Running out of AAMC Materials

[futuredrummerdoctor]

My MCAT is scheduled for January 19th. I already took the AAMC sample and got around a 501, and took the AAMC Full Length 1 and got a 497, so I am NOWHERE NEAR where I want to be. My plan is to take it but if I still feel terrible about it, void it, and then take it March 31st. My question is two-fold:

1) Is it possible to pull your score up significantly on your own without a prep course? I cannot afford a tutor or course. What can I do between now and March 31st to get my score up to a competitive level? I have been doing content review for months, but very recently stopped doing content review and started going crazy with practice problems. From my scores, there's obvious gaps in my knowledge, but I think what has really been hurting me is the fact that I did not start doing practice passages early on.

2) What do you do when you do all the AAMC practice materials, and run out of AAMC exams? I only have one AAMC test left to use. Do you just go over your mistakes and tests again and again if you're like me and are retaking?

Thank you

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[AnotherLawyer]

My MCAT is scheduled for January 19th. I already took the AAMC sample and got around a 501, and took the AAMC Full Length 1 and got a 497, so I am NOWHERE NEAR where I want to be. My plan is to take it but if I still feel terrible about it, void it, and then take it March 31st. My question is two-fold:

1) Is it possible to pull your score up significantly on your own without a prep course? I cannot afford a tutor or course. What can I do between now and March 31st to get my score up to a competitive level? I have been doing content review for months, but very recently stopped doing content review and started going crazy with practice problems. From my scores, there's obvious gaps in my knowledge, but I think what has really been hurting me is the fact that I did not start doing practice passages early on.

2) What do you do when you do all the AAMC practice materials, and run out of AAMC exams? I only have one AAMC test left to use. Do you just go over your mistakes and tests again and again if you're like me and are retaking?

Thank you

I'm taking on Jan. 28, so I'm not expert, but here are my thoughts:

Yes, you can do well without a prep course.

Next, you need to figure out what "significantly" means to you. If you are an otherwise strong applicant looking to go DO, and you can study full time between now and Jan. 19, you could pull your score up to DO range (~505). If, on the other hand, it's MD or bust and your application is otherwise average, then I don't think it's possible to get your score to where it needs to be in so little time.

You then need to figure out where you're struggling. If your CARS score is >>>> everything else, then your problem is content which is easier to fix in the short term. If, on the other hand, CARS < everything else, then you need work on your reading comprehension and critical thinking, and that is a process that takes more time.

I recommend going through the SB, OG, and three FLs a second time and ensuring you have mastered all the content they cover. Reduce it to flash cards or notes or whatever works for you. If money is no issue, then get the two available EK 101 books and buy the rest as they come out. Also buy the 5 EK FLs. If money is an issue, get the EK 101 books plus the less expensive NS FLs. Work through all of that.

Finally, do not take AAMC FL 2 at this point. It's your last indicator of preparedness and there's no reason to think your score is going to go up at this point. Wait until you see a real upward trend on the EK/NS FLs. Then use AAMC FL 2 to check your score and if it's where you need it to be, go ahead and take the real thing.

 

[futuredrummerdoctor]

I'm taking on Jan. 28, so I'm not expert, but here are my thoughts:

Yes, you can do well without a prep course.

Next, you need to figure out what "significantly" means to you. If you are an otherwise strong applicant looking to go DO, and you can study full time between now and Jan. 19, you could pull your score up to DO range (~505). If, on the other hand, it's MD or bust and your application is otherwise average, then I don't think it's possible to get your score to where it needs to be in so little time.

You then need to figure out where you're struggling. If your CARS score is >>>> everything else, then your problem is content which is easier to fix in the short term. If, on the other hand, CARS < everything else, then you need work on your reading comprehension and critical thinking, and that is a process that takes more time.

I recommend going through the SB, OG, and three FLs a second time and ensuring you have mastered all the content they cover. Reduce it to flash cards or notes or whatever works for you. If money is no issue, then get the two available EK 101 books and buy the rest as they come out. Also buy the 5 EK FLs. If money is an issue, get the EK 101 books plus the less expensive NS FLs. Work through all of that.

Finally, do not take AAMC FL 2 at this point. It's your last indicator of preparedness and there's no reason to think your score is going to go up at this point. Wait until you see a real upward trend on the EK/NS FLs. Then use AAMC FL 2 to check your score and if it's where you need it to be, go ahead and take the real thing.

Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed response! Will follow this advice.

 

[5words]

I'm taking on Jan. 28, so I'm not expert, but here are my thoughts:

Yes, you can do well without a prep course.

Next, you need to figure out what "significantly" means to you. If you are an otherwise strong applicant looking to go DO, and you can study full time between now and Jan. 19, you could pull your score up to DO range (~505). If, on the other hand, it's MD or bust and your application is otherwise average, then I don't think it's possible to get your score to where it needs to be in so little time.

You then need to figure out where you're struggling. If your CARS score is >>>> everything else, then your problem is content which is easier to fix in the short term. If, on the other hand, CARS < everything else, then you need work on your reading comprehension and critical thinking, and that is a process that takes more time.

I recommend going through the SB, OG, and three FLs a second time and ensuring you have mastered all the content they cover. Reduce it to flash cards or notes or whatever works for you. If money is no issue, then get the two available EK 101 books and buy the rest as they come out. Also buy the 5 EK FLs. If money is an issue, get the EK 101 books plus the less expensive NS FLs. Work through all of that.

Finally, do not take AAMC FL 2 at this point. It's your last indicator of preparedness and there's no reason to think your score is going to go up at this point. Wait until you see a real upward trend on the EK/NS FLs. Then use AAMC FL 2 to check your score and if it's where you need it to be, go ahead and take the real thing.

Why aren't you recommendin TPR test or materials? Are they no longer the leader in MCAT prep?