hoo
AAMC 6: ____Ps:12 __Vr:10__ Bs:12 (34)
Kap FL5: ____PS:12__ VR:11 __BS:14 (37)
AAMC 4: ____Ps:12__ Vr:10__ Bs:14 (36)
AAMC 8: ____Ps:12__ Vr:13__ Bs:11 (36)
Kap FL8:____PS:13___VR:10__BS:14 (37)
Kap FL7:___PS:12__VR:13___BS:14 (39)

AAMC 9:___PS:12___VR:10__BS:15 (37)

Got 52/52 in Bs, pretty stoked! I could not stay focused during VR and PS and thought I did much worse in these sections (PS-I have a severe phobia of fluids problems) ended up with 6 wrong in PS and 10 wrong in VR. I was pretty unfocused during these two sections and was just having a crappy morning in general..so hopefully I can do (or at least feel a little better/more focused) during VR if I start it first thing tomorrow. Still not complaining.
 
I think I must have ADD or something because there is quite a discrepancy between my written and computer based tests. (Avg 32.5 vs. 37.5)

AAMC 3CBT__ 12-11-13 (36)
KFL 5R ______12-8-12 (30)
AAMC 4R ____12-8-12 (32)
AAMC 6R ____12-11-12 (35)
KFL 7R ______10-10-11 (31)
AAMC 10CBT _12-12-15 (39)
KFL 8R ______12-11-12 (35)

Today:
AAMC 8CBT__ 14-12-12 (38)

Less than a week and AAMC 9 left.
 
Just finished AAMC 8,

For the first time in this process I have experienced the "crap-shoot" phenomenon.

The physical started off ok at best, I was hoping for an 11

The verbal ABSOLUTELY felt as if it DESTROYED me, for the first time i barley finished and I had trouble concentrating in the middle, not to mention i felt it was plain and simple MUCH harder than the others...I was thinking 7-9 (9 if lucky)

Bio seemed difficult, harder than usual, im a consisted 12, so I expected a 10

Actual result 12 10 13 (35) I actually started laughing when the score report came up, needless to say my mood is better than the past couple hours and damn if I can guess half as good Saturday as today I'll be alright....
 
Lol... I took Kaplan FL #10 for fun.. :laugh:

9 PS, 10 BS, 1 VR (didn't take verbal)

My Bio wasn't bad at all.... only 15 wrong... that'd be what? 14? on some of the other curves 😀?

I was expecting a 7,7 or something... considering these are supposed to be ridiculous

How'd you guys do on it?
 
Just took AAMC #7. I dont know why my scores are so low now with only a week to go.

AAMC #3 ------ 12 PS, 9 VR, 11 BS (32)
AAMC #4 ------ 13 PS, 9 VR, 10 BS (32)
AAMC #5 ------ 13 PS, 10 VR, 13 BS (36)
AAMC #6 ------ 12 Ps, 7 VR, 11 BS (30)
AAMC #7 ------ 12 PS, 8 VR, 10 BS (30)
TPR #1 -------- 10 PS, 9 VR, 12 BS (31)
TPR #2 -------- 10 PS, 6 VR, 11 BS (27) !!!!!
TPR #3 -------- 13 PS, 8 VR, 12 BS (33)
TPR #4 -------- 13 PS, 6 VR, 12 BS (31)
TPR #5 -------- 12 PS, 9 VR, 10 BS (31)
TPR #6 -------- 12 PS, 4 VR, 11 BS (27) !!!!!
TPR #10 ------- 12 PS, 6 VR, 11 BS (29)


I am seriously thinking of just putting it off till March or April so I have more time to work on my verbal and cutting down on stupid errors. What do you guys think? Should I move it?
 
What do you have to lose by taking it? Consistent 30's is pretty damn good.
 
Just took AAMC #7. I dont know why my scores are so low now with only a week to go.

AAMC #3 ------ 12 PS, 9 VR, 11 BS (32)
AAMC #4 ------ 13 PS, 9 VR, 10 BS (32)
AAMC #5 ------ 13 PS, 10 VR, 13 BS (36)
AAMC #6 ------ 12 Ps, 7 VR, 11 BS (30)
AAMC #7 ------ 12 PS, 8 VR, 10 BS (30)
TPR #1 -------- 10 PS, 9 VR, 12 BS (31)
TPR #2 -------- 10 PS, 6 VR, 11 BS (27) !!!!!
TPR #3 -------- 13 PS, 8 VR, 12 BS (33)
TPR #4 -------- 13 PS, 6 VR, 12 BS (31)
TPR #5 -------- 12 PS, 9 VR, 10 BS (31)
TPR #6 -------- 12 PS, 4 VR, 11 BS (27) !!!!!
TPR #10 ------- 12 PS, 6 VR, 11 BS (29)


I am seriously thinking of just putting it off till March or April so I have more time to work on my verbal and cutting down on stupid errors. What do you guys think? Should I move it?

your scores are def. above average... don't trust TPR scores I hear... but your AAMC scores look fine... then again, depends on what you're shooting for... I'd go for it and see how it goes.. if you think you did HORRIBLY (skipped a ton of Qs) etc... you could always void it
 
hey i am just wondering if anyone here knows if the curve on the real test is gonna be similar to the practice AAMC or not? I was looking over the conversion table and it seems like you can only get less than 5 wrong to have a chance of scoring above a 12 on PS and BS. Please enlighten me.
 
Kap Diag: ___PS:7__ VR:10 __BS: 11 (28)
Kap FL 8: ___PS:11 __VR:8__ BS:14 (33)
AAMC 5 : ___PS:12__ VR:10 __BS:11 (33)
Kap FL4: ____PS:8 __VR:10 __BS:14 (32) *gave up on PS boo-hoo
AAMC 6: ____Ps:12 __Vr:10__ Bs:12 (34)
Kap FL5: ____PS:12__ VR:11 __BS:14 (37)
AAMC 4: ____Ps:12__ Vr:10__ Bs:14 (36)
AAMC 8: ____Ps:12__ Vr:13__ Bs:11 (36)
Kap FL8:____PS:13___VR:10__BS:14 (37)
Kap FL7:___PS:12__VR:13___BS:14 (39)
AAMC 9:___PS:12___VR:10__BS:15 (37)

AAMC 10:__PS:14__VR:14__BS:12 (40)----I'd already seen the VR section before so that score is kind of b.s.
 
hey i have an orgo question. Does a double bond mean having 1 sigma bond and 1 pi bond? Does a triple bond mean having 1 sigma bond and 2 pi bonds? thanks
 
hey i have an orgo question. Does a double bond mean having 1 sigma bond and 1 pi bond? Does a triple bond mean having 1 sigma bond and 2 pi bonds? thanks

Exactly... There is always a sigma bond... and then the 2nd and 3rd are pi bonds... you got it!
 
Today is the day... Today is the day that I take my final full length before the actual beast on Saturday... I am going over to the library so that I can really focus. AAMC 9... Hopefully it will leave me feelin good about my chances... my Average score has been around a 33... so if it is that or higher I will be ecstatic... Anyway, have all of you taken your final full length? How'd you do? Which one did you take last? I'll report back later about how AAMC 9 was, good luck everyone!

For those of us taking the day off before the test, this means only 4/3 study days left! Almost done!!!
 
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
Kaplan FL 05....12......11......15......38
Kaplan FL 08....13......14......12......39
Kaplan FL 07....14......11......15......40
AAMC 05.........12......11......13......36
Kaplan FL 09....13......12......14......39
AAMC 03.........13......12......11......36
AAMC 10........14.....10.....13.....37

raw-
PS: 1 wrong
VR: 7 wrong
BS: 3 wrong

it's coming alonggg! one more pract test left after this
 
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
Kaplan FL 05....12......11......15......38
Kaplan FL 08....13......14......12......39
Kaplan FL 07....14......11......15......40
AAMC 05.........12......11......13......36
Kaplan FL 09....13......12......14......39
AAMC 03.........13......12......11......36
AAMC 10........14.....10.....13.....37

raw-
PS: 1 wrong
VR: 7 wrong
BS: 3 wrong

it's coming alonggg! one more pract test left after this

haha I scored the same in the sciences.... jeez man... I'm getting scared... how are so many high scorers taking the test on the same day... curve's going to be rough... there are like 6 people getting 35+ consistently :O in this thread alone

and I bet we're all getting the same questions wrong too haha... good luck to all... taking AAMC 9 today..
 
haha I scored the same in the sciences.... jeez man... I'm getting scared... how are so many high scorers taking the test on the same day... curve's going to be rough... there are like 6 people getting 35+ consistently :O in this thread alone

and I bet we're all getting the same questions wrong too haha... good luck to all... taking AAMC 9 today..

Keep in mind that the people that get on and use these forums (myself included) are probably not a representative sample of all of the people taking the MCAT on friday or saturday. I know that I have taken the MCAT very seriously and obsessed about it for about 4 months which is why I am constantly looking at this forum and now posting. Most people taking don't behave the same way and probably haven't put as much effort into studying.

Also, I have heard that it isn't standardized to just the date you take the MCAT. Somebody told me that it is standardized to something like all of the dates over the past year so that it doesn't matter when you take it. Anybody know if this is correct?
 
haha you'd think that, but in actuality the people on this thread are going to be the ONLY people scoring 35+ on the real thing....muaha

Yea but I thought the "curve" was just based on AAMC's perceived difficulty of the questions, not your performance relative to others' on the test day...Oh well, who cares, we are all going ace this thing
 
haha you'd think that, but in actuality the people on this thread are going to be the ONLY people scoring 35+ on the real thing....muaha

Yea but I thought the "curve" was just based on AAMC's perceived difficulty of the questions, not your performance relative to others' on the test day...Oh well, who cares, we are all going ace this thing

Basically what I meant to say. I just said it in a much more convoluted and boring way.

Good call on the AAMC making their own scoring criteria. I've always thought that it was a little screwed up to standardize something where people are taking two different tests.
 
really who cares about the curve and stuff. honestly all you need to worry about is doing your best and staying focused. most of the test is a crapshoot anyway. the difference between a 40 and a 35 and a 31 are all so slight (a few questions here and there) that it really is a lot based on luck. People who scored 35+/40+ will be the first to tell you that. They got lucky. So remember, most of this is a crapshoot. If you do well/not as well, the whole application process is another larger crapshoot. It's all based on luck. And in the end, if you really want to be a doctor and work hard no matter what point you're at, you will become one, regardless of your mcat/gpa/blah blah blah.

end rant.
 
definitely agree, difference between a 36 and a 40 is just a few questions...


What kind of studying are you guys putting in this week? I'm just taking another practice test and maybe some verbal review...definitely no cramming or anything, not trying to freak myself out by thinking I don't know things. Just trying to play it cool and confident from here on out.

With that said: 4 more days!! YESSSSS!
 
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