Yeah I was thinking about that! I'm not going to take the exam until my score is consistently where I want it for sure! I think my next step will be to take a practice AAMC exam to see where I really stand. The thing is, there is not way that it is where I need it to be, so I'm just not sure how to get my score up you know? I feel like I'm doing everything right
I am so sorry if this sounds harsh, but even though you feel you are doing everything right, you are not doing things right. I don't mean to sound mean, but sometimes tough words are needed so you can start fresh. If what you were doing was working then you'd have better results. Take a day to cry it all out and then come back reborn and ready. This time you need to focus on learning from doing. Study how to take passages and how to answer questions.
I personally spent a long time pre-studying. I looked at some AAMC questions to see how they word them. I tried questions from several different books. I talked to my big sib and her friends about what they studied or if they took a class. I decided not to take a class because the two courses in my area didn't seem to be helping anyone. A bad course hurt them because they thought they were doing well, and by the time they realized they were not good at testing, it was too late. This sounds like what may have happened to you. I personally don't think you need a course unless it specializes in how to take the MCAT.
After looking at everything my big sib and her friends used, I chose the following materials for a reason that fit
my needs.
For chemistry, physics, and biology I used (am using) TBR. They have tons and tons of passages for practice, and their explanations are nothing short of amazing. I learn more going over answers than anything else. Do not use anything else. Once I'm done with those, I will start into AAMC section banks. I have done a few questions already and because I'm in the right mindset from my practice, they have been going well.
For CARS I used (am using) EK and TPR. I wanted two different approaches to this section so that I can master a hybrid. It has been working pretty well so far and I like the materials a lot. Both books are different in what they suggest, some ideas being good and others bad, but the best part is that I have plenty of passages. I will add AAMC and maybe Kahn is I need more.
For psychology and sociology I used (am using) TPR and Khan. I'm honestly not that enamored with either, but they function okay. I got the 300 page document that MCATKings made and it is wonderful (best thing out there). I moved to AAMC materials and noticed immediately that they are different than what I had been using, so I'm glad I started AAMC early for this section.
The biggest thing is that I have been 'studying' by doing passages, not by reading books or listening to lectures. It has made all the difference, because passages are the best learning tool by far. I think it's huge that you start with the very best passages for studying which as everyone seems to agree is TBR for science and TPR for CARS and P/S. Learn how to answer questions fast and cleanly, and your score will improve.
Good luck! You can do this!
