Need advise on what to do next...after void

[Coracao]

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I took the May 7 MCAT and voided, I wasn't getting the practice scores I wanted, and was too late to re-schedule, so decided to take it and go through the experience (since I had paid for it anyway). I found it be the different than the other practice test I had done, and now feel I really need to do something different to raise my scores.
I was using TPRH (2001 ed) and the EK 1001 books. I took 8 practice tests and after reviewing each 95 % of the wrong answers I knew and with time to figure it out I always had the correct answer. So for the most part not a knowledge problem, but a test taking/quick recollection possibly.. problem. Although after taking the real deal I feel I should be so much more solid on everything, because the questions are complex and require you to pull from many different subject areas.
This week I have been in a semi unconscious state, maybe burn out, very disappointed (should be hitting the scores I need by this time!), and just wondering on the best approach to do well. At this point I don't have a set date, but a MCAT score goal to get instead. I would like to see it I can do this by the July 8th test, I really don't want the scores too late for AAMCAS.
I took the following in this order:
PS V BS
GS1 5 7 7 19
TPR9 6 4 7 17
AAMC3 8 6 8 22
BR1 7 12 7 26
AAMC4 10 6 8 24
BR2 7 6 7 20
AAMC5 6 5 8 19
BR3 8 5 5 18 (lots of interruptions!)

I am so upset about this, anf feel so disappointed and embarrassed! ..help! I'm not too concerned about verbal, english is my 2nd language,, so not expecting miracles here, but the rest is sooooo inconsistent! They are all timed but in many I had to stop and go a few times. My aim is around 30, but happy with anything above 27.

I'm wondering if I should order BR books and work from there, since my TPRH is pretty outdated, or if I should just take as many fl I can get my hands on. I still have lots of practice stuff, since I did most of the EK1001 books, I can still use TPRH workbook passages.

Thank you for any help, or suggestion you might have..
C.

 

[SN2ed]

Scores that low indicate major content weaknesses. You should start over completely with a solid schedule. Additionally, you should be concerned about your low verbal scores since they can easily prevent you from getting in anywhere.

 

[Coracao]

Scores that low indicate major content weaknesses. You should start over completely with a solid schedule. Additionally, you should be concerned about your low verbal scores since they can easily prevent you from getting in anywhere.

Thanks SN2ed, do you think I should get more recent material, actually thinking about getting the BR stuff, I just want to do this right, dont have time to waste, or should I restart w the material I still have? I bought all the TPRH from a friend but its a 2001 ed. If BR can guarantee an increase, I guess taking an extra month to do the 3 month schedule is well worth it. I'll do whatever it takes!

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[bfarn30]

Don't be afraid to take a year off!! You could build your ECs, study for the MCAT for an early spring re-take, then apply early to the next cycle. There's no shame in that either.

 

[FattySlug]

Take some time off. Calm down. Study from the ground up. SN2ed has posted a solid plan. You could follow that.

I am also not a native speaker but I managed to hit a 10, 2 of my friends who also are not native speaker hit up to 11 and 12. So it can be done with practice. Don't chalk it up to being foreign or you can't improve.

I used the ExamKracker strategy. You should buy their verbal 101 book if you haven't already. The passages are easier than the real ones but they are good practice for the reasoning to find the answers.

I also did all AAMC practice tests. I found that the verbal sections are very similar to the real ones. You should treat these scores as your true level (as opposed to the score you get from EK 101).

I hate TBR verbal. They are not very good so you should skip those unless you really have no other practice passages. TBR passages are hard to read and similar to real verbal but the questions and the answers explanation sometimes sound so ridiculous.

 

[ridethecliche]

Your study materials don't guarantee an increase, your study habits do.

 

[Coracao]

Thanks guys,
I agree on the study habits, which i believe i have good ones, unfortunately the problem for me is not enough time in a day! Can' t put family life on hold! I was just making sure i have what i need to get the scores i need. As far as time off, i have taken 10 years off for the family, now is the time for me, I really don't see why I should go another year off. Plus I have already done plenty of studying, so adding 2-3 months to what i have is much more beneficial, than to wait another year. I do have EK 101 and to be honest really didn't pay much attention to it, yep...I need to do passages everyday!
I took the week off and that's enough break for me, I just want to get back in there and do it.
Just needed an opinion on getting new material, or keeping the old, but agree with ride...its NOT the material, its me an how much practice stuff i do.

So you think I should review/study, and do a study plan as if I was just starting?
Makes sense, but wondering if I should take tests only and study from there, since I do understand and know all formulas, i think i'm having a hard time just regurgitating the material in such a short time..it takes me a little longer to pick up on the trick answers and to solve the problem.
Any ideas...i'm so frustrated with this..and so don't want to waste time and just get it right!!!!

Thank you again!!!!!

 

[ridethecliche]

Your scores indicate that you don't know the content.

You need to make the time for this if it's really important to you. Figure out how to fit in 2 hrs of studying before work and 2 after work. Whatever it takes to get everything done in 2-3 months.

No offense, but many were getting scores better than that without any studying. If you're getting these around the time that you were scheduled to take the 'real deal' then you really need to reevaluate what it is that you're doing.

If you know all the formulas and understand the concepts for PS, then why are your scores varying so much? Are you reviewing your exams at all? You shouldn't be dropping from a 10 to a 6 on aamc tests if you know what you're talking about. Seriously, get your study habits and everything in order. Not only are you burning through practice material without really understanding what you're doing, you're doing it without understanding what you're doing wrong. Take a step back. Review and log all the exams you've taken and work on everything.

You don't need ek. You need something very in depth. If you need a forced schedule to keep you on top of things, then maybe a class is in order. If you can figure out how to do everything yourself, then Sn2ED's 3 or 4 month schedule is probably what you need to do.

You can bring this all together, you just really need to put the time into organizing and executing everything. If you have very limited time then do something that is established instead of wasting time figuring things out the hard way for yourself.

 

[Coracao]

Your scores indicate that you don't know the content.

You need to make the time for this if it's really important to you. Figure out how to fit in 2 hrs of studying before work and 2 after work. Whatever it takes to get everything done in 2-3 months.

No offense, but many were getting scores better than that without any studying. If you're getting these around the time that you were scheduled to take the 'real deal' then you really need to reevaluate what it is that you're doing.

If you know all the formulas and understand the concepts for PS, then why are your scores varying so much? Are you reviewing your exams at all? You shouldn't be dropping from a 10 to a 6 on aamc tests if you know what you're talking about. Seriously, get your study habits and everything in order. Not only are you burning through practice material without really understanding what you're doing, you're doing it without understanding what you're doing wrong. Take a step back. Review and log all the exams you've taken and work on everything.

You don't need ek. You need something very in depth. If you need a forced schedule to keep you on top of things, then maybe a class is in order. If you can figure out how to do everything yourself, then Sn2ED's 3 or 4 month schedule is probably what you need to do.

You can bring this all together, you just really need to put the time into organizing and executing everything. If you have very limited time then do something that is established instead of wasting time figuring things out the hard way for yourself.

Maybe you are right ride, but when I review the tests, and I go over every single question right or wrong, I can get the right answer without looking at the explanation or answer first. I do feel my content should be solid, and know it is not, but I really don't feel like I don't know the content, otherwise I would never be able to get the right answer.
I am also extremely disciplined, and far from laze, I know what needs to be done, and want to do it..but like I said before, I can't put family on hold and at my service, so really have limited time to work with right now. I'll figure something out...it will get done!
Going to work out a schedule to go over all the content again and do all TPRH workbook passages, regardless of how long it takes me, I delayed this to the point I won't make the smp I wanted to get in, so might as well get it done right all the way, hopefully I'll be ok with the application timing.
If anyone has a TPR home schedule that could help me, would be great, otherwise I'll just follow the AAMC content list.

Thanks!!!