Feel free to comment, but pls ignore otherwise --My VR 'vent' list
At this point, I'm at the 10/11 point threshold and have been for a while, so this list will serve as my VR tips & question as I do the questions from the "Official Guide to the MCAT". God-willing, He will guide me on how to crack the plateau
1.) Correct Answer is closest to Main Idea
Awesome tip from DocAbroad: I don't remember where I saw it, but he essentially said that often very compelling distractors will be those that can easily be found in the passage, but the correct answer will actually be more related to the main idea of the passage. So when in doubt, look for the answer that is most in sync with main idea.
2.) Alternative theories are still based upon passage theory's assumptions.
Format: Theory is introduced in passage. Then question asks you to identify a plausible alternative theory
Ex: "Which of the following alternatives to the catastrophic-extinction theory, if true, could also plausibly explain the extinction of the dinosaurs?"
I got this question wrong not b/c I didn't understand the main idea, but b/c I didn't understand this point by AAMC
3.) AAMC (p.311): "Sentences late in the passage that begin with words such as therefore, thus, in conclusion often will address only a minor or tangential point in the passage and should not be mistaken for the broader "main" ideas" 😱
4.)No passage mapping, when you dont understand what the f** the author is talking about!! Passage mapping is only allowed when you feel you clearly understand the main topic & idea
Sometimes, there may come a passage when I have no clue what the F it's saying. That's Ok!! Relax and know that the AAMC intentionally has included this difficult passage in realization that many people will extract an incorrect main idea. Esoteric passages usually will only beget questions that ask for the main idea.
Instead of writing what you think the author is saying---first write down what topic the author is talking about!! Why? B/c, in this specific scenario where you are unclear about the author's argument ( and the AAMC is counting you will extract the incorrect argument) writing down what is (probably) your confused, incorrect perception of what the author is saying will only lead you to the incorrect distractors.
Instead, follow this plan: Ask yourself: What is the topic at hand? Instead of writing down a broad answer, like "language", narrow it down as closely as possible ---"people using metaphors in language". Most of the question choices will include the correct answer choice: the one that deals with "people using metaphors". If even the topic is difficult to find, write down the most commonly repeated words b/c those are the words that the author is using to build his main point.
5.) A common question is : Which of the following statements, if true, would best support the passage author's view....
Once in a while there will be a correct answer choice will state a a very "odd" concept.
For example " Historical events can almost never be replicated in the present."
These are usually designated "hard questions" (these are Qs only 30% of ppl get right) because these painfully odd statements don't seem like the correct answer answer choices. If you find yourself glossing over an answer choice super quickly b/c it seems like an odd observation & thinking "that's a weird thing to say" STOP. Analyze what the answer choice is suggesting. For example, "Historical events can almost never be replicated in the present."suggests that historical events are once in a lifetime occurrences and unique. If the author discussed how history deals with the unique--it's your answer.
At this point, I'm at the 10/11 point threshold and have been for a while, so this list will serve as my VR tips & question as I do the questions from the "Official Guide to the MCAT". God-willing, He will guide me on how to crack the plateau
1.) Correct Answer is closest to Main Idea
Awesome tip from DocAbroad: I don't remember where I saw it, but he essentially said that often very compelling distractors will be those that can easily be found in the passage, but the correct answer will actually be more related to the main idea of the passage. So when in doubt, look for the answer that is most in sync with main idea.
2.) Alternative theories are still based upon passage theory's assumptions.
Format: Theory is introduced in passage. Then question asks you to identify a plausible alternative theory
Ex: "Which of the following alternatives to the catastrophic-extinction theory, if true, could also plausibly explain the extinction of the dinosaurs?"
I got this question wrong not b/c I didn't understand the main idea, but b/c I didn't understand this point by AAMC
I thought they were asking me for an alternative theory that had nothing to do with the theory proposed in the passage. Instead, they were asking me for a similar theory, based upon the same arguments raised in the passage.
3.) AAMC (p.311): "Sentences late in the passage that begin with words such as therefore, thus, in conclusion often will address only a minor or tangential point in the passage and should not be mistaken for the broader "main" ideas" 😱
4.)No passage mapping, when you dont understand what the f** the author is talking about!! Passage mapping is only allowed when you feel you clearly understand the main topic & idea
Sometimes, there may come a passage when I have no clue what the F it's saying. That's Ok!! Relax and know that the AAMC intentionally has included this difficult passage in realization that many people will extract an incorrect main idea. Esoteric passages usually will only beget questions that ask for the main idea.
Instead of writing what you think the author is saying---first write down what topic the author is talking about!! Why? B/c, in this specific scenario where you are unclear about the author's argument ( and the AAMC is counting you will extract the incorrect argument) writing down what is (probably) your confused, incorrect perception of what the author is saying will only lead you to the incorrect distractors.
Instead, follow this plan: Ask yourself: What is the topic at hand? Instead of writing down a broad answer, like "language", narrow it down as closely as possible ---"people using metaphors in language". Most of the question choices will include the correct answer choice: the one that deals with "people using metaphors". If even the topic is difficult to find, write down the most commonly repeated words b/c those are the words that the author is using to build his main point.
5.) A common question is : Which of the following statements, if true, would best support the passage author's view....
Once in a while there will be a correct answer choice will state a a very "odd" concept.
For example " Historical events can almost never be replicated in the present."
These are usually designated "hard questions" (these are Qs only 30% of ppl get right) because these painfully odd statements don't seem like the correct answer answer choices. If you find yourself glossing over an answer choice super quickly b/c it seems like an odd observation & thinking "that's a weird thing to say" STOP. Analyze what the answer choice is suggesting. For example, "Historical events can almost never be replicated in the present."suggests that historical events are once in a lifetime occurrences and unique. If the author discussed how history deals with the unique--it's your answer.
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