Struggling with Physics and the MCAT

[banana_phone]

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Hi everyone...

I'm about halfway through content review for my 4/23 MCAT, and Physics is seriously killing me. I am taking TPR online as well as doing TBR with Sn2eds method. I earned As in both Physics I and II, but this stuff is not sticking. Unfortunately I think my professor was a little lackluster in Physics, and as a result, my understanding is not very complete.

I've tried Khan Academy, I'm doing Amplifire...and it's still not going well, at all. I feel I understand it when its being presented in the videos or by my TPR professor, but when it comes to working out these problems on my own, I fail. Miserably.

Any tips? I feel I'm spending a disproportionate amount of time working through Physics because I find it so hard. I would love to find a way to be more efficient while deepening my understanding, because I really want to do well on the test. Any insights appreciated .

 

[Phoodie]

Are you only using TBR for passages? I started with using EK for content and TBR for passages but switched to using TBR for both. Ever since, my scores have been significantly higher.

 

[banana_phone]

I've been using TBR for content and passages as well as the online TPR stuff materials. I don't know what it is. I just don't understand the stuff. Pretty angry at my physics professor right now for not teaching this stuff well, and for allowing us to have an equations sheet for our exams. I'm thinking of getting a tutor, but it pains me to do that after shelling out $2k for the princeton course.

I can't seem to work the kinematics problems, the torque problems, and force/momentum problems, with any consistency. When its conceptual I seem to be fine, but when it comes to plugging numbers and manipulating equations...I fail. I know they should be easy, but something isn't clicking.

 

[Phoodie]

I've been using TBR for content and passages as well as the online TPR stuff materials. I don't know what it is. I just don't understand the stuff. Pretty angry at my physics professor right now for not teaching this stuff well, and for allowing us to have an equations sheet for our exams. I'm thinking of getting a tutor, but it pains me to do that after shelling out $2k for the princeton course.

I can't seem to work the kinematics problems, the torque problems, and force/momentum problems, with any consistency. When its conceptual I seem to be fine, but when it comes to plugging numbers and manipulating equations...I fail. I know they should be easy, but something isn't clicking.

Go through the in-chapter examples in TBR a couple times until you really understand every single step. You still have quite some time before your test date so you could also probably benefit from doing some problems open-book. What I mean by this is don't time yourself and use your notes. Do this for as many problems as you need to really understand the different situations necessary for different equations. When you get more comfortable, do new problems but without notes. Finally, more problems without notes and while timing yourself.

 

[banana_phone]

I'll try that. Sounds like a good start. It's so discouraging 🙁


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[theonlytycrane]

post a sample problem and describe what you're struggling with specifically? some of the others posters on here are great at Physics and you can gain insight into how they approach different problems

 

[Phoodie]

I'll try that. Sounds like a good start. It's so discouraging 🙁


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This entire test is discouraging to be more exact. It's destroyed any bit of ego I've ever had with regards to academics

 

[aldol16]

Don't focus so much on equations as understanding relationships. Equations are only tools to help you understand physical relationships. So instead of thinking of pressure and velocity of fluids as terms in the Bernoulli equation, think of them in terms of energy and energy conversion. The new MCAT emphasizes relationships more so than rote application of equations and "plug-and-chug."

 

[Necr0sis713]

I recommend getting the next step science practice book, and a book called "Sterling prep mcat physics practice questions" for some physics questions that are like EK1001, but a bit more beefed up and less "cookie cutter. Also, Khan academy helps a lot, because their answer choices are very tricky. And, they give tips too so you can learn why you're making the mistakes you make.