Just took AAMC 11...should I reschedule?

[yanks26dmb]

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That bio section, which everyone says is the closest to the real MCAT (just not as hard) really got me. The ebola passage absolutely destroyed me. I ended up with an 8 in BS, and maintained double digits in PS and VR. For those that have taken the test should I really expect a whole bunch of those ebola-esque passages....

Should I postpone my test? I'm due to take it on Saturday...

 

[Alucard6]

One test should not define everything. How have your average scores been? Despite the ups and downs, people's averages tend to correlate well with their exact score. If you have been maintaining consistent scores around what you desire, then you should be in good shape.

Do not let one section of one practice exam shoot your confidence down with a couple days left.

 

[juliuspepperwood]

No reason to postpone, if you feel like you are doing poorly you can always void it.

 

[yanks26dmb]

One test should not define everything. How have your average scores been? Despite the ups and downs, people's averages tend to correlate well with their exact score. If you have been maintaining consistent scores around what you desire, then you should be in good shape.

Do not let one section of one practice exam shoot your confidence down with a couple days left.

I'm just so f'ing frustrated. My average is 30.3. I should have easily gotten 32 on AAMC 11 but the passages just blew me away and I ended up with an 8. Reading comp is usually my strong point too; I average 11 in VR.

I'm just deathly afraid my test on Saturday is going to be that ebola passage x7...

 

[osckey]

If you're goal is a 30, then stick with it and take the MCAT.

Rely on your average and not an outlier when making such a large decision.

 

[deanthedream17]

Though a 30 is still on the weaker side for MD unless you are a URM or happen to live in a less competitive state

 

[Alucard6]

I'm just so f'ing frustrated. My average is 30.3. I should have easily gotten 32 on AAMC 11 but the passages just blew me away and I ended up with an 8. Reading comp is usually my strong point too; I average 11 in VR.

I'm just deathly afraid my test on Saturday is going to be that ebola passage x7...

It can definitely be frustrating, totally understandable. But these things will happen and you have to strive past them. Chances are there will not be 7 of those Ebola passages...so if you are happy with getting a 30 then go with it!

If you are hoping for anything higher, lets say like 32+ then I would try and take it later in hopes to get that boost.

 

[Heday]

It can definitely be frustrating, totally understandable. But these things will happen and you have to strive past them. Chances are there will not be 7 of those Ebola passages...so if you are happy with getting a 30 then go with it!

If you are hoping for anything higher, lets say like 32+ then I would try and take it later in hopes to get that boost.

AAMC 11 only had ONE ebola passage. It's very likely OP will have at least one, maybe two such passage. His best bet is to figure out what was so troubling with the Ebola passage (understanding the graph? understanding the abbreviation and notations? +/-? -/-?). If he can understand the data, why the experiment was set up the way it was, why certain variable were chosen/changed, etc then he'll be fine. OP, expect an ebola passage. With proper preparation, you'll be able to get through it!

 

[yanks26dmb]

AAMC 11 only had ONE ebola passage. It's very likely OP will have at least one, maybe two such passage. His best bet is to figure out what was so troubling with the Ebola passage (understanding the graph? understanding the abbreviation and notations? +/-? -/-?). If he can understand the data, why the experiment was set up the way it was, why certain variable were chosen/changed, etc then he'll be fine. OP, expect an ebola passage. With proper preparation, you'll be able to get through it!

Can you briefly explain the +/- -/- to me? I'm having a hard time understanding that and you seem like you have a good grip on things...

 

[Alucard6]

AAMC 11 only had ONE ebola passage. It's very likely OP will have at least one, maybe two such passage. His best bet is to figure out what was so troubling with the Ebola passage (understanding the graph? understanding the abbreviation and notations? +/-? -/-?). If he can understand the data, why the experiment was set up the way it was, why certain variable were chosen/changed, etc then he'll be fine. OP, expect an ebola passage. With proper preparation, you'll be able to get through it!

Agreed, it will be worthwhile to analyze what happened with that passage, but do not focus too much on it.

 

[Abstractions]

Can you briefly explain the +/- -/- to me? I'm having a hard time understanding that and you seem like you have a good grip on things...

I haven't looked at the passage in a long time so someone correct me if I'm off base here; but +/- and -/- generally refer to conditions or gene knock outs. +/- means that the first gene or condition is present, and the second gene or condition is knocked out. -/- means both genes/conditions are knocked out/not present.

 

[osckey]

Can you briefly explain the +/- -/- to me? I'm having a hard time understanding that and you seem like you have a good grip on things...

There's an MCAT discussion subforum. I suggest that you go there because, believe me, you are not the only person to have a problem with that passage.

 

[EMDO2018]

That bio section, which everyone says is the closest to the real MCAT (just not as hard) really got me. The ebola passage absolutely destroyed me. I ended up with an 8 in BS, and maintained double digits in PS and VR. For those that have taken the test should I really expect a whole bunch of those ebola-esque passages....

Should I postpone my test? I'm due to take it on Saturday...

The Ebola passage destroys EVERYONE. Luckily, the real MCAT will not be full of ebola like passages. However, MCAT bio has stopped being about memorization, and started being about analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing, just be prepared to think really hard on the bio.

 

[Gauss44]

Take another AAMC practice test and see if you score better in biology. If so, proceed to take the real MCAT. If not, postpone.

If you have any questions about the passage you mentioned, you can search this area of the forum where it's been discussed in depth: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/mcat-study-question-q-a.134/ And possibly this area as well: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/mcat-discussions.31/

 

[yanks26dmb]

Take another AAMC practice test and see if you score better in biology. If so, proceed to take the real MCAT. If not, postpone.

If you have any questions about the passage you mentioned, you can search this area of the forum where it's been discussed in depth: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/mcat-study-question-q-a.134/ And possibly this area as well: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forums/mcat-discussions.31/

Thanks for your reply. I've averaged 10 in bio across all AAMC practice tests. I'm jus toverly concerned b/c so many on this board say the real deal is like AAMC 11 BS but HARDER...

 

[Abstractions]

Thanks for your reply. I've averaged 10 in bio across all AAMC practice tests. I'm jus toverly concerned b/c so many on this board say the real deal is like AAMC 11 BS but HARDER...

Mind you this is n=1, but my actual MCAT was similar to 11 in that it was extremely heavy on mol bio and light on anatomy/ochem. I had 3 passages that were "ebola-eqsue", I'd say 1 was harder, 1 was similar in difficulty, and 1 was similar in concept but very simple if you weren't intimidated by the jargon.

 

[yanks26dmb]

I'm praying for a physio/micro heavy test on Saturday...

 

[Ismet]

Moving to MCAT discussions

 

[IslandStyle808]

Mind you this is n=1, but my actual MCAT was similar to 11 in that it was extremely heavy on mol bio and light on anatomy/ochem. I had 3 passages that were "ebola-eqsue", I'd say 1 was harder, 1 was similar in difficulty, and 1 was similar in concept but very simple if you weren't intimidated by the jargon.

Thanks for your reply. I've averaged 10 in bio across all AAMC practice tests. I'm jus toverly concerned b/c so many on this board say the real deal is like AAMC 11 BS but HARDER...

My last test was like Abstractions, where the majority of the passages were experimental. I am not sure if you have the TRP hyperlearning workbook, but try to do more experimental passages. What it really comes down to is 1) what is the experiment about, 2) what are the graphs telling you, 3) understanding the difference between" control" and "what is being tested."