Maximizing Strengths -- not a strategy I hear much of

[sunflower18]

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Hey guys,

My exam is in a month. After struggling with physics for hours and getting virtually nowhere, I decided on a new strategy that I haven't really heard anyone mention, so I wanted to see what you guys think. Basically, it's maximizing my strengths.

For reference and context, my last practice test was AAMC 3, which I took 2 weeks ago, and I got a 30 (8, 12, 10). I am not yet done with content review, though -- I should be done next week.

So my thoughts are.. I think it'd be way more time efficient to focus on the three science topics I enjoy and understand -- biology, ochem, and gen chem. I'm not 100% solid on any of them yet, but I'm getting there. I think that if I spend my time wisely and work hard over the next two weeks, I could definitely master these three subjects. That means no topic that I am weak on or confused about, and just generally feeling really solid on everything the MCAT could test about them. I think that doing this would bring my BS score to 13 or 14, and PS to at least 10-11. I also am planning to spend a bit of time on VR trying to get to consistent 13s instead of where I am at consistent 11-12. If all goes according to plan, that would put me at PS: 10-11; VR: 12-13; BS: 13-14. So overall, 35-38. That sounds pretty fantastic to me.

However, every study plan I've ever heard is all about minimizing your weaknesses. They say that you should spend most of your time on the subject that you are the weakest in. But if your strengths aren't as strong as you believe they could be, and the hours you spend on your weakness don't seem to really benefit you in any significant way.. Isn't this not very effective?

I'm not planning on completely halting my studying of physics. I will keep doing passages. But I plan to spend significantly less time on it than on the other subjects. It is a strategy that makes sense to me, but it concerns me that I've never read of anyone taking a similar approach. The scariest outcome is if my PS section happens to be super heavy in physics... But it's not like I'm not studying physics at ALL, I'm just giving up trying to master it. Everyone says that PS is the easiest to improve, but that has been far from my experience.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Let me know if this is totally crazy!

 

[SN12357]

However, every study plan I've ever heard is all about minimizing your weaknesses. They say that you should spend most of your time on the subject that you are the weakest in. But if your strengths aren't as strong as you believe they could be, and the hours you spend on your weakness don't seem to really benefit you in any significant way.. Isn't this not very effective?

Of course focusing on your strengths is not a good strategy.

When you know little about a topic, you're missing the easy and medium questions. Your yield in new questions correct per hour of studying is much higher than when you know a topic well.

At the top end of the curves on the MCAT, the difference in points is one question. Two at most. Pure luck starts to kick in. So you're just not going to get very far targeting a few hard questions instead of making sure you aren't missing more prevalent easy and medium questions in your weaker topics.

It's a bit of a stretch stretch to say your goal is 35+ when you just barely got a 30 on a practice test towards the end of your content review.

 

[sunflower18]

Of course focusing on your strengths is not a good strategy.

When you know little about a topic, you're missing the easy and medium questions. Your yield in new questions correct per hour of studying is much higher than when you know a topic well.

At the top end of the curves on the MCAT, the difference in points is one question. Two at most. Pure luck starts to kick in. So you're just not going to get very far targeting a few hard questions instead of making sure you aren't missing more prevalent easy and medium questions in your weaker topics.

It's a bit of a stretch stretch to say your goal is 35+ when you just barely got a 30 on a practice test towards the end of your content review.

At this point, I know almost nothing about physiology. I haven't learned it yet (I'm taking a TPR course, and we're covering it this week and next week). I guess I just feel like I miss a lot of easy questions in bio and genchem based on a lack of knowledge of those subjects. I'm not very strong in those subjects yet -- I just feel like I have a better chance of becoming strong. Does that make sense? Your point is totally valid, I just don't think it exactly lines up with how I'm doing right now. It's not like I'm already super great at biology and am trying to spend time to get that last question right. I'm not very good at it yet, but I pick it up a lot faster than I do physics.

I have 4.5 weeks to improve 5 points, and I'm not done with content review. I think/hope it's possible! We'll see though! Thanks for your input 🙂

 

[SN12357]

At this point, I know almost nothing about physiology. I haven't learned it yet (I'm taking a TPR course, and we're covering it this week and next week). I guess I just feel like I miss a lot of easy questions in bio and genchem based on a lack of knowledge of those subjects. I'm not very strong in those subjects yet -- I just feel like I have a better chance of becoming strong. Does that make sense? Your point is totally valid, I just don't think it exactly lines up with how I'm doing right now. It's not like I'm already super great at biology and am trying to spend time to get that last question right. I'm not very good at it yet, but I pick it up a lot faster than I do physics.

I have 4.5 weeks to improve 5 points, and I'm not done with content review. I think/hope it's possible! We'll see though! Thanks for your input 🙂

That makes sense, and your goal seems more realistic if you are still missing a big chunk of bio review. But I would not back away from PS studying. It seems like recent tests (including mine) have been very calculation-heavy in PS, and it's important to have a lot of recent practice. Bio seemed more forgiving in terms of the answers being embedded in the passages.

 

[sunflower18]

That makes sense, and your goal seems more realistic if you are still missing a big chunk of bio review. But I would not back away from PS studying. It seems like recent tests (including mine) have been very calculation-heavy in PS, and it's important to have a lot of recent practice. Bio seemed more forgiving in terms of the answers being embedded in the passages.

That's good to know! I will incorporate more physics practice into my study plan then 🙂 And make sure to go gangbusters on gen chem!

 

[gumdrops]

Hey guys,

My exam is in a month. After struggling with physics for hours and getting virtually nowhere, I decided on a new strategy that I haven't really heard anyone mention, so I wanted to see what you guys think. Basically, it's maximizing my strengths.

For reference and context, my last practice test was AAMC 3, which I took 2 weeks ago, and I got a 30 (8, 12, 10). I am not yet done with content review, though -- I should be done next week.

So my thoughts are.. I think it'd be way more time efficient to focus on the three science topics I enjoy and understand -- biology, ochem, and gen chem. I'm not 100% solid on any of them yet, but I'm getting there. I think that if I spend my time wisely and work hard over the next two weeks, I could definitely master these three subjects. That means no topic that I am weak on or confused about, and just generally feeling really solid on everything the MCAT could test about them. I think that doing this would bring my BS score to 13 or 14, and PS to at least 10-11. I also am planning to spend a bit of time on VR trying to get to consistent 13s instead of where I am at consistent 11-12. If all goes according to plan, that would put me at PS: 10-11; VR: 12-13; BS: 13-14. So overall, 35-38. That sounds pretty fantastic to me.

However, every study plan I've ever heard is all about minimizing your weaknesses. They say that you should spend most of your time on the subject that you are the weakest in. But if your strengths aren't as strong as you believe they could be, and the hours you spend on your weakness don't seem to really benefit you in any significant way.. Isn't this not very effective?

I'm not planning on completely halting my studying of physics. I will keep doing passages. But I plan to spend significantly less time on it than on the other subjects. It is a strategy that makes sense to me, but it concerns me that I've never read of anyone taking a similar approach. The scariest outcome is if my PS section happens to be super heavy in physics... But it's not like I'm not studying physics at ALL, I'm just giving up trying to master it. Everyone says that PS is the easiest to improve, but that has been far from my experience.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Let me know if this is totally crazy!

That would be a completely logical strategy if it were any exam but the MCAT. Grrr. There are so many possible topics for them to choose from. Just focusing on a few topics and getting really good at them would be great if they were guaranteed to comprise the majority of your exam. Often your perceived strengths will not show up due to how many topics could be covered. This is why I'd tell everyone to make your weaknesses your strengths.

My case in point. I am not a lucky person usually on these sorts of exams. Some of my weak areas were optics, electrochem, the excretory system and carbonyl chemistry. I spent hours on each of those topics because I assumed that with my luck, I'd get slammed with those topics.

I took my exam yesterday and the first two topics showed up in two discretes on my PS in total. The other two didn't show up, period. One could see this as time wasted or as chance favoring the prepared. Regardless, I went in feeling so much more confident knowing I could handle my weak areas come what may and that alone helped me with passages on my stronger areas. I'd argue that confidence is about 50% of the battle with this exam. Knowing that you can handle anything will just make the entire exam feel, and likely go, much more smoothly.

 

[mbaumann1123]

I have wished I could do this for physics and forget that electricity and magnetism exists and just focus on the mechanics or kinematics or something easier. I never covered it in school because I withdrew from classes after breaking my neck in college gymnastics last semester. I thought I could teach it to myself since I received an A in physics I and had an A in physics II when I withdrew in March. I am sinking so many hours into this topic and just end my study sessions frustrated and stressed out about neglecting the other sciences. My test is september 12th and I need to start FL's soon so I'm not too sure what to do.

 

[sunflower18]

I have wished I could do this for physics and forget that electricity and magnetism exists and just focus on the mechanics or kinematics or something easier. I never covered it in school because I withdrew from classes after breaking my neck in college gymnastics last semester. I thought I could teach it to myself since I received an A in physics I and had an A in physics II when I withdrew in March. I am sinking so many hours into this topic and just end my study sessions frustrated and stressed out about neglecting the other sciences. My test is september 12th and I need to start FL's soon so I'm not too sure what to do.

Minus the neck fracture (ouch!!!), I have the exact same issue. Only my exam is a month sooner. But yes, electricity and magnetism are holding me back. I'm actually okay at the other topics in physics -- just this one is awful!

 

[Jepstein30]

Problem with maximizing strengths is that the MCAT can test you on such a wide variety of topics.

You can get a very Physics heavy section. Or you can get a Physics topic you know very well.. or tons of Gen Chem topics you hate, etc.

So when you maximize your strengths.. yea, if you get the right combo you will knock the test out of the park, but what's more likely to happen is you get stuck with a test that incorporates very little of strengths and enough of your weaknesses to sink you.

MCAT is all about getting a good grasp of ALL content rather than dominating in one area.

 

[sunflower18]

Problem with maximizing strengths is that the MCAT can test you on such a wide variety of topics.

You can get a very Physics heavy section. Or you can get a Physics topic you know very well.. or tons of Gen Chem topics you hate, etc.

So when you maximize your strengths.. yea, if you get the right combo you will knock the test out of the park, but what's more likely to happen is you get stuck with a test that incorporates very little of strengths and enough of your weaknesses to sink you.

MCAT is all about getting a good grasp of ALL content rather than dominating in one area.

I mean that I want to focus on having NO weaknesses in genchem, ochem, or biology. And only a few weaknesses in physics. This is opposed to focusing all my energy on not having any weaknesses in physics, and leaving only patchy knowledge of the other three subjects.

I definitely don't mean focusing on, say, the cardiac system because I know it well. I mean broadly capitalising on the subjects in which I learn faster and retain info longer.

 

[Jepstein30]

I mean that I want to focus on having NO weaknesses in genchem, ochem, or biology. And only a few weaknesses in physics. This is opposed to focusing all my energy on not having any weaknesses in physics, and leaving only patchy knowledge of the other three subjects.

I definitely don't mean focusing on, say, the cardiac system because I know it well. I mean broadly capitalising on the subjects in which I learn faster and retain info longer.

I mean, if you are short on time and know you can cover MORE weaknesses in certain subjects.. I guess so.

I just wouldn't spend time taking a moderate understanding to an expertise while other weaknesses are around.

 

[TriagePreMed]

So if you're awesome at bio you may go from 13 to 14, but if you suck at physics, you may go from 5 to 7 (or higher if you study). What do you think is more rational to do? 1 point or 2+ points?

 

[Jepstein30]

So if you're awesome at bio you may go from 13 to 14, but if you suck at physics, you may go from 5 to 7 (or higher if you study). What do you think is more rational to do? 1 point or 2+ points?

Diminishing returns is something to consider, OP.

I'd only really employ such a strategy if everything is 10+ already (10 being what I consider to reflect adequate content knowledge).

 

[sakabato93]

I think that a score of 30 toward the end of content review is actually great! Especially with a 12V! 35+ is a great goal to have, but you really need to have solid physics understanding if you want to jump from 8-10/12 PS.

I'd say go ahead and master the concepts that you are good at, but make sure you don't obsess with them. Use the remainder of your time thereafter to solidify your knowledge of physics. Maximize your strengths quickly and efficiently, then attack your weaknesses accordingly.

 

[sunflower18]

So if you're awesome at bio you may go from 13 to 14, but if you suck at physics, you may go from 5 to 7 (or higher if you study). What do you think is more rational to do? 1 point or 2+ points?

That's exactly my point but in the opposite direction, haha. I'm not at a 13 in bio; I'm at a 10. But I think that it's realistic to get a 13 if I study hard. I'm at an 8 in PS, and I think it's realistic to get a 10 or 11 if I study gen chem. I think that studying physics really hard will not bring me significantly higher than that, as I have spent hours and hours on physics with close to zero improvement. Does that make sense? Your logic is totally sound, but the case is a little different for me because I'm not at a 13 in BS at all yet. Nor am I at a 5 in PS.

Diminishing returns is something to consider, OP.

I'd only really employ such a strategy if everything is 10+ already (10 being what I consider to reflect adequate content knowledge).

I'm hoping that cracking down on gen chem will get me to a 10 in PS.

I think that a score of 30 toward the end of content review is actually great! Especially with a 12V! 35+ is a great goal to have, but you really need to have solid physics understanding if you want to jump from 8-10/12 PS.

I'd say go ahead and master the concepts that you are good at, but make sure you don't obsess with them. Use the remainder of your time thereafter to solidify your knowledge of physics. Maximize your strengths quickly and efficiently, then attack your weaknesses accordingly.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice! That makes sense. I think that that is the best plan at this point 👍

 

[The Kraken]

The more practice tests you take, the more you'll realize that the difference between the low/mid 30s is about 2 questions. Oh, forgot that buoyancy has proportional gravity and an icecube is 9/10 submerged on the moon as well as on the earth? Here, have a lower score. The difference between 30 and higher is knowing every topic, not just being good at 75% of the topics.

 

[gumdrops]

The more practice tests you take, the more you'll realize that the difference between the low/mid 30s is about 2 questions. Oh, forgot that buoyancy has proportional gravity and an icecube is 9/10 submerged on the moon as well as on the earth? Here, have a lower score. The difference between 30 and higher is knowing every topic, not just being good at 75% of the topics.

lol, so true. It's amazing how mastering just one-two more topics between practice tests would result in 1-2 point difference on the score.

 

[sakabato93]

That's exactly my point but in the opposite direction, haha. I'm not at a 13 in bio; I'm at a 10. But I think that it's realistic to get a 13 if I study hard. I'm at an 8 in PS, and I think it's realistic to get a 10 or 11 if I study gen chem. I think that studying physics really hard will not bring me significantly higher than that, as I have spent hours and hours on physics with close to zero improvement. Does that make sense? Your logic is totally sound, but the case is a little different for me because I'm not at a 13 in BS at all yet. Nor am I at a 5 in PS.




Thanks for the encouragement and advice! That makes sense. I think that that is the best plan at this point 👍

Jumping from 10-13/14 in Bio is all about application of your knowledge. I started at around 10-11 before I started studying (Bio major and naturally good at biology), and now I get 14-15 every practice test mainly because I've gotten used to the MCAT style of bio, not because I learned more over the span of studying. Getting above a 10 on either PS or BS is all about getting used to the style of the MCAT: cutting down the passages and applying the knowledge you spent all of college (and 2-3 months of content review) to gain.

But getting to that threshold 10-11 is all about having a sound understanding of all topics.

You're welcome! And if you have anymore questions about working on your BS scores, PM me!

 

[catdog2002]

interesting

 

[Gauss44]

Hey guys,

My exam is in a month. After struggling with physics for hours and getting virtually nowhere, I decided on a new strategy that I haven't really heard anyone mention, so I wanted to see what you guys think. Basically, it's maximizing my strengths.

For reference and context, my last practice test was AAMC 3, which I took 2 weeks ago, and I got a 30 (8, 12, 10). I am not yet done with content review, though -- I should be done next week.

So my thoughts are.. I think it'd be way more time efficient to focus on the three science topics I enjoy and understand -- biology, ochem, and gen chem. I'm not 100% solid on any of them yet, but I'm getting there. I think that if I spend my time wisely and work hard over the next two weeks, I could definitely master these three subjects. That means no topic that I am weak on or confused about, and just generally feeling really solid on everything the MCAT could test about them. I think that doing this would bring my BS score to 13 or 14, and PS to at least 10-11. I also am planning to spend a bit of time on VR trying to get to consistent 13s instead of where I am at consistent 11-12. If all goes according to plan, that would put me at PS: 10-11; VR: 12-13; BS: 13-14. So overall, 35-38. That sounds pretty fantastic to me.

However, every study plan I've ever heard is all about minimizing your weaknesses. They say that you should spend most of your time on the subject that you are the weakest in. But if your strengths aren't as strong as you believe they could be, and the hours you spend on your weakness don't seem to really benefit you in any significant way.. Isn't this not very effective?

I'm not planning on completely halting my studying of physics. I will keep doing passages. But I plan to spend significantly less time on it than on the other subjects. It is a strategy that makes sense to me, but it concerns me that I've never read of anyone taking a similar approach. The scariest outcome is if my PS section happens to be super heavy in physics... But it's not like I'm not studying physics at ALL, I'm just giving up trying to master it. Everyone says that PS is the easiest to improve, but that has been far from my experience.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Let me know if this is totally crazy!

Why don't you hire a physic tutor? Or have you already tried that?

I would agree with most of the other replies that maximizing scores can be difficult because of the steep scale for higher scores. However, everyone is unique and if you are somehow abnormally gifted in verbal and biology (and have a learning disability involving physics), then your strategy should be different.

 

[TriagePreMed]

That's exactly my point but in the opposite direction, haha. I'm not at a 13 in bio; I'm at a 10. But I think that it's realistic to get a 13 if I study hard. I'm at an 8 in PS, and I think it's realistic to get a 10 or 11 if I study gen chem. I think that studying physics really hard will not bring me significantly higher than that, as I have spent hours and hours on physics with close to zero improvement. Does that make sense? Your logic is totally sound, but the case is a little different for me because I'm not at a 13 in BS at all yet. Nor am I at a 5 in PS.

To get a 13 in bio, you can have about 4-5 questions wrong whereas a PS of 10 you can have 11 or so wrong. There's much more room for PS improvement since you have overall more questions you could do good from.