MCAT 8/15 - Advise for final three weeks

[ski89]

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Im taking the Aug 15 MCAT

Doing the SN2ed schedule.

Taken AAMC 3-5 (average score 33: 11/11/11)
Taking the remaining AAMCs over the next 3 weeks
goal:35 (12/11/12)

Here are my self assessment scores to give you an idea of my content strengths/weaknesses.

General Chem. 93%
Organic Chem. 93%
Biology 82%
Physics 80%

So my dilemma is as follows. I have passages left from BR books for all subjects. My original plan was to go through chapter by chapter (for all subjects) as the SN2ed schedule advises. However, I am now thinking that it may be a better use of my time to just focus on Bio and Physics practice passages with some extra content review on my weak points.

I suppose the downside is that I may run the risk of losing my edge on Gen Chem and O Chem (though remember, I still have AAMC 7-11 so I will still get some exposure).

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[ski89]

shameless bump

 

[texan2414]

Yours looks like a very good strategy....

I would say absolutely GO for the Berkeley Review Physics passages. I find their G-Chem to be very weird but you already scored 93% on the G-Chem assessment, so I think you're golden with chemistry.

Given how little orgo is on the MCAT, I think your efforts would be better vested into Physics/ Bio/ G-Chem. If on AAMCs you see a particular section that you did bad on, you can always go back to review organic.

Also, what have you been using for Verbal? I scored abysmally on my VR and now retaking it. I gave EK 101 a chance but stopped in the middle cuz it wasn't clicking. I plan on going back to EK 101. I also have TPR verbal workbook and just wanted to ask what resources you are using for that kickass VR average 🙂

All the best on MCAT study.

 

[texan2414]

Also, let me know if you are using any other FLs besides the AAMC.

 

[ski89]

Hey texan, thanks for the advise. I think you are dead on.

For verbal I have been using EK101 and TPR. I think that they are the best, hands down. I was doing 2-3 passages/day for the first month or so, and I am now doing 3-4 passages a day. Also, I would say dont get discouraged by some of the EK101 passages cus they can be brutal. I think the important part is working on timing, recognizing common mistakes, and developing a solid strategy.

I think the hard part about verbal is finding the strategy that works for you. For me I like to spend about 60% of my time reading the passage. I take my sweet time. When I finnish reading I have a really solid understanding of the main ideas presented, I have potentially important parts of the passage highlighted, and I usually can go right through all of the questions with relative confidence. However, I am also prepared to make a solid guess on a question and move on. You must get good at deciding when you make an educated guess and save some time for easier questions.

The only FLs I will be doing is AAMC. As I mentioned before I think that I have found my weaknesses in certain physics and biology topics (f**ing optics, I hate it so much, oh and any rotational motion can suck it too). I feel like the AAMC is the only test worth taking because that is the test we have to beat. Between the self assessments, and the 8 FLs I think there is plenty test simulation there to develop a solid overall test taking routine.

 

[fudGez14]

sorry, im along the same lines as OP. just finished content review (using TPR course). all i have currently slated are the AAMC self-assessments and AAMC practice tests.

what would people recommend doing over the last few weeks? thanks in advance!

 

[Dr.Forssmann]

me too

 

[99dmg]

I think the hard part about verbal is finding the strategy that works for you. For me I like to spend about 60% of my time reading the passage. I take my sweet time.

How long do you spend reading a normal passage? 4:30-5min?

I might have to try this as my VR scores haven't really improved much and I think it's mainly due to comprehension

 

[ski89]

How long do you spend reading a normal passage? 4:30-5min?

I might have to try this as my VR scores haven't really improved much and I think it's mainly due to comprehension

It definitely depends on the passage. Some passages I find to be relatively interesting and I develop a nice flow as I read and am able to comprehend the passage quite well in around 4min. However, with some of the more convoluted passages I certainly will take up to 5 min. So a "normal passage" I would suspect around the 4:30 mark.

If you are struggling with comprehension then this is the way to go. As I mentioned before, the main thing you have to be aware of with this strategy is making sure you are answering questions quickly. This certainly becomes easier when you get used to the same types of question stems and common traps for wrong answers. I would guess that on average it takes me about 20 seconds to answer a typical question.