Question about P/S study

[brown_skin_girl]

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Hi, all. I am planning on taking my MCAT in August, and I am studying early. I have not taken a psychology class since high school (did take a public health oriented behavioral theory class this past semester, though). I have seen conflicting information about Kaplan Behavioral Sciences book. Some say that it is a waste of time and to rely mostly on Anki decks and KA 300 pg doc. Others say that the Kaplan book isn't too bad. Please see poll above about the study paths that I am contemplating right at this moment, and I appreciate everyone's input and advice!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I plan on getting the AAMC bundle, but I am waiting on 2019 taxes to see if I qualify for FAP.

 

[Dochopeful13]

Hi, all. I am planning on taking my MCAT in August, and I am studying early. I have not taken a psychology class since high school (did take a public health oriented behavioral theory class this past semester, though). I have seen conflicting information about Kaplan Behavioral Sciences book. Some say that it is a waste of time and to rely mostly on Anki decks and KA 300 pg doc. Others say that the Kaplan book isn't too bad. Please see poll above about the study paths that I am contemplating right at this moment, and I appreciate everyone's input and advice!

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I plan on getting the AAMC bundle, but I am waiting on 2019 taxes to see if I qualify for FAP.

Just do the 300 page KA doc

 

[GreenDuck12]

Kaplan or TPR would be fine. Try to read either book a couple times (30-40 mins everyday would be more than sufficient). Definitely start making Anki cards. As you get closer to the summer start reviewing 300pg document. The baseline for getting a good score is knowing all the terms. It is the one section of the MCAT that is closest to being something you can score highly in through memorization (though it has shifted to emphasize research methods/design and is becoming more similar to CARS. P/S is really a section where you need have a much higher raw score to get a high scaled score when compared to C/P and B/B.

edit: I also highly recommend UWorld for additional P/S practice starting two to three months before test date

 

[deleted853480]

Know about still test, shroob test and little Albert. These are low yield but can still come up and aren’t found in most material. NS 1-5 have really good ps sections so use those. Altius is pretty good as well.

 

[deleted853480]

I got 131 and use Kaplan, tpr, ek and the khan academy notes. It’s over kill and ps is the easiest section of the test.

 

[Dochopeful13]

I got 131 and use Kaplan, tpr, ek and the khan academy notes. It’s over kill and ps is the easiest section of the test.

Did you think it was cars 2.0 or mostly memorization?

 

[deleted853480]

Did you think it was cars 2.0 or mostly memorization?

It was cars where you have to know your definitions. You need to know your definitions inside and out.

 

[Dochopeful13]

It was cars where you have to know your definitions. You need to know your definitions inside and out.

Is there a particular quizlet set you recommend?

 

[brown_skin_girl]

Kaplan or TPR would be fine. Try to read either book a couple times (30-40 mins everyday would be more than sufficient). Definitely start making Anki cards. As you get closer to the summer start reviewing 300pg document. The baseline for getting a good score is knowing all the terms. It is the one section of the MCAT that is closest to being something you can score highly in through memorization (though it has shifted to emphasize research methods/design and is becoming more similar to CARS. P/S is really a section where you need have a much higher raw score to get a high scaled score when compared to C/P and B/B.

edit: I also highly recommend UWorld for additional P/S practice starting two to three months before test date

Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[brown_skin_girl]

Know about still test, shroob test and little Albert. These are low yield but can still come up and aren’t found in most material. NS 1-5 have really good ps sections so use those. Altius is pretty good as well.

Thank you, I will definitely make sure I know these definitions.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

You can use either, but flash cards will be extremely helpful for you. The book definitely streamlines things a little bit, but the KA notes are much more comprehensive. Regardless, P/S is all just recognizing vocabulary, so flash cards will be super helpful.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[AMCASTuesdays]

Fourth option id recommend is doing both- anki generally gives more vocab but kaplan obvi gives you context for the vocab is provides. Having not taken psych in a minute you’re probably better off doing that. The more the better bc the psych section is still kind of a loose cannon- from what I remember, like 1/2 my test was on things id never seen and I studied pretty well.

 

[Cornfed101]

Did you think it was cars 2.0 or mostly memorization?

I don't like P/S being called this because I feel like all the sections are CARS 2.0. The AAMC loves passage analysis questions. I had a ton of those in all the sections.