The 5/27/2010 MCAT club!

[KatieRedBull]

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Hey guys! I don't know if a thread has already been started for the 5/27 MCAT, though I'm pretty sure it hasn't. In any case, I'm popping my thread starting cherry with this one so hopefully I'm doing it right 🙂
I know it's still 5.5 months away, but it's never to early for anything med school related, right? 😀

 

[ucsfstudents]

Good luck everyone! 🙂

 

[Omega3MD]

I'm on board, 92 days and counting.

 

[Kouger86]

I signed up this morning. Have to drive about 45min to the testing site.

Is anyone else using EK/1001 only as MCAT Prep? Let me know how it's going.

 

[Tesseract]

I'm on board for this date, and using SN2ed's guide.

 

[Kouger86]

oh man, im starting to get nervous...

~90 days to go.

I'll be taking my first AAMC practice FL in 3 days w/ minimal content review, just to get an idea.

 

[Scorpiomd]

I'm exclusively using EK. So far, I like it. I'm just about done with the Verbal Reasoning and I've cracked the Orgo Chem, Bio, and Physics. I'm trying not to focus on the date and focus on getting through the content books so I can start the 1001. It's a long road ahead but I'm enjoying it. I'm scaring myself, enjoying studying....smh.

 

[Kouger86]

I'm exclusively using EK. So far, I like it. I'm just about done with the Verbal Reasoning and I've cracked the Orgo Chem, Bio, and Physics. I'm trying not to focus on the date and focus on getting through the content books so I can start the 1001. It's a long road ahead but I'm enjoying it. I'm scaring myself, enjoying studying....smh.

Hey, r u taking practice FLs while using EK homestudy or r u waiting to finish all content and then take FLs.

 

[Scorpiomd]

My original plan was to finish all the content review first. It's not working! I'm getting bored so I'm starting to do some of the 1001 questions in between. I also have some Kaplan practice test that I plan to work in the last few weeks. I'm kind of just making sure that I'm doing something every day until the time comes.

 

[Kouger86]

So far....

EK Verbal 1 ... (6)
EK Verbal 2 ... (7)
EK Verbal 3 ... (7)
EK Verbal 4 ... (9)

I find myself running out of time... usually with one passage to go...any advice?

 

[jiayo]

I'm on board too!!

It's the day before my mom's birthday, definitely celebrating with her afterwards.

 

[jiayo]

My original plan was to finish all the content review first. It's not working! I'm getting bored so I'm starting to do some of the 1001 questions in between. I also have some Kaplan practice test that I plan to work in the last few weeks. I'm kind of just making sure that I'm doing something every day until the time comes.

I think doing questions in between helps. It kind of reinforces and tests what you know. I used to aim for complete content review before touching any questions, but it's rough.
I agree with the bolded part

I'm exclusively using EK. So far, I like it. I'm just about done with the Verbal Reasoning and I've cracked the Orgo Chem, Bio, and Physics. I'm trying not to focus on the date and focus on getting through the content books so I can start the 1001. It's a long road ahead but I'm enjoying it. I'm scaring myself, enjoying studying....smh.

You're doing one section at a time, instead of rotating between?
Better to enjoy it than to dislike it...

 

[Kouger86]

I feel really guilty, haven't had the chance to study much, mostly b/c of work.

How's studying going for everyone else?

I really want to see people post their progress, it really helps everyone stay focused.

 

[KatieRedBull]

I will soon be signing up for this date. I am planning on using strictly EK for content, and EK 1001 Bio/Phys/Chem/Orgo and 101 for verbal practice. In addition, I will do some Kaplan practice FLs and all the AAMC practice FL.

Is anyone else using EK only?

I originally started to study for the MCAT last year with Kaplan, but unfortunately, never really went ahead with it.

This time I feel more focused and really like using EK.

I'm using EK, but in conjunction with Princeton Review 🙂
EK is awesome because they have a ridiculous amount of practice questions, which I think is the core for MCAT preparation. You can read all you want, but at some point it all boils down to practice. 🙂 Good luck!!

 

[KatieRedBull]

I'm on board, 92 days and counting.

Oh my gosh, the time is flying by!

So far....

EK Verbal 1 ... (6)
EK Verbal 2 ... (7)
EK Verbal 3 ... (7)
EK Verbal 4 ... (9)

I find myself running out of time... usually with one passage to go...any advice?

That's great, it seems like you're consistently going up which is awesome 🙂 Keep going at it, a lot of it is just practice. Also, trust your gut more - it tends to be right. Sometimes people lose time by over-reading the questions several times over, because of anxiety that they don't understand - try to trust yourself more. Also, you might be reading the passages a bit too in depth - most of the details are unnecessary to know and are there just to bog you down. Remember, you can always go back. 🙂

I feel really guilty, haven't had the chance to study much, mostly b/c of work.

How's studying going for everyone else?

I really want to see people post their progress, it really helps everyone stay focused.

I feel you, I haven't studied much because of school :/ Little by little we'll get there!

I'm taking my first practice test last week of March (spring break = more time lol) and will definitely post my info up as soon as I do.

 

[rom73085]

Has anyone taking a practice test yet? I'm worried because it's already March and I haven't even taken one. I've just been working through ExamKrackers and The Berkley Review.

Honestly, the hardest part is keeping motivated and sticking through it. I get so discouraged when I'm reading something and I start obsessing over the details thinking how much I may have to remember. I push through it and get by but only thinking about how they might present a similar question on the real exam.

Gotta stick with it!! Good luck to you all!

 

[Kouger86]

Has anyone taking a practice test yet? I'm worried because it's already March and I haven't even taken one. I've just been working through ExamKrackers and The Berkley Review.

Honestly, the hardest part is keeping motivated and sticking through it. I get so discouraged when I'm reading something and I start obsessing over the details thinking how much I may have to remember. I push through it and get by but only thinking about how they might present a similar question on the real exam.

Gotta stick with it!! Good luck to you all!

I had hoped that I would have taken a FL by now. But, I changed my mind. Now, I plan on taking my 1st FL on April 1st.

 

[170559]

I just signed up for the test, I am going to start with Chem and Phy. Hopeful I can take FL's starting April.

 

[Kouger86]

EK Verbal 1 ... (6)
EK Verbal 2 ... (7)
EK Verbal 3 ... (7)
EK Verbal 4 ... (9) 🙂
EK Verbal 5 ... (7) 😡 man, this one was freaking hard. Very disappointing.

I'm beginning to really worry 🙁 about verbal.

 

[xanman]

I am taking it on this date.

So far I am just trying to plow through the new Kaplan books (didnt take the class, got the new books from a friend) so I can start taking practice tests like crazy by the end of this month.

Still not sure what to do about verbal reasoning though, I have subscribed to the Wall Street Journal and The Economist because I have heard those will help build my comprehension skills. I heard the kaplan verbal books arent worth it and don't really know how to prepare for the writing sample.

My GPA from UCD was weak sauce (2.99) so I need to get a great score on this thing to be able to compete. However I don't know many people personally who are taking it this year and am not exactly sure I am on the right track.

 

[scorpiobeauty6]

^though im just starting my studying 2. take a look at the 30+ MCAT score thread 4 suggestions and the 3 mo. stdy schedule thread...

 

[Linette]

May seems like its just around the corner...hope we will all be as ready as we want to be by the...wishing us all good luck!!! 😛🙂

 

[Scorpiomd]

I'm on Spring Break and vowing to get finished with content review in Gen Chem and Physics. I feel comfortable with the verbal and Organic. If all goes as planned, I'll work through the 1001 sets for the rest of March. April is all practice test, full and sections. I'll see where my weak points are and go back over content review by the first week of May. After that, it's back to the practice test. Oh yeah, I'm praying the whole way through!

 

[dweji16]

Good luck everyone! I'm in the same boat...

MCAT studying sucks... esp. for a oldie non-science major such as myself who hasn't taken science classes for 5 years.. ugh...

 

[Scorpiomd]

Yeah it sucks big!!!😡

Just read some of the million pages of the 1/30 MCAT club thread for a new perspective. I'm motivated again, I was slipping for a minute. Someone pulled a 41! Surely I can hit 30 *with God's grace*. Alot of them did really well even though they didn't think they did. Based on their advice: Strategy change #3 I think. Tomorrow morning I'm working practice test. I'll narrow down what content I need to review the most from there.

"Don't get lost in the content review, work the problems 😱" and "The test is doable".

Let's do it!👍

 

[KatieRedBull]

So, due to my school's complete inadequacy in handling snow, my finals have been changed to May 26. There is no way in heck that I'm going to take the MCAT the day after all of my finals, so I'm moving on to June 17. I'd rather apply 2 weeks later but get a good score, than apply earlier with a score that suffers in quality 🙁 Bah!
Good luck to all of you guys!!! 🙂

 

[Kouger86]

So, due to my school's complete inadequacy in handling snow, my finals have been changed to May 26. There is no way in heck that I'm going to take the MCAT the day after all of my finals, so I'm moving on to June 17. I'd rather apply 2 weeks later but get a good score, than apply earlier with a score that suffers in quality 🙁 Bah!
Good luck to all of you guys!!! 🙂

Good luck, for whenever u end up taking it.

 

[Ahsan]

Hey! U guys care to share your practice scores along with ur studying plan?!

 

[Otega]

I'm on Spring Break and vowing to get finished with content review in Gen Chem and Physics. I feel comfortable with the verbal and Organic. If all goes as planned, I'll work through the 1001 sets for the rest of March. April is all practice test, full and sections. I'll see where my weak points are and go back over content review by the first week of May. After that, it's back to the practice test. Oh yeah, I'm praying the whole way through!

Thats exactly what im doing too mind if i piggback your idea 😛

 

[Scorpiomd]

Lol, have at it. I switched my plan again, you can see the post above.

Ahsan, you first! LOL No seriously. I hope to have one finished tomorrow and we'll see what happens.

 

[xanman]

I'm starting to feel bad sitting here reading the new Kaplan books since every time i read what people recommend to study out of they never say Kaplan :-(

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

"Don't get lost in the content review, work the problems 😱" and "The test is doable".

Excellent advice!!!

It's all about doing passages and questions followed by a thorough review of how to do them better next time. Reviewing your mistakes and solutions is more important than content review. Going over the detailed solutions that correspond to the questions you do is HUGE!

Just make sure 80% of your practice questions are passage-based (as opposed to only doing free standing questions), and you are on a good path to be ready for the MCAT.

 

[Scorpiomd]

^^^^^Thank you!!!! I am zoning in now, wish I had figured this out about 3 weeks ago. Sheesh!

Xanman, don't feel bad. Do you have any practice test? If not, use your books but don't review the content, go straight to the questions. I would really advise the test though, the consensus is that they help the most.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

^^^^^Thank you!!!! I am zoning in now, wish I had figured this out about 3 weeks ago. Sheesh!

Xanman, don't feel bad. Do you have any practice test? If not, use your books but don't review the content, go straight to the questions. I would really advise the test though, the consensus is that they help the most.

You have plenty of time, so who cares about three weeks ago? Everyone flounders a bit before they find what works for them best. It's all part of the process. And don't be surprised if you make two or three more wholesale changes in your approach (change in focus, change in materials, change in whatever), because that's just natural.

Xanman: Even if it's not actual tests, do blocks of passages. The important thing is not to just do free standing questions over and over; you have to do mostly passages, even if it's not in the exact exam setting. Get used to reading passages and doing questions. I think too many people do blocks of free standing questions in the sciences rather than passages, because it's easier to just do blocks of questions without changing gears. They get a big surprise at first when they start taking passage-based exams.

 

[Kouger86]

So, I've decided to give up on content review on Physics/Chem/Orgo from EK/1001, they suck! 😕

I love their Bio/1001, and the verbal.

Today, I ordered the TBR Chem/Orgo/Physics for content review with passage practice included.

Seeing as, there ~2+ months still left, Do you guys think its a good idea to ditch EK and start over with TBR.

What do you guys think? Good move or not

 

[sigle]

Ha! I just ended up dissolving what little relationship I had with EK. I think i'm overloading the amount of sources I have. TPR, BR, EK, and some Kaplan. Going through the 1001 Phys and Gen Chem was really starting to irk me because some of the questions seem ridiculous and the answers in the back were not even helpful. So now its strictly Tpr and br we shall see how it goes. I'm reviewing the first half of material now. Ughh 2 more months. Dont remind me!

Back to studying!

 

[AliDeLaLouisa]

😀Ok yeah I know why am i up? Going through content! lol

I am trying to knock out content first that way when I do take a pratice test i wont be like ok maybe i shouldve went through the material first. So I am using Kaplan all the way for bio,org,phy, and chem. Verbal its all about PR and I am doing Kaplan Tests and and AAMC practice test so we will see how this goes. 👍 That is a excellent posts though its better to do passage based anything instead of free stand alone questions. I have a real practice test on Friday so I will evaluate my score and see on what I need to improve on.

We can Do This You guys!

Become A Believer! Get There! Score a 45!

 

[Seagreen2014]

I'm registered for the may 27th mcat. I have so many books!!! I dont like the EK gen chem or physics, at all. I do however love their bio and verbal, and I am almost done with all the verbal passages.

I also absolutely LOVE TPR review books!!! I read all the chapters twice and made my own notes while reading them. Now I just review my notes which is much faster. I think their physics review is amazing and its so easy to read through!!!!

After I review my notes I go online to the TPR online practice passages and do the passages related to the content material I reviewed. I agree that passage based practice is more valuable than doing free standing questions. Their online verbal practice passages (36 passages) is helpful too because you get to do them online. At first I was getting really poor scores but now i'm reading faster and comprehending more information. I just have to work on time!!!!!!!!!!! :-(

What I learned is that you really only need a basic understanding of the concepts. Most questions on the bio ask you to interpret graphs or material in the passage, so I wouldnt get too bogged down with content.

I also have the berkley review chemistry book. I think the good thing about TBR is that it has many practice passages just like TPR, but their content review was not helpful to me at all. I think TPR was much better.

I have 17 practice exams to take (AAMC + 9 TPR) so I hope to finish these a week or two before the exam!

 

[Kouger86]

EK Verbal 1 ... (6)
EK Verbal 2 ... (7)
EK Verbal 3 ... (7)
EK Verbal 4 ... (9)
EK Verbal 5 ... (7)
EK Verbal 6 ... (7)
EK Verbal 7 ... (7)

 

[AliDeLaLouisa]

Practice, Practice, and read some scientific, social, and psychology articles. Verbal is only 40 questions thank god🙂

 

[LaZigeuner]

Hello, all. This is my 3rd and hopefully last time taking this dreaded test...didn't do so well last July...voided on 1/30 (that test was just ). Changed my date from June to this one...figured I wouldn't need that much time if its my third time studying. Anyone else in here voided the 1/30 test?

I didn't void 1/30, but I voided last fall 9/12.

What are you doing differently in prepping for this one?

 

[LaZigeuner]

Well, I felt pretty prepared for 1/30 because all I needed to do was study for verbal...and I felt really good about the 1/30 verbal but unfortunately everything went downhill for me after PS...that exam was just nothing like anything I've ever seen. I couldn't stop thinking about PS during verbal, and so I thought voiding would be the best decision. I just wasn't expecting that hard of a test, it was even a bit harder than TBR exams IMO...but this time I'll know what to expect. Just practicing with real hard material, not much else to do. I'm so sick of studying for the MCAT...

Yeah, one of the things I'm working on for this one is practicing forgetting about the previous [problem/passage/section] and focusing only on what's before me. But I also had some weaknesses that I'm working on improving, mainly in PS.

In your opinion, what was harder about the 1/30 exam than TBR?

 

[G1SG2]

Yeah, one of the things I'm working on for this one is practicing forgetting about the previous [problem/passage/section] and focusing only on what's before me. But I also had some weaknesses that I'm working on improving, mainly in PS.

In your opinion, what was harder about the 1/30 exam than TBR?

I can only speak for PS, since I thought the verbal was very fair and didn't even look at the BS section (I just skipped it since I knew I was voiding). The problem that I had was that for a lot of the questions, I had a tough time figuring out what I was being asked. The questions/answer choices were just really weird/vague. I think weird would be the best way to describe it. Like, I remember reading some of the questions/answer choices and going WHAT? I had a huge wtf moment that spanned throughout the entire section, lol. I think a little bit of luck is involved as well...I had a great exam when I first took the test last July...too bad I blew it. Hopefully our exam will be doable.

 

[Ahsan]

So We have a well over two months for the exams?! How are you guys coming along?!
What is ur study plans for the next two months.

I have skimmed/glazed over the content review and now I will be practicing till i piss blood!! lol Hopefully I will see improvement on my fls.

GUYS LET ME KNOW WHAT UR STUDY PLANS ARE!!!!!

Thanks

 

[AliDeLaLouisa]

Im using Ek for Physics only! I need all the practice I can get, hopefully I can pull this physics section together. REPETITION + MEMORY+ TIME + THEORY = a GOOD SCORE RIGHT?

 

[LaZigeuner]

Hopefully our exam will be doable.

yeah

 

[LaZigeuner]

Im using Ek for Physics only! I need all the practice I can get, hopefully I can pull this physics section together. REPETITION + MEMORY+ TIME + THEORY = a GOOD SCORE RIGHT?

Here's hoping!

I'm using BR for everything. Will finish content review by end of next week, then passages and practice exams.

Are you talking about EK 1001?

 

[AliDeLaLouisa]

Here's hoping!

I'm using BR for everything. Will finish content review by end of next week, then passages and practice exams.

Are you talking about EK 1001?

Yes the EK 1001. Sorry I did not clarify that. Oh well heres to happy studying.... seems like were on the same page although Im finding when I review the content material its soooo like ive seen this so many times lol...I find my mind drifting off into space or something....I just want to make sure I cover everything. You can never know too little for this test right?

 

[xanman]

I am almost done with content review by reading the new Kaplan set of books. Last summer I read through TPR book for physical sciences because I had the new one but not the bio/orgo/verbal books because I had the 07 versions of those.

Recently I ordered the EK 1001 questions for Chem, O Chem, Physics, and Bio and the EK Verbal 101. I was thinking these will just help me do busy work on a day to day basis while I do the main full lengths on the aamc website about twice a week starting about two weeks from now.

What other passage based materials should I be looking at?

 

[Kouger86]

Just got my TBR Physics/Chem/Orgo books. Have been using EK 1001/101 for bio/verbal. Will get done with content in about a month which leaves me with a month for practice FLs. Do u guys think that's enough for practice FLs?

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Just got my TBR Physics/Chem/Orgo books. Have been using EK 1001/101 for bio/verbal. Will get done with content in about a month which leaves me with a month for practice FLs. Do u guys think that's enough for practice FLs?

I'm on a similar schedule so I hope so. I have both TBR chem and physics. The TBR Chem is a god send, not 100% sold on the physics yet, though it is far better than anything else I've seen out there.