Hey guys! I just wanted to get your opinions on what I am doing to help maximize my score. I am taking the princeton review and have taken about 4 practice exams. I have decided that at this point...I pretty much know the material and that the bulk of the problem for me is improving my test taking skills. With that said, I have decided to take a subject test everyday until probably about 3 days before the exam. After taking each test I am going to look at what I missed and work on my weak points. Do you guys think I can increase my score by doing this? Also, I have found that the questions I miss are, for the most part, not a result of my not knowing the material, I just tend to either think too much or go for an attractor. Can anyone identify? On my last test PR AAMC 4 test I made a 21 7-7-7....do you guys think it is possible for me to go up 4 or more points by using the above method? Do I still have a prayer? Any comments are welcome. Good Luck everyone.
Some Advice On Score Increasing
- Thread starter bobg504
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Anything is possible,Bob.
First of all, try to relax. There are quite a few problems that can be solved with a cool head and good logic.
Secondly, go for your STRONG point(s). Its easier to bump up one point in a strong area than a weak one.
In physical sciences, understand WHY its happening.
In verbal reasoning,its exactly that---verbal reasoning. After reading a passage, draw a conclusion about who the author is and why he wrote something. Underline, not facts, but mood identifiers such as "most importantly" or "Unfortunately"
In biology, spend some good time on physiology and genetics. Oh, and DNA and RNA.
Good luck!
On a more personal note, where do you go to school? I spent two years at Louisiana Tech. GO Dawgs!
Are you thinking of applying to mostly Louisiana schools?
First of all, try to relax. There are quite a few problems that can be solved with a cool head and good logic.
Secondly, go for your STRONG point(s). Its easier to bump up one point in a strong area than a weak one.
In physical sciences, understand WHY its happening.
In verbal reasoning,its exactly that---verbal reasoning. After reading a passage, draw a conclusion about who the author is and why he wrote something. Underline, not facts, but mood identifiers such as "most importantly" or "Unfortunately"
In biology, spend some good time on physiology and genetics. Oh, and DNA and RNA.
Good luck!
On a more personal note, where do you go to school? I spent two years at Louisiana Tech. GO Dawgs!
Are you thinking of applying to mostly Louisiana schools?
I am currently a junior at Southern University. I am applying to many different school (Both MD and DO). At this point I just want to get in somewhere before I start getting picky. If I could, I'd like to go to LSU-NO. Are you in med school? Anyway, thank you for the comment and anyone else in welcome to give feedback if they can. Thanks!
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If you keep making 7 on the science sections, you don't understand the material all that well. Maybe you understand that F = ma but you don't know how to apply that information; which to me means you don't understand the concepts very well. When people with low science scores always say "I understand the material very well but can't take tests" I usually ask them the following question:
1) Given an electrolytic cell with dissolved ions A,B,C, D and metals X and Y at the cathode and anode, describe what is oxidized and what is reduced and at what end of the cell?
A simple question testing a very basic understanding of knowledge required by the mcat. And usually, these students either don't know the answer or take way too long to figure the answer out. The biggest problem for a lot of low scoring students is that they flip through the EK or Kaplan book for a few weeks, nod at the equations, and think that constitutes understanding the material. I'm not saying that is the case in your situation, but think about it and ask yourself if you really know how to apply all the material.
1) Given an electrolytic cell with dissolved ions A,B,C, D and metals X and Y at the cathode and anode, describe what is oxidized and what is reduced and at what end of the cell?
A simple question testing a very basic understanding of knowledge required by the mcat. And usually, these students either don't know the answer or take way too long to figure the answer out. The biggest problem for a lot of low scoring students is that they flip through the EK or Kaplan book for a few weeks, nod at the equations, and think that constitutes understanding the material. I'm not saying that is the case in your situation, but think about it and ask yourself if you really know how to apply all the material.
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hi,
I would agree with that method, in teh sense that is what i am using. But, that's als o because i am at the 10-12 level in all sections. If you are at teh 7 level, I am tempted to believe there is probably a more effective way or review then reading material based on each question you got wrong.
maybe, it you feel you understand the material, practice questions in different areas, and see which areas you can't do well in. A lot of MCAT science is more than just knowing the facts.
Also, even when i get a 11 or 12 in a science exam, most of the question i get wrong are not due to lack of knowledge, but rather how to apply them. However, the most efficient way for me to improve in bio was still reading material.
Also, if you are not finishing any section, that is a problem definetly to fix.
hope this is helpful.
sonya
I would agree with that method, in teh sense that is what i am using. But, that's als o because i am at the 10-12 level in all sections. If you are at teh 7 level, I am tempted to believe there is probably a more effective way or review then reading material based on each question you got wrong.
maybe, it you feel you understand the material, practice questions in different areas, and see which areas you can't do well in. A lot of MCAT science is more than just knowing the facts.
Also, even when i get a 11 or 12 in a science exam, most of the question i get wrong are not due to lack of knowledge, but rather how to apply them. However, the most efficient way for me to improve in bio was still reading material.
Also, if you are not finishing any section, that is a problem definetly to fix.
hope this is helpful.
sonya
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bob - are you a URM? If not, I suggest waiting until August to take the exam. I don't think you've done enough practice exams. Do several full-length exams in the time you've got left. this is the only way to maximize your score.
best of luck
best of luck
