PS, Kaplan, and a Dilemma

[BillrothI]

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Hey Everybody,

I'm scheduled for the 04/27 MCAT, which means I have just about six weeks left to study.

I am almost done with the Kaplan PS content review, but my scores are not improving. In fact, I took AAMC #3 last August and, with zero study or preparation, scored a 10 in PS. After almost two months of studying with Kaplan, I scored a 7 on the same exam. This was disheartening, to say the least.

The Kaplan program seems to work well for some people, but I'm wondering if I should just abandon ship at this point and switch over to BR for PS. My dilemma, specifically, is if I should finish up the Kaplan PS review (about a week's worth of study) or just jump over to BR without finishing the Kaplan books.

Any suggestions on how to proceed would be appreciated. For the record, I have nothing against Kaplan and certainly don't blame the program for my failure to improve my score.

Thanks for any advice.

-Bill R.

 

[AktionPOTENTIAL]

While its very late in the game right now and as of such, a switch harbors some risk, six weeks of TBR prep may be able to bring substantial results. How are you doing w/ the other subjects? Have you completed them? What were you using as a source for practice passages?

 

[mathwhiz09]

Hey Everybody,

I'm scheduled for the 04/27 MCAT, which means I have just about six weeks left to study.

I am almost done with the Kaplan PS content review, but my scores are not improving. In fact, I took AAMC #3 last August and, with zero study or preparation, scored a 10 in PS. After almost two months of studying with Kaplan, I scored a 7 on the same exam. This was disheartening, to say the least.

The Kaplan program seems to work well for some people, but I'm wondering if I should just abandon ship at this point and switch over to BR for PS. My dilemma, specifically, is if I should finish up the Kaplan PS review (about a week's worth of study) or just jump over to BR without finishing the Kaplan books.

Any suggestions on how to proceed would be appreciated. For the record, I have nothing against Kaplan and certainly don't blame the program for my failure to improve my score.

Thanks for any advice.

-Bill R.

My suggestion: delay your test. You're not ready, and doing a material switch now and walking in on 4/27 hoping for a good set of PS questions is not the answer. Give yourself more time and try working with different materials this time around. I used TPR, EK, and Kaplan books for my study, and Kaplan books were my least favorite by far.

Why did you take AAMC #3 twice to gauge your score, though? There are so many other tests, and getting a fresh look at questions you've never seen before is likely a better gauge of your score. Plus, the older AAMCs aren't as indicative of the current MCAT as the newer ones (older ones are easier IMO).

 

[Mehd School]

If I'm not mistaken, you had a pretty stellar diagnostic score sans PS. I'd just do a concentrated PS run through with another resource focusing on your weak areas. I still think you'd be able to pull off a stellar score.

I'd take another test though. One time I scored a 5 on BS and took one the next morning and scored a 9. It was just a fluke.

 

[BillrothI]

Thank you all very much for the feedback.

Aktionpotential - I scored a 12 on both the BS and VR sections on the AAMC #3. I feel fairly comfortable with those sections, though of course I will continue practicing to 'stay sharp.' I have not completed all the content review for BS; should get through the rest of it by next week. I have been using Kaplan (primarily) for practice passages. My PS scores have been so bad, though, I fear that many medical schools would not even look at my application.

Mathwhiz09 - I would absolutely delay my test, but isn't it critical to apply on June 1st? I think 04/27 is the latest exam date that allows me to submit by AMCAS application on time. Would it be wise to apply a month or so later if I might be able to score a few points higher on the MCAT?

I took the AAMC #3 twice on accident. When I took the free AAMC last year, I didn't recall which test number it was. Now that I have studied a bit, I just decided to go through them all in order, from oldest to most recent. Didn't even realize that I was retaking the same exam until I got to the VR section.

Mehd School - Thank you for the kind words, but I certainly wouldn't describe my score as 'stellar.' I did fairly well for a first try, but nowhere near where I'd like to be. If I could get my PS scores up with my VR and BS, I think I would be very happy.

Are you recommending that I put BS and VR aside from now I just do as much PS as possible? If so, BR or Kaplan? You may be right that the terrible score was a fluke - I mean I scored a 10 on the AAMC #3 just from guessing - but I really don't feel like I grasp the material very well.

Thanks again for all your advice! I really do appreciate it.

-Bill R.

 

[mathwhiz09]

Thank you all very much for the feedback.

Aktionpotential - I scored a 12 on both the BS and VR sections on the AAMC #3. I feel fairly comfortable with those sections, though of course I will continue practicing to 'stay sharp.' I have not completed all the content review for BS; should get through the rest of it by next week. I have been using Kaplan (primarily) for practice passages. My PS scores have been so bad, though, I fear that many medical schools would not even look at my application.

Mathwhiz09 - I would absolutely delay my test, but isn't it critical to apply on June 1st? I think 04/27 is the latest exam date that allows me to submit by AMCAS application on time. Would it be wise to apply a month or so later if I might be able to score a few points higher on the MCAT?

I took the AAMC #3 twice on accident. When I took the free AAMC last year, I didn't recall which test number it was. Now that I have studied a bit, I just decided to go through them all in order, from oldest to most recent. Didn't even realize that I was retaking the same exam until I got to the VR section.

Mehd School - Thank you for the kind words, but I certainly wouldn't describe my score as 'stellar.' I did fairly well for a first try, but nowhere near where I'd like to be. If I could get my PS scores up with my VR and BS, I think I would be very happy.

Are you recommending that I put BS and VR aside from now I just do as much PS as possible? If so, BR or Kaplan? You may be right that the terrible score was a fluke - I mean I scored a 10 on the AAMC #3 just from guessing - but I really don't feel like I grasp the material very well.

Thanks again for all your advice! I really do appreciate it.

-Bill R.

I wouldn't say it is "critical" to apply June 1. It certainly is in your best interest to apply as early as possible, but remember that it doesn't matter when you apply if your MCAT score is in the gutter. If you can wait and give yourself more time to study, you could find yourself in a much better position with stronger content base and more practice (especially with some real Verbal practice, don't use Kaplan!), and hopefully a more competitive score.

 

[BillrothI]

Thanks, mathwhiz.

I have heard different things regarding the importance of submitting your application early. Clearly, the ideal situation is to achieve the best score possible on the MCAT and apply on June 1st, but in many cases it seems that may not be possible.

I wanted to post a quick update to this thread, as I just finished AAMC #4.

I did not feel wholly comfortable with the material and am a bit concerned that my score may have been a bit 'flukey.' That said, I scored 35, with the following breakdown:

PS: 10
VR: 14
BS: 11

I assume AAMC #4 tends to over-predict, but by how much? If I fill in some knowledge gaps before 04/27, is it conceivable that I could score somewhere near 35-37?

Also - I have been going through EK Biology and have identified some weak points. However, I can run through many of the passages and chapters without much trouble. Should I still make time to read the text or should I primarily be focusing on BR PS and hammering away at the BS that I am weak in?

Thanks again for any input.

-Bill R.

 

[aspiring20]

Thanks, mathwhiz.

I have heard different things regarding the importance of submitting your application early. Clearly, the ideal situation is to achieve the best score possible on the MCAT and apply on June 1st, but in many cases it seems that may not be possible.

I wanted to post a quick update to this thread, as I just finished AAMC #4.

I did not feel wholly comfortable with the material and am a bit concerned that my score may have been a bit 'flukey.' That said, I scored 35, with the following breakdown:

PS: 10
VR: 14
BS: 11

I assume AAMC #4 tends to over-predict, but by how much? If I fill in some knowledge gaps before 04/27, is it conceivable that I could score somewhere near 35-37?

Also - I have been going through EK Biology and have identified some weak points. However, I can run through many of the passages and chapters without much trouble. Should I still make time to read the text or should I primarily be focusing on BR PS and hammering away at the BS that I am weak in?

Thanks again for any input.

-Bill R.

stellar VR score!

 

[Karasu]

Try the following: Print out the AAMC PS Content Outline, if you don't already have it. Take about two hours each day going through your Chem and Physics textbooks looking through the index for all the items that can be tested in those sections. This should fill gaps in content, as well as increase understanding. Also do passages.

 

[BillrothI]

Try the following: Print out the AAMC PS Content Outline, if you don't already have it. Take about two hours each day going through your Chem and Physics textbooks looking through the index for all the items that can be tested in those sections. This should fill gaps in content, as well as increase understanding. Also do passages.

Thanks very much, Karasu. I can't believe I hadn't seen that before! Very helpful. I will begin spending some time on that as I prepare with BR.

Incidentally, I am finding the BR passages extraordinarily difficult! A lot of work to do before 04/27...

-Bill R.