No A's in Science Courses and Horrible Test Taker

[avokadoduck]

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Hi,

I just finished finals and I am pretty sure I did not get any A's in my science courses. I haven't gotten an A in any science course through this year. Every other class besides Calculus and Stats I have gotten A's. How good are my chances if I can't even be competitive in Science courses. I think my problem is test taking because I get the classes and I know what I am talking about, but I do horrible on tests (B average). I have straight B's and B+ in sciences courses excluding my lab grades (A's). Does anyone have any tips for test taking skills???

Thanks

 

[IlDestriero]

If you struggle with the sciences and "test" poorly, medicine is probably a bad fit for you.
Go to your school's academic support center and see a counselor. They can evaluate your study habits and recommend strategies for success.

 

[startswithb]

I didn't get As in science courses until my junior year, so I feel you. That being said, you HAVE to learn how to succeed in them. I got As in everything else, too. The main thing I learned was that you had to keep up with the material throughout the semester! For chemistry and physics, this meant doing frequent practice problems. For biology, you have to follow along with the big picture, and then memorize as necessary. It depends on the professor the amount of detail you will need to know. It will depend on your learning style how you achieve this, but it has to be done. Med schools calculate a separate GPA with your chem, bio, physics, and math courses. You can do it; don't be defeatist and assume you're just not a science person. You probably just aren't used to learning this way. Anyway, good luck!!

 

[DoctorIn2015]

As someone else already mentioned, one of the major stats on your application will be your science GPA, which factors only science and math courses, so doing well in science courses will be essential to your chances. Depending on what point you are at in your academic career, you could still have plenty of time to turn your current trend around and be competitive before you apply. Science courses are all about keeping up with the material, and that comes easier to some people than others. I've taught medical gross anatomy for the last three years and even in medical school there is a divide among the students' learning styles; for some it comes naturally, and some have to accept that they'll be putting in more hours and working harder. The real question is whether it's worth it to you, and if you decide that it is, there's no reason you can't succeed, given the effort! Good luck!

 

[avokadoduck]

Thanks guys. I am only a sophomore at an oos state school. Just finished my first quarter with ochem w/ labs, bio, and other gen eds. Boy Ochem was a lot of work. The labs were awesome and I enjoyed almost every second of it. The lecture not so much. I felt like the lecture was going at light speed! I think my problem is doing the everyday work and tests. I think my cGPA and sGPA might take a little bit of a hit. What's funny is that in every discussion, TA office hour, teacher office hour I know what I am talking about at least compared to everyone else. But then come test day, I blank. Right now before grades come out I have a 3.57 cGPA, (Q1 3.3 gpa, Q2 3.62, 3 3.76) and sGPA of around 3.42 or 3.45.

Thanks

 

[Catalystik]

I went from a 3.3 freshman 1st quarter to 3.62 to a 3.76 with an overall of 3.57. Now sophomore 1st quarter I received a 3.2 total and now have a 3.4 ish cgpa and 3.16 sgpa. What hurt me most is a C in Ochem, are my chances pretty much shot?

It's best to ask these questions on your own thread, so I quoted your question and brought it back here.

Your chances are still not shot, provided you can start earning consistent good grades. You have 5 terms left (6, if you go to summer school) before you'd apply, which, with excellent grades gives you enough time to establish the 1.5-2 year good grade trend that adcomms seem to like to see. A C in OChem isn't the end of the world. You can redeem it with a higher grade in Ochem II and III, or with a good grade in Biochem.

 

[avokadoduck]

Thanks. I am really discouraged because I put so much work into my science courses and only got a B in Bio 1 and C in O chem. I keep questioning myself if I am cut out for this. Going into finals I had an A- and solid B cut out, but just screwed up. To be fair I had two ochem finals in a row at 8 am, but that doesn't excuse such bad test scores. Do you have any advice for a struggling student.

 

[Catalystik]

My best advice is to do all the problems at the end of each chapter, attend office hours, and go to tutoring sessions, or possibly form a study group. The main Pre-Med Allo Forum has had threads about this you might Search for.

 

[Jstone123]

hey first off good luck, just work harder and the grades will come. but never say you are a "bad test taker" if i gave you a test of 1+1 type questions you would get a 100% everytime. saying your bad at taking the test is allowing yourself in your mind to underprepare for the exam and accept doing poorly

 

[andrewsmack05]

Some of you may think this is a little harsh. But, to the OP, you need to start taking things seriously. Seize the day, you have the chance at medical school! You need to start cutting out the "fun" things in life right now because they are a distraction to your learning. If this is not the case, then you need to talk to a counselor or the professors of the course to help you out. From your post, I gather that you dont get the material when you hear it, thus being repetitive with the material is necessary.

 

[avokadoduck]

hey first off good luck, just work harder and the grades will come. but never say you are a "bad test taker" if i gave you a test of 1+1 type questions you would get a 100% everytime. saying your bad at taking the test is allowing yourself in your mind to underprepare for the exam and accept doing poorly

J Stone I agree with this, thanks for the input.