Retake Physics II or focus on MCAT?

[DieselD]

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I got a borderline MCAT 27-28 and am trying to Retake the MCAT this august, I'm applying this year and want to re-take physics II in which I had a C- (its from 5 years ago..but i've always been scared sh*tless of that class). I've been using NOVA Physics for the MCAT which seems to be helping very much.

I'm thinking re-taking physics II MAY help me on the MCAT by

a) rebuilding the foundation
b)forcing me to wake up earlier

However, the cons in this situation are
a)I lose time to study for the MCAT
b)who knows how I will do in the class

My last option is to take it in the Fall. I'm thinking of this option more and more...which do you recommend? I think Physics II was my weakest area on the MCAT.

 

[87138]

I got a borderline MCAT 27-28 and am trying to Retake the MCAT this august, I'm applying this year and want to re-take physics II in which I had a C- (its from 5 years ago..but i've always been scared sh*tless of that class). I've been using NOVA Physics for the MCAT which seems to be helping very much.

I'm thinking re-taking physics II MAY help me on the MCAT by

a) rebuilding the foundation
b)forcing me to wake up earlier

However, the cons in this situation are
a)I lose time to study for the MCAT
b)who knows how I will do in the class

My last option is to take it in the Fall. I'm thinking of this option more and more...which do you recommend? I think Physics II was my weakest area on the MCAT.

It may heavily depend on your own studying abilities/preferences. First, what was your breakdown for the MCAT? Was PS a major weak point?

I took OChem I, OChem II, and Physics II all last summer while studying on my own for the MCAT. It was a hellishly busy summer, but I still made time to have some fun. I forced myself to become very disciplined and when I wasn't in class, I was in the library studying for class or for the MCAT. I actually started studying Examkrackers little by little since the previous February, but didn't really start hitting it hard until the summer. Also bought EK AO and that was great to listen to walking to and from class.

You could take Physics II and study for the MCAT both in the same summer if you wanted to. Obviously this depends on how well you think you'll be able to focus on the class, since you don't want to get a bad grade with a retake. On the other hand, my MCAT form had quite a bit of Physics II stuff (actually, the PS itself was probably 70% physics, and 70% of that was Physics II). Everyone's forms differ, so you might get lucky, but taking the MCAT again without brushing up at least on the Physics II concepts, especially if your PS section was weak, might lead to little score improvement.

I'd be curious to see your MCAT breakdown.

 

[MedStudentWanna]

If you got a C-, you might have no choice. I believe most schools want a C or higher and won't accept a C- in a pre requisite course.

 

[DieselD]

It may heavily depend on your own studying abilities/preferences. First, what was your breakdown for the MCAT? Was PS a major weak point?

I took OChem I, OChem II, and Physics II all last summer while studying on my own for the MCAT. It was a hellishly busy summer, but I still made time to have some fun. I forced myself to become very disciplined and when I wasn't in class, I was in the library studying for class or for the MCAT. I actually started studying Examkrackers little by little since the previous February, but didn't really start hitting it hard until the summer. Also bought EK AO and that was great to listen to walking to and from class.

You could take Physics II and study for the MCAT both in the same summer if you wanted to. Obviously this depends on how well you think you'll be able to focus on the class, since you don't want to get a bad grade with a retake. On the other hand, my MCAT form had quite a bit of Physics II stuff (actually, the PS itself was probably 70% physics, and 70% of that was Physics II). Everyone's forms differ, so you might get lucky, but taking the MCAT again without brushing up at least on the Physics II concepts, especially if your PS section was weak, might lead to little score improvement.

I'd be curious to see your MCAT breakdown.

I got a 9 on the PS of august 2006.
I was scoring 10s and 11s on the Practice tests...I freaked out during the last 10 minutes of the test w/ 10 questions left. (coffee being the problem)


I'm confident I can increase it a few more points if I focus on my weak points....timing and physics.

If you got a C-, you might have no choice. I believe most schools want a C or higher and won't accept a C- in a pre requisite course.

I know I have to retake it, the question is: this summer or this fall?

 

[pmdc222]

Personally, I would take it at the same time as studying for the MCAT. The physics class will be studying for the MCAT and the MCAT will be studying for physics. I actually did the same thing - physics II and MCAT prep and it was ok. However, it was during the semester and not over the summer where things are more condensed. You also might have a lot more stuff going on outside of these things. Are you working? Taking other classes? These all have to be taken into consideration.

 

[DieselD]

I'm volunteering a few hours a week(5 hours) and will be filling out secondaries. My test is Aug. 20.

 

[Dr. Josh]

I got a 9 on the PS of august 2006.
I was scoring 10s and 11s on the Practice tests...I freaked out during the last 10 minutes of the test w/ 10 questions left. (coffee being the problem)


I'm confident I can increase it a few more points if I focus on my weak points....timing and physics.



I know I have to retake it, the question is: this summer or this fall?

How did coffee cause you to freak out or slow you down? Generally coffee makes me speed up.

 

[trevagandalf]

i would say study for the mcat and take physics in the fall. Because the physics on the mcat is mainly critical thinking and you don't really have to be as familiar with the concepts as in physics II and you would be wasting a lot of Mcat study time.

 

[TheRealMD]

i would say study for the mcat and take physics in the fall. Because the physics on the mcat is mainly critical thinking and you don't really have to be as familiar with the concepts as in physics II and you would be wasting a lot of Mcat study time.

I'd agree. If you're physics is cal-based, you are going to be drowned in formulas that you'll rarely use directly on the MCAT. I'd stick with just studying for the MCAT and take physics in the fall. Your panic attack probably had a lot more to do with your score than not knowing the material (10 questions can throw off a score a LOT when 2-3 questions means a point in a section).

AAMC tests are pretty accurate in predicting your MCAT score. If you were making 10-11s on those tests, then it was moreso the coffee than lack of knowledge. next time, NO CAFFIENE. Quick up on energy means a quick down too!

 

[DieselD]

How did coffee cause you to freak out or slow you down? Generally coffee makes me speed up.

I never really started drinking coffee until that semester that I took that test. So i was extremely jittery throughout the PS section and in the last 10 minutes, I was busy worrying about the clock that I just skipped around in the last 10 questions without reading the passages. I panicked and looked pretty much like this 😱 !

I'd agree. If you're physics is cal-based, you are going to be drowned in formulas that you'll rarely use directly on the MCAT. I'd stick with just studying for the MCAT and take physics in the fall. Your panic attack probably had a lot more to do with your score than not knowing the material (10 questions can throw off a score a LOT when 2-3 questions means a point in a section).

AAMC tests are pretty accurate in predicting your MCAT score. If you were making 10-11s on those tests, then it was moreso the coffee than lack of knowledge. next time, NO CAFFIENE. Quick up on energy means a quick down too!

Yeah, the 12 o'clock test time will be to my advantage this time, as last time it was the last paper test and I was forced to take the test at 8 am which is not good for someone whose study hours are 6pm-4am. But no more excuses from me, I'm both nervous and motivated for Aug. 20.

I decided today that I will not be registering for physics II this week. Instead I will focus full-strength on the MCAT. That Nova physics book is pretty darn good by the way. I'll retake physics II in the fall where I will have more time. 🙂

thanks for the advice guys/gals.