September 2015 MCAT Thread

[DAF16]

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Registration for the September MCAT opens up soon, so I thought I would make the thread.
Who else will be taking the test in September?

 

[Dolly96]

I'm testing on September 3rd... my last three Kaplan (1,2,3) have been 502, 509, 509...

Trying to get above 515... should I be worried that I leveled out on the last two? Do I have a shot to get 515???

-- nervous

Those are some great scores! Don't be nervous. Have confidence and dominate the real thing!

 

[swollcat]

If you're consistently in the upper half of 500 for Kaplan or Princeton Review tests, you've got a damn good shot of getting 515+

Really? I thought this was only the case with the May/June Tests. I really hope you're right!

 

[Dolly96]

What is everyone's goal? I'm shooting for 509, dreaming for 512, and will retake below 504?

My goal score is a 508. My dream score is a 510 or above. God forbid I have to retake if I get lower than ~503 because I'll be submitting my apps in before scores are released. Huge gamble, I know.

 

[lostnconfused]

Checking in with everyone - 498 on TPR1. Aiming for a 515+ with the 9/23 test date. Do-able or delusional? 🙁

 

[jimmypod]

Checking in with everyone - 498 on TPR1. Aiming for a 515+ with the 9/23 test date. Do-able or delusional? 🙁

Depends. I think you can do it if you really dedicate yourself to this test. Does the score distribution reveal an even distribution of score w/ all of the subjects or are there distinct strengths and weaknesses that you have? Work on those weaknesses if the latter is true!

 

[Gibbward]

Shooting for 508, dreaming of anything higher, retake anything below 506?

Does anyone know when the 2016 MSAR is going to come out? It's just really hard to predict what the the minimum "safe" mcat 2015 score is. We can compare percentiles all we want, but until the 2016 MSAR comes out, we won't know what minimum MCAT score we should be okay with, and that's pretty scary.

 

[dushash]

I'm also shooting for 508, retake at <506. Still have some time till my September MCAT. A bit scared though. I wasn't able to crack more than 503 on Kaplan. Damn plateaued.

 

[PooshBag]

Brain runs on glucose

And ketone bodies when not in a well fed state.

 

[PooshBag]

I just wish there were more AAMC exams. I'm shooting for a 510+ at least. I'll be happy then. So far, I've taken 8 Kaplan full lengths and the diagnostic. Havent scored above a 504.

With time closing in, I am beginning to feel pressure and am getting a bit anxious..

 

[ChrisMack390]

Ya I feel jealous of the people who had like 12 AAMC practices 🙁

 

[PooshBag]

Ah I actually realize your point! I'm a traditional student and I've had ample time. I can't imagine what it must be for one to do this while holding down a full time job. I admire your dedication and hard work! @HopefulPilot

 

[Ad2b]

Anyone else find the MCAT prep helped with the actual coursework? Started genetics today - seemed really, really familiar (Thank God something does!!)

 

[PooshBag]

I'm enrolled in biochem this semester. I'm expecting it to be a bit easier due to all this mcat stuff.

 

[Ad2b]

ouch @HopefulPilot - I can't imagine taking this without the biochem 🙂 BUT you will succeed !

 

[Dolly96]

Taking kaplan fl 3 tomorrow morning. I'm already dreading submitting the last question to see my score after

 

[Kariim]

Can someone please explain why there will be two bands rather than one when there is only one EcoRV site?

Nothing's wrong with the question. Most plasmids have a polylinker region with 1 copy of multiple different restriction sites. You need a restriction enzyme to open up the plasmid, and you'll need the same restriction enzyme to remove the DNA fragment from the plasmid.

 

[drbeat14]

Nothing's wrong with the question. Most plasmids have a polylinker region with 1 copy of multiple different restriction sites. You need a restriction enzyme to open up the plasmid, and you'll need the same restriction enzyme to remove the DNA fragment from the plasmid.

Thanks for posting this-so the polylinker region allows the restriction endonuclease to be more efficient?

 

[drbeat14]

Thought I'd stick this thing here for you guys to download sometime-maybe a good little warmup practice. 🙂

http://offers.aamc.org/mcat2015-mini-test

 

[Kariim]

Thanks for posting this-so the polylinker region allows the restriction endonuclease to be more efficient?

I wouldn't say so. It just gives you (as the researcher or whatever) the option to choose between different restriction enzymes to use. It's just a matter of choice/which restriction sites are present along the DNA fragment you want to clone into a vector.

It's just a fancy way of referring to the different restriction sites present along the plasmids.

 

[drbeat14]

I wouldn't say so. It just gives you (as the researcher or whatever) the option to choose between different restriction enzymes to use. It's just a matter of choice/which restriction sites are present along the DNA fragment you want to clone into a vector.

It's just a fancy way of referring to the different restriction sites present along the plasmids.

Thanks for explaining, I had not heard that term before: the polylinker region.

 

[Jennzilla]

@drbeat14 I haven't heard of that term either.

For the acid amino acids, do we just go by D and E? This was a very fast way to memorize the ones I didn't know from kaplan!

Edit:
Nvm, I confused myself!

Yes, the acidic a.a. are just D and E!
Wow I didn't expect anyone to actually use this. I'm glad it helped!
----

I've been sick lately and I've slowed down A LOT. I was planning to whip through the AAMC question packs this week, but I've only been able to complete 90 questions from AAMC bio vol 1 within the past 2-3 days (LOL). Someone needs to punch me really hard in the face to wake me up.

 

[ChrisMack390]

That question is dicey. It could be 1 OR 2 depending on the shape of the plasmid.

Was there an accompanying passage that gave more info on the plasmid?

If not, rest assured that a question like that will not appear on the MCAT unless better information is given. The MCAT is a standardized test of critical thinking - they by definition cannot give questions that are open to multiple interpretations.

 

[FutureD.O]

Anyone think cars question pack one is hard? I'm doing worse on these than on Kaplan and next step cars passages..(I've only done 6 passages so far. Average around 70% on Kaplan/next step cars and like 53% on 6 qpack 1 passages..)

 

[Gibbward]

Anyone think cars question pack one is hard? I'm doing worse on these than on Kaplan and next step cars passages..(I've only done 6 passages so far. Average around 70% on Kaplan/next step cars and like 53% on 6 qpack 1 passages..)

The first few passages are pretty hard I thought. It gets substantially easier later on though. Towards the end of the pack, I was getting 100%s, so don't worry too much about it yet.

 

[TheAnonymous]

Currently taking EK2 and I'm getting raped by those EK C/P Passages... Never done so bad in C/P in my life ...

Can't believe people say EK is closest to the real MCAT.. that worries me

 

[ChrisMack390]

So far I've only done bio1, chem, and phys. I thought bio1 was about expected difficult, chem was super easy, and physics was tough but physics is my worst subject. Overall these are about what I expect/hope the real MCAT is like.

I plan on getting into bio2 and cars this weekend. I wish they had a psych pack.

 

[ChrisMack390]

I'm pretty sure that question is from the aamc q packs, which means at one point it was in an actual MCAT...

It says ExamKrackers right on it.

 

[dushash]

Just finished C/P and CARS doing Kaplan FL4 and am enjoying 30min brake. I noticed that the more I learn content and the more I do FLs the less I need to read paragraphs in C/P section. I just read question first and already know answer to more than half of them - without even needing to look at paragraph. Also i end up both C/P and CARS section 10-13 min time left. Sounds familiar to any of you?

 

[Kariim]

I have personally given up on CARS. Score has ranged between 123-126.
Biology: 127-130
P/C: 127-130
Psychology: 126-129
Overall: 504-512

I still plan to do 2 EK FLs and the AAMC FL before September 3rd.

Btw, would taking "your score - 118" give you the score over 15 on the old MCAT or are they conpletely unrelated?

 

[TheAnonymous]

Closest in terms of format not difficulty

Any comments on EK CARS vs. Real thing? I thought CARS is almost right on point.

 

[FutureD.O]

The first few passages are pretty hard I thought. It get's substantially easier later on though. Towards the end of the pack, I was getting 100%s, so don't worry too much about it yet.

First half of Aamc verbal q pack was very hard. I had 75% but everything past that was 85%+

Thanks for the reassurance. I sorta had a feeling that was the case. Every passage was 7 questions and full of dense concepts. Picasso destroyed me lol 2/7..

 

[PagingOrtho]

Nothing's wrong with the question. Most plasmids have a polylinker region with 1 copy of multiple different restriction sites. You need a restriction enzyme to open up the plasmid, and you'll need the same restriction enzyme to remove the DNA fragment from the plasmid.

Thanks for the post! So in this case, we have to assume that the plasmid being used has a polylinker region.

 

[drbeat14]

Thanks for the reassurance. I sorta had a feeling that was the case. Every passage was 7 questions and full of dense concepts. Picasso destroyed me lol 2/7..

Yeah the Picasso passage was tricky! Does anyone have the answer key for the old AAMC Verbal Self-Assessment? Purchased it last year when I wasn't sure when or which MCAT I would be taking and cannot find what I did with the key? lol I'll email the AAMC too, see if they have it anywhere.

@Jennzilla I am sorry you are sick! Do whatever you are able to in order to feel better and then you will be back on it in no time! I have had times where that has happened to me as well, so I either double it up for ONE day AFTER I am feeling better, or subtract 1 hour from usual sleep for a week, so that gives you 7 hours back at least.

If it makes you feel any better, I have the MCAT on Sat, 9/12, and then a small procedure on Mon, 9/14, lol. #worstweekever!

 

[sfkniner81]

have really slowed up since friday :'( . haven't done much since then because i just moved to Philly to start the upenn post bacc program, so it's been a hectic few days moving. write on september 12th and am really starting to feel the pressure. bout the start the Q packs today, i have done Kaplan FL's 1-8 though.

 

[Kariim]

Thanks for the post! So in this case, we have to assume that the plasmid being used has a polylinker region.

No. Not necessarily. It's like any other plasmid. Ignore the concept of the polylinker. By inserting a DNA fragment into it, you generate restriction sites on both ends of the cloned DNA fragment. The concept of the polylinker region is probably beyond the scope of the MCAT. Every plasmid has multiple restriction sites. The sum of all of these sites is called the polylinker.

The plasmid has only 1 copy of the restriction site.
The recombinant plasmid has 2 copies of the restriction site.

 

[Kariim]

Looking at TPR FL3, I think they might have a wrong answer.

They say that Item II is correct for the following reason:
Item II is true: glutamate is a charged amino acid, while valine is not. Therefore, the substitution of valine for glutamate leads to a more hydrophobic segment of the polypeptide

Does that make any sense? Glutamate is very hydrophilic.

 

[Kariim]

Glut is hydrophilic. So if you put valine (hydrophobic) in its place then the segment will be more hydrophobic.

lol nevermind. I understood it the other way around.

 

[nolookpass]

Is the 120 question official guide and the question packs different from the older AAMC practice exams? I have the old practice exams (7 of them I believe the ones you purchase from e-mcat) so I'm wondering if they just recycled them fully.

 

[PooshBag]

Working on Bio pack 1. Halfway done. It's actually kind of difficult. There is also no biochemistry in the questions.

 

[kissmyasthma95]

ayyy

Sep 3rd test takers, what are you guys doing this last week?
I finished the aamc fl a couple of hours ago and im very happy with my score so i'm just binging on Netflix for the rest of the day as a reward. *insert psychology topic reference here* Definitely an improvement from my ek & ns scores.
Planning on finishing the qpacks in the next couple of days with some slight content review.

 

[geronimo11]

Hey guys, I need some input. Over these last few weeks I have 2 options, go over weak content areas and do some left over TBR passages along side or go over weak content areas and do the AAMC Q packs. In addition to taking 2-3 more practice exams. I won't have time to do both.

What do you think would be the most beneficial/ most productive use of my time? Qpacks or left over TBR passages?
Opinions appreciated!

 

[FutureD.O]

Quick question, while the afferent neuron signals travel to the DRG, do motor neuron signals travel down the ventral spine in the reflex arc? Took this in neurobio but am now getting it mixed up..

 

[premed-molecule]

Quick update & need of advice:
FL#1:489, FL#2 489, and just took FL#3 yesterday and got 495. My test date is 9/12 but I have until the 30th to decide if I want to reschedule to later in September. What do you guys think?

 

[torontopharm]

My physics is so weak.. Took the class 9 years ago and slacked on content review. :-(

I'm hoping that the only Physics that'll be tested is Fluids.
I'm screwed otherwise.
Please no Optics.

 

[geronimo11]

Quick update & need of advice:
FL#1:489, FL#2 489, and just took FL#3 yesterday and got 495. My test date is 9/12 but I have until the 30th to decide if I want to reschedule to later in September. What do you guys think?

@premed-molecule I'm in the same boat, been averaging around ~494/5. I thought about rescheduling but honestly, it doesn't give you much time, maybe the chance to take another FL or 2. If you don't have work or classes to think about and you're feeling really anxious and worried, go for it, it might not make a huge difference in the end but having that peace of mind, rather than a 'I should have done x' is worth it.
Personally, I can't switch because classes start for me and it would be too much but If I didn't have that in the way I would.

I know that may not be really that helpful, but I think it really comes down to what will make you feel the most prepared and least anxious because realistically that extra week isn't going to make you magically conquer a bunch of content but it could do a lot for you mentally.

 

[torontopharm]

Quick update & need of advice:
FL#1:489, FL#2 489, and just took FL#3 yesterday and got 495. My test date is 9/12 but I have until the 30th to decide if I want to reschedule to later in September. What do you guys think?

The next date is September 23rd. I don't know if it's worth rescheduling for ~10 more days. I'd make my decision based on the AAMC FL more so than the FL's from other companies. I'm getting similar scores as you (498 in 3 straight FL's) but i'm just gonna stick with it hope for the best.

 

[premed-molecule]

@premed-molecule I'm in the same boat, been averaging around ~494/5. I thought about rescheduling but honestly, it doesn't give you much time, maybe the chance to take another FL or 2. If you don't have work or classes to think about and you're feeling really anxious and worried, go for it, it might not make a huge difference in the end but having that peace of mind, rather than a 'I should have done x' is worth it.
Personally, I can't switch because classes start for me and it would be too much but If I didn't have that in the way I would.

I know that may not be really that helpful, but I think it really comes down to what will make you feel the most prepared and least anxious because realistically that extra week isn't going to make you magically conquer a bunch of content but it could do a lot for you mentally.

I will be starting with Fall classes and that's why I wasn't sure. I'm feeling too anxious because I know I have to decide by the 30th; Overall I think it gives me more peace of mind to take it on the 23rd because I'll be in that school mindset. Also worried that studying for classes might take away time =/

Which company fl?

Kaplan

 

[PooshBag]

Bio pack 1 complete. I must say.. it was quite the struggle.

 

[Ad2b]

@PooshBag - AAMC?

 

[PooshBag]

@PooshBag - AAMC?

Yes sir!