Scared, OCT 25th date...

[Thyr0id]

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SO my MCAT date is Oct. 25th at 1pm... man I'm scared as sh1t right now. I studied all summer from Mid May - August, took September off ( for the most part) and now im reviewing and taking more practice exams/passages until my test date. I followed Sn2d's guide to the letter in the summer, which may have led to a burn out. I have ~3 ish weeks to improve on Orgo and verbal. Physics I simply need to recognize when to fit equations together, Bio/Gen Chem are my forte, I am assuming its because I tutor both of them.

Any advice on how to improve in Ochem and verbal? Verbal Is really kicking my ass. I think just hammering verbal passages is the key. For orgo, maybe reading some big EK chapters may help? Any advice? 🙂

 

[blackmarble]

what're you getting on the aamcs?

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Practice does not make perfect. It makes permanence.
If you are not comfortable with your VR strategy or if it's not clicking it may to be time to tweak it. It's not too late to test different strategies if you have the time for it, however regardless of your other commitments (i.e. ochem) you may want to alter the strategy you're currently using.

As for Orgo - practice and notecards. Go over the AAMC content outlines (found online) and look up all the Orgo reactions you're expected to know. Write these out on notecards and review them every day until you know them. Additionally know the basic mechanisms - i.e. differences in mechanism characteristics of acidic conditions vs. basic conditions. This should help when confronted with a specific reaction you haven't seen before, but you're aware that an acid, for example, is being used as the solvent.

 

[Thyr0id]

http://www.prep101.com/mcat/wp-content/uploads/ES_MCATOrganic.pdf

For the reactions, does this suffice?

My VR strategy is iffy, i found it on here. It was to read the 1st and last paragraphs to find specific information like what the author is talking about, thesis, tone, etc then skim the middle stuff to know whats in each paragraph.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

The strategy you're using can sometimes lead to confusion. How's your timing and how is your level of comprehension for each passage?

As for the link - that seems to be a fantastic reference to help you. I quickly skimmed through it but it appears to cover most of the basics and important bits. I did see, however, that it's rather light on carbohydrates. Not that you need to know any specific reactions for carbohydrates, you should know some of them in detail (ex. glucose, galactose, mannose, ribose). But overall, that's a great summarizing guide.

 

[Thyr0id]

The strategy you're using can sometimes lead to confusion. How's your timing and how is your level of comprehension for each passage?

As for the link - that seems to be a fantastic reference to help you. I quickly skimmed through it but it appears to cover most of the basics and important bits. I did see, however, that it's rather light on carbohydrates. Not that you need to know any specific reactions for carbohydrates, you should know some of them in detail (ex. glucose, galactose, mannose, ribose). But overall, that's a great summarizing guide.

I am pretty versed on carbohydrates, biochemistry was actually a strong point for me because I found it interesting. I know all the structures, D vs. , bond numbering etc. Yup made flashcards based on that! My comprehension is pretty bad I would say, being honest. I was never really a strong reader, I hated reading for fun and really only enjoyed reading textbooks (yes im serious) . So im trying to read 20-30 pages out of a leisure reading book before I do any VR passages to "warm up". And as far as the strategy, I really just want to read the whole passage before going thru questions, but I feltl ike my timing took a hit when Idid that.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Timing can come with a new strategy, but comprehension won't if you're using a strategy that does not allow for it. Change strategies to one you like, and then work from high to low in terms of timing. (12 minutes to eventually 8 minutes). Get use to it first and don't expect miracles. Work smartly and the timing will come.

 

[Thyr0id]

so in all honesty I am not looking that great. here are my scores from my two practice exams:

FL#3 =18 (6PS 5VR 7BS)
FL#5 = 19 (7PS 6 VR 6 BS)

I don't test well, as you can see. I think it would be in my best interest to shut it down and just take the 2015, anyone else want to chime in? All the test seats for the January MCAT are all filled as of now.

 

[camng22]

definitely take the jan mcat or the new 2015 mcat. either way i think you should take the upcoming 10/25 mcat and void but take it as practice.

 

[Thyr0id]

definitely take the jan mcat or the new 2015 mcat. either way i think you should take the upcoming 10/25 mcat and void but take it as practice.

There are absolutely no seats left for any Jan dates so 2015 may be the viable option. I dont even get it, I fxkn tutor bio and gen chem and some Ochem and yet can't figure out this crap on the MCAT.... seriously. I hate standardized tests.

 

[kabead]

There are absolutely no seats left for any Jan dates so 2015 may be the viable option. I dont even get it, I fxkn tutor bio and gen chem and some Ochem and yet can't figure out this crap on the MCAT.... seriously. I hate standardized tests.

Definitely sign up for the 2015 date and check frequently if a january seat opens up. It does happen sometimes.

Are you using information that is given to you in the passages? Did you try multiple methods for the verbal section? Are you lacking content review for the PS section? You want to try a variety of things and see where you are lacking.

And don't take anymore aamcs....save them for when you improve!
Good luck~

 

[Thyr0id]

Definitely sign up for the 2015 date and check frequently if a january seat opens up. It does happen sometimes.

Are you using information that is given to you in the passages? Did you try multiple methods for the verbal section? Are you lacking content review for the PS section? You want to try a variety of things and see where you are lacking.

And don't take anymore aamcs....save them for when you improve!
Good luck~

I followed Sn2ed's schedule all summer, did well on TBR practice passages, not bad on practice verbals either. The TBR passages were harder than the actual AAMCs Fls to, which I dont understand. So im not sure where im going wrong.

 

[kabead]

I followed Sn2ed's schedule all summer, did well on TBR practice passages, not bad on practice verbals either. The TBR passages were harder than the actual AAMCs Fls to, which I dont understand. So im not sure where im going wrong.

Well...from my experience, my mcat was actually similar in difficulty to the TBR Genchem and Physics section...but that was my experience, and I suppose that it does differ by exam. Either way, TBR is a great resource to use. Are you going over your mistakes? That should be the focus of your studying. Look over what you got wrong and understand why you got it wrong. I would actually mark which ones I got wrong and do them over again a week after to solidify my understanding of whatever it was.
The best thing I can recommend for verbal is EK101 and TPRH Verbal instead of TBR. They aren't similar to the actual verbal on the MCAT, but you should use AAMC self assessment and FL when you are done with EK101 and TPRH. Even if its not similar, it does help.

I noticed that the biggest mistake MCAT takers do is either do too much content review and too little practice, OR just doing practice problems, without accurately going over them. I'm not saying that you are doing either of these, but I suggest just finding other studying options. Whatever you are doing isn't helping you, so if you find a more effective way of studying, I'm sure your scores will improve. Look over the 30+ thread if you need some guidance also.

 

[Thyr0id]

Well...from my experience, my mcat was actually similar in difficulty to the TBR Genchem and Physics section...but that was my experience, and I suppose that it does differ by exam. Either way, TBR is a great resource to use. Are you going over your mistakes? That should be the focus of your studying. Look over what you got wrong and understand why you got it wrong. I would actually mark which ones I got wrong and do them over again a week after to solidify my understanding of whatever it was.
The best thing I can recommend for verbal is EK101 and TPRH Verbal instead of TBR. They aren't similar to the actual verbal on the MCAT, but you should use AAMC self assessment and FL when you are done with EK101 and TPRH. Even if its not similar, it does help.

I noticed that the biggest mistake MCAT takers do is either do too much content review and too little practice, OR just doing practice problems, without accurately going over them. I'm not saying that you are doing either of these, but I suggest just finding other studying options. Whatever you are doing isn't helping you, so if you find a more effective way of studying, I'm sure your scores will improve. Look over the 30+ thread if you need some guidance also.

Thanks for the write up bud I appreciate it! Time to research. I actually finished the TPRHlearning book for verbal. Going to start the ek101 tomorrow. I feel like I did do a lot more content review than passages. I am reviewing all my FLs the day after I take them to figure out what I got wrong. On the FL#3 it was stupid little errors I made. Like not accounting for the steric hindrance of methyl groups on nitrogen making it a weak base. Simple stuff like that, I know it, but apparently forgot it come test time. I took tomorrow off from work to figure out where I went wrong, again.

I wouldn't mind taking the 2015. I am a psycology minior and I've taken multiple biochemistry classes. Maybe that would suite me. But I am still going to chug thru till october 25th date and give this exam a fight . I dont want it to beat me and I wont let it.

 

[Gauss44]

1. O-Chem, use EK because (it's short and) it explains the different groups of organic molecules and what mechanisms they are prone to. EK also gives a quick summary of the different functional groups, key reactions, and experiments. AND/or Chad videos.

2. VR, use AAMC passages in addition to whatever else you choose because there is NO other company that can make VR passages and question AAMC style. There's no substitute. Use AAMC passages in addition to whatever else you have, even if you have to reuse them. Get comfortable with AAMC's style and study their reasoning.

Normally AAMC is on vacation, their "Halloween vacation" this time of year, so I cannot tell you what to expect for the test closest to that big day. Just hope that the curve is a big ol gift in honor of the dead (All Saint's Eve). Good luck!

 

[csx]

Is verbal in the AAMC SA/FL's similar to the real thing? It seems with the sciences there is a greater degree of fluctuation in similarity.

 

[Thyr0id]

So i managed to get a seat in the November 7th date, rendering me almost 2 extra weeks of studying!!! I am pretty happy right now. Here is my plan of attack:

Read TPR Chapters for Physics (all 10 of them), read up on certain reactions and amines for orgo, then for bio and genchem i just need to jump around on a few things. I am pretty versed on those subjects.

-I am going to read 2 chapters a day, alternating between PS and BS subjects.
-Review Physics Equations every night
-Note cards for organic reactions, review every night
-Verbal from Ek101 + TPR WorkBook problems that correspond to my chapters and maybe some EK1001s if I have the time. Id rather work from the TPR workbooks though.
-AAMC Fls everyweek.

 

[Jason12]

So i managed to get a seat in the November 7th date, rendering me almost 2 extra weeks of studying!!! I am pretty happy right now. Here is my plan of attack:

Read TPR Chapters for Physics (all 10 of them), read up on certain reactions and amines for orgo, then for bio and genchem i just need to jump around on a few things. I am pretty versed on those subjects.

-I am going to read 2 chapters a day, alternating between PS and BS subjects.
-Review Physics Equations every night
-Note cards for organic reactions, review every night
-Verbal from Ek101 + TPR WorkBook problems that correspond to my chapters and maybe some EK1001s if I have the time. Id rather work from the TPR workbooks though.
-AAMC Fls everyweek.

all I read from your post was to "READ" do yourself a favor and postpone your test Jan and if you're still in te reading zone. Im in your situation but Im no longer reading but rather Im doing tones of practice tests, I've learnt way more by just doing practice than reading.

 

[Thyr0id]

all I read from your post was to "READ" do yourself a favor and postpone your test Jan and if you're still in te reading zone. Im in your situation but Im no longer reading but rather Im doing tones of practice tests, I've learnt way more by just doing practice than reading.

well I was not really specific but when I meant read, i mean skim important parts + do practice passages, which should always be implied.