PROBLEM

[PreMedAdAG]

My school is on the quarter system and my finals don't end until June 12th. My prep course starts June 1st, so I'm kinda stuck. Does anyone have any suggestions. Should I just focus on my finals and go to the prep class and then once my finals are over, go hard core MCAT studying?

 

[ckent]

Well, it depends on your standing in your class and how many MCAT classes you will be missing. To be honest, I never got a thing out of going to my MCAT classes, most of them were taught by pretty poor teachers, it was taking practice tests and studying on my own that helped me the most. You could look at your prep class schedule and just pick a couple that go over subjects that you think that you need extra help in. Otherwise, I would suggest skipping class but start studying for the MCATs June 1st to keep on schedule, but do that along side of studying for your finals.

 

[relatively prime]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by PreMedAdAG:
<strong>My school is on the quarter system and my finals don't end until June 12th. My prep course starts June 1st, so I'm kinda stuck. Does anyone have any suggestions. Should I just focus on my finals and go to the prep class and then once my finals are over, go hard core MCAT studying? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well... honestly you should have strted studying already... but oh well.

Like the other guy said, it depends on where you stand in your classes. It would be worth it to put off MCAT studying if that meant getting all As or something. But if your grades are pretty much already determined, then definitely start studying. Actually... either way you should try to start studying... even if it's only an hour a day.

I also agree that the classes are pretty lame unless you haven't had the material in a long time.

Good luck

 

[PreMedAdAG]

shoulda coulda woulda.. but this is where I am

 

[missbonnie]

Actually, I dont think you need to start now at all. It all really depends on you and where you are. My prep course started exactly 10 weeks before the test and that was plenty. So 10 weeks wouldn't be till June 8th. Focus on your finals, why compromise them? Just know that as soon as you're done with finals that you gotta switch gears into mcat mode.

 

[PreMedAdAG]

Bonnie,
Thanks for the advice... I'll definitely be in MCAT mode the second that last final is over

 

[jot]

without a doubt kick ass on finals. there is plenty of time to study for the mcats. well not plenty, but enough to rock it. goodluck, enjoy.
-jot

 

[Mudd]

PreMedAdAG

PreMedAg:

I guess it's a bit late for a suggestion, but hopefully you managed to juggle both the classes for the MCAT and finals. I'm sure attending the classes and doing some of the homework had to fit into your schedule. Good luck on the grind.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by ckent:
Well, it depends on your standing in your class and how many MCAT classes you will be missing. To be honest, I never got a thing out of going to my MCAT classes, most of them were taught by pretty poor teachers, it was taking practice tests and studying on my own that helped me the most.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">ckent, did you take Kaplan?

 

[jot]

i experienced the exact same thing as ckent, and i took kaplan (but i'm sure he can answer for himself). goodluck.
-jot

 

[PreMedAdAG]

well, finals are over, still waiting to hear back on one, but i got A's on my other two. I only missed one MCAT class and have already made it up. I think everything will be okay now. Still a little nervous though, my reading comprehension skills are very poor. Any suggestions?? I've picked up "The economist", "the National Review" and a book by Michel Foucault : Discipline and Punish, the Birth of Prison. I'm hoping that by reading a lot that my skills will get better, but I could use anyone's advice, being how the actual MCAT is ALL ABOUT READING COMPREHENSION!!!

 

[Mudd]

Ag Pre Med:
Congrats on your good grades. I hear Davis has a pretty harsh curve. Now it's time to zero in on the MCAT. The books and magazines you mention are good choices. You might want to add Problem Solving and Comprehension by Whimbey and Lochhead to the list. Also, read editorials once a week and write some AAMC-like questions, answers, and answer explanation for them. This is a time sponge, but immensely helpful.

For sciences, part of developing reading skills is recognizing when not to read a passage. That only comes with practice. Good luck. You are lucky to be in an area where your preparation choices aren't only Kaplan and Princeton. Hopefully you have a great course (I PMed you about it in fact). Good luck in your studying.

zot:
I'm guessing by that description, it had to be Kaplan. I guess until they get some real competition, they don't have to hire good teachers or offer actual review/strategy classes.

 

[PreMedAdAG]

well I'll be getting the diagnostic scores back today. If I do extremely bad, how discouraged should I be? Just kidding! well, if I do bad on the diagnostic, how do i work to improve my score? My timing was horrible on physics. I had to guess on three passages because I didn't have the time to get to all of them. Hmmm.... I can see it now.. V9 P1 B10 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> that would be a pretty big nightmare!!! Ha ha.. well anyway.. off to the library!

 

[lola]

believe me, you will not get a 1 on physical sciences! i was COMPLETELY clueless when i took the diagnostic (out of premed classes for 7-8 years) and managed to get a 7 on the physical sciences even though i missed loads and loads of questions. work really hard for 2 months, and hopefully ou will be happy with your results good luck!

 

[Doctor Octopus]

Kaplan Diagnostic 5V 7PS 8BS
April 2002 MCAT 13V 9PS 11BS

Don't worry about the diag.
Just do as many practice tests and materials as humanly possible, and then do more.

 

[jot]

the diagnostics are designed to be rediculous i think. i did about 10 points better on the real thing. just take all the practice you can get. you'll do great. goodluck.
-jot