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September 2015 MCAT Thread
Started by DAF16
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oh no! that makes me nervous to get started on those. I've been reassuring myself that kaplan is harder than most other material including some AAMC
I've taken 4 psyc classes, 2 intro level and 2 upper divisions. I think they help somewhat, since I was pretty familiar with a lot of topics on human development, learning and social psych. My courses definitely didn't cover all the psych topics required for the MCAT.
With a bit more hindsight, I feel like that questions were actually not that hard - about the same as Kaplan or maybe slightly easier. It is the passages that are really tough. They are very dense and resemble legitimate scientific articles much more than Kaplan ones do.
I was snooping around... http://medicine.missouri.edu/admissions/early.html I'm not applying to here but they're comparing a 30 to a 506. What do you guys think? If at least one med school deems 506 as the new 30 then I feel really relieved. Idk though.
@Jennzilla conversion wise I believe everyone is saying 508-509 is the new 30 but obviously new MCAT scores aren't only just a simple conversion of the old but we probably won't know what the real 'new 30' is for awhile until we really start to see trends. Right now I would stick to your original 508-510 assumption since that matches up with the percentiles of 30 on the old test. And I think 503 is great! As most people, do you'll probably score higher on the real thing!
I'm not sure. I haven't taken the KAPLAN class, but it says that you get 10 or 11 full lengths. The 7-book review only gives you 3, and the 528 only gives you 1. I'm not aware of any potential overlap, but it could be entirely possible.
BTW - anyone taking their test on 9/12 in Allston (Boston)? The testing center is directly above several bars so I'm planning on drinking heavily as soon as I'm done if anyone wants to join....
I took Kaplan1 2 weeks ago. I got 492 at the time (lol).
Just took Kaplan2 and got 504. My score basically improved on every single section.
Physics 125 -> 127.
CARS 122 -> 124.
Biol 128 -> 129.
Psychology 118 -> 124 (still have half the book to study).
I guess CARS and Psyc are holding me back from a 510. Could probably earn a couple more points on Physics.
Psyc was definitely the most difficult section.
1. It was gibberish.
2. I was dead by the time i got to it.
Just took Kaplan2 and got 504. My score basically improved on every single section.
Physics 125 -> 127.
CARS 122 -> 124.
Biol 128 -> 129.
Psychology 118 -> 124 (still have half the book to study).
I guess CARS and Psyc are holding me back from a 510. Could probably earn a couple more points on Physics.
Psyc was definitely the most difficult section.
1. It was gibberish.
2. I was dead by the time i got to it.
How did you get such an improvement? Just more content review? I stayed stagnant on all of the Kaplan tests.
With physics and biology, nothing really changed since last time. However, I definitely feel as though I can recall information with much greater ease.
I tried focusing a bit more on CARS rather than skimming through the texts as I did last time. Ironically, I finished more texts this time, but I still finished 1 text short. Every text takes around 12 minutes, so I have no idea how to improve that. I didn't even read the Kaplan book, and I probably won't. The med school I'm applying to doesn't really care about that section.
I hadn't even studied Psyc last time, so I guess that's where the 6-point leap came from.
I guess stamina is my major enemy at this point. I have 13 more FLs in the next 16 days to improve it.
^Work on CARS, and your score in every section will go up.
Whuuuut well I was going to take my test there, but I chickened out just today and rescheduled my test to Sept. 23rd haha Sunset is always great though because their beer selection is RIDICULOUS.
Yeah I know some people here in the forum say a 508 is a 30, while I've seen a few say it's closer to 31 than 30. Personally, I'm also shooting for 508, but I'd be satisfied and won't retake with a 506/507.
How does time pass by so fast when you're studying 
.
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Indiana U: "Early Decision Applicants (EDP) must have a minimum cumulative and science GPA of 3.6, 30 MCAT with no individual score below 8 (old MCAT) or 509 and an individual score (Confidence Band) between 125-127 (new MCAT), and apply by August 3. "
WVU: "A score of (8/9 or greater in each section is required MCAT 2015 125 or greater in each section Science GPA (BCPM) 3.6 (as calculated by AMCAS)"
Interesting. I'd say https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1Yd5-z8djMNL25k9w60X8yCFSlGY_M2Qynrjj_ph2l24/htmlview# is pretty accurate then
how long have you been doing pracice tests for?
I'm doing the 120 aamc questions . i feel like no one knows how to exceptionally prepare for this test. you have to make do with any material you can get a hold of and imo just do it . i have a mcgraw book but thats the last thing i will touch now (I've done one test) but like TPR and Kaplan tests i feel like we should all just do because its all we have and EX
That is true. If only we weren't the first batch to take mcat 2015, most of us would have a much, much clearer goal. And thanks, I'm trying! I really appreciate your positivity hehe.
I agree with you 100%. I would be damn happy with a 506-507 at this rate.
@Ad2b I've learned from a few medical students that the only good thing about orgo is that it teaches you to memorize. hah
Today definitely was not a good testing day. I was taking the practice exam at the library, and people were so disruptive. The librarian kept on pacing around the library and asking for the person who checked out a certain book. I also was tapped on the shoulder numerous times for different reasons. I lost count on how many times I had to press pause.
NS 1 (last week) -> NS 2 (today)
P/C: 125 -> 126 (very happy that this score went up because i have been getting BUTCHERED by this section)
CARS: 125 -> 125 (no progress, except for a slightly less percentage)
B/S: 125 -> 125 (no progress again)
P/S: 128 -> 125 (oh noo... I haven't been reviewing my psych stuff, so I can understand why it dropped)
Overall: 503 -> 501
Today definitely was not a good testing day. I was taking the practice exam at the library, and people were so disruptive. The librarian kept on pacing around the library and asking for the person who checked out a certain book. I also was tapped on the shoulder numerous times for different reasons. I lost count on how many times I had to press pause.
NS 1 (last week) -> NS 2 (today)
P/C: 125 -> 126 (very happy that this score went up because i have been getting BUTCHERED by this section)
CARS: 125 -> 125 (no progress, except for a slightly less percentage)
B/S: 125 -> 125 (no progress again)
P/S: 128 -> 125 (oh noo... I haven't been reviewing my psych stuff, so I can understand why it dropped)
Overall: 503 -> 501
Multiple points here regarding posts from today
1. To follow up on my question about who took PSYCH classes. I took several as well, and IB psych back in HS. For those of you did not take a psych class or have only taken one, you should be proud of yourselves preparing for this without that! I still find it challenging, but at least more familiar.
2. Regarding orgo requirements-I don't think it's necessary any longer either, but it does help me with some Biochem stuff and reading about medication studies and such.
3. Is everyone in this post in MASS!?!?! LOL. I'm so glad you guys are in the fun populated parts and hope you get to do fun things afterwards...I'm taking mine in W.Springfield and it's in the middle of nowhere near a metal making company and a trophy making company and a farm supply store... If I get to go to Cracker Barrel afterward I'll be happy. Ha.
1. To follow up on my question about who took PSYCH classes. I took several as well, and IB psych back in HS. For those of you did not take a psych class or have only taken one, you should be proud of yourselves preparing for this without that! I still find it challenging, but at least more familiar.
2. Regarding orgo requirements-I don't think it's necessary any longer either, but it does help me with some Biochem stuff and reading about medication studies and such.
3. Is everyone in this post in MASS!?!?! LOL. I'm so glad you guys are in the fun populated parts and hope you get to do fun things afterwards...I'm taking mine in W.Springfield and it's in the middle of nowhere near a metal making company and a trophy making company and a farm supply store... If I get to go to Cracker Barrel afterward I'll be happy. Ha.
When I am done with the actual exam, I will happily post my Kaplan scores (well, if I do well on the real thing ... otherwise, I'll just drift into oblivious 😉 )
So often, I read people's scores on here and think HTH am I going to get to THAT and see the fear with those scores and I'd be happy with them at this point (4 weeks before exam).
For me, still missing the increase and I pick decrease in the answer choice and get it wrong; and similar things. Nothing that I don't "know" but obviously, I don't "know" or I'd choose better 🙁
And no @drbeat14 - I'm in FL, taking the exam in S Fl and will be on the beach after the test. Hopefully, not adding extra salt water to the ocean 😉
So often, I read people's scores on here and think HTH am I going to get to THAT and see the fear with those scores and I'd be happy with them at this point (4 weeks before exam).
For me, still missing the increase and I pick decrease in the answer choice and get it wrong; and similar things. Nothing that I don't "know" but obviously, I don't "know" or I'd choose better 🙁
And no @drbeat14 - I'm in FL, taking the exam in S Fl and will be on the beach after the test. Hopefully, not adding extra salt water to the ocean 😉
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!
Would anyone have some tips on approaching non-timed/timed practice? Sometimes I feel the urge to just study up without any timer just to get a better grasp of the theory and in depth thought process behind every question to develop a fuller intuition... but it has been stated multiple times to practice only w/ timing.
Would anyone have some tips on approaching non-timed/timed practice? Sometimes I feel the urge to just study up without any timer just to get a better grasp of the theory and in depth thought process behind every question to develop a fuller intuition... but it has been stated multiple times to practice only w/ timing.
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aamc fl
C/P - 66%
CARS -66%
B/B - 66%
P/S - 80%
is this a 500 or more? can someone convert this for me?
C/P - 66%
CARS -66%
B/B - 66%
P/S - 80%
is this a 500 or more? can someone convert this for me?
really? can you help me convert it? @HopefulPilot
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So... in doing the AAMC fl, in comparison to the Kaplan tests, i think it should be noted that for AAMC you need to know letter codes, names, properties, and structures of all the amino acids. That's the main thing that tripped me up.
Just thought i'd put that out there, if anyone wasn't aware.
Just thought i'd put that out there, if anyone wasn't aware.
@PooshBag I'm glad I'm not the only one still awake studying lol. That is good to know about the aa's!
I do not know the letter abbreviations-anyone have any methods for memorizing those?
I did spend sometime yesterday deriving a way to memorize as little as possible about amino acids. I think I have figured out a way (at least for me!) so that I only have to memorize the categories and structures and can derive everything else from that (except the letter names-I'll see what I can do about that). I will try to post what I came up with sometime this week. I suspect many of you smart people will not have much trouble just straight out memorizing everything-but if you have a weird brain like me, Maybe it would be helpful? I will try to do that as soon as I get a chance. 🙂
I do not know the letter abbreviations-anyone have any methods for memorizing those?
I did spend sometime yesterday deriving a way to memorize as little as possible about amino acids. I think I have figured out a way (at least for me!) so that I only have to memorize the categories and structures and can derive everything else from that (except the letter names-I'll see what I can do about that). I will try to post what I came up with sometime this week. I suspect many of you smart people will not have much trouble just straight out memorizing everything-but if you have a weird brain like me, Maybe it would be helpful? I will try to do that as soon as I get a chance. 🙂
I have some weird abbreviations i use haha. And yea, im almost always up late preparing.
I would like to say, I dont post frequently on sdn, but i really enjoy being here on this thread. I have actually learned quite a bit from everyone on this thread.
Hmm there are only a few weird ones. Some of these I learned from that 20 minute video about amino acids on youtube.
Phenylalanine - F --> "ph" sounds like F
Tryptophan - W --> when I draw it out, part of the rings make the letter W
Tyrosine - Y --> tYYYYYYYYYYYYrosine
Asparagine - N --> the end of asparagine has the letter N
Glutamine - Q --> "GQ magazine"
Lysine - K --> L is already used for Leucine, so you go to the previous letter in the alphabet, K
Arginine - R --> say the three letter abbreviation (Arg) like a pirate... ARRRRRRRRRRG
Aspartate - D --> I just remember it as "D-ASP".
Glutamate - E --> combine the three letter abbreviation (glu) and its one letter abbreviation (E), and you get GLUE!!!
Everything else is just based on the first letter of the amino acid:
Glyceine - G
Alanine - A
Valine - V
Leucine - L
Isoleucine - I
Methionine - M
Proline - P
Serine - S
Threonine - T
Cysteine - C
Histidine - H
good bye
Phenylalanine - F --> "ph" sounds like F
Tryptophan - W --> when I draw it out, part of the rings make the letter W
Tyrosine - Y --> tYYYYYYYYYYYYrosine
Asparagine - N --> the end of asparagine has the letter N
Glutamine - Q --> "GQ magazine"
Lysine - K --> L is already used for Leucine, so you go to the previous letter in the alphabet, K
Arginine - R --> say the three letter abbreviation (Arg) like a pirate... ARRRRRRRRRRG
Aspartate - D --> I just remember it as "D-ASP".
Glutamate - E --> combine the three letter abbreviation (glu) and its one letter abbreviation (E), and you get GLUE!!!
Everything else is just based on the first letter of the amino acid:
Glyceine - G
Alanine - A
Valine - V
Leucine - L
Isoleucine - I
Methionine - M
Proline - P
Serine - S
Threonine - T
Cysteine - C
Histidine - H
good bye
yes same thing
Note of encouragement to my hommies:
1) KA passages are not bad at all. Do them. They aren't bad and they make a cool sound when you get it right! Dont' be lazy, they are easy and the knowledge drilling/problem solving skills will pay off in enabling you to solve the problems/revise/review concepts. I'm doing 3-4 of each section per day in order to get them done so I can ulitize that knowledge base on the test.
2) STUDY STUDY STUDY - If you study, it WILL come on the Test.
3) Make anki cards - and review the 2#$#@ out of them daily. Before bed, when you are tired, etc...the mcat tests a lot of concepts. if you study some topic hard one day, that's great, but if you don't briefly review it in an ANKI card for a few seconds/mins every day , you just wasted that knowledge. The brain is a muscle, it required drilling.
4) Dont wait for your emotions to kick it. There'll always be something happening, someone flicking you off, some circumstance taking your attention. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS.
FACT: According to Murphy's Law, the amount of distractions/things that take up your attention increases exponenetially with power of 4 the closer it gets to your test date.
The first 30 mins of study session are most important to set the tone for the day. Utilize it. You have everything inside you and at your disposal to rock it!
1) KA passages are not bad at all. Do them. They aren't bad and they make a cool sound when you get it right! Dont' be lazy, they are easy and the knowledge drilling/problem solving skills will pay off in enabling you to solve the problems/revise/review concepts. I'm doing 3-4 of each section per day in order to get them done so I can ulitize that knowledge base on the test.
2) STUDY STUDY STUDY - If you study, it WILL come on the Test.
3) Make anki cards - and review the 2#$#@ out of them daily. Before bed, when you are tired, etc...the mcat tests a lot of concepts. if you study some topic hard one day, that's great, but if you don't briefly review it in an ANKI card for a few seconds/mins every day , you just wasted that knowledge. The brain is a muscle, it required drilling.
4) Dont wait for your emotions to kick it. There'll always be something happening, someone flicking you off, some circumstance taking your attention. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS.
FACT: According to Murphy's Law, the amount of distractions/things that take up your attention increases exponenetially with power of 4 the closer it gets to your test date.
The first 30 mins of study session are most important to set the tone for the day. Utilize it. You have everything inside you and at your disposal to rock it!
For anyone taking the 9/12 mcat, are you guys incorporating any break days into your last month of studying? I have not had any planned days off all summer (roughly 4-5 days off from mid-may) and feel as though I am burning out a little in this last month of studying due to increased intensity/hours of study.
What is your best idea to convert kaplan mcats to the real thing... I test on the 3rd and wanna see where I'm at
FL1: 502
FL2: 509
FL1: 502
FL2: 509
How does that affect each end of the spectrum? I.e: does that apply the same to individuals at a 490, 500, and a 510?
Some pop psych reading related to fundamental attribution error:
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/09/world-in-context-mindware-tools-for-sharp-thinking
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/09/world-in-context-mindware-tools-for-sharp-thinking
Fascinating! Thank you for posting!!!
T
torontopharm
Took TPR Review Test 1..
C/P 124
Cars 125
Biological 124
Psyc 125
= 498
I have a little over a month to improve that to something more respectable. I've been hearing the general consensus is that TPR is harder than AAMC. But 498 is pretty crappy regardless methinks. That's about a 24 based on the old scale i think.
Back to business from tomorrow!
C/P 124
Cars 125
Biological 124
Psyc 125
= 498
I have a little over a month to improve that to something more respectable. I've been hearing the general consensus is that TPR is harder than AAMC. But 498 is pretty crappy regardless methinks. That's about a 24 based on the old scale i think.
Back to business from tomorrow!
Took TPR Review Test 1..
C/P 124
Cars 125
Biological 124
Psyc 125
= 498
I have a little over a month to improve that to something more respectable. I've been hearing the general consensus is that TPR is harder than AAMC. But 498 is pretty crappy regardless methinks. That's about a 24 based on the old scale i think.
Back to business from tomorrow!
A lot of people scoring in the 497-498 range of Kaplan (and I assume TPR since they are relatable in difficulty) did really well on their actual exams so don't fret, that's by no means a bad practice test score even if the number looks bad! Just keep positive and keep reviewing!
bad mcat day today... took kaplan FL7 and got a 502 (P/C: 126, CARS: 123, B/C: 127, P/S: 126). This was after a 508 (127 each section) on FL6 that I took on Friday. Felt like crap during CARS - started to get SOOO hungry I could barely concentrate and it was so hot in the library - ended up running out of time. Hopefully FL8 on Friday goes better! :/
sorry for the vent lol
sorry for the vent lol
I'd do things like discretes (EK 1001, whatever else you can get your hands on) as well as KA passages without the timer. KA passages are 4 questions and I thus don't see much benefit timing myself on them since they aren't exactly like a question set for an actual passage. Still, they are great for familiarizing myself with different types of passages and for content review.
Mentioned this in a different thread, but will go ahead and repost here. I took Kaplan FL 1 last week and scored 501 (124/126/127/124) and scored 503 (125/125/124/129) on the TPR Demo yesterday.
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I believe the brain is composed of nerve tissue, not muscle tissue. Lol sorry, the MCAT is starting to get a hold of me.
Stay strong friends! When stressed, think about the fun things you'll be doing after the exam.
On a side note, did anyone do Kaplan's PBQs? If so, were they helpful?
On a side note, did anyone do Kaplan's PBQs? If so, were they helpful?
Oh since everyone seems to be posting their scores... I'll be taking the test the 3rd or the 12th. Not sure yet! Got til the 20th to postpone an extra week+/take it the 3rd.
Kaplan MCAT Practice Test (pre-studying diagnostic): 34/45 (13/11/10)
Kaplan MCAT 1/3-length 2015 Practice Test: 513 (129/127/132/125)
KAPLAN FL2: 506 (127/127/126/126) -- discouraging drop
*Discovered SDN*
TPR Demo Test: N/A (127/118/126/129) -- CARS glitched out and gave me 5 minutes instead of 90 minutes
NEXTSTEP Diagnostic 1/2-length: 512 (130/125/128/129) -- realized I needed to look out for easy problems as I was getting 40% of them wrong
Question Pack CARS 1a: 80% -- Freaking hard!
Question Pack BIO 1a: 93%
KAPLAN FL1: 508 (127/128/127/126) -- I'm glad it went up from the first FL! Must mean I'm doing something right...
Onward!
@El-Rami I've only done some KA passages, and they seem great. That'll be today's adventure then.
Kaplan MCAT Practice Test (pre-studying diagnostic): 34/45 (13/11/10)
Kaplan MCAT 1/3-length 2015 Practice Test: 513 (129/127/132/125)
KAPLAN FL2: 506 (127/127/126/126) -- discouraging drop
*Discovered SDN*
TPR Demo Test: N/A (127/118/126/129) -- CARS glitched out and gave me 5 minutes instead of 90 minutes
NEXTSTEP Diagnostic 1/2-length: 512 (130/125/128/129) -- realized I needed to look out for easy problems as I was getting 40% of them wrong
Question Pack CARS 1a: 80% -- Freaking hard!
Question Pack BIO 1a: 93%
KAPLAN FL1: 508 (127/128/127/126) -- I'm glad it went up from the first FL! Must mean I'm doing something right...
Onward!
@El-Rami I've only done some KA passages, and they seem great. That'll be today's adventure then.
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I've taken some, they're so so. Good for maybe missing content but like their exams not really representative of the real thing and quite convoluted. Example: I feel like their psych was more discrete like and barely any looking at experiments and interpreting results but at the end of the day I still think they're okay practice.
@jimmypod Those scores are excellent! You'll kill the real thing don't worry about any score fluctuation you are seeing between tests. Did you do the CARS Q pack is 1 sitting? I want to do them in smaller chunks for practice but at the same time I want to be able to see a full composite score.
Haha thank you. My study partner has been killing it these past few tests and I'm hoping to play some catch up. His test is this saturday.
I did the Question Packs in 1/2 sittings, meaning that I'll do them up until the "BREAK" you get at around 60. I haven't done the second half of either CARS or BIO yet, and plan on finishing them by the weekend.
