Retake Study Schedule 45 DAYS

[caericson]

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Hey guys, I am looking for a good study schedule for my retake which is in 45 days! First time around I used Kaplan. This time I need something better. I have seen and read Sn2ed and his posts on retake, but still need a more concise schedule. Thanks!

 

[Jepstein30]

Hey guys, I am looking for a good study schedule for my retake which is in 45 days! First time around I used Kaplan. This time I need something better. I have seen and read Sn2ed and his posts on retake, but still need a more concise schedule. Thanks!

What was your original score? What areas are you weak in? What did you do specifically the first time around? Practice passages? AAMC tests? How long ago were your pre-reqs? your last MCAT?

need.. alot more info to help you out man

 

[caericson]

Sorry!! Here's my MCAT life story.

I used Kaplan on site and used their books and EK 1001 verbal (but I didn't use it as much as I should've apparently). I took 5 Kaplan FLs and 4 AAMC FLs. I did a ton of practice discretes and single passages from Kaplan. I did 90% of their online workshops and read all the books but the orgo one bc I have a good grasp on it. My prereqs are all within a few years: Gen chem 3 years ago, Physics this past year, I'm always taking bio, Orgo was 2 years ago. I always feel weak in General Chemistry.

Kaplan avg: 31 (28-33)
AAMC avg: 30.5 (30-31)

I was always strong in bio (11-13) probably bc im a bio major
I fluctuated a lot in PS and Verbal (8-10)

My actual MCAT was May 11, 2013 i got a 28 (9/8/11)

My retake is on July 25, 2013 (45 days)
I'm thinking of using BK for PS, EK for verbal, Kaplan to review for bio, and audio osmosis to top it all off.

What do yall think?

 

[Jepstein30]

Sorry!! Here's my MCAT life story.

I used Kaplan on site and used their books and EK 1001 verbal (but I didn't use it as much as I should've apparently). I took 5 Kaplan FLs and 4 AAMC FLs. I did a ton of practice discretes and single passages from Kaplan. I did 90% of their online workshops and read all the books but the orgo one bc I have a good grasp on it. My prereqs are all within a few years: Gen chem 3 years ago, Physics this past year, I'm always taking bio, Orgo was 2 years ago. I always feel weak in General Chemistry.

Kaplan avg: 31 (28-33)
AAMC avg: 30.5 (30-31)

I was always strong in bio (11-13) probably bc im a bio major
I fluctuated a lot in PS and Verbal (8-10)

My actual MCAT was May 11, 2013 i got a 28 (9/8/11)

My retake is on July 25, 2013 (45 days)
I'm thinking of using BK for PS, EK for verbal, Kaplan to review for bio, and audio osmosis to top it all off.

What do yall think?

I'd be a little hesitant retaking given your AAMC average isn't much higher than your actual breakdown.. but if you think you can increase by 4+ points, go for it. Just know that getting a 30 is probably not going to be worth the retake.

Right away though, I can tell you about a major problem.. you don't really have any source of practice passages. EK1001 is okay for drilling/discretes but you really need something like TBR or TPRH Science Workbook to get some experience with passages.

Don't focus too much on content review.. you need to develop the necessary analytical skills and the best way to do that is through practice passages.

 

[caericson]

Ok what practice passage books do you recommend? Especially for PS and verbal

 

[caericson]

And the average for the school I'm really interested in (medical college of Georgia) has an avg of a 31 so I'm shooting for that or higher. I called one of their advisors and they thought it would be best to retake if I was serious about their school (which I am)

 

[Jepstein30]

Ok what practice passage books do you recommend? Especially for PS and verbal

For you, likely best bet is going to be TPRH Science and Verbal Workbooks.

TBR is usually the best bet but its much denser and I think you'd be better off with TPRH with your time constraints.

TPRH is more reflective of the actual MCAT while TBR is harder IMO. But it being harder makes it a great resource. You can try to find either set here or on Ebay. You can buy TBR from their website but TPRH sets aren't for sale through Princeton Review.

 

[caericson]

Ok. Thanks a lot man I really appreciate it.

 

[Jepstein30]

Ok. Thanks a lot man I really appreciate it.

No problem. In terms of study schedule, sit down with a printed out calendar and set that all up on something permanent. Make it your job to stick to it.

Most days would be content review followed by practice passages. Make sure to review all passages you do. Every week (closer as you get to the real thing) take some practice tests. AAMC if you have any (did you do the self-assessment?).. maybe TBR if you took them all and then retake the later AAMCs at the end.

Key is not to do worse than the 28.. which I'm sure you won't but you'll want to make sure you're averaging around a 33-34 so if you do have an off/unlucky day, you're set back into the 30-32 range instead of possibly lower than your first score.

 

[caericson]

Sounds good. I feel like I can do much much better than a 28, it is at the bottom of my numbers after all.

 

[Jepstein30]

Sounds good. I feel like I can do much much better than a 28, it is at the bottom of my numbers after all.

Yea, I getcha.. it's just rough because you have to not only get back to where you were knowledge wise but then go even more just to ensure you score better.

did you take all the AAMCs/Self-assessment?

 

[caericson]

I took 4 AAMCs, but not the self assessment

 

[Jepstein30]

I took 4 AAMCs, but not the self assessment

Awesome.. so you'll have plenty of AAMC materials to work with this time around.

I'd take the later AAMCs regardless, even if you already took them.

Definitely look into the self-assessment after you finish up content review.

IMO:
25 days: content review + practice passages
Self assessment
20 days: practice passages + practice exams

give or take a few days here and there

 

[caericson]

Sounds like a good plan to me.