MCAT Verbal Prep - 2 Year Plan?

[MissionStanford]

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I'm going into my sophomore year of college and planning to take the MCAT in August, 2014. On the SAT, my weakest section by far was critical reading (660). I also only got a 10 on the essay. How can I improve my verbal section abilities between now and when I take the MCAT? I've started reading The Economist.

Obviously I'm also going to do lots of practice verbal passages as the MCAT approaches. What else? Should I read books throughout the year? Which books? What types? What should I read/do in general? What about the essay? I have trouble coming up with examples on time (I've always been more math and science oriented).

 

[Jengreef]

I'd recommend examkracker's verbal. And do practice passages. 🙂

 

[jissho]

Examkrackers should be used a few months before the test. Not 2 years.

 

[sciencebooks]

I'm going into my sophomore year of college and planning to take the MCAT in August, 2014. On the SAT, my weakest section by far was critical reading (660). I also only got a 10 on the essay. How can I improve my verbal section abilities between now and when I take the MCAT? I've started reading The Economist.

Obviously I'm also going to do lots of practice verbal passages as the MCAT approaches. What else? Should I read books throughout the year? Which books? What types? What should I read/do in general? What about the essay? I have trouble coming up with examples on time (I've always been more math and science oriented).

The essay is eliminated this January so you won't ever have to worry about that.

As for practice, don't waste passages yet. Start reading heavy journals (as you have) and possibly read through a verbal prep book for ideas of what to be considering as you read.

 

[MissionStanford]

The essay is eliminated this January so you won't ever have to worry about that.

As for practice, don't waste passages yet. Start reading heavy journals (as you have) and possibly read through a verbal prep book for ideas of what to be considering as you read.

Wait, they're taking off the essay? Can you provide a link? Are there any other changes? This is great news though. Also, by heavy journals, are you referring to material like The Economist?

 

[sciencebooks]

Wait, they're taking off the essay? Can you provide a link? Are there any other changes? This is great news though. Also, by heavy journals, are you referring to material like The Economist?

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/ Right under 2013. They'll also be added an optional section that will become mandatory in 2015 (social sciences).

Yeah, text heavy, verbose things. The Economist is often suggested, 🙂. Reading science journals will also help you in the shift toward a more experiment-based bio section.