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
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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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You must be kidding...I'm in full jumpy squirrely panic mode right now. I take it that most of the posters in this thread are sifting through CH 4 of Phys/Chem/etc.? I'm on Ch2 now for most of the subjects. I'm a little bit worried if I'll finish SN2ED in time to write the MCAT at the end of August.



EK.
I mean you started later than everyone, but a lot of us are on the second week (chapter 2). I'm guessing your MCAT is on August 27?
 
Started using wikipremed's video selection today and they are helping tie everything together with TBR books. I was going to use Chad's vids but they cost $$$. It takes longer for concept learning days because of the videos but I think it will make me take less time in the end if I don't have to review as much.
 
Started using wikipremed's video selection today and they are helping tie everything together with TBR books. I was going to use Chad's vids but they cost $$$. It takes longer for concept learning days because of the videos but I think it will make me take less time in the end if I don't have to review as much.
It seems pretty good! I'm gonna use them as well...if I can get time
 
Just finished EK/TBR Biology 1 for today and I got burnt out... Accidentally brought just my TBR Biology book to the library for the whole day yesterday so I sacrificed my upcoming break day.

The Verbal's are actually the better part of the MCAT studying since I've always enjoyed reading.

Anyone know if the schedule gets lighter? The Re-Read+EK1001+Bio Exam and 2nd 1/3 days look extremely rough... +pissed+
 
Just finished EK/TBR Biology 1 for today and I got burnt out... Accidentally brought just my TBR Biology book to the library for the whole day yesterday so I sacrificed my upcoming break day.

The Verbal's are actually the better part of the MCAT studying since I've always enjoyed reading.

Anyone know if the schedule gets lighter? The Re-Read+EK1001+Bio Exam and 2nd 1/3 days look extremely rough... +pissed+
It doesn't get "lighter" but you will learn to manage your time better. You miss 1 day or fail to complete one day, and it's like a train wreck for the next week.

I've been so busy studying and catching up that I didn't even realize that today was Friday
 
It doesn't get "lighter" but you will learn to manage your time better. You miss 1 day or fail to complete one day, and it's like a train wreck for the next week.

I've been so busy studying and catching up that I didn't even realize that today was Friday

"Friday changed when the MCATs attacked." Biology isn't my greatest strengths, so 20 pages of information is just hell for me.

Did you guys already register for a second (or possibly third) MCAT exam for re-take? If so, what do you guys recommend for the gap between the two tests?
 
"Friday changed when the MCATs attacked." Biology isn't my greatest strengths, so 20 pages of information is just hell for me.

Did you guys already register for a second (or possibly third) MCAT exam for re-take? If so, what do you guys recommend for the gap between the two tests?
It's taking me a while to adjust to the format of MCAT questions. It's my first MCAT so I can't really comment on the other one
TGIST- thank god its saturday tomorrow
lol man, I've got so much to do tomorrow (and tonight...I don't even know what Orange is the New Black is about)
 
So far I look forward to doing O-chem and Bio days. HATE physics and chem (I believe I have mentioned this many times before). Gonna start practicing and catching up on the EK 1001 problems for both chem and physics tomorrow. Did Bio passages today, and read ch 3 for physics (SO DAMN SHORT I LOVED IT! lol) About to start reviewing the bio passages and gonna work on the physics passages tomorrow as well.
 
So far I look forward to doing O-chem and Bio days. HATE physics and chem (I believe I have mentioned this many times before). Gonna start practicing and catching up on the EK 1001 problems for both chem and physics tomorrow. Did Bio passages today, and read ch 3 for physics (SO DAMN SHORT I LOVED IT! lol) About to start reviewing the bio passages and gonna work on the physics passages tomorrow as well.
Thank GOD chapter 3 is short for physics!!!!
 
Does anyone get BR's answer explanation to this question: Passage III, pg. 233 BR Bio part II. Question 13.
They're saying ACAT activity is increased to hydrolyze stored cholesterol esters into free cholesterol. Yet the passage says that high intracellular levels of cholesterol stimulate ACAT. The questions talks about a deficiency in cholesterol receptors (LDL) so wouldn't ACAT activity be decreased?

EDIT- NVM I got it
 
Hey Guys, today is solving 2nd batch of BR for the week still have about 15 psgs and the EK 1001 from yesterday ugh, it never ends.

Let's hope I finish them by tonight so I get my break day tomorrow ...
Looking forward to it today!

It's quite a beautiful and sunny day outside...or it was until I saw my MCAT textbooks. Cruel world! Happy studying today everyone.
DoctoInASaree , you can still finish it fast and go out it was one of the easiest days through the whole thing.
 
Looking forward to it today!

It's quite a beautiful and sunny day outside...or it was until I saw my MCAT textbooks. Cruel world! Happy studying today everyone.
I just finished it. Gonna do the 1/3s now.
Also- have you guys been doing 1/3 passages by literally doing every one third of the passages? I'm considering doing just 3 from the 25 review questions before the FL section test in BR books

Hey Guys, today is solving 2nd batch of BR for the week still have about 15 psgs and the EK 1001 from yesterday ugh, it never ends.

Let's hope I finish them by tonight so I get my break day tomorrow ...

DoctoInASaree , you can still finish it fast and go out it was one of the easiest days through the whole thing.
ya its easy, and looks like ch. 4 is also like this
 
I just finished it. Gonna do the 1/3s now.
Also- have you guys been doing 1/3 passages by literally doing every one third of the passages? I'm considering doing just 3 from the 25 review questions before the FL section test in BR books

Yes, literally every 1/3. I'm doing Ch4's 1/3 now (just came on to take a breather).
 
Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed with the amount of information across all the subjects? Reading 1 chapter in a different subject every day is making me see how much I forgot/don't know

Given the diverse breadth of information we are being exposed to I think it's reasonable that we not take it all in at once. After I study a chapter of say, BR Physics, I summarize the entire chapter in one page or less (key words, equations, concepts, etc. [TBR provides most of these at the beginning of a chapter]). I make sure to review those summaries as they accumulate. Even though I'm on Chapter 4 I make sure that I have still retained the concepts from Chapter 1.

Hope that helps Tex!
 
How do you guys deal with crummy BR scores? i think that's the most demotivating part of this process.

At the beginning of my studying everyday when I would do a passage completely alert and get like one wrong, I feel on top of the world. But the rest of the time I'm getting like 4/7, 3/6, etc. I think I'm scoring within 7-9 on their scale. I'm trying not to be demotivated but it's hard not to be discouraged that this is how the real thing will turn out🙁
 
No
How do you guys deal with crummy BR scores? i think that's the most demotivating part of this process.

At the beginning of my studying everyday when I would do a passage completely alert and get like one wrong, I feel on top of the world. But the rest of the time I'm getting like 4/7, 3/6, etc. I think I'm scoring within 7-9 on their scale. I'm trying not to be demotivated but it's hard not to be discouraged that this is how the real thing will turn out🙁

Don't be dismayed. Doing the BR passages and reading the explanations is part of the active learning. I've read the material that is in the passages, that is not in the chapter, is intentional.
 
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It seems like yesterday was a challenging day for most of us posting in here! Hopefully today's passages will be as sunny and clear as it is outside.

Orgo 2 for me today. Will post results when I'm finished.

Have fun everyone!
 
It seems like yesterday was a challenging day for most of us posting in here! Hopefully today's passages will be as sunny and clear as it is outside.

Orgo 2 for me today. Will post results when I'm finished.

Have fun everyone!
This thread reminds me of Alcoholics Anonymous
 
How do you guys deal with crummy BR scores? i think that's the most demotivating part of this process.

At the beginning of my studying everyday when I would do a passage completely alert and get like one wrong, I feel on top of the world. But the rest of the time I'm getting like 4/7, 3/6, etc. I think I'm scoring within 7-9 on their scale. I'm trying not to be demotivated but it's hard not to be discouraged that this is how the real thing will turn out🙁
I just make myself realize that it's part of learning just as @FCMike11 said. Just fight on!
 
Hi guys, beginning the SN2ed schedule today after being unsatisfied with Kaplan.

Hoping this thread will be a source of support. Any overall advice?
 
No

Don't be dismayed. Doing the BR passages and reading the explanations is part of the active learning. I've read the material that is in the passages, that is not in the chapter, is intentional.
Thank you thank you thank you. I think I just needed some sleep which I got haha. Attacking ochem chapter 4 today with a vengeance 🙂


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After talking with many, many of my friends, I've decided to adjust my schedule a bit. They told me that if anything, one of the more important things to grasp from MCATs is tailoring your studying schedules based on your academic background; the SN2 one is way too time consuming, and I feel that I am already strong in Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry. I don't want to keep posting on a thread solely dedicated to SN2, so I wish you all good luck 🙂
 
I made a typo earlier - today was Orgo Ch 1 for me. Needless to say - quite a long day. I found the passages to be quite challenging and scored around ~70% correct. GenChem 2 tomorrow...can't wait!
 
Haha nice video. Here's a video on krebs cycle and glycolysis that helped me a lot during biochem this past semester. I still remember almost all of glycolysis because of this video:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aMBIs_Iw0kE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Haha nice video. Here's a video on krebs cycle and glycolysis that helped me a lot during biochem this past semester. I still remember almost all of glycolysis because of this video:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aMBIs_Iw0kE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Damn I suck... heres the link:
 
Just registered for the MCAT - no available seats until Oct 21st...I had no idea ALL of the August AND September seats would be filled by Jun 8th..I really dropped the ball!

I'm extremely unsatisfied right now, and it's one of my least favorite feelings of all time.
 
Just registered for the MCAT - no available seats until Oct 21st...I had no idea ALL of the August AND September seats would be filled by Jun 8th..I really dropped the ball!

I'm extremely unsatisfied right now, and it's one of my least favorite feelings of all time.
😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱😱 😱 😱 😱 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱
At least you have more time to study!
 
Just registered for the MCAT - no available seats until Oct 21st...I had no idea ALL of the August AND September seats would be filled by Jun 8th..I really dropped the ball!

I'm extremely unsatisfied right now, and it's one of my least favorite feelings of all time.

It's a bummer at least you get more time to study with no rush don't worry maybe its for the best.
 
😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱😱 😱 😱 😱 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱
At least you have more time to study!

It's a bummer at least you get more time to study with no rush don't worry maybe its for the best.


Thanks. That's how I'm taking it right now! It's a bit of a consolation as I'm behind the SN2ED schedule (started late), and now I don't have to rush (two days in one).

GenChem 2 today. Happy studying everyone!

TexasSurgeon: This could possibly be my MCAT motto:

 
Thanks. That's how I'm taking it right now! It's a bit of a consolation as I'm behind the SN2ED schedule (started late), and now I don't have to rush (two days in one).

GenChem 2 today. Happy studying everyone!

TexasSurgeon: This could possibly be my MCAT motto:


Hahahaha! That's always been my inspirational video!
 
I'm very seriously considering switching from BR to TPR in terms of books for content review. BR doesn't seem to work with my style. Their passages are seriously misrepresented IMO from the actual MCAT. Anyone feeling like this?
 
I'm very seriously considering switching from BR to TPR in terms of books for content review. BR doesn't seem to work with my style. Their passages are seriously misrepresented IMO from the actual MCAT. Anyone feeling like this?


As someone who has relied on TPR to get me from zero to mcat topic ready (8 years out on pre reqs) I can vouch for the bio book the most. The gen chem book is a little light and it's great for getting most everything down but I feel like there are gaps that are not addresses (per AAMC outline). The physics book is a godsend because it works through many problems and it is simple. The orgo book again is very light, some missing topics from aamc, additional chapter but good on things it does cover. Just need to supplement with something else. In fact, what I plan to do is to fill in the gaps with the BR books and just do passages while using TPR for content. IMO EK is just too simple
 
As someone who has relied on TPR to get me from zero to mcat topic ready (8 years out on pre reqs) I can vouch for the bio book the most. The gen chem book is a little light and it's great for getting most everything down but I feel like there are gaps that are not addresses (per AAMC outline). The physics book is a godsend because it works through many problems and it is simple. The orgo book again is very light, some missing topics from aamc, additional chapter but good on things it does cover. Just need to supplement with something else. In fact, what I plan to do is to fill in the gaps with the BR books and just do passages while using TPR for content. IMO EK is just too simple

I've begun using the Wikipremed site as an excellent way to review content. It's kinematics videos for example, are a little over an hour long. My weakest section is the PS section. My issue is that my PS knowledge has fallen through gaps so I need to strengthen that up first before anything. So I'm gonna use Wikipremed + EK1001's, and then skim through BR books to close any gaps and Princeton/BR for passages
 
I've begun using the Wikipremed site as an excellent way to review content. It's kinematics videos for example, are a little over an hour long. My weakest section is the PS section. My issue is that my PS knowledge has fallen through gaps so I need to strengthen that up first before anything. So I'm gonna use Wikipremed + EK1001's, and then skim through BR books to close any gaps and Princeton/BR for passages
The Wikipremed video's are faster if you download them and play them at 1.5x speed. He talks pretty slow so 1.5x works pretty well.
 
I've begun using the Wikipremed site as an excellent way to review content. It's kinematics videos for example, are a little over an hour long. My weakest section is the PS section. My issue is that my PS knowledge has fallen through gaps so I need to strengthen that up first before anything. So I'm gonna use Wikipremed + EK1001's, and then skim through BR books to close any gaps and Princeton/BR for passages

Sounds like a good plan.
 
Have they been helping you through content review? I'm usually writing notes the whole time
I have been doing all of the SN2ed schedule as well as I can. Then, I go along with the wikipremed video's afterwards to try to clear things up. Today I did day 4 for SN2ed while I watched the video's over proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids.
 
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