Low AAMC FL1, mostly using TBR to study, exam in 1 week.

[arc5005]

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UPDATED (4/22/2018)

AAMC FL1 (3/16/2018):

C/P: 127
CARS: 124
Bio: 127
Psych: 125
Total: 503

AAMC FL2 (3/18/2018):

C/P: 127
CARS: 129
Bio: 126
Psych: 123
Total: 505

AAMC Sample Test (4/22/2018):

C/P: 127/128 -- 43/59 (73%)
CARS: 128 -- 45/53 (85%)
Bio: 127 -- 44/59 (75%)
Psych: 130 -- 55/59 (93%)
Total: 512/513?


AAMC FL3 -- Planned for 04/28/2018:

C/P: ---
CARS: ---
Bio: ---
Psych: ---
Total: ---



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Original Post:

So i've mainly been studying from TBR books, and using their passages and tests, and I took my first AAMC test today and I felt that everything was very different than how they test. I've completed all the review content from the TBR books except the CARs book, which I just started doing passages from a couple days ago.

AAMC FL1:

C/P: 127
CARS: 124
Bio: 127
Psych: 125
Total: 503

C/P:

I felt like I barely used any equations or much of any of my scrap paper on the C/P section. Whereas I feel I do tons of math and diagrams on the C/P sections of TBR. I had 5 incomplete questions.

CARs:

I haven't really studied anything for CARs at this point, but I apparently need to. I actually thought I did well on this section, and it happened to be my worst.

Bio:

Just felt really different from TBR study materials.

Psych:

Definitely wasn't prepared for this from TBR psych book I had.

So what do I do next?

So, I'm about 1 week out from the exam. I was planning on taking FL2 in two days, and I have a ton of practice exams (Physical sciences & CARs) to do from TBR. I completed all the passages for Bio and Psych from TBR sources.

I have to work during the week, but might take a half day or two from work, so I can study and/or fit in another practice exam, maybe FL3. But I'm wondering if I should ditch the TBR practice tests and use a different source at this point to study from? People have suggested studying the Section Bank, but I'm wondering if I'm too close to my exam date to really dive into them, or if maybe I should start studying those sooner and put off some of my planned P/C TBR practice sets (59 questions each in 95 minutes - I have like 20 P/C practice sets to do from TBR.)

Planned schedule:
3/16 (today) Review incorrect questions from FL#1, TBR P/C practice sets
3/17 4 to 5 C/P & CARs practice sets from TBR
3/18 FL Test #2, review questions. 2 TBR P/C practice sets
3/19 work & P/C practice sets
3/20 work & more P/C practice tests
3/21 work & more practice sets, only have P/C and CARs sets.
3/22 AAMC section bank vs FL3? Might take a half day off from work.
3/23 AAMC section bank vs FL3? No work.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Honestly, I would push your exam date back!

You're 127 in the sciences shows that you have a solid knowledge base for those which is a great starting point.

For psych and soc I have heard that TBR is pretty iffy. I would go through all the khan academy P/S passages and make anki cards of everything that you don't know. Also check out the khan academy 80 page document which is a good resource for psych!

For CARS again ive heard that TBR is iffy. So I would invest in getting the TPR hyperlearning workbook, to build some practice. Then save the AAMC CARS qpacks for a month out! also note that volume 1 is way harder, so dont get too discouraged, just learn from it. But volume 2 is pretty representative!

I dont know what your goal score is, but jumping to a reasonably competitive 510 so 7 points in a week is a lot and I personally would not risk it.

Even if you take a late June MCAT as long as you submit your AMCAS for verification on the first day to one throwaway school you will be fine.

Also dont get discouraged!! 127 on both sciences in your first AAMC test is solid!! your science knowledge is good you just need to practice with representative science passages. look into getting test from altius and/or next step.

 

[arc5005]

Honestly, I would push your exam date back!

You're 127 in the sciences shows that you have a solid knowledge base for those which is a great starting point.

For psych and soc I have heard that TBR is pretty iffy. I would go through all the khan academy P/S passages and make anki cards of everything that you don't know. Also check out the khan academy 80 page document which is a good resource for psych!

For CARS again ive heard that TBR is iffy. So I would invest in getting the TPR hyperlearning workbook, to build some practice. Then save the AAMC CARS qpacks for a month out! also note that volume 1 is way harder, so dont get too discouraged, just learn from it. But volume 2 is pretty representative!

I dont know what your goal score is, but jumping to a reasonably competitive 510 so 7 points in a week is a lot and I personally would not risk it.

Even if you take a late June MCAT as long as you submit your AMCAS for verification on the first day to one throwaway school you will be fine.

Also dont get discouraged!! 127 on both sciences in your first AAMC test is solid!! your science knowledge is good you just need to practice with representative science passages. look into getting test from altius and/or next step.

Thank you. To be honest, I'm not sure I can push my date back anymore. I would really like a 510, even though I'm aiming for DO schools.

I'm Non-trad, I work full-time, and it's been a long time since I took my pre-med reqs. I've been studying/reviewing content rigorously since September. I made close to 4000 ANKI cards over the past 8 months from TBR review books and some KA videos. I did all my PSYCH review back in the summer, so I definitely need to brush up on it again from a non-TBR source.

I'm going to definitely do some psych and cars review tomorrow, and see how I do on FL2 on Sunday.

What is this TPR Hyperlearning workbook? I can't seem to find too much on amazon other than used copies that are kinda pricey.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Thank you. To be honest, I'm not sure I can push my date back anymore. I would really like a 510, even though I'm aiming for DO schools.

I'm Non-trad, I work full-time, and it's been a long time since I took my pre-med reqs. I've been studying/reviewing content rigorously since September. I made close to 4000 ANKI cards over the past 8 months from TBR review books and some KA videos. I did all my PSYCH review back in the summer, so I definitely need to brush up on it again from a non-TBR source.

I'm going to definitely do some psych and cars review tomorrow, and see how I do on FL2 on Sunday.

What is this TPR Hyperlearning workbook? I can't seem to find too much on amazon other than used copies that are kinda pricey.

If you’re aiming for DO schools then you may be in good shape! I’m not sure the exact averages though to be honest.

It’s a book full of cars passages made by the Princeton review. I really think that you could get a 510 or even better. You’re content is solid 127 is a solid score. But if you burn through all the AAMC material then I feel that would be disadvantageous. Conventional wisdom is that you should spend at least one month on AAMC material and spread it out.

Is there any particular reason why you think that you can’t push it back further?

 

[TakotsuboOkazaki]

My advice would be to push the date back.

If you aren't scoring 510+ on practice tests you are not ready to give the MCAT a real shot. Most practice tests overestimate your score...or maybe I just crack under pressure

 

[Happy_Puppy5000]

Arc5005:

I know you would like to get this test over with and out the way--I know it sucks. Nevertheless, I definitely would suggest that you push back your test date. Those 127 in both C/P and B/BC says that you have what it takes to hit the 510+. Therefore, I would push my test day back.

Do not take the MCAT until you have gone through all the Section Banks at least once.

Get yourself the Khan Academy 300 page psychology sociology notes and the set of Anki cards that accompany them from PreMed95 or better still, make your own.

C/P and B/BC continue finishing the Berkeley Review passages and be sure to do the Section Banks.

CARS really focus practice.

I believe with your current 127s you are in a very good position to score well, do not sell yourself short by rushing and/or settling for a score that is just good enough for DO schools. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[arc5005]

Arc5005:

I know you would like to get this test over with and out the way--I know it sucks. Nevertheless, I definitely would suggest that you push back your test date. Those 127 in both C/P and B/BC says that you have what it takes to hit the 510+. Therefore, I would push my test day back.

Do not take the MCAT until you have gone through all the Section Banks at least once.

Get yourself the Khan Academy 300 page psychology sociology notes and the set of Anki cards that accompany them from PreMed95 or better still, make your own.

C/P and B/BC continue finishing the Berkeley Review passages and be sure to do the Section Banks.

CARS really focus practice.

I believe with your current 127s you are in a very good position to score well, do not sell yourself short by rushing and/or settling for a score that is just good enough for DO schools. Best of luck with your decision.

Thanks.

I took the AAMC FL2 today and did only slightly better.

C/P 127
CARS 129
Bio 126
Psych 123 🙁

overall: 505

C/P - Same score as FL1, despite answering all the questions this round. FL1 I left 5 blank.

CARS - Completely changed the way I approach CARS, and it seemed to work. And I didn't feel too rushed, which was nice.

Bio - Felt a lot harder than FL1

Psych - Felt insanely hard. I don't think the TBR had any sociology in the review book, so I'm going to be intensely studying the KA stuff now.

Going to pick up the section bank stuff soon.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Woah a 129 in CARS is great!! Please please push your MCAT date back I promise two months won’t be an issue you can crush this test but you don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot by cramming things. Spend the next month preferably two during practice passages from Altius or next step while reviewing the section bank and going through the cars q pack. Don’t do the last AAMC FL till a week before the real thing. By the time you take it in May you will be killing it!

 

[arc5005]

Woah a 129 in CARS is great!! Please please push your MCAT date back I promise two months won’t be an issue you can crush this test but you don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot by cramming things. Spend the next month preferably two during practice passages from Altius or next step while reviewing the section bank and going through the cars q pack. Don’t do the last AAMC FL till a week before the real thing. By the time you take it in May you will be killing it!

Can I get a verification from anyone that a NO SHOW and VOID on the MCAT is the same thing basically? If i NO SHOW for my exam on Saturday, and schedule for a new MCAT test date in April/May, that NO SHOW should have no effect on my scores/nobody will see it/no DO or MD schools will know that I had a NO SHOW. correct?

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Can I get a verification from anyone that a NO SHOW and VOID on the MCAT is the same thing basically? If i NO SHOW for my exam on Saturday, and schedule for a new MCAT test date in April/May, that NO SHOW should have no effect on my scores/nobody will see it/no DO or MD schools will know that I had a NO SHOW. correct?

I believe so yes, you can do a search on SDN to verify though. @gonnif micjf have more insight as well.

 

[arc5005]

I believe so yes, you can do a search on SDN to verify though. @gonnif micjf have more insight as well.

Okay. Thank you. This is making me feel more comfortable about doing a NO SHOW, and scheduling for a new exam in April 21. This gives me 5 weeks to study additional stuff.

So in regards to studying:

This week:

• Go over my FL1 and FL2 and write down all the topics I got wrong and struggled with. Use these as indicators of which topics from each section I need to study more intensely.
• Intense studying and reviewing of the 300 page KA Behavioral sciences notes, making anki cards and really grasping the stuff I don't understand content wise.
• Question: I have almost 4000 anki cards that I made myself from all sections (including 581 anki cards specifically for PSYCH section based off info from the TBR books), but now I'm thinking maybe I should stop studying my ANKI, and really focus on what I don't understand. Is this a bad idea? I was thinking maybe making a new ANKI deck just for the PSYCH stuff, since that seems to be my weakest section.
• Question: C/P TBR Practice Sets Would it be wise to get all these completed first, and then afterwards start doing the AAMC C/P volume packs?
• Complete CARS AAMC volume 2. Review afterwards over this week.

Next two weeks following:

• More KA Psych review. making ANKI for psych.
• KA Psych passages.
• Question: Are the KA practice passages for other sections worthwhile at all if I have time? or should I consider other options?
• Question: I have not done much B/BC practice, because I completed both TBR Bio books awhile ago, made anki for them, and completed the four Diagnostic sets awhile ago as well. Will the KA passages and AAMC volume packs be enough additional practice?
• Question: AAMC B/BC, C/P, and CARS 1 volume packs (haven't done any of these yet). Should I be doing these timed? is there anywhere to see a scoring for these?
• Start Section bank questions. Review section bank questions.
• Question: Should I be doing the Section Banks timed? What's the ideal way to study the section bank questions?
• Complete AAMC Sample Test using testing standards.
• CARS diagnostic passages from TBR books & also the CARS practice passages on KA.

Week leading up to the exam:

• AAMC section bank questions, and review, do ANKI.
• Review topics I have indicated as my weak links from each section based off the AAMC FLs, AAMC volume Packs, AAMC Section bank, and any additional sources???
• AAMC FL3. Review afterwards.
• What other CARS can I can practice during this week? Save maybe about 14 passages from my TBR books and KA passages, and do two passages a day the week leading up to my exam?
• Any other recommendations please! I really want to score well, especially if I'm about do a NO SHOW.

Thanks for any input from anybody! Please refer to my specific questions:

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Okay. Thank you. This is making me feel more comfortable about doing a NO SHOW, and scheduling for a new exam in April 21. This gives me 5 weeks to study additional stuff.

So in regards to studying:

This week:

• Go over my FL1 and FL2 and write down all the topics I got wrong and struggled with. Use these as indicators of which topics from each section I need to study more intensely.
• Intense studying and reviewing of the 300 page KA Behavioral sciences notes, making anki cards and really grasping the stuff I don't understand content wise.
• Question: I have almost 4000 anki cards that I made myself from all sections (including 581 anki cards specifically for PSYCH section based off info from the TBR books), but now I'm thinking maybe I should stop studying my ANKI, and really focus on what I don't understand. Is this a bad idea? I was thinking maybe making a new ANKI deck just for the PSYCH stuff, since that seems to be my weakest section.
• Question: C/P TBR Practice Sets Would it be wise to get all these completed first, and then afterwards start doing the AAMC C/P volume packs?
• Complete CARS AAMC volume 2. Review afterwards over this week.

Next two weeks following:

• More KA Psych review. making ANKI for psych.
• KA Psych passages.
• Question: Are the KA practice passages for other sections worthwhile at all if I have time? or should I consider other options?
• Question: I have not done much B/BC practice, because I completed both TBR Bio books awhile ago, made anki for them, and completed the four Diagnostic sets awhile ago as well. Will the KA passages and AAMC volume packs be enough additional practice?
• Question: AAMC B/BC, C/P, and CARS 1 volume packs (haven't done any of these yet). Should I be doing these timed? is there anywhere to see a scoring for these?
• Start Section bank questions. Review section bank questions.
• Question: Should I be doing the Section Banks timed? What's the ideal way to study the section bank questions?
• Complete AAMC Sample Test using testing standards.
• CARS diagnostic passages from TBR books & also the CARS practice passages on KA.

Week leading up to the exam:

• AAMC section bank questions, and review, do ANKI.
• Review topics I have indicated as my weak links from each section based off the AAMC FLs, AAMC volume Packs, AAMC Section bank, and any additional sources???
• AAMC FL3. Review afterwards.
• What other CARS can I can practice during this week? Save maybe about 14 passages from my TBR books and KA passages, and do two passages a day the week leading up to my exam?
• Any other recommendations please! I really want to score well, especially if I'm about do a NO SHOW.

Thanks for any input from anybody! Please refer to my specific questions:

You can take a June MCAT date and still be fully complete early at all schools. The absolute last reasonable time to take an MCAT is around July 7 provided the primary application is submitted on time. In your case I would set aside 8-10 weeks for you to go over all the materials you outlined as well as doing more AAMC like FL's from Altius or Next Step. In your case I wouldn't test earlier than May 19 and honestly would shoot for around a June 1 test date. You can do a ton on searches on here, but I can promise you that this wont put you behind for the MD cycle and the DO cycle goes later so you are all good there! Try to do 6-10 practice exams before hitting AAMC FL 3. now to your questions:

Question 1: I would second your idea of making anki cards for psych based the Khan academy document. However from now till test day you need to mix practice passages with your content review. Youre 127 on FL 1 and 2 show that you have a solid knowledge base, so hit the khan passages hard! They have 140 passages with 5 questions each = 700 quality questions. Also I have heard that the 100 page document still has all the essential information so you might want to consider that instead since you are working on a compressed timeline

Question 2: Since you have been using TBR materials for 8 weeks now, I would look into other things. ( Altius and NS) Next step has a pretty economical prices for their exams. You can also try their free half length to see how you do.

Question 3: Khan passages are absolutely worthwhile many high scorerers (520+) swear by them. Also to further drive this point, the AAMC partnered with Khan to create all of this. Bio and psych are solid. CARS is okay, C/P is too hard and not worth doing. For C/P just review these sections well when you take practice exams.

Question 4: The Question packs are mostly just for content ( EXCEPT CARS) but dont have the experimental feel that the real exam will, and yes I would do everything time. Also note that for the CARS q packs these are your most valuable resources so spread it out. I would do 1 or 2 a day max timed and thoroughly review. Caveat is that the 1st half of the CARS volume 1 q pack is overly hard and not super representative. So just push through this but the second half and all of CARS volume 2 is the most representative thing you will see.

Question 5: For the section banks do these with time off and solutions on when you load it up. But then when you are actually doing it yourself, go passage by passage and time yourself. Then at the end of each passage review your answers. Learn from it, rinse and repeat. Solutions on means that when you click the little button it will show you the answer with a breakdown of all answer choices, but it doesn't show you automatically

I personally think whenever your doing questions or at least passage based questions you should time yourself, because the time crunch is a huge component of the MCAT. In the science sections you have 10 passages with 80 questions and then 15 stand alone questions. So for each passage give yourself 8 minutes tops, and 1 min for the standalone. For CARS 4 mins to read the passage, and then 1 min per question. So for 5 Q set 9 mins, 6 Q set is 10 mins, 7 Q set is 11 mins Also just as a general rule of thumb every question should be answered in 1 min or less.

Side note: the way khan questions are delivered you have to go one by one, so I would give yourself 4 mins to read through and understand the passages and then for each question try to answer in a min or less. Also after you answer the khan questions click on the prompt to see how they answered it, to make sure your logic is correct

When you review FL's review your wrong answers and hit the content area thats lacking but also review your right answers too and make sure your logic was sound. Since you already have 4000 anki cards, then maybe you could make a separate deck for your FL missed questions to review those concepts separately .

Best of luck we are all rooting for you! 🙂

 

[arc5005]

You can take a June MCAT date and still be fully complete early at all schools. The absolute last reasonable time to take an MCAT is around July 7 provided the primary application is submitted on time. In your case I would set aside 8-10 weeks for you to go over all the materials you outlined as well as doing more AAMC like FL's from Altius or Next Step.

So what you're saying is you can submit your primary application prior to even taking the MCAT? or what exactly do you mean by that statement: "You can take a June MCAT date and still be fully complete early at all schools. The absolute last reasonable time to take an MCAT is around July 7 provided the primary application is submitted on time."?

In your case I wouldn't test earlier than May 19 and honestly would shoot for around a June 1 test date. You can do a ton on searches on here, but I can promise you that this wont put you behind for the MD cycle and the DO cycle goes later so you are all good there! Try to do 6-10 practice exams before hitting AAMC FL 3. now to your questions:

Thank you, I really appreciate all these suggestions. I really think postponing my test date was the best decision, and I'm excited to see how much I can improve over the next month or two. I am still a bit undecided as to whether I want to take my exam in April or May. I am concerned about not having my MCAT score known prior to early June.

Question 3: Khan passages are absolutely worthwhile many high scorerers (520+) swear by them. Also to further drive this point, the AAMC partnered with Khan to create all of this. Bio and psych are solid. CARS is okay, C/P is too hard and not worth doing. For C/P just review these sections well when you take practice exams.

So what you recommend is that I should skip the C/P KA passages, and study for C/P by reviewing the sections based on how I do on the practice sets and practice tests?

But I should do the KA Passages for B/B & PSYCH, and CARS if I have the time for it.

Question 4: The Question packs are mostly just for content ( EXCEPT CARS) but dont have the experimental feel that the real exam will, and yes I would do everything time. Also note that for the CARS q packs these are your most valuable resources so spread it out. I would do 1 or 2 a day max timed and thoroughly review. Caveat is that the 1st half of the CARS volume 1 q pack is overly hard and not super representative. So just push through this but the second half and all of CARS volume 2 is the most representative thing you will see.

I already did about 1/2 of the CARS volume 2 pack, and I plan on spacing these out better. I haven't done any of the CARS volume 1 yet. In addition, I have TBR CARS book to study from as well, but I don't know how representative these passages/questions are for practice, but I imagine it is better than nothing. I'm a little concerned about my CARS because FL1 was so low at 124 and FL2 was really good at 129, so I hope my FL2 score wasn't high just because mabe the FL2 CARS was easier?

Question 5: For the section banks do these with time off and solutions on when you load it up. But then when you are actually doing it yourself, go passage by passage and time yourself. Then at the end of each passage review your answers. Learn from it, rinse and repeat. Solutions on means that when you click the little button it will show you the answer with a breakdown of all answer choices, but it doesn't show you automatically

So I should go through once to learn the material, and then a second time to test myself, and review.

 

[Ad2b]

My 2cp:

NO SHOW does NOT = VOID... why?

NO SHOW means you never even saw the real test.

VOID means you took the exam but voided it at the end, actually gaining something from the experience.

In the AAMC system they are equivalent... both count against your total lifetime attempts.

BTW, find the 100 page Khan Academy document and read it - at least three times before the exam.

At this point, prep like mad for the next week, take the thing and if at the end, you feel you didn't do well, then void. Don't waste your $$ on a no-show.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

So what you're saying is you can submit your primary application prior to even taking the MCAT? or what exactly do you mean by that statement: "You can take a June MCAT date and still be fully complete early at all schools. The absolute last reasonable time to take an MCAT is around July 7 provided the primary application is submitted on time."?



Thank you, I really appreciate all these suggestions. I really think postponing my test date was the best decision, and I'm excited to see how much I can improve over the next month or two. I am still a bit undecided as to whether I want to take my exam in April or May. I am concerned about not having my MCAT score known prior to early June.



So what you recommend is that I should skip the C/P KA passages, and study for C/P by reviewing the sections based on how I do on the practice sets and practice tests?

But I should do the KA Passages for B/B & PSYCH, and CARS if I have the time for it.



I already did about 1/2 of the CARS volume 2 pack, and I plan on spacing these out better. I haven't done any of the CARS volume 1 yet. In addition, I have TBR CARS book to study from as well, but I don't know how representative these passages/questions are for practice, but I imagine it is better than nothing. I'm a little concerned about my CARS because FL1 was so low at 124 and FL2 was really good at 129, so I hope my FL2 score wasn't high just because mabe the FL2 CARS was easier?



So I should go through once to learn the material, and then a second time to test myself, and review.

I will respectfully disagree with Ad2b. If you do decide to sit for the exam MAKE SURE YOU VOID. As Ad2b said you can gain something from the exam by seeing how it is, what it feels like etc. But if you do not void, then schools will see a score that is not representative of your true ability, and you still have some major content deficits in psych and can improve your overall test taking strategy. The best strategy is to take and score the MCAT when you are at your best.

Yes you can submit your primary application to one throwaway school and it will be verified without an MCAT score, then once your score comes back it will be automatically transmitted, but you avoid having to deal with the longer wait for verification as the summer goes on. The throwaway is a school that you dont care about or one that you would only go to if you got a crazy high MCAT score. Then once you get your score back you can add schools that are in line with your actual MCAT.

If you're worried though taking the exam in mid to late may, and submitting your app in late june after you get your mcat score will still cause you to be early!!

Yes, for C/P study.

Definitely do all the Ka passages for B/B and PS and you might as well go through the CARS so that you can save the AAMC CARS for the last few weeks to month before your new date.

TBR CARS is iffy, so look to khan instead for daily practice passages.

yes the section bank is super high yield and many people benefit from going through it twice.

 

[Ad2b]

I will respectfully disagree with Ad2b.

😱 But IB Sage!

I agree with CS mostly

 

[Chromium Surfer]

😱 But IB Sage!

I agree with CS mostly

😀

 

[DoctorBelle]

How long can you wait to take the MCAT after you submit to one throw away school/get verified in June? My scores are also not where I want them and also work full time and am finishing up a graduate program. I won't have enough time to really focus on MCAT until April, so my June 6 date is making me really nervous. Would it be a terrible idea to take the MCAT in July or August and why, if the answer is yes. Thanks everyone- SDN rocks.

 

[Ad2b]

I know of people who take the MCAT in August/Sept and get accepted; it's just more "favorable" to be complete at the schools earlier.

 

[frosted2]

UWORLD FOR PSYCH/SOCIOLOGY.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

If you do a search on here, being fully complete by early sept is still on time, by mid September is medium ish and by October is late. So I would shoot for a July 7 MCAT at the latest!

 

[Chromium Surfer]

UWORLD FOR PSYCH/SOCIOLOGY.

How were the rest of their materials, especially for B/BC and C/P??

 

[frosted2]

How were the rest of their materials, especially for B/BC and C/P??

I hate physics and it is the bane of my existence... so I cannot comment there. ANY physics is difficult for me 🙁 I cannot say whether or not it helped me.

Bio/biochem was spot on if not harder than the real thing.

My favorite thing about UWORLD was the explanations. They were second to none, espescially after coming from EK where sometimes the explanations were "A is correct because it is correct." I learned more from UWORLD in terms of content review than I did from when I actually did dedicated content review.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

I hate physics and it is the bane of my existence... so I cannot comment there. ANY physics is difficult for me 🙁 I cannot say whether or not it helped me.

Bio/biochem was spot on if not harder than the real thing.

My favorite thing about UWORLD was the explanations. They were second to none, espescially after coming from EK where sometimes the explanations were "A is correct because it is correct." I learned more from UWORLD in terms of content review than I did from when I actually did dedicated content review.

How long did you spend on it! My content review has been iffy at best and I’m prepared to get rocked by Uworld but I’m also hoping it will fill in gaps. I’m goinf to start April 8 for a July 7 test date. I’ll be doing uworld and one test a week the whole months of May/June.

 

[Dr. Snow]

Thanks.

I took the AAMC FL2 today and did only slightly better.

C/P 127
CARS 129
Bio 126
Psych 123 🙁

overall: 505

C/P - Same score as FL1, despite answering all the questions this round. FL1 I left 5 blank.

CARS - Completely changed the way I approach CARS, and it seemed to work. And I didn't feel too rushed, which was nice.

Bio - Felt a lot harder than FL1

Psych - Felt insanely hard. I don't think the TBR had any sociology in the review book, so I'm going to be intensely studying the KA stuff now.

Going to pick up the section bank stuff soon.

Can I ask what you changed in terms of your CARS strategy?

 

[arc5005]

Can I ask what you changed in terms of your CARS strategy?

Hey yeah. No problem. I really had no idea how to approach the CARS section in my first FL1. I only did maybe 4-5 passages from the TBR books prior to my FL1. I took my FL2 2 days after my FL1, and figured I really needed to figure out how to do the CARS, so I just watched the first few CARS KA videos explaining the types of questions the CARS section can ask, and their basic suggestions.

From there... I Honestly just really focused in on the passage, and I didn't rush myself through it. I took my time to read it thoroughly just as if I was reading a really good novel. I made sure to use the highlight function to highlight the thesis, topic sentences, any specific words that indicated the author's tone or POV, specific examples, or any time they showed a change in opinion. I switched my focus while reading on which words they used rather than what the content was actually about.

That's probably not the best advice, but that's what I did, and it semed to work well; however, I'll keep practicing and see how I do on the CARS vol 1 and vol 2 packs 🙂

 

[akimhaneul]

Thanks.

I took the AAMC FL2 today and did only slightly better.

C/P 127
CARS 129
Bio 126
Psych 123 🙁

overall: 505

C/P - Same score as FL1, despite answering all the questions this round. FL1 I left 5 blank.

CARS - Completely changed the way I approach CARS, and it seemed to work. And I didn't feel too rushed, which was nice.

Bio - Felt a lot harder than FL1

Psych - Felt insanely hard. I don't think the TBR had any sociology in the review book, so I'm going to be intensely studying the KA stuff now.

Going to pick up the section bank stuff soon.

Hello,

I am wondering what changes you made to your strategy that allowed you to score much higher on the cars section compared to aamc fl 1?

Do you usually score this high?

 

[arc5005]

Quick question: New MCAT is now scheduled for May 5th.

Since my last check in on here: I've read and made anki cards for the Psych KA notes, been studying my ANKI decks, TBR practice tests, AAMC Question packs, KA Psych passages, and studying Biochemistry for an online course.

What I have left to do:

• I still have about 8 -- 95 minutes long (59 question) Gen Chem & Physics Practice Sets in the TBR book to complete.
• AAMC Sample Test
• AAMC FL3
• Next Step Free Half-diagnostic exam
• Section Bank questions
• about half of the AAMC QP questions. Trying not to go through them too fast.

Question is, I have 3 weeks until my exam, how should I utilize my time?
--- I work full-time, so I can get in a few hours each night to study after work, and have my weekends free to take full length exams. I am also taking a half day the day before my exam to relax, and review stuff prior to the exam 🙂

I was thinking about taking a diagnostic exam this weekend, but unsure if I should take the AAMC Sample test vs Next step free half diagnostic vs purchase one from Next Step or Altius (which one do I choose)?

Next weekend take another test - depending on which one I do not take from the one's above.

Weekend before my exam - take FL3.

Complete the rest my TBR practice sets, AAMC QP, and AAMC Section bank, while continuing to study my ANKI cards.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

When you say weekend before your exam for FL3 do you mean April 28?
With only three weeks left you dont really need to spend more money on resources.
I would take the NS HL first to see where youre at, fill in more content gaps then take the AAMC sample and then AAMC FL 3.
The Qpack questions are just mainly for content review so its okay if you go through them somewhat fast. Section bank is where the real money is in terms of how AAMC likes to ask questions. Before you take the AAMC tests, make sure you have completed the section bank!

 

[arc5005]

When you say weekend before your exam for FL3 do you mean April 28?
With only three weeks left you dont really need to spend more money on resources.
I would take the NS HL first to see where youre at, fill in more content gaps then take the AAMC sample and then AAMC FL 3.
The Qpack questions are just mainly for content review so its okay if you go through them somewhat fast. Section bank is where the real money is in terms of how AAMC likes to ask questions. Before you take the AAMC tests, make sure you have completed the section bank!

Yeah I was thinking about taking FL3 on either April Sat 28 or Sun 29.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Yeah I was thinking about taking FL3 on either April Sat 28 or Sun 29.

Good plan!! Make sure that the last day you don’t do any studying!!

 

[arc5005]

UPDATE:

Took AAMC Sample Test today:

Scores:
C/P -- 43/59 (73%) ---- 127 - 128
CARs -- 45/53 (85%) ----- 128
B/B -- 44/59 (75%) ----- 127
PSYCH -- 55/59 (93%) ------ 130

Based on two google sheet score conversions I found on MCAT REDDIT thread, the 1 scored me at a 512, and the other scored me at a 513.

-------

I haven't started the Section Bank questions yet or the CARS QP1.

1. What's the best method to study the SB questions????

Plan is to take FL3 next weekend, then MCAT 1 week after that.

 

[arc5005]

Hello,

I am wondering what changes you made to your strategy that allowed you to score much higher on the cars section compared to aamc fl 1?

Do you usually score this high?

Well, I went into my FL1 without any CARs practice. I have now taken 2 full practice tests since FL1, and have scored a 129 (FL2) and 128 (Sample test), and will take FL3 next weekend. The only thing I really changed, was how I highlight and what I highlight.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

UPDATE:

Took AAMC Sample Test today:

Scores:
C/P -- 43/59 (73%) ---- 127 - 128
CARs -- 45/53 (85%) ----- 128
B/B -- 44/59 (75%) ----- 127
PSYCH -- 55/59 (93%) ------ 130

Based on two google sheet score conversions I found on MCAT REDDIT thread, the 1 scored me at a 512, and the other scored me at a 513.

-------

I haven't started the Section Bank questions yet or the CARS QP1.

1. What's the best method to study the SB questions????

Plan is to take FL3 next weekend, then MCAT 1 week after that.

Heck yeah!! This is so encouraging!! Congrats 🙂

From what I have heard best method is to do them with solutions on, going one passage at a time under timed conditions. With solutions on, all it means is that you can click and then it shows you the correct answer. The correct answer is not given to you right away. Use the SB as a learning tool. You probably wont get a high percentage like you have been getting on the sample. That is fine though and a lot of high scorers have been known to get in the 60% on these. Just learn from your mistakes and get in the head of the AAMC. Also be warned that CARS QP1 is substantially harder and not necessarily super representative of how CARS will be. So don't be discouraged if you are scoring low on this. How you do on FL3 next weekend will give you a good estimate of how you will do on the real thing. Good luck!!

 

[arc5005]

Heck yeah!! This is so encouraging!! Congrats 🙂

From what I have heard best method is to do them with solutions on, going one passage at a time under timed conditions. With solutions on, all it means is that you can click and then it shows you the correct answer. The correct answer is not given to you right away. Use the SB as a learning tool. You probably wont get a high percentage like you have been getting on the sample. That is fine though and a lot of high scorers have been known to get in the 60% on these. Just learn from your mistakes and get in the head of the AAMC. Also be warned that CARS QP1 is substantially harder and not necessarily super representative of how CARS will be. So don't be discouraged if you are scoring low on this. How you do on FL3 next weekend will give you a good estimate of how you will do on the real thing. Good luck!!

Thank you. Yeah, I feel great that my Psych and CARs section have improved so much since my first AAMC Fl1... Kinda annoyed that my C/P & B/B have remained roughly the same, but I'm just glad they haven't worsened. Hoping that I can maintain / improve over the next 2 weeks for the real thing! 🙂