*Official June 2016 MCAT Thread*

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Hey there everyone! Figured I'd start this thread since I recently started preparing for the June 18th MCAT. For those of you who are taking the June 2nd MCAT, June 18th MCAT, or still considering one of those two dates, feel free to post here with any questions, comments, concerns, or support you have to offer!

Good luck to you all! Let's crush it.
 
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MI2015 said:
So I'm doing the Next step Test 1 now, and I'm worried because it's harder than AAMC, but people say the scores you get on NS are comparable to the actual thing. This is freaking me out.
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Next step asks their questions a little bit differently than AAMC, but the core concepts are still there which is why its the most accurate test-prep FL. I did 4 NS FLs before the unscored and scored AAMC, and I did much better on the AAMC materials because the difficulty of NS prepared me. At this point, I would worry about why you missed the questions you did, and learn from them. My NS scores were all lower than AAMC.
 
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bigindian4891 said:
Next step asks their questions a little bit differently than AAMC, but the core concepts are still there which is why its the most accurate test-prep FL. I did 4 NS FLs before the unscored and scored AAMC, and I did much better on the AAMC materials because the difficulty of NS prepared me. At this point, I would worry about why you missed the questions you did, and learn from them. My NS scores were all lower than AAMC.
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But is this going to make me feel disappointed before the exam? And then lose motivation? haha
 
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I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS HAPPENED. I honestly thought I BOMBED C/P (didn't finish the last 6 questions) and I wasn't able to finish the last 5 questions of CARS either lol. I'm ecstatic.

AAMC Unscored: 84%/81%/78%/84% --> 82% --> 510 (Yes, I rounded up from 509.6 to 510)

If I score this on the real exam I will be the happiest man alive.
 
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NecrotizingFascitis said:
I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS HAPPENED. I honestly thought I BOMBED C/P (didn't finish the last 6 questions) and I wasn't able to finish the last 5 questions of CARS either lol. I'm ecstatic.

AAMC Unscored: 84%/81%/78%/84% --> 82% --> 510 (Yes, I rounded up from 509.6 to 510)

If I score this on the real exam I will be the happiest man alive.
Click to expand...

Congrats!! Make sure to brush up on CARS though if you couldn't finish it, since the unscored CARS is a lot easier than the scored.
 
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MI2015 said:
But is this going to make me feel disappointed before the exam? And then lose motivation? haha
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The scored full length honestly felt easy to me compared to the NS's that I've done. I think it helped my confidence while taking it a lot. Don't freak out over your score, just use it as an opportunity to refresh yourself on the material and taking a full length again.
 
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sleepyhead22 said:
The scored full length honestly felt easy to me compared to the NS's that I've done. I think it helped my confidence while taking it a lot. Don't freak out over your score, just use it as an opportunity to refresh yourself on the material and taking a full length again.
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C/P was calculation heavy, and that freaks me out since I'm not good at that. A guy that voided his May 20th exam told me that the C/P on that exam was exactly like Next Step in terms of difficulty, as it was calculation heavy as well, so that's kinda scary hah
 
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Yeah, Next Step exams were definitely hard. I did a total of 4 of them. I was shocked to see I did fairly well on all of them except for the last one. I was soooo tired when I took it. Worked that day and studied before taking it. Bad idea.
 
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MI2015 said:
Congrats!! Make sure to brush up on CARS though if you couldn't finish it, since the unscored CARS is a lot easier than the scored.
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Ugh, yeah after the 6th passage I started to get really unfocused. Shoulda taken a sip of coffee or something before that section. But yeah I'm scared of CARS.
 
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almcdon412 said:
Yeah, Next Step exams were definitely hard. I did a total of 4 of them. I was shocked to see I did fairly well on all of them except for the last one. I was soooo tired when I took it. Worked that day and studied before taking it. Bad idea.
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Since CARS and P/S are my good subjects, and I did solid on them on the AAMC i'm not doing those passages, i'm just doing C/P and B/B. C/P, which is my worst subject kind of destroyed me on NS
 
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Would it be dumb to take a practice exam EARLYYY tomorrow morning? ... I want to be able to look over the sample but I wont have any time besides tomorrow. Then I'll relax for the remainder of the night.
 
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almcdon412 said:
Would it be dumb to take a practice exam EARLYYY tomorrow morning? ... I want to be able to look over the sample but I wont have any time besides tomorrow. Then I'll relax for the remainder of the night.
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I dont know if doing a FL the day before D-day is the best idea... but only you know yourself
 
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Tbh I think CARS success is all about focus, and like @Scrubs101 I am one of those caffeine pill people. As long as I get my blood pumping before I do the CARS section I should be fine. Prob will do push ups pr jumping jacks or something like that :laugh:
 
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MI2015 said:
Do you have any advice for C/P? CARS is my favorite haha physics though....
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Okay, you take my CARS and I'll take your C/P, deal? Okay cool. 😀

Things I've noticed that will get you automatic points for on any C/P section:
1.) pH calculation (literally every exam... sometimes more than once)
2.) Redox reactions (be able to identify which molecule is the reducing agent (being oxidized) and vice versa)
3.) Know circuits for physics (Easy way to remember the resistor/capacitor stuff is resistors in series are additive and capacitors are always opposite of resistors. Works for me.)
4.) Periodic trends (everything starting with an "E" increases up and to the right)
5.) Protonation states, especially involving amino acids

I can't think anymore at the moment.. I feel like a lot of it is interpreting graphs. One thing I seriously need to focus on like I said is not getting hung up on one problem for not being able to solve it. I sit there staring at it as if the answer will magically pop into my head if I look at it long enough.
 
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Hey guys, so I'm in a big dilemma. I'm thinking about voiding my exam this weekend and taking the July 9th one. The reason is because I feel pretty unprepared. I haven't finished metabolism, practiced any C/P problems, and barely touched organic. I also only took two practice tests (AAMC unscored and scored - which I got 510 on). And I only did the P/S section bank so far. I feel like the two AAMC practice tests were easy and played to my strengths. I know 510 isn't bad, but I can't guarantee the real test will play to my strengths and I honestly don't feel comfortable going in without having finished the basic AAMC stuff and at least 5 properly timed practice tests. My goal is ~514-515 and at least a 512 on the real deal.

In my situation, do you guys think voiding is a good idea? I want to apply this cycle. I was going to score June 18, and retake the July 22 if needed, but now I'm almost 80% sure I will have to retake and a September completion date seems really late. I think I will be more confident with 3 more wks of prep, so taking it one time July 9th with no retake plans is a better strategy right?

Please help 🙁
 
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tavokeri9 said:
Hey guys, so I'm in a big dilemma. I'm thinking about voiding my exam this weekend and taking the July 9th one. The reason is because I feel pretty unprepared. I haven't finished metabolism, practiced any C/P problems, and barely touched organic. I also only took two practice tests (AAMC unscored and scored - which I got 510 on). And I only did the P/S section bank so far. I feel like the two AAMC practice tests were easy and played to my strengths. I know 510 isn't bad, but I can't guarantee the real test will play to my strengths and I honestly don't feel comfortable going in without having finished the basic AAMC stuff and at least 5 properly timed practice tests. My goal is ~514-515 and at least a 512 on the real deal.

In my situation, do you guys think voiding is a good idea? I want to apply this cycle. I was going to score June 18, and retake the July 22 if needed, but now I'm almost 80% sure I will have to retake and a September completion date seems really late. I think I will be more confident with 3 more wks of prep, so taking it one time July 9th with no retake plans is better right?

Please help 🙁
Click to expand...

I say take it as if you were going to score it and if it didn't play to your strengths (AT ALL) then void, but in all honesty I think you'll be fine.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
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tavokeri9 said:
Hey guys, so I'm in a big dilemma. I'm thinking about voiding my exam this weekend and taking the July 9th one. The reason is because I feel pretty unprepared. I haven't finished metabolism, practiced any C/P problems, and barely touched organic. I also only took two practice tests (AAMC unscored and scored - which I got 510 on). And I only did the P/S section bank so far. I feel like the two AAMC practice tests were easy and played to my strengths. I know 510 isn't bad, but I can't guarantee the real test will play to my strengths and I honestly don't feel comfortable going in without having finished the basic AAMC stuff and at least 5 properly timed practice tests. My goal is ~514-515 and at least a 512 on the real deal.

In my situation, do you guys think voiding is a good idea? I want to apply this cycle. I was going to score June 18, and retake the July 22 if needed, but now I'm almost 80% sure I will have to retake and a September completion date seems really late. I think I will be more confident with 3 more wks of prep, so taking it one time July 9th with no retake plans is a better strategy right?

Please help 🙁
Click to expand...
I'd take it and see how you feel
 
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NecrotizingFascitis said:
Okay, you take my CARS and I'll take your C/P, deal? Okay cool. 😀

Things I've noticed that will get you automatic points for on any C/P section:
1.) pH calculation (literally every exam... sometimes more than once)
2.) Redox reactions (be able to identify which molecule is the reducing agent (being oxidized) and vice versa)
3.) Know circuits for physics (Easy way to remember the resistor/capacitor stuff is resistors in series are additive and capacitors are always opposite of resistors. Works for me.)
4.) Periodic trends (everything starting with an "E" increases up and to the right)
5.) Protonation states, especially involving amino acids

I can't think anymore at the moment.. I feel like a lot of it is interpreting graphs. One thing I seriously need to focus on like I said is not getting hung up on one problem for not being able to solve it. I sit there staring at it as if the answer will magically pop into my head if I look at it long enough.
Click to expand...
Receptors (G-protein, voltage-gated, etc.)
Inhibitors (without doubt)
Biomolecules, numbering their carbons, and their linkages (Glycogen, nucleotides, carbs in particular)
Meiosis
Metabolism overview and basics (fermentation included)
 
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NecrotizingFascitis said:
Okay, you take my CARS and I'll take your C/P, deal? Okay cool. 😀

Things I've noticed that will get you automatic points for on any C/P section:
1.) pH calculation (literally every exam... sometimes more than once)
2.) Redox reactions (be able to identify which molecule is the reducing agent (being oxidized) and vice versa)
3.) Know circuits for physics (Easy way to remember the resistor/capacitor stuff is resistors in series are additive and capacitors are always opposite of resistors. Works for me.)
4.) Periodic trends (everything starting with an "E" increases up and to the right)
5.) Protonation states, especially involving amino acids

I can't think anymore at the moment.. I feel like a lot of it is interpreting graphs. One thing I seriously need to focus on like I said is not getting hung up on one problem for not being able to solve it. I sit there staring at it as if the answer will magically pop into my head if I look at it long enough.
Click to expand...

Haha sure thing! Circuits are a very weak point for me. Physics in general is weak, but I managed to get most physics content doing hardcore EK and Khan review. But when a circuit question comes up saying they closed or opened a switch I get super confused as to how that affects the circuit.
 
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Stupid question, but what is everyone doing for snacks/lunch during the MCAT? I am a retaker from last June where I stupidly let me mom talk me into salad for lunch -____- I had no energy during the B/B and P/S sections at all (which were my lowest scores). Any suggestions would be great! Don't want something like what I'm eating to affect my scores like last year!

EDIT: Oops, saw some suggestions on the page before this, my bad!
 
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wildabeastkoala said:
So I read that during the 10 min tutorial you can write down notes for the test. What would you put? I was thinking some formulas...
Click to expand...

I was originally going to do AAs but honestly I kinda know them cold now..so my plan is to do MM kinetics stuff, and the pKas of AAs that I always forget. Although I vaguely remember last year, I had to turn in my scratch sheet at the 30 min break and get a new one for the B/B section, so everything I wrote down during the tutorial I didn't even have during B/B. Did anyone else who's taken it before run into this issue?
 
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xxabi said:
I was originally going to do AAs but honestly I kinda know them cold now..so my plan is to do MM kinetics stuff, and the pKas of AAs that I always forget. Although I vaguely remember last year, I had to turn in my scratch sheet at the 30 min break and get a new one for the B/B section, so everything I wrote down during the tutorial I didn't even have during B/B. Did anyone else who's taken it before run into this issue?
Click to expand...
Ah that's scary! Although if you know them well enough to write them down at the beginning, it prob won't take you to long to write down the essentials during B/B. I usually finish my lunch break a few minutes early so I wonder if you could use that time? Also, that's pretty much exactly what i'm planning on writing as well. Quick L-B plots of Comp, Noncompet, and Uncompet inhibitors really helps me to keep things straight.
 
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Did anyone else find the calculations on NS took longer to do? I almost ran out of time because there are more calculations than on AAMC materials.
 
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xxabi said:
I was originally going to do AAs but honestly I kinda know them cold now..so my plan is to do MM kinetics stuff, and the pKas of AAs that I always forget. Although I vaguely remember last year, I had to turn in my scratch sheet at the 30 min break and get a new one for the B/B section, so everything I wrote down during the tutorial I didn't even have during B/B. Did anyone else who's taken it before run into this issue?
Click to expand...

Oh, Noooo! That changes everything! Well maybe I'll jot those down during my 30 minute break. Just come back a little earlier.
 
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On the real test I def am finally going to go with my gut bc every question I got wrong was bc I went against it. LETS GET IT
 
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sleepyhead22 said:
This is what i'm trying to memorize today.... Not going great haha.
Click to expand...

I watched this youtube video on easy ways to remember amino acids and glycolysis and they helped tremendously. I literally draw all the amino acids out and the steps to glycolysis out atleast 4 times a week to refresh my memory.
 
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Does anyone know if there is a way to view only incorrect answers for the section banks? I am trying to find that one particular question in B/B on SDS Page where it showed a chart of the kDa for homodimers and asked which would have the smallest molecular weight ... or something like that. I dont want to have to go through all 100 questions again right now.
 
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almcdon412 said:
I watched this youtube video on easy ways to remember amino acids and glycolysis and they helped tremendously. I literally draw all the amino acids out and the steps to glycolysis out atleast 4 times a week to refresh my memory.
Click to expand...
amino acids i've got solid because i understood how incredibly important they were going to be from the start... but metabolism surprised me in terms of the level of detail that was questioned on the SB, so now i'm trying to memorize way more than i anticipated. PS if you want to share that youtube video, i'd be appreciative!!
 
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I officially made up my mind that I am just not going to show up for the exam this Saturday. I really hope I'll be able to register for the July 8th date once Saturday passes. I just felt I needed the extra couple weeks to do everything I've wanted to do to ensure I give it my all since this will be my second time writing.

Anyway, I'm rooting for every one of you this Saturday. I can't wait to see that you all did even better than you're initial goal scores! Relax after reviewing a bit tomorrow and make sure to get in bed early to help you fall asleep after your mind races for a couple hours. You guys are going to rock it!!!!!!!
 
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The
almcdon412 said:
Does anyone know if there is a way to view only incorrect answers for the section banks? I am trying to find that one particular question in B/B on SDS Page where it showed a chart of the kDa for homodimers and asked which would have the smallest molecular weight ... or something like that. I dont want to have to go through all 100 questions again right now.
Click to expand...
Ugh, I hated that question! I feel like I can't get a clear explanation with AAMC about anything! It's somewhere around question #60 if that helps
 
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almcdon412 said:
Does anyone know if there is a way to view only incorrect answers for the section banks? I am trying to find that one particular question in B/B on SDS Page where it showed a chart of the kDa for homodimers and asked which would have the smallest molecular weight ... or something like that. I dont want to have to go through all 100 questions again right now.
Click to expand...
yep there's a "review incorrect" at the bottom leftish of the page when you go to your score report i think!
 
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almcdon412 said:
Oh, Noooo! That changes everything! Well maybe I'll jot those down during my 30 minute break. Just come back a little earlier.
Click to expand...

Yea, I don't want to scare y'all because maybe its test center specific, so I would love it if someone could corroborate who's already taken it before. I think it may have had to do with the fact that I needed more scratch paper, and the proctors were like, you have to return the first sheet to get the next one. I think that makes more sense...sorry guys, I kinda blacked out after haha
 
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Dolly96 said:
I officially made up my mind that I am just not going to show up for the exam this Saturday. I really hope I'll be able to register for the July 8th date once Saturday passes. I just felt I needed the extra couple weeks to do everything I've wanted to do to ensure I give it my all since this will be my second time writing.

Anyway, I'm rooting for every one of you this Saturday. I can't wait to see that you all did even better than you're initial goal scores! Relax after reviewing a bit tomorrow and make sure to get in bed early to help you fall asleep after your mind races for a couple hours. You guys are going to rock it!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
There's no real difference between that and voiding, right? It might be in your best interest to go and do it with the mindset of voiding, just to get an extra practice test/better idea of what the test looks like.
 
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MI2015 said:
Drawing them on a whiteboard is what got me to memorize them! Also, did you score lower on NS than on the AAMC? I haven't finished yet, but I feel that it was harder.
Click to expand...
NS 1 I got a 512 128 in all sections, AAMC scored FL I got 515 but can't remember what the distribution was right now. I do think the curve is more lenient on the NS test because they realized people were doing a lot better on the real thing so they adjusted the scale. So your score might surprise you! I don't remember what correct equaled a 128 but I'm pretty sure it was more lenient than AAMC.
 
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The more I watch Khan videos, the more I understand their importance and how much I under appreciated them! There are so many passages between the Section Banks, Sample and Scored test that mirror different videos to the minute detail.
They are the only affiliate company that has partnered with AAMC and I would go as far to say that you could adequately prep using solely Khan Academy.
 
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This stress is eating me alive. I haven't finished reviewing the B/B section bank, and I haven't even started reviewing yesterday's scored exam. I keep thinking of random facts from all of the sciences and remembering that I don't know them, and then I go to review them, and then I realize I've spent an hour reviewing some random stuff (Khan Academy lol) when I should have been reviewing my incorrect answers. I keep thinking I'm not going to have enough time to review both the section bank and the scored by tonight. I keep thinking every piece of information in my head is going to fly away if I don't study tomorrow. I've never evverrrr been stressed like this over any exam, even during finals. Grrrrrrrr
 
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TXhopeful said:
The more I watch Khan videos, the more I understand their importance and how much I under appreciated them! There are so many passages between the Section Banks, Sample and Scored test that mirror different videos to the minute detail.
They are the only affiliate company that has partnered with AAMC and I would go as far to say that you could adequately prep using solely Khan Academy.
Click to expand...
I completely agree with you. I wish I had started watching their videos earlier. :/
 
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sleepyhead22 said:
amino acids i've got solid because i understood how incredibly important they were going to be from the start... but metabolism surprised me in terms of the level of detail that was questioned on the SB, so now i'm trying to memorize way more than i anticipated. PS if you want to share that youtube video, i'd be appreciative!!
Click to expand...



Give this one a try! It was so helpful for me. The first few minutes may seem like alot at once but he breaks it down. You can try to memorize that mnemonic but I didn't. After practicing drawing out all the steps so much, I was able to memorize the enzymes without the silly mnemonic. But I watched this twice and I was able to get the hang of it and draw it out myself with no problems. Just keep practicing.
 
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xxabi said:
Stupid question, but what is everyone doing for snacks/lunch during the MCAT? I am a retaker from last June where I stupidly let me mom talk me into salad for lunch -____- I had no energy during the B/B and P/S sections at all (which were my lowest scores). Any suggestions would be great! Don't want something like what I'm eating to affect my scores like last year!

EDIT: Oops, saw some suggestions on the page before this, my bad!
Click to expand...
Eggs for breakfast, almonds for snack, eggs for lunch, peanut butter and apples for snack. Protein! I tried some sugary stuff but it just made me crave it more and I lost focus when practicing bc I was like damn I want some chocolate!
 
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sleepyhead22 said:
There's no real difference between that and voiding, right? It might be in your best interest to go and do it with the mindset of voiding, just to get an extra practice test/better idea of what the test looks like.
Click to expand...
You're right there is no real difference, but since I tend to overthink everything I thought it would be best for me not to see what this test is like. Although it might help to see what kinds of questions/passages they have, I think it will interfere with the test I will take on the 8th. I don't want to be discouraged if I felt this one was easier than the one I take on the 8th and have constant thoughts running in my head like "I should've just taken the june 18th exam" while taking it. If my mind would just tone it down sometimes that would be great...
 
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maheenk said:
This stress is eating me alive. I haven't finished reviewing the B/B section bank, and I haven't even started reviewing yesterday's scored exam. I keep thinking of random facts from all of the sciences and remembering that I don't know them, and then I go to review them, and then I realize I've spent an hour reviewing some random stuff (Khan Academy lol) when I should have been reviewing my incorrect answers. I keep thinking I'm not going to have enough time to review both the section bank and the scored by tonight. I keep thinking every piece of information in my head is going to fly away if I don't study tomorrow. I've never evverrrr been stressed like this over any exam, even during finals. Grrrrrrrr
Click to expand...

I tell people all the time, I will do finals week over this test anyday ! Finals is NOTHING compared to the level of material needed for this exam. Lol
 
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