Poor Standardized Test Taker

[DPTinthemaking15]

I've posted so much this week, but I wanted to get a few thoughts on this subject. Ever since high school I have been a poor standardized test taker. I grew up in a small school that glorified sports over academics and adding insult to injury, I never had a lot growing up but I knew it was college or bust. So I sat for the ACT and walked away with a nineteen. It was demoralizing, luckily I received a scholarship that paid for my entire college career. Like I said, I was never taught proper study habits, so I took the ACT in high school after 5-6 hours of studying (it showed lol). In college I met my girlfriend, now wife, that taught me how to study properly and got me on track. I guess this is a vent/ be honest with me post. Are students with low standardized test destined to test poorly? Im studying my butt off for the MCAT and there are days that I feel like a complete *****. Any success stories would be great to hear! Haha

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[AKLife]

Sounds like the problem is that you didnt prepare, not that youre a bad test taker. Set a schedule for preparing for the MCAT, make sure you truly learn the information by taking pre-tests every so often, review the areas where you did poorly and spend more time studying those things. I used to spend tons of time "studying" during undergrad but i didn't realize I wasn't actively learning, just reading and mindlessly taking notes. Once i learned how to learn- basically by making sure i could teach the material to someone else, i did much better taking the MCAT the second time, even with far less time to study. I hope that helps and good luck to you!!

 

[Medic741]

You know the material well or you don't. If you don't know the material you'll do poorly. I for one am *terrible* at standardized tests, which means that I need to know the material backwards/forwards if I stand a chance at doing well. I know that I need to be much better prepared than my peers who have some magical ability to score well on standardized tests...

But by preparing more and knowing the material better than your competition you can do well.

Don't use "I'm not a good standardized test taker" to shield yourself from the fact that you might just not know the material. Keep studying.

Try getting an erase board and writing/re-writing whatever you need to memorize until you can recall it from rote with 100% accuracy. Do that, and you'll be well prepared. Sadly, this part of the process is just... not... fun...

 

[FCMike11]

You haven't shown anything to indicate you are a bad test taker but rather you don't study.

There are so many MCAT study plans available. Check out MCATJELLY. What was your college GPA?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using SDN mobile

 

[Medic741]

Btw can't recommend Kaplan enough, haven't tried SDN's study schedule program though, seems like it could be an easy way to save $2k (lol).

 

[FCMike11]

Btw can't recommend Kaplan enough, haven't tried SDN's study schedule program though, seems like it could be an easy way to save $2k (lol).

I used Jelly's and modified it for my work schedule (extended it ~30+ days). I personally don't do well with forced instruction. Khan Academy was amazing also to supplement and concepts I was a bit shaky on. Especially the psy/soc section.

But people's preference varies considerably and if ~2k$ is what you need to succeed on the MCAT, that's what you need. In the scheme of what the total medical education will cost you it wont register long term.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using SDN mobile

 

[Goro]

Yes.

But test taking is a skill. Go seek out your school's learning or education center for tricks on how to improve. otherwise, I can't recommend a career in medicine, because we're addicted to standardized tests.

If you have test taking anxiety, that can be fixed.

Are students with low standardized test destined to test poorly?

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

You haven't shown anything to indicate you are a bad test taker but rather you don't study.

There are so many MCAT study plans available. Check out MCATJELLY. What was your college GPA?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using SDN mobile

Thank you. I may check it out today. I've attempted to use BR's study schedule that they offer, but I am weak in a few areas. So it has taken me a good bit longer to study for certain sections. My GPA is around a 3.6 and I am hoping to improve it a little with Orgo and Biochem.

You know the material well or you don't. If you don't know the material you'll do poorly. I for one am *terrible* at standardized tests, which means that I need to know the material backwards/forwards if I stand a chance at doing well. I know that I need to be much better prepared than my peers who have some magical ability to score well on standardized tests...

But by preparing more and knowing the material better than your competition you can do well.

Don't use "I'm not a good standardized test taker" to shield yourself from the fact that you might just not know the material. Keep studying.

Try getting an erase board and writing/re-writing whatever you need to memorize until you can recall it from rote with 100% accuracy. Do that, and you'll be well prepared. Sadly, this part of the process is just... not... fun...

I feel as if I fall in this category. In PT school I done well on most of my test, mainly because I would use my room as a lecture hall lol. It sounds crazy, but all of our test seemed easy when I was able to explain it. But I am slowly realizing I am similar to you. If I don't know something backwards and forwards I go into panic mode on test.

Yes.

But test taking is a skill. Go seek out your school's learning or education center for tricks on how to improve. otherwise, I can't recommend a career in medicine, because we're addicted to standardized tests.

If you have test taking anxiety, that can be fixed.

I guess I will set up an appointment tomorrow and see what they advise. I'm not sure if I have test taking anxiety, but I guess they may be able to assess that tomorrow. Thank you guys for the tips.

 

[AlmondCroissant]

Just remember that the MCAT was made by human beings. With enough practice, you can figure out the strategies test makers use when writing questions.

I would recommend a Kaplan In Person course. The online one is useless but an in person course is helpful because they teach test taking strategies especially for CARS. I think you may find it very helpful. There are also other people in the class who are just as clueless so you definitely become encouraged and more confident.

Believe in yourself! A test does not define you.

 

[deleted812153]

Don't psych yourself out. Easily half of test-taking is feeling like you can do it. Work on building your confidence.

 

[AKLife]

I also forgot to mention Khan Academy! Watch those videos on 2x playback speed so you cover more material in less time and don't fall asleep. I was studying at 4am during MCAT prep because I was working full time and reading just made me fall asleep. Khan Academy saved my life! Watched a video here and there throughout the day also on my phone... while waiting for an appointment, or in between meetings, while cooking dinner. It all adds up!

 

[ciestar]

Practice tests. The only way to get more comfortable with taking tests is to take more of them. My ACT perfomance wasn't the greatest, but I also didn't prepare for it either. I was better prepared for the SAT and did better. I got a 31 on the MCAT, so it can be overcome! Just keep at it and do those practice tests. Try not to get discouraged if you don't score well early on. It's a learned skill, but you've got this if you have the drive/discipline to keep moving forward.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

Thank you guys so much!!! This is the main reason I love SDN. It helps to hear encouraging words when I am panicking. I've been struggling with Physics, but I found a website that made me realize it is actually simple. Hopefully I'll be prepared for the MCAT in time!!!

 

[MindfulTestTaking]

Nerves & stress during tests cannot occur without physical tension being present. Releasing tension with powerful mindfulness techniques is an essential part of internally preparing for tests.

Mindfulness coaching combines visualization of the testing scenario and mindful awareness of one's body to clear away testing nerves before test day even arrives.

www.MindfulTestTaking.com offers individual mindfulness coaching & group classes over videoconference & in-person to students who feel nervous about taking tests.

 

[DoctorDOWell]

if you feel like a ***** while studying the mcat, you're doing it right lol and you're in great company

you rather come to that beast humbly, than to underestimate it.

absolute worst case scenario: you take the test, do less than desired and have to re-take it once you've assessed your weaknesses to tighten them up accordingly.

i recommend doing all the AAMC practice material to really gauge if your tactic for prep is working, before you actually enter to take it your first (and hopefully only) time.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Just remember that the MCAT was made by human beings. With enough practice, you can figure out the strategies test makers use when writing questions.

This, half of preparing for for any standardized test is knowing the material and the other half is knowing how it will present said material. One strategy I've always taken is to view standardized tests as big games and that to do well I need to know the rules and game strategies forwards and backwards. This really helped on the MCAT, every standardized test will have a pattern that it follows.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

if you feel like a ***** while studying the mcat, you're doing it right lol and you're in great company

you rather come to that beast humbly, than to underestimate it.

absolute worst case scenario: you take the test, do less than desired and have to re-take it once you've assessed your weaknesses to tighten them up accordingly.

i recommend doing all the AAMC practice material to really gauge if your tactic for prep is working, before you actually enter to take it your first (and hopefully only) time.

Thank you so much! Lol. I guess looking at SDN at all of the students with insane scores on the AAMC material really knocks me down sometimes. Plus, I think I am slowly burning out from studying for this dang exam. I guess it helps seeing that everyone goes through this... I just tackled the AAMC CARS volume I pack (only a few questions) and done fairly well. Biochem is going to get me though lol.

This, half of preparing for for any standardized test is knowing the material and the other half is knowing how it will present said material. One strategy I've always taken is to view standardized tests as big games and that to do well I need to know the rules and game strategies forwards and backwards. This really helped on the MCAT, every standardized test will have a pattern that it follows.

You are a life saver on these forums lol. Hopefully I can tame this beast of an exam