SN2'd first day

[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.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

All you people talking about energy drinks etc. - wouldn't suggest caffeine unless you've also been studying while ingesting caffeine. State dependent learning is a real thing. If I have to take next years MCAT my degree might just come in handy...

oh of course, Ive taken every FL while ingesting the same amount and type of energy drink. Dont switch up your habits last second. I know I perform best while highly caffeinated, but I know alot of people just kind of freak out. Its personal and not something you want to risk experimenting with on test day

 

[Rhino1000]

All you people talking about energy drinks etc. - wouldn't suggest caffeine unless you've also been studying while ingesting caffeine. State dependent learning is a real thing. If I have to take next years MCAT my degree might just come in handy...

Well, good thing I HAVE been ingesting caffeine for every single full-length that I've taken so far. What's your degree, curious. Neuroscience/neurobiology or maybe psychology? Must be psychology.

 

[Rhino1000]

I prefer the types that are noncarbonated and just taste like gatorade. Ive been testing with this new line of drink NOS has released called active energy or something. No sugar, no crash, no carbonation, and 220 mg of caffeine per bottle.

I drink about 1 1/2 of these per FL

Dude, my brother loves NOS. Many of my friends love that energy drink irrationally. 1.5 seems like so much haha! 330 mg, wow.

I'm getting myself some NOS for tomorrow.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Dude, my brother loves NOS. Many of my friends love that energy drink irrationally. 1.5 seems like so much haha! 330 mg, wow.

I'm getting myself some NOS for tomorrow.

I dont like the carbonated stuff, too full of sugar as well. Get the stuff that looks like gatorade

 

[Rhino1000]

I dont like the carbonated stuff, too full of sugar as well. Get the stuff that looks like gatorade

NOS that looks like gatorade? BTW gatorade has no small amount of sugar itself.

 

[Rhino1000]

I've only seen the canned NOS.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

I've only seen the canned NOS.

Its a new line of stuff. 1g of sugar, 10 cal

 

[Rhino1000]

Ah, ok. So you like that kind of drink more than the canned stuff? I could see myself going for that, although usually I prefer the canned stuff. So did you happen to try the canned stuff as well, and are deciding that this 10-cal drink works a bit better for you, or is this just the thing that you've been drinking, and you haven't made an effort to compare?

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Ive never had canned NOS, In general I like this stuff because of taste, doesnt mess with my stomach, and I dont really crash from it if that makes sense

 

[Lokkja]

Well, good thing I HAVE been ingesting caffeine for every single full-length that I've taken so far. What's your degree, curious. Neuroscience/neurobiology or maybe psychology? Must be psychology.

Getting an honours psych. degree the plan was clinical neuropsychology as a backup.

 

[Rhino1000]

Ive never had canned NOS, In general I like this stuff because of taste, doesnt mess with my stomach, and I dont really crash from it if that makes sense

Well, I'll have to see about points 1 and 3's relevance to myself, tomorrow. Pop/carbonated drinks typically don't mess with my stomach in a way that I've noticed, but perhaps I never drank it at a time when I would be more conscious of my stomach's comfort, e.g. taking a practice test. I'm going to go with the bottled stuff, if Holiday or BP or CVS sells it? Or where do you get it?

Getting an honours psych. degree the plan was clinical neuropsychology as a backup.

Ok, cool. Obviously you already know that your degree is dang cool.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Well, I'll have to see about points 1 and 3's relevance to myself, tomorrow. Pop/carbonated drinks typically don't mess with my stomach in a way that I've noticed, but perhaps I never drank it at a time when I would be more conscious of my stomach's comfort, e.g. taking a practice test. I'm going to go with the bottled stuff, if Holiday or BP or CVS sells it? Or where do you get it?

Ok, cool. Obviously you already know that your degree is dang cool.

Grocery outlet yo #thatpoorlife

 

[ymmit]

This might be a result of my age, but I rarely drink any caffeine. I don't drink coffee unless I am literally nodding off when I shouldn't be. However, when I drink just one cup of coffee I become like a super productive articulate sharp machine for the next 6 hours. I definitely borderline-abused caffeine in college though, almost 10 years ago...😵

 

[Dreamstoo]

This might be a result of my age, but I rarely drink any caffeine. I don't drink coffee unless I am literally nodding off when I shouldn't be. However, when I drink just one cup of coffee I become like a super productive articulate sharp machine for the next 6 hours. I definitely borderline-abused caffeine in college though, almost 10 years ago...😵

I only abuse caffeine for final papers and orgo finals. I used to chug starbucks coffee right before my orgo finals, always seemed to give me enough energy to finish them.

 

[deleted388502]

All my friends are getting ready for welcome week festivities and are like

and I'm over here talking to my MCAT books like

I'm gonna go take a nap to deal with the pain.

 

[Lokkja]

I wish they still had a writing section... would give me an edge on all the applicants this round who have high PS scores. Also I could continue to write my novel and rationalize with my conscience that it's actually just practice for the MCAT..... right?

 

[Rhino1000]

I wish they still had a writing section... would give me an edge on all the applicants this round who have high PS scores. Also I could continue to write my novel and rationalize with my conscience that it's actually just practice for the MCAT..... right?

I think writing sections, for the most part, suck, unless it's a typed writing section. This is because there is an anti-bad-handwriting bias out there. You look like a middle schooler if you have poor handwriting, probably with the mental power to prove it. This can be backed up by the fact that there exists a quack science of IQ-estimation based on writing style (you can see this in the scene where Sherlock Holmes meets [I think this is where they are first officially acquainted] Professor Moriarty, and tells him that he can tell by the way the Professor dots his i's, he has a towering intellect, but that his megalomania/towering ego is revealed by the force of his pen). The fact that there exists this idea, even propagated by the media, that handwriting can tell you something about a person supports the fact that the perception of good writing may be tarnished if it's not displayed correctly, and therefore handwriting sections have at least one flaw. The "science" is called graphology. I believe that even people who don't explicitly believe/support graphology can be influenced subconsciously as well.

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

I'm going to try an energy drink instead of coffee for tomorrow's practice test. What's the best kind, in your opinion? Or what kind do you think is best for your mental performance, in your experience?

I drink this stuff called Bulletproof Coffee. It's like rocket fuel for my brain... I have it every morning, every FL.

 

[Lokkja]

I think writing sections, for the most part, suck, unless it's a typed writing section. This is because there is an anti-bad-handwriting bias out there. You look like a middle schooler if you have poor handwriting, probably with the mental power to prove it. This can be backed up by the fact that there exists a quack science of IQ-estimation based on writing style (you can see this in the scene where Sherlock Holmes meets [I think this is where they are first officially acquainted] Professor Moriarty, and tells him that he can tell by the way the Professor dots his i's, he has a towering intellect, but that his megalomania/towering ego is revealed by the force of his pen). The fact that there exists this idea, even propagated by the media, that handwriting can tell you something about a person supports the fact that the perception of good writing may be tarnished if it's not displayed correctly, and therefore handwriting sections have at least one flaw. The "science" is called graphology. I believe that even people who don't ostensibly believe/support graphology can be influenced subconsciously as well.

Didn't they objectively score the section based on sentence structuring, grammar, spelling and idea flow? I have the handwriting of a three year old and scored a 92 on my provincial standardized (curved) english exam.

 

[Rhino1000]

Didn't they objectively score the section based on sentence structuring, grammar, spelling and idea flow? I have the handwriting of a three year old and scored a 92 on my provincial standardized (curved) english exam.

I don't know what you mean by "didn't they," (you're talking about past MCATs, I expect) but my point was that even despite attempts to be objective, a subconscious bias exists. Who's to say that even you wouldn't have scored even better than you did if you had better handwriting? #ConspiracyTheories

 

[Rhino1000]

This is the scene, by the way:

It's one of the most epic scenes in all of Sherlock Holmes.

 

[Lokkja]

I don't know what you mean by "didn't they," (you're talking about past MCATs, I expect) but my point was that even despite attempts to be objective, a subconscious bias exists. Who's to say that you wouldn't have scored even better than you did if you had better handwriting? #ConspiracyTheories

Yeah they had a writing section for years that ended in 2013 I think it was.

Also I'm familiar with the scene... love that show.

 

[Rhino1000]

I drink this stuff called Bulletproof Coffee. It's like rocket fuel for my brain... I have it every morning, every FL.

My uncle is, or at least was, into that stuff. All it is is organically-grown coffee with MCT oil in it, or something like that, right?

 

[namesthegame21]

Kaplan science passages in my opinion incorporated more of the passage into the questions which required you to use outside info with the passage concepts.

TPR sciences were shorter and didn't focus as much on the passages. I felt that the entire test was content where you needed to know alot. The passages were helpful on only a handful of the questions if you happen to notice those series of questions (that's something I struggle with; noticing that the answers are in the passage).

That being said, I averaged 8 and 9 on TPR sections while 10 on the sciences of Kaplan.

I would say Kaplan is actually more worth it because it requires you to look in the passage for answers similar to what the MCAT does.

I haven't taken a TPR in 3 weeks so take this lightly. I could perhaps take a TPR tomorrow and then do the exact same as I did on the recent Kaplan.

I'm only doing Kaplan first because it runs out for me sooner than TPR.

I would also say that Kaplan is simplistic and not ad challenging at TPR. So sometimes for TPR you have to use a few concepts to get the correct answer but I feel that isn't necessary for Kaplan. I also only took 1 Kaplan all that I'm saying is based off that. I'll be taking another Saturday, I'll have a better understanding then I hope.

Thanks pbrocks, good luck on those FLs!

 

[Lokkja]

I write AAMC 11 tomorrow, gonna do the 11-9 order as someone earlier suggested in this thread. Super nervous though cause everyone talks about how similar it is to the real thing! Crossing my fingers for a 32+ anything sub 30 would seriously kill my confidence.

 

[pbrocks15]

Thanks pbrocks, good luck on those FLs!

No problem! I'll keep you updated on my thoughts and please let me know what you think as well.

 

[Rhino1000]

Grocery outlet yo #thatpoorlife

Oh wait, what do you do for calories, now that I think about it? Do you eat immediately before your test, do you eat snacks throughout, do you eat high-carb type things or a large portion of protein? Etc. I hope you don't mind me asking you all these things.

 

[sharkbyte]

Great. Just great. Burger King brings back Chicken Fries and the one day I swing by, they're out. Damn you Burger King!! *shakes fist in anger* 😡😡😡

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Oh wait, what do you do for calories, now that I think about it? Do you eat immediately before your test, do you eat snacks throughout, do you eat high-carb type things or a large portion of protein? Etc. I hope you don't mind me asking you all these things.

I eat nothing before my test or throughout, hunger keeps me sharp, I fall asleep when I eat. My general diet is high protien and fiber, low carb (almost none when Im cutting)

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Oh wait, what do you do for calories, now that I think about it? Do you eat immediately before your test, do you eat snacks throughout, do you eat high-carb type things or a large portion of protein? Etc. I hope you don't mind me asking you all these things.

Also remember, I'm a narcissist, my favorite subject is myself

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

My uncle is, or at least was, into that stuff. All it is is organically-grown coffee with MCT oil in it, or something like that, right?

Yeah its coffee with butter and MCT oil in it. Sounds gross right? No, its like the creamiest latte you've ever had. Yeah, and the butter must be from grass-fed cows... there's a huge difference int he butyric acid content.
It'll keep you full for 8 hours easy. A very common biochem conspiracy to the layperson is that your brain needs glucose to run on........ sike! Ever heard of ketones? You're brain is made from fat... give it what it wants

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

I eat nothing before my test or throughout, hunger keeps me sharp, I fall asleep when I eat. My general diet is high protien and fiber, low carb (almost none when Im cutting)

Good choice on that diet breakdown. I eat the same.

I find that switching from a high carb diet to a high fat/high protein diet I stay full for MUCHHHHH more longer.... I wouldn't dare to eat in between sections either.

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

Obviously, most of y'all shouldn't change up your diet if close to your test date. Keep with what you've been doing.

 

[sillyjoe]

This time tomorrow I will be finishing my PS section. DAYUM

Me when I finish:

 

[DoctorInASaree]

Enjoying a well deserved day off today.

Latest TPR FL: 42 {15/14/13}

@poop420 - I listened to 'No Woman No Cry' this morning 😀

 

[aspiringMD/DO]

Anyone have a significant other that you feel is "unsupportive" of this process?

Everyone on this thread has experienced the emotional roller-coaster of preparing for this exam, correct?

Yesterday I had one of those days that I felt I didn't have enough hours to complete what I sought out to do. I've been falling behind on the SN2'd schedule due to time spent on thorough post analysis of passages and ensuring that I've filled as many content "holes" as I can. Falling behind has made me anxious as I need that full month of taking and post-analyzing AAMC exams before my Nov 7th exam.

I get to see my bf at the most twice a week due to my study schedule and his prioritized social schedule. Last night, as I explained my anxiety about falling behind after putting 8hrs of studying in that day and making sure I got a good workout in, he sits back and with a degree of ease says that he wouldn't be doing or following the same schedule to prepare for this exam that I am - he'd just be doing practice tests instead and not wait for the last month.

This is coming from someone who has NO experience in an academic science field nor preparing for any standardized exam other than the SAT.

How can questioning someone's process developed after many trials of identifying what works and what does not work provide support or encouragement when we're all grasping for the strength to "keep going"?!

 

[aspiringMD/DO]

Enjoying a well deserved day off today.

Latest TPR FL: 42 {15/14/13}

@poop420 - I listened to 'No Woman No Cry' this morning 😀

Get it, girl!! Proud of you!

 

[namesthegame21]

Anyone have a significant other that you feel is "unsupportive" of this process?

Everyone on this thread has experienced the emotional roller-coaster of preparing for this exam, correct?

Yesterday I had one of those days that I felt I didn't have enough hours to complete what I sought out to do. I've been falling behind on the SN2'd schedule due to time spent on thorough post analysis of passages and ensuring that I've filled as many content "holes" as I can. Falling behind has made me anxious as I need that full month of taking and post-analyzing AAMC exams before my Nov 7th exam.

I get to see my bf at the most twice a week due to my study schedule and his prioritized social schedule. Last night, as I explained my anxiety about falling behind after putting 8hrs of studying in that day and making sure I got a good workout in, he sits back and with a degree of ease says that he wouldn't be doing or following the same schedule to prepare for this exam that I am - he'd just be doing practice tests instead and not wait for the last month.

This is coming from someone who has NO experience in an academic science field nor preparing for any standardized exam other than the SAT.

How can questioning someone's process developed after many trials of identifying what works and what does not work provide support or encouragement when we're all grasping for the strength to "keep going"?!

One thing I have come to realize is that, as person committed to this career path, I have to accept that majority of people in my life have no real idea what I'm doing. Other than premed peers, and 2 med student mentors. Seriously, they don't get why I have to study so much. They always tell me I'm doing too much, or that I'm worrying too much about getting in, and should slow down. But really, they don't have a clue about what it takes. By they I mean family, close non-med friends, my coworkers, etc. I don't blame them, it's hard to understand how taxing this process is unless you do it/have done it. But just accepting this helped me. I just try to stay agreeable, thank them for their advice and stay positive. Trust yourself that you're making informed decisions. You aren't alone, were all climbing this mountain together!!

 

[DoctorInASaree]

Anyone have a significant other that you feel is "unsupportive" of this process?

Everyone on this thread has experienced the emotional roller-coaster of preparing for this exam, correct?

Yesterday I had one of those days that I felt I didn't have enough hours to complete what I sought out to do. I've been falling behind on the SN2'd schedule due to time spent on thorough post analysis of passages and ensuring that I've filled as many content "holes" as I can. Falling behind has made me anxious as I need that full month of taking and post-analyzing AAMC exams before my Nov 7th exam.

I get to see my bf at the most twice a week due to my study schedule and his prioritized social schedule. Last night, as I explained my anxiety about falling behind after putting 8hrs of studying in that day and making sure I got a good workout in, he sits back and with a degree of ease says that he wouldn't be doing or following the same schedule to prepare for this exam that I am - he'd just be doing practice tests instead and not wait for the last month.

This is coming from someone who has NO experience in an academic science field nor preparing for any standardized exam other than the SAT.

How can questioning someone's process developed after many trials of identifying what works and what does not work provide support or encouragement when we're all grasping for the strength to "keep going"?!

Not an SO, but I think I can relate to what you're experiencing at some level:

One of my siblings voided the MCAT last year (and voided their hopes of entering medical school - long story), and wants to see me fail. 😕 I think they will be disappointed 😀

I don't know your boyfriend's disposition, but the MCAT as my brother told me is "a unique beast - one of a kind: the most challenging standardized exam". That is why I believe it is difficult for people to relate to what we are going through. You should tell him how you feel, and see how he reacts.

One of the last things us test-takers need are apathetic individuals in our lives. It is very difficult to be equanimous all of the time while working through the demanding SN2ED schedule. It disturbs me when people close to us, who ought to know better, don't. However, we know at the end of the day, that we must do our duty and let nothing inhibit our actions.

Hooray for this thread though! 😍

 

[Thoroughbred_Med]

Not an SO, but I think I can relate to what you're experiencing at some level:

One of my siblings voided the MCAT last year (and voided their hopes of entering medical school - long story), and wants to see me fail. 😕 I think they will be disappointed 😀

I don't know your boyfriend's disposition, but the MCAT as my brother told me is "a unique beast - one of a kind: the most challenging standardized exam". That is why I believe it is difficult for people to relate to what we are going through. You should tell him how you feel, and see how he reacts.

One of the last things us test-takers need are apathetic individuals in our lives. It is very difficult to be equanimous all of the time while working through the demanding SN2ED schedule. It disturbs me when people close to us, who ought to know better, don't. However, we know at the end of the day, that we must do our duty and let nothing inhibit our actions.

Hooray for this thread though! 😍

Exactly.

This thread keeps me motivated more than y'all know.

 

[Rhino1000]

Do you guys think I should wait until 1 o clock PM before I take my practice test? On the real day, that's what time it is. If so, what should I do in the meantime?

 

[Rhino1000]

Also remember, I'm a narcissist, my favorite subject is myself

Sorry sir, I forgot about this.😀

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Yeah its coffee with butter and MCT oil in it. Sounds gross right? No, its like the creamiest latte you've ever had. Yeah, and the butter must be from grass-fed cows... there's a huge difference int he butyric acid content.
It'll keep you full for 8 hours easy. A very common biochem conspiracy to the layperson is that your brain needs glucose to run on........ sike! Ever heard of ketones? You're brain is made from fat... give it what it wants

As a biochem major I'll tell you right now that ketone bodies are only used by the brain in times of extreme starvation, where you haven't had any glucose for weeks. It's a different metabolic pathway that's a last resort in times of extreme fasting or high intensity/long duration exercise

 

[sillyjoe]

Well ladies and gentlemen, I just finished studying for the MCAT. Hopefully it is the last time I need to pick up a TBR/EK/AAMC again. Pretty much thought I would never get to this moment. Feels great.

Thanks for all your support!

 

[pbrocks15]

Well ladies and gentlemen, I just finished studying for the MCAT. Pretty much thought I would never get to this moment. Feels great.

Thanks for all your support!

Thank you for your support and wisdom but don't leave us here alone!! Visit us! Haha

 

[ayocaptain628]

Well ladies and gentlemen, I just finished studying for the MCAT. Hopefully it is the last time I need to pick up a TBR/EK/AAMC again. Pretty much thought I would never get to this moment. Feels great.

Thanks for all your support!

gl!! can't wait to hear ur post exam thoughts ^o^

 

[poop420]

Enjoying a well deserved day off today.

Latest TPR FL: 42 {15/14/13}

@poop420 - I listened to 'No Woman No Cry' this morning 😀

I thought you couldn't be any cooler !! Guess I was wrong !!

 

[MrTaco92]

Came across a passage in aamc 5 that I read in one of my anthropology classes last year!

Still ended up with an 8 in verbal 🙁

 

[K1NG]

@poop420 show me the blueprints

 

[K1NG]

Well ladies and gentlemen, I just finished studying for the MCAT. Hopefully it is the last time I need to pick up a TBR/EK/AAMC again. Pretty much thought I would never get to this moment. Feels great.

Thanks for all your support!

excellent gif choice brah