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.

 

[deleted388502]

I feel like something in me snapped tonight and I'm just hitting all systems go mode in terms of this test. 22 days.



The music that makes you feel like you're partying, when really you're studying. Best mix ever.
Happy studying tonight friends.

 

[DoctorInASaree]

Alright, here's the plan. I'm giving myself a few days off to calm down. Then:

-Review all content. Use TBR for Phys and Gen Chem, use TPR for Bio, use EK for Orgo (plus last chapter of TBR Orgo) - B/c most of TBR orgo is way overkill
-While reviewing content, do all problems in TPR Science workbook
-Should be able to complete TPR science workbook and all content review in about a month so.
-My only option for verbal is TBR I think, so I will just do a couple passages a day and try Sadist's verbal tactic (might do the early TPRH passages also)
-Spend the following 6 weeks, starting with AAMC 10 and 11 as a warm up, then do GS exams, then TBRs exams. Heavy post game of course.
-Take early november exam.
-Win the war, destroy the MCAT.

What do y'all think? Any advice/input/comments?

Your approach to content review sounds great Swedish. Take sometime to rejuvenate and reflect, eat a samosa, and then get back at it! Your efforts will bear fruits.
Many of us will still be here as well 🙂

yay! also taking it on the 25th
go team!

I'm happy to be a contributing member of the Oct 25th team 😀

 

[pbrocks15]

October 21s here!

yay! also taking it on the 25th
go team!

 

[pbrocks15]

I feel like something in me snapped tonight and I'm just hitting all systems go mode in terms of this test. 22 days.



The music that makes you feel like you're partying, when really you're studying. Best mix ever.
Happy studying tonight friends.

I LOVE listening to mixes like this. Gets me hyped but like you said your reading about ADH instead of dropping yager bombs Hahah

 

[deleted388502]

I LOVE listening to mixes like this. Gets me hyped but like you said your reading about ADH instead of dropping yager bombs Hahah

Who says you can't do both at the same time??? Just kidding. 😀 I rediscovered my edm mixes tonight because I was thinking about how the heck I used to get through 8-9 hour all nighters my sophomore year and I realized it wasn't caffeine, it was good music.

So if anyone else has crazy good music that gets you pumped to study, please share.

 

[lazyindy]

do you guys score yourself after doing each 1/3 for a chapter? like for instance today I scored force and circular motion from yesterday and made 11/17 = 64% ouch. just wondering because I've seen people discuss berkeley scores in other threads, not sure if they meant scoring all the passages at the end of each chapter.

 

[DoctorInASaree]

Who says you can't do both at the same time??? Just kidding. 😀 I rediscovered my edm mixes tonight because I was thinking about how the heck I used to get through 8-9 hour all nighters my sophomore year and I realized it wasn't caffeine, it was good music.

So if anyone else has crazy good music that gets you pumped to study, please share.

Setting aside my Desi/Bollywood mix...I almost always play this song at the beginning of my study sessions:



This isn't the one I wanted to post, but it's on the same CD. It's for you @SwedishMD2B, and perhaps @namesthegame21 & others as well.

do you guys score yourself after doing each 1/3 for a chapter? like for instance today I scored force and circular motion from yesterday and made 11/17 = 64% ouch. just wondering because I've seen people discuss berkeley scores in other threads, not sure if they meant scoring all the passages at the end of each chapter.

I did.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

@SwedishMD2B Just shake this one and keep fighting. Never let one test get in the way of your dreams!

@TexasSurgeon Are you doing/Have you done you S.A. package yet? I'm not sure if you should do them before or after AAMC 3 or 4? I remember we said before that it is before 3/3's but after 1/3's and 2/3's....but before any practice tests?

Gonna do it right after I finish these TBR FLs. TBR is sucking my soul dry

 

[poop420]

My study songs especially the first one





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ4TW5Z8eu0

 

[poop420]

Gonna do it right after I finish these TBR FLs. TBR is sucking my soul dry

how are you scoring if you dont mind me asking ??

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Who says you can't do both at the same time??? Just kidding. 😀 I rediscovered my edm mixes tonight because I was thinking about how the heck I used to get through 8-9 hour all nighters my sophomore year and I realized it wasn't caffeine, it was good music.

So if anyone else has crazy good music that gets you pumped to study, please share.

In the more electronic/Dnb/Dubstep realm
Far Too Loud
Qemists
Pendulum
Knife Party
65DaysofStatic
The Glitch Mob
Pegboard Nerds
A few VERY SELECT Skrillex songs
Any Lindsey Sterling
Dimitri Vegas
Kill the Noise
Bassnectar
Robert Delong
and of course DAFT PUNK
For the mor metally/rock
Godsmack
Blue Stahli
Sepultura
Saliva
Five Finger Death Punch
Shinedown
Rage Against the Machine
Papa Roach
Korn
Disturbed
Slipknot
For the Pop/electropop/and regular ol alternative
Alt-J
Foster the People
Portugal. The Man
YoungBlood Hawk
TV On The Radio
The Kills
Young the Giant (It's about time is especially great)
The Neighborhood
Arctic Monkeys
The Redneck Manifesto
Cherub
Phantogram
RAC
AWOLNATION
and I have a serious soft spot (aka im in love) with Lana Del Rey

 

[TexasSurgeon]

how are you scoring if you dont mind me asking ??

TBR tests are insane. I'm at about a 30

 

[poop420]

ugghhh Im doing them in a couple of weeks .. Are they calculation heavy ? If you were to review them what would you say about them?

 

[TBRBiosadist]

And my favorite "let's start the day" song

 

[poop420]

my fav Let me ride DR.dre!!

feel like in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Anyone else fall desperately in love with female singers?

(Phantogram)
<3

 

[deleted388502]

In the more electronic/Dnb/Dubstep realm
Far Too Loud
Qemists
Pendulum
Knife Party
65DaysofStatic
The Glitch Mob
Pegboard Nerds
A few VERY SELECT Skrillex songs
Any Lindsey Sterling
Dimitri Vegas
Kill the Noise
Bassnectar
Robert Delong
and of course DAFT PUNK
For the mor metally/rock
Godsmack
Blue Stahli
Sepultura
Saliva
Five Finger Death Punch
Shinedown
Rage Against the Machine
Papa Roach
Korn
Disturbed
Slipknot
For the Pop/electropop/and regular ol alternative
Alt-J
Foster the People
Portugal. The Man
YoungBlood Hawk
TV On The Radio
The Kills
Young the Giant (It's about time is especially great)
The Neighborhood
Arctic Monkeys
The Redneck Manifesto
Cherub
Phantogram
RAC
AWOLNATION
and I have a serious soft spot (aka im in love) with Lana Del Rey

Back when I thought I was super deep and into ~awesome alternative music~ in high school. Running playlist fosho
This whole album though. Anyways cool list!

Thanks for sharing guys!

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Dude every pendulum album is like the perfect playlist


I am SO HAPPY THEY ARE MAKING A NEW ALBUM

 

[TBRBiosadist]

No urge to study at all :/

 

[poop420]

No urge to study at all :/

The GF came over tonight so I got zero done.. So I got to hit the books twice as hard now!!

 

[lazyindy]

break day tomorrow but have the EK 1001s to catch up on. debating if I should risk being behind so early already

 

[TBRBiosadist]

The GF came over tonight so I got zero done.. So I got to hit the books twice as hard now!!

YOUVE MAINTAINED HUMAN CONTACT AND RELATIONSHIPS. ARE YOU A SORCERER!!

 

[poop420]

YOUVE MAINTAINED HUMAN CONTACT AND RELATIONSHIPS. ARE YOU A SORCERER!!

Trust me Its hard and i was annoyed I couldnt get to study,, kinda took it out on her lol lol..

 

[wuhsabee]

The GF came over tonight so I got zero done.. So I got to hit the books twice as hard now!!

Com'on man..you know you got ONE thing done tonight...😉

 

[poop420]

Com'on man..you know you got ONE thing done tonight...😉

A gentleman never tells !!! But seriously studying have given me anger issues I need to start running at nights

 

[sharkbyte]

No urge to study at all :/

Just relax man. After reviewing AAMC 11 (if you haven't done so already) I think you should just chill, since you know your stuff.

 

[namesthegame21]

Setting aside my Desi/Bollywood mix...I almost always play this song at the beginning of my study sessions:



This isn't the one I wanted to post, but it's on the same CD. It's for you @SwedishMD2B, and perhaps @namesthegame21 & others as well.





I did.

Aww thanks Saree! I usually don't listen to music while I study because of this paper I read about how the brain cannot really focus on both at the same time and switches back and forth, if I remember correctly. But sometimes, esp if I am getting tired, I put some instrumentals on, film scores are awesome like battle scene music...makes me feel like I am on a mission 🙂

Loved that second video, so relaxing, totally feeling it!

 

[namesthegame21]

do you guys score yourself after doing each 1/3 for a chapter? like for instance today I scored force and circular motion from yesterday and made 11/17 = 64% ouch. just wondering because I've seen people discuss berkeley scores in other threads, not sure if they meant scoring all the passages at the end of each chapter.

I do too, I think keeping track of your improvement helps, plus its a confidence boast when you score better on 2/3's 😀

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Just relax man. After reviewing AAMC 11 (if you haven't done so already) I think you should just chill, since you know your stuff.

I still have ch10 of two 3/3s to do and review my AAMC, thats it. Didnt do **** today after my AAMC, no drive too

 

[Lokkja]

I still have ch10 of two 3/3s to do and review my AAMC, thats it. Didnt do **** today after my AAMC, no drive too

I've still gotta do 5 chapter reviews and 3 AAMC's yet I don't feel like it either. These last couple weeks are going to suck, part of me is telling me to keep caring and the other is telling me "what's the point - what is two weeks really going to do?"

 

[TexasSurgeon]

ugghhh Im doing them in a couple of weeks .. Are they calculation heavy ? If you were to review them what would you say about them?

Not calculation heavy. They're heavy on conceptual thinking. Good luck. When reviewing first 2-3, 90%+ were careless mistakes and I would say the one I just took today is also the same. You'll start to see the areas you need work in. Cover them all. Don't get demoralized. Use it as a way to learn mistakes. Think of it as a massage SA package.

 

[pbrocks15]

Gonna do it right after I finish these TBR FLs. TBR is sucking my soul dry

How do you like the TBR FLs??

Edit: I saw you said you were about a 30 average but what do you think of them like compared to others?

 

[TBRBiosadist]

Im planning on reading the summaries for every chapter tomorrow to quickly refresh everything.

Is this a good or bad idea?

 

[pbrocks15]

Im planning on reading the summaries for every chapter tomorrow to quickly refresh everything.

Is this a good or bad idea?

Sometimes I felt that the reviews aren't really explicit in some content, or is that just me?

 

[TexasSurgeon]

How do you like the TBR FLs??

Edit: I saw you said you were about a 30 average but what do you think of them like compared to others?

I think that they're probably the best compared to other ones around. Maybe after TBR you can purchase GS exams since they're cheap for more. They're great man. You just have to get used to they way they ask questions. It's harder than AAMC tests for sure

 

[poop420]

Not calculation heavy. They're heavy on conceptual thinking. Good luck. When reviewing first 2-3, 90%+ were careless mistakes and I would say the one I just took today is also the same. You'll start to see the areas you need work in. Cover them all. Don't get demoralized. Use it as a way to learn mistakes. Think of it as a massage SA package.

Thats why you are our fearless leader .. Thanks !!.. Also how long do your days take now ?? Will I still be able to do content back track while doing FL?

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Thats why you are our fearless leader .. Thanks !!.. Also how long do your days take now ?? Will I still be able to do content back track while doing FL?

Hahaha

How long in terms of hours? I'd say I take an FL every 3-4 days now. But when I started TBR FLs, I took 1, 2, and 4 within like 2 weeks and I didn't do as much content review of them. Now I've got a good idea of what I need to fix up.

I also realized a few days ago that I had many shortcomings in my approach to the SN2 schedule this past summer. I studied content, but I didn't study it with the same application that I would study during the academic semesters. So I'm going to take the test on Sept. 10 and immediately register for a spot in January haha and keep at it till then. It's gonna be a bit harder though since school will be in session and I've got 15 hours of class. Whatever

 

[poop420]

Hahaha

How long in terms of hours? I'd say I take an FL every 3-4 days now. But when I started TBR FLs, I took 1, 2, and 4 within like 2 weeks and I didn't do as much content review of them. Now I've got a good idea of what I need to fix up.

I also realized a few days ago that I had many shortcomings in my approach to the SN2 schedule this past summer. I studied content, but I didn't study it with the same application that I would study during the academic semesters. So I'm going to take the test on Sept. 10 and immediately register for a spot in January haha and keep at it till then. It's gonna be a bit harder though since school will be in session and I've got 15 hours of class. Whatever

Yeah I noticed that half way through the schedule and made sure I extended my days to 8 hours the least!! Im going to take it November so I have a full month to sure up knowledge and test taking skills before the other month of AAMC FL. Im just scared because school starts in 3 weeks and I have 15 credits and 4 jobs 🙁 ... And soo many new white freshman to go after !!! (ITS BOOTY SHORTS WEATHER TOO)

 

[pbrocks15]

What are you opinions on if I did my test schedule as this: (most recent to closest to the test)

1. Kaplan (did 1)
2. TPR (already done half)
3. TBR
4. AAMC ( did 2)

 

[namesthegame21]

What are you opinions on if I did my test schedule as this: (most recent to closest to the test)

1. Kaplan (did 1)
2. TPR (already done half)
3. TBR
4. AAMC ( did 2)

Can you comment on Kaplan and TPR? (Since you've done both) would you recommend one over other? Are they both worth it?

 

[pbrocks15]

Can you comment on Kaplan and TPR? (Since you've done both) would you recommend one over other? Are they both worth it?

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.

 

[Rhino1000]

Energy drinks are usually full of sodium and "electrolytes" which despite whatever magical properties they do have do promote a higher osmotic pressure of your body fluids, so you dont lose as much water through the kidneys in the short term

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?

 

[pbrocks15]

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 second this, I'm curious.

 

[poop420]

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 second this, I'm curious.

Nothing beat a shot of pure adrenaline

 

[TexasSurgeon]

What are you opinions on if I did my test schedule as this: (most recent to closest to the test)

1. Kaplan (did 1)
2. TPR (already done half)
3. TBR
4. AAMC ( did 2)

Won't help unless you tell us how many of each you're gonna do

despite that, take TBR and AAMC. That's all you need really

 

[TexasSurgeon]

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?

Don't do a drink. Buy a 5hr energy and drink only half. That's more than enough.

 

[Mantis__TobogganMD]

November 7th takers and Sn2 veterans, quick question:

Am I alone in thinking that TBR's section on NMR is needlessly in-depth? EK barely spends two pages on it. Any advice, thoughts, or strategies?

 

[sillyjoe]

November 7th takers and Sn2 veterans, quick question:

Am I alone in thinking that TBR's section on NMR is needlessly in-depth? EK barely spends two pages on it. Any advice, thoughts, or strategies?

I don't really qualify as a "veteran" but I will say that a lot of TBR is in depth. They are focused on a conceptual understanding and a broad familiarity with concepts. By having you go in depth NOW, by the time you take your test in November and something is thrown at you, you will be able to quickly and efficiently get the answer.

I have taken every single AAMC and have gotten all the NMR questions correct, not because they are as in depth as TBR, but because TBR gave me a solid enough background that come 3 months from the time I studied it I can answer a question about NMR quickly.

 

[TBRBiosadist]

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 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

 

[Lokkja]

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...