MCAT Rounding

[WhiteCoatSyndrome]

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I just bought EK's Verbal and Mathematical strategies and although I agree with their verbal strategy (which is mainly why I got the book), I have some concerns from reading about their strategy on rounding with math problems.

I know that rounding numbers in calculations is essential to the PS section, however from what I interpreted EK makes it sound like most of the PS problems are detailed math problems, while from what I understand about the PS, most of the problems can be completed with conceptual knowledge.

Also, their explanation on how to round is really pretty in depth and as I am not that familiar with the PS section, I am wondering if on most MCAT problems that require calculations and therefore rounding, if that you must be as precise in your rounding technique as what EK instructs (compensating for over/under rounding etc.) or if you can just simply round as is most intuitive and the answer will still be easily found. I guess this is not really a huge problem, more of a point of curiosity on my part, but I would like to hear from people who are more familiar with the PS section than myself.

 

[MShopes]

I just bought EK's Verbal and Mathematical strategies and although I agree with their verbal strategy (which is mainly why I got the book), I have some concerns from reading about their strategy on rounding with math problems.

I know that rounding numbers in calculations is essential to the PS section, however from what I interpreted EK makes it sound like most of the PS problems are detailed math problems, while from what I understand about the PS, most of the problems can be completed with conceptual knowledge.

Also, their explanation on how to round is really pretty in depth and as I am not that familiar with the PS section, I am wondering if on most MCAT problems that require calculations and therefore rounding, if that you must be as precise in your rounding technique as what EK instructs (compensating for over/under rounding etc.) or if you can just simply round as is most intuitive and the answer will still be easily found. I guess this is not really a huge problem, more of a point of curiosity on my part, but I would like to hear from people who are more familiar with the PS section than myself.

Keep in mind that Ek purposely made the PS section (physics I mean) toucher than the MCAT because they believe that you don't need their help in the easy questions. They even stated that in the beginning of their book. So, their math problems are more lengthy and time consuming and I noticed that rounding must be very precise in their book as all the multiple choice they have are really close to each other from gap wise between each number. I havent taken any AAMC practice tests yet but I skimmed over some questions of one practice test and their physics questions seem to be very straight forward with more easier rounding (big rounding and not too precise). Ek just wants you to learn the harder rounding and calculations and problems so that you can face any thing that MCAT throws at you. Many people in this forum and others have mentioned that you don't need calculator because the calculations on the MCAT are rather straightforward so I guess you shouldn't worry. Hopefully we can hear from someone who actually took the MCAT and who can inspire us.

 

[SBAKSHI]

Yeah, I had felt that as well the first time I read. Nevertheless, let me assure you that about 70% of the questions are theory and about 30% are calculations, which is pretty chill and I would not worry too much about it. I have taken a few AAMC full lengths and one actual test, so I know that this usually is the case.
Hope this helped!

I just bought EK's Verbal and Mathematical strategies and although I agree with their verbal strategy (which is mainly why I got the book), I have some concerns from reading about their strategy on rounding with math problems.

I know that rounding numbers in calculations is essential to the PS section, however from what I interpreted EK makes it sound like most of the PS problems are detailed math problems, while from what I understand about the PS, most of the problems can be completed with conceptual knowledge.

Also, their explanation on how to round is really pretty in depth and as I am not that familiar with the PS section, I am wondering if on most MCAT problems that require calculations and therefore rounding, if that you must be as precise in your rounding technique as what EK instructs (compensating for over/under rounding etc.) or if you can just simply round as is most intuitive and the answer will still be easily found. I guess this is not really a huge problem, more of a point of curiosity on my part, but I would like to hear from people who are more familiar with the PS section than myself.

 

[WhiteCoatSyndrome]

SBAKSHI, I noticed that you did well on the science sections. Do you have any suggestions on how to prepare for the PS and BS? Content review is pretty straightforward, you could use practically any company for that to the same effect, but which practice passages did you use and how did you use them? Thanks

 

[SBAKSHI]

SBAKSHI, I noticed that you did well on the science sections. Do you have any suggestions on how to prepare for the PS and BS? Content review is pretty straightforward, you could use practically any company for that to the same effect, but which practice passages did you use and how did you use them? Thanks

Hi WhiteCoatSyndrome,
I only and only used EK and am using it again right now for the second time around.
What I used to do, is write down the general notes from each chapter for EK, What seemed to me were important ideas. It really depends on your learning style. I learn well if write something down, so I did that.
After each chapter, I did every 4th problem of 1001 EK book for the given science chapter. I think this is really helpful, because the format of the question may not be the same as actual MCAT, but it really helps me understand and hone the topic and concept. I would identify a weak area from those questions and do ALL the questions given in that book.
Then I would move to the Kaplan passages for understanding the format of them, thinking and analyzing while reading.
In my last 2 weeks, I used only and only full lengths. I would write down what I got wrong to be reviewed the next day after the exam. I think heavy post-game analysis is the key (should have realized that for verbal too)
Hope this helped. Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck!

 

[WhiteCoatSyndrome]

Hi WhiteCoatSyndrome,
I only and only used EK and am using it again right now for the second time around.
What I used to do, is write down the general notes from each chapter for EK, What seemed to me were important ideas. It really depends on your learning style. I learn well if write something down, so I did that.
After each chapter, I did every 4th problem of 1001 EK book for the given science chapter. I think this is really helpful, because the format of the question may not be the same as actual MCAT, but it really helps me understand and hone the topic and concept. I would identify a weak area from those questions and do ALL the questions given in that book.
Then I would move to the Kaplan passages for understanding the format of them, thinking and analyzing while reading.
In my last 2 weeks, I used only and only full lengths. I would write down what I got wrong to be reviewed the next day after the exam. I think heavy post-game analysis is the key (should have realized that for verbal too)
Hope this helped. Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck!

I thought about following a similar approach. Would it make sense to do content review with TPR, which goes more in depth than EK, and EK at the same time to both get a detailed explanation of concepts and then get the "here's what you need to know" from EK? If I did this I would do it earlier on in my study period to freshen myself on concepts and then, like you said, use EK 1001 to solidify everything. I would then use TPR or another prep company for MCAT style passages and FL's.

 

[SBAKSHI]

I thought about following a similar approach. Would it make sense to do content review with TPR, which goes more in depth than EK, and EK at the same time to both get a detailed explanation of concepts and then get the "here's what you need to know" from EK? If I did this I would do it earlier on in my study period to freshen myself on concepts and then, like you said, use EK 1001 to solidify everything. I would then use TPR or another prep company for MCAT style passages and FL's.

That sounds like a good plan, just make sure though that you stick to the method you have mastered in your X number of years at college. This is an important test and you don't want to change things so much that it is potentially harmful.
I have not used TPR, but assuming it goes in depth, then I would review that for the material I DONT understand or not consider myself a master. Of course then for any subsequent revision, you could use EK and 1001 to revise + solidify.
Hope this helped! Good luck!

 

[Supisak]

Having taken the beast twice I can tell you that actual math and rounding are none issues. Since you can't use a calc would you think that they would kill you with complex math?
NO
two tips on the PS section
- know your formulas and THE UNITS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM (and also their derivations)
- if you know the formulas and units then the math becomes 10/5 kind of stuff.....don't sweat the rounding.....

AAMC is not testing if you can do complex math without a calc and if you remember the rounding rules, they are testing your ability to apply simple concepts and formulas to advanced situations - the actual math is just an aside to what is really going on in those passages!