Reassessing My MCAT Study Plan

[farnk20]

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So I've been studying for about two months (Test Date May 22) for the MCAT, and just took my first practice MCAT (AMCAS practice 4) halfway through my prep time. I scored a 9 PS, 12 V, 9 BS, which is an improvement, albeit a small one, over my diagnostic (AMCAS practice 3, 7 PS, 11 V, 9 BS). Up until this point, I've just been going through my Kaplan books, focusing in on PS (which I was REALLY weak in, had awful prerequiste prep), and not doing a ton of practice problems, but for this last half, I'm planning on making the shift to practice tests and problems (Examkrakers 1001 books).

Has anyone had success with a similar approch? Does anyone have tips for bumping my scores over 10 in each section? Ideally, I think I'm capable of a 33-ish.

Thanks!

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

First off, I found practice Test 3 extremely easy relative to the other exams. I would say scoring higher on 4 than 3 is a better sign than you may think.

Practice problems are the way to go... but I would not recommend EK 1001 for bio. I found TBR very helpful for bio prep.

Doing verbal practice is extremely important but it is not likely where you are going to make your significant, consistent gains. Physics and Bio are where you will find consistent gains. I suggest doing verbal practice in full length increments (all 7 practice passages with correct timing). For me, the key to getting >10 was ONLY learning my timing and rhythm. I could only master that by practicing the same way I would be seeing it on the exam. You start to learn what you can ignore given the pace, when you can go back, etc. Seeing as though you are already scoring >10, I would just stay sharp and comfortable with the format by doing a homemade verbal full lengths every so often.

For physics and bio, I would do a mixture of problems (problems from different lessons) and find your weaknesses at the end of the week. Go back and read up/polish those sections for the next week, focusing on why you answered the way you did and how you would explain the correct answer to a five year old. This is an ideal way to bump your score. This is what I did at the end of my study months and it landed me a 35. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[BABSstudent]

So I've been studying for about two months (Test Date May 22) for the MCAT, and just took my first practice MCAT (AMCAS practice 4) halfway through my prep time. I scored a 9 PS, 12 V, 9 BS, which is an improvement, albeit a small one, over my diagnostic (AMCAS practice 3, 7 PS, 11 V, 9 BS). Up until this point, I've just been going through my Kaplan books, focusing in on PS (which I was REALLY weak in, had awful prerequiste prep), and not doing a ton of practice problems, but for this last half, I'm planning on making the shift to practice tests and problems (Examkrakers 1001 books).

Has anyone had success with a similar approch? Does anyone have tips for bumping my scores over 10 in each section? Ideally, I think I'm capable of a 33-ish.

Thanks!

This is what I did, however my timeline was much more condensed than yours. I would start practice problems and keep reviewing your weak areas. Don't neglect your strong points either, just don't study them as much.

 

[IniestaDeMiVida]

I did the 1001 for bio and thought it was really helpful. I definitely noticed an increase in my score consistently. Personally, I reviewed until I'd made it all the way through the content review, I condensed my notes into a little study pack, then worked my way through the EK 1001 series and amended my study notes as I went. I felt like practice problems helped me figure out how to answer the questions the MCAT way. Just my personal experience.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

I did the 1001 for bio and thought it was really helpful. I definitely noticed an increase in my score consistently. Personally, I reviewed until I'd made it all the way through the content review, I condensed my notes into a little study pack, then worked my way through the EK 1001 series and amended my study notes as I went. I felt like practice problems helped me figure out how to answer the questions the MCAT way. Just my personal experience.

Just as a clarificationto my post about not recommending EK1001 bio, I am not any type of bio major and took very little bio compared to most pre-meds. So maybe EK is sufficient for those not in a similar position.

 

[qwe7791]

I know the MCAT is computer based so how can we emulate those testing conditions as close as possible?

 

[BABSstudent]

I know the MCAT is computer based so how can we emulate those testing conditions as close as possible?

If you can, take computer tests. Put yourself in a room by yourself and don't take breaks until between sections.

If you have only paper stuff, don't write on it. Keep a piece of paper beside you that you can use. You can't write on the computer screen so don't write on your test. Don't ever use a calculator since you don't have one for the test.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

Go to a computer lab at your university when you know it will be relatively quiet. Wear earplugs.

 

[qwe7791]

Oh you mean the AAMC tests can be purchased as computerized exams?

 

[CuttingCorneas]

How I imagine the above poster once the realization sets in:

 

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How I imagine the above poster once the realization sets in:

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