The Official 3/23/13 MCAT Thread

[Redpancreas]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Figured I'd start this one out. I'll be registering for the MCAT first thing tomorrow. Who else is taking it on this date? How do you all plan on studying over the school year?

 

[gettheleadout]

Doing the TBR Hydrocarbon Reactions chapter brings back memories of how much I loved organic. 🙂

Edit: TOP!!1

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Doing the TBR Hydrocarbon Reactions chapter brings back memories of how much I loved organic. 🙂

Edit: TOP!!1

what does TOP!!1 mean? lol

i'm so tired from studying for the mcat already, i know i'm even half way through......it's going to be a long whiny few months. but dont worry i wont whine anymore to you guys

 

[Jr MD]

what does TOP!!1 mean? lol

i'm so tired from studying for the mcat already, i know i'm even half way through......it's going to be a long whiny few months. but dont worry i wont whine anymore to you guys

hey winning is ok! I'm tired of studying too...im frightened that even if i finish all thus content review i still will be in the low 20s...them there's that pesky VR section...i just can't seem to grasp that thing...uggghhh....i think my post game analysis is a waste of time 🙁 any body wanna share how they do theit post game for the verbal section...I'd really appreciate it.

Also NED hows the Verbal section coming ?

Edit: i meant whining lol but I'm here to win too!!

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[gettheleadout]

what does TOP!!1 mean? lol

Just that I got the post at the top of the page haha

hey winning is ok! I'm tired of studying too...im frightened that even if i finish all thus content review i still will be in the low 20s...them there's that pesky VR section...i just can't seem to grasp that thing...uggghhh....i think my post game analysis is a waste of time 🙁 any body wanna share how they do theit post game for the verbal section...I'd really appreciate it.

Also NED hows the Verbal section coming ?

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

Winning is all I'm here to do. 😎

Haha but hey, am I the only one that enjoys this? I mean the workload is a lot and there are things I'd rather be doing, but a lot of this material is really cool and I'm enjoying seeing it again.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

hey winning is ok! I'm tired of studying too...im frightened that even if i finish all thus content review i still will be in the low 20s...them there's that pesky VR section...i just can't seem to grasp that thing...uggghhh....i think my post game analysis is a waste of time 🙁 any body wanna share how they do theit post game for the verbal section...I'd really appreciate it.

Also NED hows the Verbal section coming ?

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

I havent started verbal, bio, or ochem unless you count a few hormone flash cards now and again. Only been doing physical sciences, trying to finish that up and put it in "review mode" until i finish content review. I was scoring 10's on verbal consistently before, I dont think I regressed but it's possible. My plan is to start it within the next week when i start ochem/bio. The verbal strategy i posted to you is not what i do, i just sort of read it like i normally read and answer the questions. seems to work for me, but so many people found that other strategy to work for them that i figured i'd pass it along.

Just that I got the post at the top of the page haha

Winning is all I'm here to do. 😎

Haha but hey, am I the only one that enjoys this? I mean the workload is a lot and there are things I'd rather be doing, but a lot of this material is really cool and I'm enjoying seeing it again.

yeah i dont know if you're the only one who enjoys this stuff but I know I cant wait to be past it maybe if i for sure knew i was scoring mid 30's i'd be in a better frame of mind. This is the problem with content review, you sort of have no good metrics to encourage you along the way.

 

[osprey099]

Haha but hey, am I the only one that enjoys this? I mean the workload is a lot and there are things I'd rather be doing, but a lot of this material is really cool and I'm enjoying seeing it again.

I enjoy studying it too but only because I can have a personal satisfaction that every extra passage I do can potentially garner me another point on test day

 

[gettheleadout]

Doing the second 1/3 TBR passages for Equilibrium now I can see that they are indeed harder than other TBR chapters. Hmm.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[NuttyEngDude]

I enjoy studying it too but only because I can have a personal satisfaction that every extra passage I do can potentially garner me another point on test day

I need to adopt this attitude. 👍

Doing the second 1/3 TBR passages for Equilibrium now I can see that they are indeed harder than other TBR chapters. Hmm.

are you guys keeping track of your scores like they are doing in the Berkeley review thread? I'm not doing that...... wondering if i should. when i get to the practice tests i will for sure, but not sure the value in recording practice problem scores.

 

[Jr MD]

I'm definitely keeping track..gotta chart for every subject...

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[Jr MD]

Doing the second 1/3 TBR passages for Equilibrium now I can see that they are indeed harder than other TBR chapters. Hmm.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

Doing the 1st 1/3 now ...wasn't that bad but long chapter just finished :/ ...gonna be a late night..

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[gettheleadout]

are you guys keeping track of your scores like they are doing in the Berkeley review thread? I'm not doing that...... wondering if i should. when i get to the practice tests i will for sure, but not sure the value in recording practice problem scores.

Nah I don't see enough potential value in doing that.



Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[sworzeh]

Doing the TBR Hydrocarbon Reactions chapter brings back memories of how much I loved organic. 🙂

Edit: TOP!!1

I feel the same way; organic was awesome! I just worry that I am wasting my time reviewing organic. The first thing I've learned in about 200 pages is the formula for enantiomeric excess, which I forgot.

 

[gettheleadout]

I feel the same way; organic was awesome! I just worry that I am wasting my time reviewing organic. The first thing I've learned in about 200 pages is the formula for enantiomeric excess, which I forgot.

We never did Cope/Claisen rearrangement in my courses.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[gettheleadout]

Just took over 10 minutes on a TBR Bio passage and still had no defensible answer for two of the six questions... 😕

 

[NuttyEngDude]

I feel the same way; organic was awesome! I just worry that I am wasting my time reviewing organic. The first thing I've learned in about 200 pages is the formula for enantiomeric excess, which I forgot.

organic will be my wild card not sure if i will do well or not and it seems annoying to prep for.

Just took over 10 minutes on a TBR Bio passage and still had no defensible answer for two of the six questions... 😕

Which bio chapter? I wish I hadnt burned all the TPRH bio passages last time I prepped but i still have the TBR ones.


back to physics for me today........

 

[gettheleadout]

Which bio chapter? I wish I hadnt burned all the TPRH bio passages last time I prepped but i still have the TBR ones.


back to physics for me today........

TBR Ch. 10 (corresponding passage for EK Bio Ch.2). It was just ridiculous. Normally I'm way under time for all of the other TBR sciences (depending on the specific topic I may take 7-8 minutes, but I assume that evens out then), and I don't always go over on TBR Bio, but man...

 

[slz1900]

TBR Ch. 10 (corresponding passage for EK Bio Ch.2). It was just ridiculous. Normally I'm way under time for all of the other TBR sciences (depending on the specific topic I may take 7-8 minutes, but I assume that evens out then), and I don't always go over on TBR Bio, but man...

The genetics passages in TBR were brutal. There was one crossover problem with a 2 and a half page explanation 😱

What do people think about the 30 min EK exams? I feel like they're more about passage comprehension than tbr bio. Anyone know if they're supposed to be reflective of the real thing?

 

[osprey099]

Would you guys recommend re-doing TBR passages and TPRHL passages? I did all of these last summer before my first MCAT but I didn't make any markings in the book because I did them all on scratch paper. So all the passages are unmarked and I have already started doing some of them. I can only vaguely recall the fact that I have seen some of the passages before but I don't remember any of the questions/answers. Should I continue this or should I seek other practice?

 

[osprey099]

The genetics passages in TBR were brutal. There was one crossover problem with a 2 and a half page explanation 😱

What do people think about the 30 min EK exams? I feel like they're more about passage comprehension than tbr bio. Anyone know if they're supposed to be reflective of the real thing?

The Bio EK passages were too easy compared to the real thing in my opinion.

 

[gettheleadout]

The genetics passages in TBR were brutal. There was one crossover problem with a 2 and a half page explanation 😱

Holy Swiss.

What do people think about the 30 min EK exams? I feel like they're more about passage comprehension than tbr bio. Anyone know if they're supposed to be reflective of the real thing?

I like them better, but that might be because they're easier lol. I'm anticipating seeing the TPRH SW bio passages as well as those on the AAMC FL's and AAMC Self-Assessment.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[Jr MD]

Holy Swiss.

I like them better, but that might be because they're easier lol. I'm anticipating seeing the TPRH SW bio passages as well as those on the AAMC FL's and AAMC Self-Assessment.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

AAMC SELF ASSESSMENT?? What's that sounds cool lol

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Would you guys recommend re-doing TBR passages and TPRHL passages? I did all of these last summer before my first MCAT but I didn't make any markings in the book because I did them all on scratch paper. So all the passages are unmarked and I have already started doing some of them. I can only vaguely recall the fact that I have seen some of the passages before but I don't remember any of the questions/answers. Should I continue this or should I seek other practice?

for verbal absolutely find something new, for some of the computational problems like optics lenses, etc I would reuse some but try to find new practice material for that as well. Unfortunately I cant think of any that would be as good as what you've used.

AAMC SELF ASSESSMENT?? What's that sounds cool lol

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

see if this works:
https://members.aamc.org/eweb/Dynam..._prd_key=FA52818A-7BCF-4D3C-98C1-EF63413BFD2A

I would only use those AFTER completion of content review. and kaplan provides it for "Free" online

 

[Jr MD]

Question: how are y'all reviewing on review days?? Do y'all just reread the passages like Sn2 states or do you type up notes? Flashcards? Or do y'all just read?

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Question: how are y'all reviewing on review days?? Do y'all just reread the passages like Sn2 states or do you type up notes? Flashcards? Or do y'all just read?

I am not following SN2ed's schedule even though I think it is a good schedule. I dont have review days until I start bio/orgo (in roughly a week). But when I get to it, I will have review days similar to how sn2ed's schedule suggests, which is read the chapters (i will skim them) but i will work kaplan problems instead. I am doing 2/3 of the TBR problems the first time through and will continue that when i start orgo/bio. My review days will also include a physical science section test from kaplan to keep "fresh" on it since I will technically be "done" with physical science content review when I start bio/orgo. At this point I will be following a schedule very similar to SN2ed's. Just with more range of materials.

I have the same notes from when i previously studied so I amend to them as I read now (barely touch them to be honest). but i try to re-read them and flashcard daily (keyword is "try"). I still need to write more flashcards. I also have the kaplan cards but i havent touched them since last july (they're ok, nothing special in case you were wondering lol).

 

[osprey099]

I am not following SN2ed's schedule either even though I have all the books. Like NED, I'm just re-reading notes I took from my previous try. I did the AAMC Self Assessments for Bio and Gen Chem and got 88% on both so I don't think it's necessary to re-read everything in TBR again since that takes so much time. I'm mostly focusing on just doing as many passages as I can. I'm planning on doing all the Chem, Orgo, Physics in TBR, everything in the two TPRHL workbooks, and all the kaplan online resources (section tests, topical tests, qbank) from my kaplan class.

 

[gettheleadout]

I am not following SN2ed's schedule either even though I have all the books. Like NED, I'm just re-reading notes I took from my previous try. I did the AAMC Self Assessments for Bio and Gen Chem and got 88% on both so I don't think it's necessary to re-read everything in TBR again since that takes so much time. I'm mostly focusing on just doing as many passages as I can. I'm planning on doing all the Chem, Orgo, Physics in TBR, everything in the two TPRHL workbooks, and all the kaplan online resources (section tests, topical tests, qbank) from my kaplan class.

Nice! 👍

 

[gettheleadout]

Got 100% on the 2nd 1/3 passages (4 passages) for TBR Organic Ch. 2 😎

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Got 100% on the 2nd 1/3 passages (4 passages) for TBR Organic Ch. 2 😎

👍

 

[gettheleadout]

👍

Aaaand then missed 7/23 on the second EK Bio 30-minute exam lol fail


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[NuttyEngDude]

saw that, apparently it's a hard chapter

 

[gettheleadout]

saw that, apparently it's a hard chapter

But really, first thing that's legitimately demoralized me so far 🙁


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[NuttyEngDude]

But really, first thing that's legitimately demoralized me so far 🙁

i wouldnt sweat it until you start taking real full length tests. go back a few pages in that thread and you will see that everyone does bad in that chapter.

 

[gettheleadout]

i wouldnt sweat it until you start taking real full length tests. go back a few pages in that thread and you will see that everyone does bad in that chapter.

Yeah I looked back through a bit and noticed that too. Oh well, I know I shouldn't care about passage scores until I'm actually on AAMC material, but I still like to do well lol


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Yeah I looked back through a bit and noticed that too. Oh well, I know I shouldn't care about passage scores until I'm actually on AAMC material, but I still like to do well lol

I hear ya. there is a slight component of worry to not getting questions right or to be perplexed by a passage.

I am getting antsy to start biology and orgo studying myself.....and oh yeah verbal.
I have those EK bio 30 min tests too, i will take them in time......

 

[ScoobyDooo]

I am not following SN2ed's schedule either even though I have all the books. Like NED, I'm just re-reading notes I took from my previous try. I did the AAMC Self Assessments for Bio and Gen Chem and got 88% on both so I don't think it's necessary to re-read everything in TBR again since that takes so much time.

Great job on getting that score! I am leaning towards getting the self assessment package as extra practice. Are the questions in free-standing format or are they passage based?


Edit: Are the EK 30 minute passage you guys are talking about from the EK 1001 book or from the the EK Bio lesson book?

 

[gettheleadout]

From the EK Bio content book.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile

 

[Entadus]

I should hit the books for a while tonight. It's a choice between physics, bio, and verbal. I will start with the first one suggested to me. Who will decide my study-destiny for the night??

 

[Jr MD]

Bio!!

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[Jr MD]

Its my break day...but guess what I'm doing! Haha

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[Entadus]

Hooray! 😍 THanks Jr! I was secretly hoping for bio

Will start after PIZZA! 😀 Will keep yall updated

 

[osprey099]

Got 100% on the 2nd 1/3 passages (4 passages) for TBR Organic Ch. 2 😎

Nice! TBR orgo is way harder than mcat orgo lol

 

[osprey099]

Great job on getting that score! I am leaning towards getting the self assessment package as extra practice. Are the questions in free-standing format or are they passage based?


Edit: Are the EK 30 minute passage you guys are talking about from the EK 1001 book or from the the EK Bio lesson book?

They are mostly passage based. Bio has 23 passages with around 20 discretes for a total of ~115 questions. Gen Chem has 21 passages with around 15 discretes for a total of 104 questions.

 

[Entadus]

True to my word I'm hitting PRHL SW Bio discreets

 

[gettheleadout]

Today's "GTLO's MCAT Fact of the Day" is the 5-10-15-20 Rule!

The 5-10-15-20 Rule ((c) TBR) gives the approximate pKa values for common functional groups:

5 - pKa for COOH
10 - pKa for phenol OH
15 - pKa for ROH
20 - pKa for C=O alpha-H

 

[NuttyEngDude]

awesome GTLO i was just making that into a flash card

 

[gettheleadout]

awesome GTLO i was just making that into a flash card

That's funny, I had just done it in a set of flashcards haha!

I think I'll actually start doing this daily! 😀

 

[NuttyEngDude]

we should use a flashcard website so we can all add to it, imo

 

[gettheleadout]

we should use a flashcard website so we can all add to it, imo

StudyBlue?

I'd be cool with using it for a compilation of GTLO MCAT Facts of the Day haha, but I wouldn't want to merge all of my personal cards with everyone else's.

I have my flashcards on my computer in Anki, and way too many to upload into a group file. Plus I like using flashcards I format myself (putting in details and prompts and such).

 

[NuttyEngDude]

I'm game with using studyblue, never used it. If you want to make a GTLO facts of the day set i'd use it. I used to use mnemosyne (an anki derivative) but I stopped, I just use pen/paper now, lol. making your own flashcards is half the learning too.

 

[Entadus]

Done with all 146 bio discreets 🙂

There are 80+ passages!! Looks like I'm going to get plenty of bio practice before March