Poor scores are making me feel hopeless

[foxy80]

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I've always considered myself a fairly intelligent guy. Mostly A's in college, despite having a very poor work ethic and barely studying (ok, I did get a B and C in Ochem 1/2, respectively). The MCAT is absolutely crushing my confidence, though. I studied my ass off last summer with the EK series and scored a whopping 27. I simply don't remember a lot of stuff from undergrad (I took the pre-reqs 3-4 years ago), and I have a really hard time applying them to passages. I just purchased the Berkeley Review books to see if they would improve where EK couldn't help me, but so far going through the chapters I'm feeling worse and worse as I stare in confusion at some of the topics. Often times I'll understand a chapter on whatever it's on, but then I'll have no idea how it applies to a passage that's thrown at me. Anyone else in my position that wound up improving enough to score competitively? I interviewed at a few schools last year but my poor MCAT came up in every interview, naturally.

 

[brood910]

1. Everyone feels that way.

2. You will never see questions on real MCAT similar to TBR. They are meant to prepare you for the worst.
THEY ARE ONLY FOR CONTENT REVIEW.

 

[foxy80]

Yeah, I realize that, but I had the same problem when I took the AAMC practice exams and the real MCAT as well. Just utter confusion when I look at a lot of the passages. I guess my knowledge of content is poor, but I'm studying and it doesn't seem to be improving. So frustrating

 

[brood910]

You should realize that most questions can be answered by just referring back to the passages unlike the old AAMC FLs.
Only way to develop your critical thinking skills is to keep practicing.

 

[petyr_baelish]

Are you really anxious by any chance? Do you ever get that feeling where you are totally confused and you come back later and think, "Oh yeah!" If you have lightbulb moments, it means you are capable. So you have to figure out why you are so confused with the passages. Take a step back, and maybe learn some test taking strategies/skills. A 27 isn't a terrible score as far as knowledge goes. So work on test taking/anxiety if it's appropriate.

 

[SOOyC52H1Sof]

Care to share the break down of your 27? B/c, that is a pretty good score to start off with.

 

[foxy80]

Care to share the break down of your 27? B/c, that is a pretty good score to start off with.

Unfortunately that wasn't my first score, that was my score after nearly 3 months of studying (admittedly, I was just passively reading EK passages thinking I was absorbing the material, but still). I got an 10/9/8 BS/VR/PS. The first score I got when I began studying was a 21.

 

[brood910]

Unfortunately that wasn't my first score, that was my score after nearly 3 months of studying (admittedly, I was just passively reading EK passages thinking I was absorbing the material, but still). I got an 10/9/8 BS/VR/PS. The first score I got when I began studying was a 21.

Dont give up. I got 19 on my diagnostic that I took after 2 months of studying. I am now avging 35 on AAMC FLs.

 

[foxy80]

Dont give up. I got 19 on my diagnostic that I took after 2 months of studying. I am now avging 35 on AAMC FLs.

Mind telling me what study schedule you've been following?

 

[amonty144]

Dont give up. I got 19 on my diagnostic that I took after 2 months of studying. I am now avging 35 on AAMC FLs.

brood you got that on AAMC 3? Then what did you do to prep? Did you do just passage practice or did you also take non-AAMC FLs? BR, TPRH? Great job.

 

[Chimichica]

AHHHHHH!!!! I just want a decent score

 

[Sean Lee]

AHHHHHH!!!! I just want a decent score nothing too great 27-30. I have about 3 weeks left and i am freaking out. At this point I want to quite my job, lock myself in a cave and become and adderoll addict. But I have to pay bills, I am not located near any caves and I am not to fond of the side effects of adderoll (and I dont have ADHD). i just want to cry

What are you currently scoring on your AAMC exams?

 

[Gauss44]

I've always considered myself a fairly intelligent guy. Mostly A's in college, despite having a very poor work ethic and barely studying (ok, I did get a B and C in Ochem 1/2, respectively). The MCAT is absolutely crushing my confidence, though. I studied my ass off last summer with the EK series and scored a whopping 27. I simply don't remember a lot of stuff from undergrad (I took the pre-reqs 3-4 years ago), and I have a really hard time applying them to passages. I just purchased the Berkeley Review books to see if they would improve where EK couldn't help me, but so far going through the chapters I'm feeling worse and worse as I stare in confusion at some of the topics. Often times I'll understand a chapter on whatever it's on, but then I'll have no idea how it applies to a passage that's thrown at me. Anyone else in my position that wound up improving enough to score competitively? I interviewed at a few schools last year but my poor MCAT came up in every interview, naturally.

Think of it like a video game, if you play those. There's a learning curve. You might suck at first but if you play the game enough, you'll get good at it. Just be patient and keep working.

 

[Sean Lee]

Think of it like a video game, if you play those. There's a learning curve. You might suck at first but if you play the game enough, you'll get good at it. Just be patient and keep working.

But what about Dark Souls? You NEVER get good at something like that.

 

[Uafl112]

its ok to feel scared. Yea this test is hard, but its suppose to be. They will never ever let some random joe walk in and enter medical school without some rigorous test to prove that he belongs there. Just take these poor scores and let them motivate you to try even harder. Prove that you're meant to take this exam and have a seat at a medical school. One thing I've learned is that coming to this forum spending time feeling bad is a HUGE WASTE OF TIME. Learn what you're doing wrong from the tests and learn to counter it. When you get that score you're looking for, you'll be in sweet ecstasy

 

[Uafl112]

be a gangster and ******* kill it

 

[Chimichica]

What are you currently scoring on your AAMC

 

[Chimichica]

.