study method using books??

[xcleex]

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when I study, I usually take notes as I read along the text. How ever that takes really long time as well as lots of papers so in the end, you have study books as well as a pile of notes. sometimes this works and sometimes it doesnt. I'm trying to see if there is any method that might work better for me.

How do you guys study?

 

[MDminded]

I like flash cards for MCAT material. That way I can put it in a "fill in the blank" or "vocab" format, and easily figure out what I'm forgetting. It's a good trick for bio, especially when it comes to hormones or amino acids. It may help with memorizing formulas in Physics.

When it comes to GenChem, OChem, and the conceptual part of Physics, you'll have to figure out what works for you. I made flash cards even out of concepts for myself. Kaplan did a great job with their recent set by providing flash cards (I received these from being in their class). It DEFINITELY comes in handy when I'm sitting in the car on the way somewhere and have time to pull them out. It's great study-on-the-go work.

Other than that, just lots of practice problems immediately after learning the material. Often times that is the best way to get the info to "sink in". You'll learn a concept, do a passage on it, get an answer wrong, and you'll fine tune your understanding of it better.

Hope that helps!

 

[Buttermellow]

Practice problems really help me for conceptual stuff, while flashcards are very helpful for memorizing equations or reactants/reagents.

 

[xcleex]

so i guess people do practices rather than taking down the note and trying to memorize it. I guess engaging the material directly is better than trying to remember it.

 

[MDminded]

so i guess people do practices rather than taking down the note and trying to memorize it. I guess engaging the material directly is better than trying to remember it.

If we could sum up all the advice given in the MCAT Discussion Forum of SDN in one word, it would be "PRACTICE!!!!"

(No way around it. I tried to find a way around it, and didn't work. I ended up wasting time by looking for other ways, but practice is the most effective method)

 

[kehlsh]

1st mcat I took, I put too much emphasis on memorizing content... I did not practice enough

Much to my dismay, in the real MCAT, I only saw like 5% of materials that I have memorized so I learned... many passages were related contents that are not even mentioned in prep books! What this means is that PRACTICING passages is the key, most of MCAT is comprised of critical thinking based passages, you will see some of the stuff that you have never encountered before the mcat!

I feel like rote memorization will only put you so far (like 11s in sciences that I got T.T) If you are aiming for 12+ range, I think you need intense practice prep. That is why I'm powering through ALL TBR passages despite it's taking a heavy toll on my physical and metal health.

Although, you should definitely have a solid foundation before practicing. Basics of the Basic should be stoned down cold.

 

[MDminded]

that is why i'm powering through all tbr passages despite it's taking a heavy toll on my physical and metal health.

+1

 

[xcleex]

Thank you for the tips! I ordered TBR books today and I planned to heavily memorize the materials, but it seems that I should be practicing more.