Question about doing practice problems

[pinkcadillac]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

How many practice passages do you do at a time? Is doing only 3 passages and then taking a break, okay? Or after you complete a chapter should you do 7 passages (the amount you would have per section on a full-length test) all at one time and time yourself? I'm just beginning to do practice passages, so I was wondering if it's okay if I take my time for now & get better at developing my skills instead of worrying about the time?

Thanks a lot!

 

[NYR56]

Initially, you want to concentrate on the concepts and your skills. As it gets closer, you'll want to work on timing. I wouldn't get in the habit of spending as much time as you want on the passages but have a stop watch running and try to answer them in a timely manner. Figure out how much time they give you per passage for the whole section and just use that as a guide to see how you're doing. I prepared with EK and their end lecture exams were 30 mins for 3 lectures and a few discretes. It wasn't until 2 weeks before the actual MCAT that I did the full length exams (or even full sections).

 

[NSU14]

I would try to do all of the practice questions within a time limit and then go back and study them after. The more comfortable you are with the time limit the better. Remember don't kill youself studying one answer to one question, study the topic cuz that same exact question isn't going to be asked.

 

[Velocity]

If you're having major issues with timing, then I'd try to get used to answering everything within a time limit. Not necessarily as strict as on the test, but a time limit so that you get used to thinking quickly.

If you're OK with timing, then don't bother with it - just focus on the concepts.

Similarly, if you feel like your endurance for the test is pretty low, then you can marathon practice questions/passages to try and build it up. But by adding in stamina/timing training to your practice problems, your effectiveness in reviewing the concepts and getting them down might be diminished somewhat. It all depends on the individual, I suppose.

 

[LostInStudy]

Yea, my philosophy is that don't worry about timing until you have to. A timing problem isn't THAT common for test takers on the science sections. Usually the more you learn and practice the faster you get because you know what to expect. Just wait until you start taking FLs to start worrying about timing and stamina. For now just worry about the material.

Hope this helps,

-LIS