SN2'd first day

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TexasSurgeon

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EDIT: This was supposed to be a thread about the first day of SN2. However as with all intelligent life, things evolve. This thread has now become a support page for people following the SN2 plan. You can think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for people studying to take the MCAT using the SN2 plan.

EDIT July 1, 2014:
If you are interested in @mehc012's Anki Deck, DO NOT SEND A PM. Here is the link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7if6wgaif98rkoa/mehc012 SN2edCh4s.apkg
**A NOTE: @mehc012 and several others (myself included) want to tell you guys that studying from another person's deck will probably not be as beneficial to you as creating your own cards. Yes you can take advantage of @mehc012's generosity, but you won't get the same advantage. Study the material. Create cards as you go along. You will find it more helpful to your studying. **

EDIT July 22, 2014:
The following is @TBRBiosadist's official MCAT Verbal Reasoning Strategy:
@TBRBiosadist's strategy that got [him] from a 7 average to scoring 13-15 average..

Spend the bulk of your time reading. Up to 3 minutes per passage.
  • Read the first and last paragraph thoroughly to begin with. Understand what the authors main point will be because 90% of questions require nothing more than a general idea.
  • After this, read the entire passage slowly enough where you dont feel like you need to reread sentences for understanding.
Next is just answer questions, there is a few tricks here that work about 90% of the time
  • Unless the passage is asking you about a specific detail, dont look back. READ EVERY ANSWER THOROUGLY AND THEN Answer what makes sense from the general point of the passage. Its very easy to prove a wrong answer to be somewhat correct if you dig hard enough, dont. Answer what your gut says and move onto the next question, dont contemplate to much. With that being said...
  • Answer like you were dropped on the head as a child. Alot of times if Im arguing between two answers, there is the answer that is 100% correct, and one that is 90% correct. Be an idoit and choose the one that seems like it is correct. However.....
  • "Always" is a word to avoid. If an answer uses this word, or definites like it, it is something to avoid. I would say 80% of the time the wishy washy answer is more correct then the highly affirmative one. This leads to my final point....
  • 100% of the time you are not actually looking for the "right" answer in verbal, this isnt PS or BS where 1+1 almost always equals 2 (unless we are talking about the different sedimentation values for Ribosomes). In verbal you are looking for the answer that isnt wrong. Often times an answer will seem very "right" but one aspect of it is clearly wrong, as compared to an answer that isnt wrong, but doesnt seem as right as that answer, these are meant to fool you. Choose the answer that isnt wrong.
I understand that I few of these tips may be at odds with each other. Ultimately you must adjust slightly for each passage, but it comes down to one thing. Read thoroughly. Read every sentence in the passage. Read every question. Read every answer. Then the correct answer will be fairly obvious. This may seem like it takes longer, but it takes much less time than skimming, and then trying to find the correct information later.

Or to summarize in one sentence

Understand what the hell the author is arguing

EDIT July 26, 2014:
@DoctorInASaree uploaded a guide to Verbal Reasoning. If you're interested, it's worth a look. Here is the link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2byivymmqwlvjms/MCAT VR Primer DRSAREE.pdf

EDIT 2, July 26, 2014: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/sn2d-first-day.1074344/page-52#post-15510851
________________________________________________
Just finished the first day of SN2...man is it long and exhausting.

The first day is BR physics chapter (translational motion) + 1/3 of the passages. I felt like I wasn't able to apply the stuff I read into the stuff I was tested on.

Has anyone felt this way when following the schedule? It just seems like the contents of the chapter didn't really stick in my head when I took the practice passages. Will this improve over time?

EDIT 3, March 4, 2015:

For verbal, if you are feeling lost and confused, I highly highly recommend you to look into the MCAT Strategy Course by @Jack Westin. I've been working with him, and nothing comes close to his course and teaching. It's a strategy course, so it will cover everything, not just the VR/CARS section.
 
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What I should be doing during my study breaks:
tumblr_n9lf4tHQA21trc2rjo1_500.gif


what I end up doing after 5 questions:
giphy.gif
 
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orangetea said:
What I should be doing during my study breaks:
tumblr_n9lf4tHQA21trc2rjo1_500.gif


what I end up doing after 5 questions:
giphy.gif
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After studying, I get myself an ice cream bar and watch Sportscenter and last night, Spongebob. I feel like a toddler. I lost most of the muscles and bulk I gained this year when I went to the gym 4-5 times a week :annoyed:
 
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Lokkja said:
The female reproductive system has got to be the most confusing biological concept ever.... seems fitting.
Click to expand...


and you know what amazes me is that society provides drugs(aka BC) to manipulate the MORE complicated reproductive system.

on another note idk how much I would have trusted any of my ex boyfriends with the responsibility of taking one pill a day
 
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Welp, not getting enough sleep ever again because it completely ****ED my verbal section. I overthought things and just... I dont know what to do.
(15/12!/14) 41 🙁(( My lowest score since my first test
 
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TBRBiosadist said:
Welp, not getting enough sleep ever again because it completely ****** my verbal section. I overthought things and just... I dont know what to do.
(15/12!/14) 41 🙁(( My lowest score since my first test
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I think you could done better, with that score you should not post anymore of this thread.

Edit: But good job on the other sections.
 
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Dreamstoo said:
You aren't going to get any sympathy with a 41 TBRBiosadist, sorry.
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Truth. Im just annoyed because almost every error was from me changing my answer. I ****ing tell people how to do this stuff then I dont follow my own advice. I just to beat myself with a lead pipe
 
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@TBRBiosadist I never thought I'd see the day where someone's EXTRA sleep would do them in on a test lol.

But I think it's a good problem to have that the one section you fluctuated on is verbal, in that your sciences are rock solid. The fact you've hit 14+ on both PS and BS for every exam is pretty darn good
 
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TBRBiosadist said:
Truth. Im just annoyed because almost every error was from me changing my answer. I ******* tell people how to do this stuff then I dont follow my own advice. I just to beat myself with a lead pipe
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I mixed in some of your advice when I did a verbal AAMC self assessment yesterday (8 passages in 52 minutes, 42 questions and got 40/42). I got a 13 VR using the technique we both (similarly) implement and I second guessed my answer for one of them so I feel your pain.
 
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Dreamstoo said:
cropped-muhammad-ali-i-hated-every-minute-of-training-but-i-said-dont-quit-suffer-now-and-live-the-rest-of-your-life-as-a-champion.jpg

You = Muhammad Ali
MCAT = Sonny Liston
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I just got so hyped right now. I don't know if I should go for a run or do more passages!! Or maybe work on that research paper....


Oh wait, theres another truck full of cement that needs to be emptied. BRB as I recite Aerobic respiration out loud while heavy lifting.
 
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So any of you November 7th takers finish your TBR Bio passages yet? This might sound really nerdy but the fact that they were ridiculously in-depth somehow made them fun.

How'd you all handle them?
 
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bensmitty234 said:
So any of you November 7th takers finish your TBR Bio passages yet? This might sound really nerdy but the fact that they were ridiculously in-depth somehow made them fun.

How'd you all handle them?
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I juuuust finished my Bio day. I thought they were way funner to read than the other subjects, and it's totally nerdy to think that, but that's fine too! I'm a Bio-person at heart, after all, and I feel like the passages were pretty interesting (though I didn't do the singular 'Book One' problem, so I probably did a completely different set of passages than you). I think near the end, I was starting to really tire out, so that affected my scores a bit. I felt comfortable with most of the material, but I ended up averaging a 50%, so...there's that. But my passages spoke a lot about 'uncoupling' and the inverse of the Michelis-Menton graph. And while I can explain the normal graph to you perfectly, I do noooot know how to read the line-inverse. SO. There was that.

Yeah, I kinda' just went overboard there. My head's definitely aching after all those passages, but I still enjoyed them! Here's to hoping for better scores!
 
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MelloTangelo said:
I juuuust finished my Bio day. I thought they were way funner to read than the other subjects, and it's totally nerdy to think that, but that's fine too! I'm a Bio-person at heart, after all, and I feel like the passages were pretty interesting (though I didn't do the singular 'Book One' problem, so I probably did a completely different set of passages than you). I think near the end, I was starting to really tire out, so that affected my scores a bit. I felt comfortable with most of the material, but I ended up averaging a 50%, so...there's that. But my passages spoke a lot about 'uncoupling' and the inverse of the Michelis-Menton graph. And while I can explain the normal graph to you perfectly, I do noooot know how to read the line-inverse. SO. There was that.

Yeah, I kinda' just went overboard there. My head's definitely aching after all those passages, but I still enjoyed them! Here's to hoping for better scores!
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Yeah, I'm not going to lie, it helped taking full-blown biochem with a lot of these passages. I still ended up making a couple mistakes that I shouldn't have and some of the questions definitely required knowledge that is waaaaay too in-depth for the MCAT. Knowing the double-reciprocal graphs for enzyme kinetics is definitely helpful though. I honestly would recommend reading up on them. They help you develop a much stronger intuitive grasp of what inhibitors actually do on a mathematical level.
 
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bensmitty234 said:
Yeah, I'm not going to lie, it helped taking full-blown biochem with a lot of these passages. I still ended up making a couple mistakes that I shouldn't have and some of the questions definitely required knowledge that is waaaaay too in-depth for the MCAT. Knowing the double-reciprocal graphs for enzyme kinetics is definitely helpful though. I honestly would recommend reading up on them. They help you develop a much stronger intuitive grasp of what inhibitors actually do on a mathematical level.
Click to expand...

Just came here to say to all the young bulls in their first week that whatever you think now about topics being hard or easy will change by the time you are 2 months in. Don't be discouraged or become complacent due to your performance in the beginning. It generally gets better and easier as time goes on. That and your entire perspective will shift once you take your first AAMC.

Honestly, it's very important to keep your morale up in those first two months until your first FL, because you are just grasping at straws beforehand trying to gauge where you're at. Have faith in the schedule and yourself.
 
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bensmitty234 said:
Yeah, I'm not going to lie, it definitely helped taking full-blown biochem with a lot of these passages. I still ended up making a couple mistakes that I shouldn't have and some of the questions definitely required knowledge that is waaaaay too in-depth for the MCAT. Knowing the double-reciprocal graphs for enzyme kinetics is definitely helpful though. I honestly would recommend reading up on them. They help you develop a much stronger intuitive grasp of what inhibitors actually do on a mathematical level.
Click to expand...

I've taken Biochem, but that was a couple of years ago, so it's not as fresh as it could be! I did recognize a lot of terminology in the passages I took, though, so it still paid of somewhat. And trust me, I plan on reviewing that thoroughly once I review all the questions tomorrow, and figure out where the crux of my mistakes were!

sillyjoe said:
Just came here to say to all the young bulls in their first week that whatever you think now about topics being hard or easy will change by the time you are 2 months in. Don't be discourage or become complacent due to your performance in the beginning.
Click to expand...

Hehe, glad to hear it. My scores haven't been too fabulous, but I'm trying to just go 'well, it's only the first weak', and just trying to really review on them the next day. Hopefully it'll pay off!
 
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TBRBiosadist said:
Welp, not getting enough sleep ever again because it completely ****** my verbal section. I overthought things and just... I dont know what to do.
(15/12!/14) 41 🙁(( My lowest score since my first test
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create some kind of tips page for some of the real strugglers plz!! you are pro man!
 
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So, a quick question. I've already taken all the AAMC tests a year and a half ago, and I don't know if my scores will be inflated or not if I take them again. Do you think the TBR CBTs are representative of the real thing? I'm considering taking AAMC 10 and 11 again, and then some TBR ones. What do ya'll think?
 
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Took a nap, went for a run, played a little guitar. I'm back in the game and ready to hit harder than ever. Let's do this.
This ones for all the Mcaters out there
 
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AwayFromReality said:
I've been working through the SN2ed method and one thing I have noticed is that TBR passages seem to have questions regarding material that was not covered in the corresponding chapter. For example, Gen Chem Chapter 2 covers, among other things, electron configuration but the passage would ask about Formal Charges. Should I be worried about this or will I just learn about the material later on?
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They do this on purpose, they even mention it in future chapters that the do this and they like doing it to give you a heads up on upcoming information.
 
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Hey all! I am new to this thread so forgive me if this has been answered before.

I SN2d a pretty good schedule? (I plan to take the mcat sometime around November)
I have already done most of the content review but am not feeling good in OCHEM at all and the solubility and rate parts of Gen Chem. I actually took the mcat this morning but voided because it was ridiculous.

Anyway, would it be good for me to do the sn2d format? (I would have to find the pdf's for the books I don't have; i already have examkrackers and kaplan - I also would like to improve my reading speed if anyone has recommendations...??? thought about just reading a non fiction book that is dense but somewhat interesting)

Thanks for your help in advance
 
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Monkeys4Lyfe said:
Hey all! I am new to this thread so forgive me if this has been answered before.

I SN2d a pretty good schedule? (I plan to take the mcat sometime around November)
I have already done most of the content review but am not feeling good in OCHEM at all and the solubility and rate parts of Gen Chem. I actually took the mcat this morning but voided because it was ridiculous.

Anyway, would it be good for me to do the sn2d format? (I would have to find the pdf's for the books I don't have; i already have examkrackers and kaplan - I also would like to improve my reading speed if anyone has recommendations...??? thought about just reading a non fiction book that is dense but somewhat interesting)

Thanks for your help in advance
Click to expand...

Most of us here are doing or have done the schedule and seen good results (well that goes for @DoctorInASaree and @TBRBiosadist, as well as a handful of others, forgive me I forget to mention your excellence).

But I think the moral of the story goes about how much effort and genuine, quality time you put into the schedule. So if you can keep up with the schedule with a serious effort then I think you will yield high results. I'd recommend doing a diagnostic exam, if you haven't already, don't use an AAMC for that.

Assess your strengths and weaknesses, If you have the time and find it necessary to do a well executed content review then do so. However, I warn you that if you think you have a solid understand in certain subjects and do not assess them you will be upset with poor results on that subject because the MCAT, as you saw earlier today, does not represent a test that you might have seen before in undergrad.

I'm not sure what else to say. The others will have better advice. I'm the slacker in the thread.
 
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pbrocks15 said:
Most of us here are doing or have done the schedule and seen good results (well that goes for @DoctorInASaree and @TBRBiosadist, as well as a handful of others, forgive me I forget to mention your excellence).

But I think the moral of the story goes about how much effort and genuine, quality time you put into the schedule. So if you can keep up with the schedule with a serious effort then I think you will yield high results. I'd recommend doing a diagnostic exam, if you haven't already, don't use an AAMC for that.

Assess your strengths and weaknesses, If you have the time and find it necessary to do a well executed content review then do so. However, I warn you that if you think you have a solid understand in certain subjects and do not assess them you will be upset with poor results on that subject because the MCAT, as you saw earlier today, does not represent a test that you might have seen before in undergrad.

I'm not sure what else to say. The others will have better advice. I'm the slacker in the thread.
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Really though, the most important part of this schedule is postgaming. It doesnt matter how you do on a passage section, it matters on how well you review. TBR explains their passages amazingly well so take advantage of this.

Look at every question with a critical eye. Did you answer this correctly because you knew the subject or you made an educated guess? Did you know how to get the answer off the top of your head, or did you have to think about it? Except in the cases of literally just circling the wrong answer, and this is something I realized recently, There are no stupid mistakes, if you got a problem wrong which you know the concept behind, you obviously didn't know it well enough. If you made a math error, why did you make that error, work on quick math and quick checking of your work. If you missed something they said in the passage YOU need to work on your comprehension.

You have to be willing to look at every aspect of your work with a critical eye and only then can you truly succeed.


Edit: I say this, but I dont always follow this because I get lazy at times. This is why I make mistakes, and continue to make similar mistakes, because I havent worked hard enough at post-gaming for success
 
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Monkeys4Lyfe said:
Hey all! I am new to this thread so forgive me if this has been answered before.

I SN2d a pretty good schedule? (I plan to take the mcat sometime around November)
I have already done most of the content review but am not feeling good in OCHEM at all and the solubility and rate parts of Gen Chem. I actually took the mcat this morning but voided because it was ridiculous.

Anyway, would it be good for me to do the sn2d format? (I would have to find the pdf's for the books I don't have; i already have examkrackers and kaplan - I also would like to improve my reading speed if anyone has recommendations...??? thought about just reading a non fiction book that is dense but somewhat interesting)

Thanks for your help in advance
Click to expand...
Be careful about talking about pdf of books most people would suggest these are pirated versions of those books ... If you are finished with content review spinach dip method is something you can try because it is centered around multiple FL exams which would be the most beneficial when content review is done
 
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