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? 😀

 

[Kouger86]

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.

What else have you used?

I tried EK 1001 for Physics/Chem/Orgo but quickly realized that if I were to complete all those questions I would have no time for practice passages, so I opted for TBR Physics/Chem/Orgo.

I've heard TBR is pretty solid for the physical sciences, no?

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Yeah, I didn't mean to make TBR sound like it wasn't good for PS, the physics books just don't seem to be put "together" as well as the chem books.

EK content for physics was trash, it seems they spend more time trying to trick you into an answer than trying to teach you.

A pointer I just learned (after throughly getting owned and then reading SDN boards) is if you are going to do GS diagnostic tests make sure you have your PS down.

 

[jiayo]

When you guys say "content review" are you just studying or are you also doing the questions/passages associated with the readings?

 

[G1SG2]

When you guys say "content review" are you just studying or are you also doing the questions/passages associated with the readings?

Questions and passages but no full-length exams.

 

[Kouger86]

TBR is great b/c it offers passage format (10-12 passages per chapter) questions at the end of chapters.

 

[Turtle0109]

OK, Im taking the MCAT on May 27th too. I've taken 3 practice tests thus far and I'm at a 23! How screwed am I? I want to go up by 10 points, is this even possible??

-Alex

 

[Turtle0109]

I noticed alot of people were sharing study advice. One of the things that has been awesome for me is EK audio osmosis 🙂 Its two guys with really annoying voices (that will keep you awake and alert) telling corny jokes, but it really nails the physics formulas and concepts in your head!! And its awesome for car rides! I know I have been tempted to study my flashcards at a red light before... yea, not too safe. hope this helps 😉

 

[Ahsan]

OK, Im taking the MCAT on May 27th too. I've taken 3 practice tests thus far and I'm at a 23! How screwed am I? I want to go up by 10 points, is this even possible??

-Alex

WE CAN DO IT!! I know it seems like a MOUTAIN but step by step, WE WILL GET THERE!!

STUDY STUDY.. PRACTICE.. PRACTICE.. AND PRACTICE..

 

[jiayo]

I noticed alot of people were sharing study advice. One of the things that has been awesome for me is EK audio osmosis 🙂 Its two guys with really annoying voices (that will keep you awake and alert) telling corny jokes, but it really nails the physics formulas and concepts in your head!! And its awesome for car rides! I know I have been tempted to study my flashcards at a red light before... yea, not too safe. hope this helps 😉

I agree, I loveee AO when I'm at the gym!! The 2 guys are super cheesy, but their physics section is awesome and really helps cut down on time when you're doing certain types of problems. I'm not so fond of EK itself, but AO is great for overall review 👍

TBR is great b/c it offers passage format (10-12 passages per chapter) questions at the end of chapters.

Same with TPR, although I've heard TBR offers better explanations/chapters

Questions and passages but no full-length exams.

Got it, thank youu!

Starting up again, 5/27 is my tentative exam date (still need to register). Will begin studying with content review tomorrow.

Good luck.

Good luck to you as well! A little less than 2 months, we got this guys!!!!

OK, Im taking the MCAT on May 27th too. I've taken 3 practice tests thus far and I'm at a 23! How screwed am I? I want to go up by 10 points, is this even possible??

-Alex

I believe it's possible. It'll be hard, but with lots of work (study, practice, practice, practice, review) it's do-able.

 

[lstone13]

Thanks! 🙂 I got a 34R previously, but there's a very good chance that I'll be reapplying so I figured I might as well re-take the test and bring my application up a bit more. I hadn't taken orgo prior to my first test, so now that I've actually taken orgo I and will have finished orgo II by May, I think I stand a good chance of raising my score.
Also, I really just want to retake - I really enjoyed studying for the MCAT, and am excited to start again, can you say neurotic? lol 😀

I'm in a similar boat as you! I applied this cycle with a 32R, which resulted in 4 waitlists, so in an attempt to prepare myself for worst case scenario, I've signed up to retake the MCAT on 5/27!

I personally found the real test to be easier than the Kaplan questions, because I felt that Kaplan went into greater detail. If you take the AAMC practice tests though, you'll get a good idea of what the real test is like. Though the first few are a bit easier, the tests after #5 or 6 are pretty representative of the real exam. (They are previously administered exams after all!) 😀

I agree with this completely! I took both Kaplan and AAMC tests in preparation last time, and AAMC was very representative of the real MCAT. Kaplan was much too detailed. However, I felt like the AAMC tests, while they were more representative of the real deal, they were also slightly easier than the actual MCAT.

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?

Have you tried reading an article on speed reading? I once read a book on how to speed read, and I felt like this helped me tremendously to work through the verbal section and finish on time.

 

[Ahsan]

I'm in a similar boat as you! I applied this cycle with a 32R, which resulted in 4 waitlists, so in an attempt to prepare myself for worst case scenario, I've signed up to retake the MCAT on 5/27!



I agree with this completely! I took both Kaplan and AAMC tests in preparation last time, and AAMC was very representative of the real MCAT. Kaplan was much too detailed. However, I felt like the AAMC tests, while they were more representative of the real deal, they were also slightly easier than the actual MCAT.



Have you tried reading an article on speed reading? I once read a book on how to speed read, and I felt like this helped me tremendously to work through the verbal section and finish on time.

Wow. That is a descent score and I am surprised that you still have not gotten the final decision. HOW MANY SCHOOLS DID YOU APPLY TO?!

ALSO,
Hey! can you tell us your strategy for using Kaplan resources to get a 30 plus.. Im using the resources wanted to get your suggestion on how to go about doing sectional test.. subject test.. q bank and all..

Thanks

 

[VVSHT]

Hey guys. I am going to to take it on the May 27th also. I actually ordered all the EK books including 1001 questions, but after reading this thread, im starting to regret my decision. Is the TBR physics really that much better.

 

[Kouger86]

Hey guys. I am going to to take it on the May 27th also. I actually ordered all the EK books including 1001 questions, but after reading this thread, im starting to regret my decision. Is the TBR physics really that much better.

Yeah, TBR is much better for physics/chem. I originally started a month ago, with EK for everything but have now realized that EK is only good for BIO/Verbal. For Orgo, I am using TBR also. I wish I had started with TBR in the first place, could've saved myself the time. Now, I have ~1 month for content reveiw (TBR books are very dense) to cram TBR Chem/orgo/physics and less than 1month for FL Practice.

Good Luck.

 

[lstone13]

Wow. That is a descent score and I am surprised that you still have not gotten the final decision. HOW MANY SCHOOLS DID YOU APPLY TO?!

ALSO,
Hey! can you tell us your strategy for using Kaplan resources to get a 30 plus.. Im using the resources wanted to get your suggestion on how to go about doing sectional test.. subject test.. q bank and all..

Thanks

I applied to 20 schools total, a little top heavy though (which was a mistake in retrospect), but the biggest thing that I believe held me back this year wasn't my MCAT score (32R) or GPA (3.9), it was the timing of my application (verified early September with a late LOR that came in late September).

As far as Kaplan goes, personally, I did not find that their practice tests or practice questions were too helpful. However, I really liked their review books, and that's what I'm using again this time around. The flashcards you get with the books can alse come in handy if you try to do SN2ed's "Hat Trick." Also, I had the big thick Princeton Review book, which I thought was pretty good as well, and I really liked their practice problems/passages. I will be using that again too. I think it's a good idea in general to couple study strategies anyway (i.e., using both Kaplan and TPR) because it gives you a few perspectives on the same topics and therefore, can help you to better conceptualize them.

For what it's worth or in case you're interested, here was my strategy the first time I took the MCAT:

I took the Kaplan course while I was finishing up a couple of my science prerequisites simultaneously, so personally, I didn't find the course itself to be too helpful either. One month before the MCAT, I began my heavy studying. I studied anywhere between 5-8 hours a day and treated studying for the test as if it were my job. Also, I took 5 full length AAMC practice tests within that month. During that month, I went through all of the Kaplan and the TPR review materials.

 

[Ichiro]

I only use TBR because of time budget. Anyway I did the first FL of TBR today and got a 35 according to the scoring sheet the instructor sent us. Has anyone tried that FL and thought that it was too easy? I think I am bad at verbal and I got like a 12 and I missed like 4 for the bio section. I got a 9 on physical science (my strongest area) but I think I was just sluggish today. Anyway I found the score too good to be true and wonder if anyone felt the same. I really do not want to get overconfident and fell on my face when the real score comes. Thanks for any input.

 

[Ahsan]

I only use TBR because of time budget. Anyway I did the first FL of TBR today and got a 35 according to the scoring sheet the instructor sent us. Has anyone tried that FL and thought that it was too easy? I think I am bad at verbal and I got like a 12 and I missed like 4 for the bio section. I got a 9 on physical science (my strongest area) but I think I was just sluggish today. Anyway I found the score too good to be true and wonder if anyone felt the same. I really do not want to get overconfident and fell on my face when the real score comes. Thanks for any input.

WOW! Thats great.. with few months of practice you are probably going to hit 40s. I wish I was a genius like you.. lol

 

[Flapjacks]

Does anyone notice that the EK 1001 physics gives bad explanations and sometimes i don't think they are right or wrong because they are known for errata and/or bad explanation.

 

[scorpiobeauty6]

flapjacks omg yes! 1001 EK Physics chapter 1 made me so upset 4this same reason!

 

[Kouger86]

flapjacks omg yes! 1001 EK Physics chapter 1 made me so upset 4this same reason!

U guys should seriously think about using TBR, if You've got the money. I started with EK for all subjects including the 1001 books, gave them a serious shot for 3-4weeks, and finally gave up on them. The TBR phys/chem/orgo books are pretty good, and am now thinking about getting their Bio, as well.

 

[Flapjacks]

I have the TBR full set as well as EK, but what I do after every topic, for example, the torque and equilibrium section, after I read the few pages on Torque i refer to my EK 1001 book to reinforce what i just learned before I continue on to Equilibrium pages.

Theres at least one or more questions per section this occurs.

 

[G1SG2]

Any retakers in here?

 

[Badtz]

I am also going to write the Mcat May 27. Is it me? or the EK questions in the back of the book are hard? i am literally getting half of the questions correct. In the scaled score of 8 sometimes even 7, depending on the lecture. Is anyone facing the same problem?

 

[mynamehere]

doom doom.. less than 2 months away til we hope that's the last time we put ourselves through this!

 

[dkimtj]

Hello. It's been awhile since I've taken my last MCAT. I'm working full time and have already taken the exam twice (28O-expired, 29P). I'm pretty much reviewing and refreshing the study material (Kaplan, EK) right now. Anybody in the Boston area want to study together? I'm hoping to go over the AAMC exams by mid-April through May. Hoping to study independently then go over the exams and help each other out on the science questions.
The only way to improve on the VR is to practice timed sessions.

My weakness would be Orgo and Physics.

Anybody interested, please let me know!!

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Bumpage...How is everyone's studying going? Just finished my first TBR Physics book and will finish my first Chem tomorrow.

Anyone know if "complementary colors" is MCAT testable ? I never learned this in UG (and I don't remember EK touching on them) and I got slaughtered on the physics section that covered that in TBR.

 

[Kouger86]

Bumpage...How is everyone's studying going? Just finished my first TBR Physics book and will finish my first Chem tomorrow.

Anyone know if "complementary colors" is MCAT testable ? I never learned this in UG (and I don't remember EK touching on them) and I got slaughtered on the physics section that covered that in TBR.

I will be finishing 1st TBR Phys/Chem books soon. Not sure about complementary colors, I do remember seeing them mentioned in a kaplan review book. I also got crushed on those passages.

When r u planning on FLs?

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I will be finishing 1st TBR Phys/Chem books soon. Not sure about complementary colors, I do remember seeing them mentioned in a kaplan review book. I also got crushed on those passages.

When r u planning on FLs?

Looking to dable in FLs about 4 weeks out. Took the two weeks leading up to the MCAT (after finals) off of work and planning on working through the AAMCs then, I sure hope all this review is paying off.

How are you scoring on your BR passages, Kougar? I started out with getting nearly everyone one in the 10-12 for physics and 10-11 for chemistry, but near the end of the first books have really petered off to 7-9s for physics and 8-9 for chems.

 

[Kouger86]

Looking to dable in FLs about 4 weeks out. Took the two weeks leading up to the MCAT (after finals) off of work and planning on working through the AAMCs then, I sure hope all this review is paying off.

How are you scoring on your BR passages, Kougar? I started out with getting nearly everyone one in the 10-12 for physics and 10-11 for chemistry, but near the end of the first books have really petered off to 7-9s for physics and 8-9 for chems.

I've been somewhat dissapointed with my scores, 7s-9s mostly in both physics and chem, for orgo; 10s. And am using EK for bio

 

[G1SG2]

Taking TBR exams and then AAMCs...very hard to get above 10s in the sciences in TBR exams...

 

[Kouger86]

41 days left....just in case, you guys forgot 👍

 

[Tachybradia]

Hey guys and girls! I'm taking it on 5/27.

I have been using EK for study review. I'm not really a fan of EK now that I have been using it even though many people recommended it. I have taken two Kaplan FLs and scored a 25 and a 32. Good luck all!

 

[lstone13]

It's crunch time! 🙂

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Hey guys and girls! I'm taking it on 5/27.

I have been using EK for study review. I'm not really a fan of EK now that I have been using it even though many people recommended it. I have taken two Kaplan FLs and scored a 25 and a 32. Good luck all!

Wow, big difference in the two scores. Was the 32 after additional content review?

T-~10 days before I begin the FL fun. Not sure if I want to start with Kaplan or try and get beat down by the gold standard FLs.

 

[Maneuver]

Taking it on May 27th and hoping for a relatively easy version of the exam that tests all my strengths .

On a side note, can I listen to music during my breaks between sections? Will they try to stop me if I whip out the Ipod

 

[lstone13]

Taking it on May 27th and hoping for a relatively easy version of the exam that tests all my strengths .

On a side note, can I listen to music during my breaks between sections? Will they try to stop me if I whip out the Ipod

I think you probably could if you wanted to. But in my opinion, it probably wouldn't be worth it. You've got 10 minutes, and in that time, you would have to go to your locker, unlock it, get your iPod out, start playing music, then stop, pack it all back up, sign back in, and go to your seat. During those breaks in my first MCAT, I used them to eat a snack quickly and race to the bathroom that was at the other side of the testing center building.

 

[Maneuver]

Our May 27th MCAT thread is kinda dead. Must not be that many people taking it on the 27th

 

[Maneuver]

Whoever made this thread you forgot to add "The Official"

to the beginning of the title. 😡

 

[Maneuver]

I'm making another post because this post isn't the "official" one

 

[Turtle0109]

ALMOST TO THE ONE MONTH COUNTDOWN EVERYONE!!!!

I have done 4 FLs thus far:
FL 1- 19
FL 2- 23
FL 3- 29
FL 4- 31 (that was today!!!) 12BS 9PS 10VR

I just posted because I thought everyone should know 10+ point improvement is DOABLE!!!

On a more stressful note, does anyone know how confident I can be in similar scores for test day? I havent started taking AAMC practice tests, only Kaplan


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

p.s. any tips for the PS section?? IM STUCK AT A 9!!!

 

[Maneuver]

Good Job Turtle Keep it up!!!




//Note to Admin: Can you add the words "The Official" to the title of this thread. Thanks. Lol I know who cares but it might affect our scores... lol

 

[LaZigeuner]

ALMOST TO THE ONE MONTH COUNTDOWN EVERYONE!!!!

I have done 4 FLs thus far:
FL 1- 19
FL 2- 23
FL 3- 29
FL 4- 31 (that was today!!!) 12BS 9PS 10VR

I just posted because I thought everyone should know 10+ point improvement is DOABLE!!!

On a more stressful note, does anyone know how confident I can be in similar scores for test day? I havent started taking AAMC practice tests, only Kaplan


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

p.s. any tips for the PS section?? IM STUCK AT A 9!!!

Great job, Turtle, nice trend there! 👍

For PS---I assume you're reviewing Every.Single.Problem (whether you got it right or wrong) for reasoning, etc.?

I have had to make a sheet of formulas/relationships, and trends, and I periodically review them alongside practice problems, and when I'm reviewing problems. With the sheet next to me, I try to figure out if I could have gotten to the right answer quicker/better/whatever.

Keep up the good work! 😀

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

ALMOST TO THE ONE MONTH COUNTDOWN EVERYONE!!!!

I have done 4 FLs thus far:
FL 1- 19
FL 2- 23
FL 3- 29
FL 4- 31 (that was today!!!) 12BS 9PS 10VR

I just posted because I thought everyone should know 10+ point improvement is DOABLE!!!

On a more stressful note, does anyone know how confident I can be in similar scores for test day? I havent started taking AAMC practice tests, only Kaplan


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

p.s. any tips for the PS section?? IM STUCK AT A 9!!!

Wow already 4 FLs I feel MONDO behind. I agree that, that is awesome improvement. What are you using to study, did you take the Kaplan course?

 

[Ahsan]

I'm making another post because this post isn't the "official" one

lol
Are you serious?! haha

 

[Kouger86]

I'm starting FLs May 1st. Formal content review will be done on May 4th.

I'm Scared. Oh, so scared.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

I'm starting FLs May 1st. Formal comtent review will be done on May 4th.

I'm Scared. Oh, so scared.

Yeah I'll be done this weekend with all my content and I'm freaking myself out. I wasn't going to take an AAMC until ~May 15th but I'm moving it up to the 5th because I really need to see where my progress is at. Then I'll probably jump back to Kaplan FLs until ~May 16th and punch out AAMC 5-10 doing an every other day thing until the big date.

By the way, T-1 MONTH!

 

[on house arrest]

finals are getting in my way of MCAT studying. even if it is "pertinent" to the MCAT.

Anyone else feel like pushing the date back?

 

[Maneuver]

^

Thought about it, but I've just decided to sleep less.

 

[porter806]

Hey Guys,

I signed up for this about a year ago 2 years ago maybe and am on infrequently but am starting to feel the nerves especially with may 1st basically around the corner. I'm sitting for the 5/27 test after having sat for the 4/10 test and voiding it....anyone in a similar situation? How are you studying differently...if you are doing anything different at all? also, anyone know if the tests on 4/17 and 4/23 has very long passages and were calculation heavy (compared to AAMC practice tests?)

 

[LaZigeuner]

finals are getting in my way of MCAT studying. even if it is "pertinent" to the MCAT.

Anyone else feel like pushing the date back?

Yes, me. My school is on the quarter system, so finals are the 2nd week of June, followed by the school's administration of the ACS biochem exam. I decided last night that I'm not going to make it for 5/27, and 6/17 is unrealistic (right after ACS exam) so I'm about to change my date to 7/8. 🙁

I'm disappointed. I wanted to apply early (last summer I was all set to take in June---then July---then September, then backed out all together and didn't apply at all).

But I think this is true: high MCAT > early application > late application > low MCAT. Maximizing chances for a high MCAT makes the most sense.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

^

Thought about it, but I've just decided to sleep less.

I'm sure scoring a 36 on your first practice also helped you decide not to reschedule 😀