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]

so yeah ive gotten nothing done these last 3 days. I love 12 hour shifts

 

[poop420]

so yeah ive gotten nothing done these last 3 days. I love 12 hour shifts

Good on you i haven't been taking any break days and i found out my productivity has dropped , my GF has said ive been grumpy and moody and i have been having numbing sensations in my head.. I say enjoy your break i just realize you dont know how much you really need it until late.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

So apparently I get a lot of "deduction" and "incorporation" questions wrong in Verbal according to my last assessment. What does that mean?

Does that mean that I am not understanding the main ideal clear enough to make deductions?

anyway, just some mental thoughts.. if I improve these question types I can reach my verbal goal score 🙂

I have no idea how I actually did on the verbal on my actual test, however, after I finished the EK 101 book then went back to finish TRPH and did the self-assessment I was doing much better than I ever did before EK 101. So it might have helped a bit, and I think TRPH and the AAMC SA are easier and better passages.

With the incorporation of new information and deduction questions I think you have to be very careful to note not only the main idea but his other opinions. Also be aware of if the question is asking about the author, or the skeptics, or the person in the passage. I feel like a lot of times they would trip me up because the main idea is, for example, that 'the author doesn't like the AAMC policies', but the author also said 'all policies are bad, with notable exceptions, blah blah...' or 'the polices are bad, although some are good'. And then the question would ask, 'suppose the AAMC is starting a new policy for blah blah', and when I start looking at the answers I am like OK, which one fits that he won't like it. Oh, this option, the author won't like the new policy, this is the answer. But it's not the answer, it might fit the main idea, but I would always forget the little caveats to the main idea. So this is my experience.

Towards the end of my studying, my main idea became longer. Instead of 'the author doesn't like the AAMC', I would make it to be that 'the author doesn't the AAMC, except when this, but also this, and if its this, then he definitely doesn't like it, but if its that then he is OK with it'. Then once I started applying those, I started doing a little better.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

oh lawdy I forgot the trends for atomic sizes. that wont happen again


Every time I dont get a 100 on a 3/3 I die a little on the inside

 

[QueenJames]

I have FINALLY seen improvement for verbal passages. Started EK 101 getting like 6s and 7s... FINALLY hitting 9s and 10s now for the last 2 tests I took. I really hope I can get to 12-13. That would be FIRE. Still missing some easy questions where I tend to use MY point of view on things rather than the author's and then also tend to use the author's point-of-view rather than mine. Starting to feel better and understand that there is more to the MCAT than physics and chem lolz the two subjects I don't really like too much.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

oh lawdy I forgot the trends for atomic sizes. that wont happen again


Every time I dont get a 100 on a 3/3 I die a little on the inside

Everything goes UP going right and up except atomic size which decreases

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

This is my final progress sheet. I can't believe I did almost 9000 questions and over 1000 passages. wow. Can you guys believe that we are going to end up doing that much??

 

[TBRBiosadist]

you didnt use tbr for anything?

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

The 'BR' is TBR. I used TBR for everything except Biology content and verbal

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Mine so far. Verbal is just an average since I never did individual scores on this sheet

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Mine so far. Verbal is just an average since I never did individual scores on this sheet

You're doing great. I'm excited for you to start taking FLs. What happened on the chapter 2 biology 2/3s? I got destroyed by that one too!

 

[deleted388502]

Good on you i haven't been taking any break days and i found out my productivity has dropped , my GF has said ive been grumpy and moody and i have been having numbing sensations in my head.. I say enjoy your break i just realize you dont know how much you really need it until late.

Found myself taking a lot of unplanned break days. So I'm cutting out break days and taking unplanned ones when I feel like it but staying on schedule.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

You're doing great. I'm excited for you to start taking FLs. What happened on the chapter 2 biology 2/3s? I got destroyed by that one too!

BR requires soooooo much out of you in those first two passage sets. It seems like the two hardest chapters for passages in bio are the first and second ones because it seems like you have to have so much more intricate knowledge

 

[K1NG]

Your scores are looking great @TBRBiosadist. I wish I kept a log like that to keep track but mine is all over the place lol got a little lazy towards the end. @SwedishMD2B I'm sure you did awesome on your test yesterday man.

I think I've hit the plateau already guys lol here are my scores so far:

AAMC 3 - 12/7/11 (30)
4 - 12/8/11 (31)
5 - 11/8/11 (30)

Any tips? My goal is to hit a 32. Have about 2 weeks left.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Your scores are looking great @TBRBiosadist. I wish I kept a log like that to keep track but mine is all over the place lol got a little lazy towards the end. @SwedishMD2B I'm sure you did awesome on your test yesterday man.

I think I've hit the plateau already guys lol here are my scores so far:

AAMC 3 - 12/7/11 (30)
4 - 12/8/11 (31)
5 - 11/8/11 (30)

Any tips? My goal is to hit a 32. Have about 2 weeks left.

umm. You have 5 AAMC exams left and 9 days. Get the exams done, heavy post-game analysis. Find your weaknesses, and fix them. I think it is definitely possible to get up to 32 or above in two weeks. Be sure you get good sleep, the day before the exam and make sure you take the exams in the same time and condition and environment. Find out what keeps you most alert.

Oh and do AAMC 11 next or soon.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

For reviewing the 3/3s Im finding my reviews are fairly sparse and take maybe 10 min each. Is that normal?

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Also I heard someone say this earlier, but anyone else becoming an irritable bastard towards people your close to. I just find in general im alot shorter with my friends or family, and I always apologize afterwards, its just it feels like my fuse is getting shorter and shorter as test date approaches.

 

[K1NG]

umm. You have 5 AAMC exams left and 9 days. Get the exams done, heavy post-game analysis. Find your weaknesses, and fix them. I think it is definitely possible to get up to 32 or above in two weeks. Be sure you get good sleep, the day before the exam and make sure you take the exams in the same time and condition and environment. Find out what keeps you most alert.

Oh and do AAMC 11 next or soon.

Thanks man! I'm really hoping I can make it, but I def need to improve verbal. Your scores are inspiring me haha. I'm doing my FL every 2 days and reviewing TBR chapters in between. I'm taking 7 and 8 this week and 11 10 9 next week in that order. I want to save 11 until next week so I can get in the groove a little bit if you know what I mean. I've been taking my tests in the noon because having hard time waking early. Hoping I can set a routine this week.

How much time did you spend on your post game btw? And anything in particular you did or focused on?

 

[poop420]

Also I heard someone say this earlier, but anyone else becoming an irritable bastard towards people your close to. I just find in general im alot shorter with my friends or family, and I always apologize afterwards, its just it feels like my fuse is getting shorter and shorter as test date approaches.

Yep its the stress man. Everyone around me says im bothered and moody.. And im the person who normally comes off as the cool Jamaican guy.. And i flip out on people who ask me what did i do today.. I f*&ing sat in front of a book and studied what you except !! then i notice im being mean then apologize and drink a beer because im way too stressed for this ****

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Also I heard someone say this earlier, but anyone else becoming an irritable bastard towards people your close to. I just find in general im alot shorter with my friends or family, and I always apologize afterwards, its just it feels like my fuse is getting shorter and shorter as test date approaches.

I was very short towards the end with everyone. Everyone was annoying me, even people being nice. Like, 'hey do you want something to eat?' no FU go away. I was snapping at everything. Oh and yeah, when someone who knew I was studying for the MCAT asked me what I was upto, I completely lost it. lol

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

For reviewing the 3/3s Im finding my reviews are fairly sparse and take maybe 10 min each. Is that normal?

I don't know if its normal. But I did the same.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Thanks man! I'm really hoping I can make it, but I def need to improve verbal. Your scores are inspiring me haha. I'm doing my FL every 2 days and reviewing TBR chapters in between. I'm taking 7 and 8 this week and 11 10 9 next week in that order. I want to save 11 until next week so I can get in the groove a little bit if you know what I mean. I've been taking my tests in the noon because having hard time waking early. Hoping I can set a routine this week.

How much time did you spend on your post game btw? And anything in particular you did or focused on?

I went over every problem, but focused on my errors mostly, and the questions I marked because I guessed. I looked for patterns in errors and such. Noted my errors and saw which subjects needed fixing. I fixed those before taking the next FL. Time, it depends. I usually spent at least 2 hours.

 

[orangetea]

Also I heard someone say this earlier, but anyone else becoming an irritable bastard towards people your close to. I just find in general im alot shorter with my friends or family, and I always apologize afterwards, its just it feels like my fuse is getting shorter and shorter as test date approaches.

and then X that by 100 for females. I have never been so angry in my life. 🙂 #girlproblems

 

[TBRBiosadist]

oh someone laughed because I was being so moody and I ****ing exploded at her. I felt so bad afterwards because I genuinely scared her for a moment. Man the mcat is something. Except @DoctorInASaree, she probably planted some bunnies. God I wish I had her composure.

 

[poop420]

just did a verbal passage and only got 2 right.. I was on economics... Any suggest on how to tackle this?? I try to finish a passage in 6.5 mintues. I try to read the questions before the passages but by time i go back to the questions I cant remember anything 🙁

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Yeah same here because most people have never seen me flip out. I am well known for being extremely even-tempered, calm and collected. Almost no one has even seen me raise my voice.

@TBRBiosadist, when is your exam? I was like that only for less than the last two weeks.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

just did a verbal passage and only got 2 right.. I was on economics... Any suggest on how to tackle this?? I try to finish a passage in 6.5 mintues. I try to read the questions before the passages but by time i go back to the questions I cant remember anything 🙁

Do it again with unlimited time. Figure out why you missed answers. Don't read the explanations, figure it out yourself first.

 

[deleted388502]

@SwedishMD2B, do you think that timing your BR passages and practice passages outside of AAMC helped? I'm wondering whether to cut that out so I can get used to just how to think more than anything

 

[QueenJames]

just did a verbal passage and only got 2 right.. I was on economics... Any suggest on how to tackle this?? I try to finish a passage in 6.5 mintues. I try to read the questions before the passages but by time i go back to the questions I cant remember anything 🙁

Give yourself 8 minutes and 30 seconds per passage. Read once... carefully... only highlight crap if you need to. Then hit it hit it like you can't misssssss (lil wayne voice) ... i mean answer the questions and get them right...


get it? Hit = circle the correct choice...

Can't miss = cause you are getting them right...

Ohhh I can't wait til this is over
lol

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

@SwedishMD2B, do you think that timing your BR passages and practice passages outside of AAMC helped? I'm wondering whether to cut that out so I can get used to just how to think more than anything

I didn't time the 1/3 I worked on just doing the passages and worked on accuracy. I timed most of the 2/3, but if I wasn't understanding something then I just ignored the time and tried to figure it out. I timed the 3/3 quite strictly, and most the 2/3 and pretty much all of the 3/3 I knew how to think. Knowing how to think is important because at least for my exam, for the BS, just knowing content, probably wouldn't have gotten you far.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Give yourself 8 minutes and 30 seconds per passage. Read once... carefully... only highlight crap if you need to. Then hit it hit it like you can't misssssss (lil wayne voice) ... i mean answer the questions and get them right...


get it? Hit = circle the correct choice...

Can't miss = cause you are getting them right...

Ohhh I can't wait til this is over
lol

You're losing it.

 

[K1NG]

I went over every problem, but focused on my errors mostly, and the questions I marked because I guessed. I looked for patterns in errors and such. Noted my errors and saw which subjects needed fixing. I fixed those before taking the next FL. Time, it depends. I usually spent at least 2 hours.

Awesome, going to review it tomorrow so I'll do that. I felt I reviewed AAMC 3 pretty good but got lazy with 4. I need a haircut too man I can't study with all this lol. Thanks for helping us out though man! If I had taken the MCAT already I would have logged of sdn for a month haha

oh someone laughed because I was being so moody and I ******* exploded at her. I felt so bad afterwards because I genuinely scared her for a moment. Man the mcat is something. Except @DoctorInASaree, she probably planted some bunnies. God I wish I had her composure.

LMAO I can so imagine her doing that

I'm the same way though.. and fasting is making me extra grumpy!

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Awesome, going to review it tomorrow so I'll do that. I felt I reviewed AAMC 3 pretty good but got lazy with 4. I need a haircut too man I can't study with all this lol. Thanks for helping us out though man! If I had taken the MCAT already I would have logged of sdn for a month haha



LMAO I can so imagine her doing that

I'm the same way though.. and fasting is making me extra grumpy!

Are you going to be fasting through your actual exam?

 

[K1NG]

Are you going to be fasting through your actual exam?

Nope, last day of fasting will be 28th most likely. I'll be taking all my practice exams while fasting though. I'm thinking about taking those last two days off (30th and 31st)

 

[DoctorInASaree]

oh someone laughed because I was being so moody and I ******* exploded at her. I felt so bad afterwards because I genuinely scared her for a moment. Man the mcat is something. Except @DoctorInASaree, she probably planted some bunnies. God I wish I had her composure.

That's me! I live in a world full of bunnies, sparkly rainbows, and magical unicorns!😀

I've met soo many people this summer that have asked me what I'm up to...there was one kind lady who responded to my answer (studying for the MCAT...you know? To be a Doctor someday...) and she responded by saying: Oh, a test huh? That sounds simple enough; I used to write them all of the time when I was younger in high-school. I responded by saying it was "something along those lines" and went on my merry way...

I like to think of the MCAT as a one of a kind affair at our stage in life...there isn't another test to compare it to. The process of acquiring knowledge for the MCAT, and the experience of solving passages (SN2ED schedule) is unique. It's difficult for most people to relate to, so that's pretty much why I don't blow up in peoples faces.

Whenever my brother calls me and finds out I'm studying for the MCAT he responds by saying Yeah, that's the hardest test ever. This coming from a guy who's written USMLE's, etc. People who have been through the MCAT experience can relate to our challenges, but others? Not so much.

Also I heard someone say this earlier, but anyone else becoming an irritable bastard towards people your close to. I just find in general im alot shorter with my friends or family, and I always apologize afterwards, its just it feels like my fuse is getting shorter and shorter as test date approaches.

I'm quite fortunate in this respect...my brother wrote the MCAT a long time ago (he's ancient 😛), so my family is acclimated with everything MCAT 😀 I'm happy to have such an understanding primary support group. (edit - free books!)

But... not to leave out the importance that is this thread in my MCAT life...you guys are my secondary support group! And are doing an amazing job!

 

[TBRBiosadist]

That's me! I live in a world full of bunnies, sparkly rainbows, and magical unicorns!😀

I've met soo many people this summer that have asked me what I'm up to...there was one kind lady who responded to my answer (studying for the MCAT...you know? To be a Doctor someday...) and she responded by saying: Oh, a test huh? That sounds simple enough; I used to write them all of the time when I was younger in high-school. I responded by saying it was "something along those lines" and went on my merry way...

I like to think of the MCAT as a one of a kind affair at our stage in life...there isn't another test to compare it to. The process of acquiring knowledge for the MCAT, and the experience of solving passages (SN2ED schedule) is unique. It's difficult for most people to relate to, so that's pretty much why I don't blow up in peoples faces.

Whenever my brother calls me and finds out I'm studying for the MCAT he responds by saying Yeah, that's the hardest test ever. This coming from a guy who's written USMLE's, etc. People who have been through the MCAT experience can relate to our challenges, but others? Not so much.



I'm quite fortunate in this respect...my brother wrote the MCAT a long time ago (he's ancient 😛), so my family is acclimated with everything MCAT 😀 I'm happy to have such an understanding primary support group. (edit - free books!)

But... not to leave out the importance that is this thread in my MCAT life...you guys are my secondary support group! And are doing an amazing job!

God your posts just brighten my day. Swedish Im on the 15th of August, but this was also after a 12 hr shift so I was in no mood for anything

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Nope, last day of fasting will be 28th most likely. I'll be taking all my practice exams while fasting though. I'm thinking about taking those last two days off (30th and 31st)

But your exam is on the 24th?

 

[DoctorInASaree]

But your exam is on the 24th?

I believe he's writing in August. Ramadan ends July 27th😉.

 

[K1NG]

But your exam is on the 24th?

Oh no it's Aug 1st! Won't be able to sit for it while fasting. Besides my mind going crazy my stomach would be growling lol. That might distract the other testers though and help with the curve hehe

@DoctorInASaree beat me to it 🙂

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Oh no it's on Aug 1st!

Oh good good! I thought you were on the 24th! That's why I said you have 9 days and 5 exams left! August 1st that's much better!

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

I believe he's writing in August. Ramadan ends July 27th😉.

Ramadan, ironically, the month where food consumption actually increases.

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

That's me! I live in a world full of bunnies, sparkly rainbows, and magical unicorns!😀

I've met soo many people this summer that have asked me what I'm up to...there was one kind lady who responded to my answer (studying for the MCAT...you know? To be a Doctor someday...) and she responded by saying: Oh, a test huh? That sounds simple enough; I used to write them all of the time when I was younger in high-school. I responded by saying it was "something along those lines" and went on my merry way...

I like to think of the MCAT as a one of a kind affair at our stage in life...there isn't another test to compare it to. The process of acquiring knowledge for the MCAT, and the experience of solving passages (SN2ED schedule) is unique. It's difficult for most people to relate to, so that's pretty much why I don't blow up in peoples faces.

Whenever my brother calls me and finds out I'm studying for the MCAT he responds by saying Yeah, that's the hardest test ever. This coming from a guy who's written USMLE's, etc. People who have been through the MCAT experience can relate to our challenges, but others? Not so much.



I'm quite fortunate in this respect...my brother wrote the MCAT a long time ago (he's ancient 😛), so my family is acclimated with everything MCAT 😀 I'm happy to have such an understanding primary support group. (edit - free books!)

But... not to leave out the importance that is this thread in my MCAT life...you guys are my secondary support group! And are doing an amazing job!

God I wish I had a supporting family. They are like, you are too old, get a normal job and move on with your life. Go travel, live your life. All the docs in my family are like don't do it. Always discouraging me.

 

[K1NG]

Oh good good! I thought you were on the 24th! That's why I said you have 9 days and 5 exams left! August 1st that's much better!

Didn't even notice the 9 days part haha but yeah I have a little over 2 weeks to study. Just trying to get a routine going!

 

[orangetea]

God I wish I had a supporting family. They are like, you are too old, get a normal job and move on with your life. Go travel, live your life. All the docs in my family are like don't do it. Always discouraging me.

PREACH IT!!!

mine tell me to go get a real job, get married, and live my life.

no one understands.
🙂

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Wassup guys
all ya'll over here talking about life stories and I'm sitting here like:

just tryna get through electrostatics

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Wassup guys
all ya'll over here talking about life stories and I'm sitting here like:

View attachment 183405

just tryna get through electrostatics

Protip for electrostatics. Its juat gravity and motion equations with different values

 

[ayocaptain628]

Wassup guys
all ya'll over here talking about life stories and I'm sitting here like:

View attachment 183405

just tryna get through electrostatics

omg i didnt know sharks have tongs

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Protip for electrostatics. Its juat gravity and motion equations with different values

Super protip, I might have seen something connecting those somewhere.

 

[poop420]

Ok So i followed you guys advice and I just did 3 verbal passages and just got one answer wrong the 3 times!! It might just be easier passages but i think spending a little more time reading the passages really help me more.. My time is roughly 7 minutes . Is that ok ?

 

[Sed8&Intub8]

Ok So i followed you guys advice and I just did 3 verbal passages and just got one answer wrong the 3 times!! It might just be easier passages but i think spending a little more time reading the passages really help me more.. My time is roughly 7 minutes . Is that ok ?

It's fine, on the real thing you get like 8min a passage. 7min is good!