The Official 3/23/13 MCAT Thread

[Redpancreas]

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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]

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.

Well what were you referring to with making an online group flashcard bank? I wasn't sure if you were talking about a fact of the day compilation or a larger, more comprehensive group bank.

Edit: Also I had originally planned to use Mnemosyne but it seemed difficult to put pictures into the cards...

 

[gettheleadout]

All this time spent studying is making the ladyfriend unhappy. 🙁

What a horrible conundrum... On the one hand my relationship is very important and it's another person's feelings to be weighed, on the other hand this test is extremely important to me and I don't feel like I have much of a choice anyway.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Done with all 146 bio discreets 🙂

There are 63 passages!! Looks like I'm going to get plenty of bio practice before March

back when i was studying for my first test i sat down and did all the TPRHL SW bio in like 3 days..... so mad at myself for not using it in a more effective manner but I was under the gun. Hell I might still do some of these again anyways because there's no possible way I could have learned that material very well.

Well what were you referring to with making an online group flashcard bank? I wasn't sure if you were talking about a fact of the day compilation or a larger, more comprehensive group bank.

Edit: Also I had originally planned to use Mnemosyne but it seemed difficult to put pictures into the cards...

I dont know i usually just google one and use it, lol. I'm not knocking studyblue. no worries, it was just an idea

All this time spent studying is making the ladyfriend unhappy. 🙁

What a horrible conundrum... On the one hand my relationship is very important and it's another person's feelings to be weighed, on the other hand this test is extremely important to me and I don't feel like I have much of a choice anyway.

put time with her into your schedule. for the upcoming semester, i already have my test dates put into my schedule. you can relieve a lot of stress this way.

 

[osprey099]

Well what were you referring to with making an online group flashcard bank? I wasn't sure if you were talking about a fact of the day compilation or a larger, more comprehensive group bank.

Edit: Also I had originally planned to use Mnemosyne but it seemed difficult to put pictures into the cards...

TOP again! congrats!🙂

 

[NuttyEngDude]

TOP again! congrats!🙂

oh THAT's what you mean by TOP, lol. i get it now.......lol

 

[Jr MD]

I hate review days......idk what to do cause I want the info to stick but rewriting notes for 5 chapters destroys me after 3 lol

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[NuttyEngDude]

what are you reviewing right now? the only time i've ever had value in rewriting things over was when i am trying to BRUTE MEMORIZE stuff .

 

[gettheleadout]

I hate review days......idk what to do cause I want the info to stick but rewriting notes for 5 chapters destroys me after 3 lol

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Oh god don't rewrite notes in their entirety for all the chapters, that would kill me.

 

[Jr MD]

Equilibrium and atomic theory and work and energy left. Did flash cards and an outline for atomic theory but equilibrium can't be done with flashcards entirely. Then i have to do the EK 1001...ugghhh...i wanna go to sleep lol I'm laying in my couch in the fetal position right now

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[Jr MD]

Oh god don't rewrite notes in their entirety for all the chapters, that would kill me.

What do you do GTLO??

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[gettheleadout]

What do you do GTLO??

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I don't read the chapters word-for-word, I sort of skim through it and reread paragraphs of key material, along with my notes open next to me and I review and amend my notes while I read.

 

[StraddleHand]

Started my Princeton Review prep course this weekend! Very motivated so far...but it's only Week 1 LOL

 

[Belle Melodie]

Started my Princeton Review prep course this weekend! Very motivated so far...but it's only Week 1 LOL

How do u like it so far? Im actually planning on taking the MCAT next year spring and was thinking of taking the course.

 

[gettheleadout]

Alrighty, got 30 EK 1001 Organic problems down in under 30 seconds each!

 

[osprey099]

So I was just trying to register for my MCAT and apparently everything in my area is full until April 26th so I registered for that date 🙁

 

[ScoobyDooo]

With any luck, you may be able to get a seat closer to the test date. Some people might drop out from having cold feet.

 

[osprey099]

Do you know if I can change my test date even after I already registered? If so, does this cost money?

 

[Captain Sisko]

All this time spent studying is making the ladyfriend unhappy. 🙁

What a horrible conundrum... On the one hand my relationship is very important and it's another person's feelings to be weighed, on the other hand this test is extremely important to me and I don't feel like I have much of a choice anyway.

I feel you buddy- just keep your work life balance and you'll be fine. Compromise is the name of the game, I'm sure that if you meet her halfway she'll appreciate it.

 

[Charles Darwin]

All this time spent studying is making the ladyfriend unhappy. 🙁

What a horrible conundrum... On the one hand my relationship is very important and it's another person's feelings to be weighed, on the other hand this test is extremely important to me and I don't feel like I have much of a choice anyway.

Disregard females.

Acquire MD.

*pic isn't working*

 

[gettheleadout]

Disregard females.

Acquire MD.

*pic isn't working*

3-year relationship lol

 

[Charles Darwin]

3-year relationship lol

Study with her, maybe? Never worked with my girlfriends, but perhaps you'll fair better. 😕

 

[gettheleadout]

See yesterday's Fact here

Today's fact concerns temperature and reaction rate!

Increasing temperature will always increase the reaction rate, even if the reaction is exothermic. Why?

The temperature of a medium is a measure of the free energy of its components, and greater temperature means the more free energy is available to the reactants, leading more of them to exist in a state of kinetic energy sufficient to achieve the activation energy necessary for a reaction to occur.

The direct effect of temperature can be observed in the Arrhenius equation: k_rxn = Ae^{-Eact / RT}

Why doesn't it matter if the reaction is exothermic? Every reaction is in equilibrium with its reverse reaction, meaning when the temperature of a reaction medium is increased, both the reactants for the exothermic reaction and the products of that reaction, the "reactants" for the reverse endothermic reaction, have greater free energy available to them and thus react more frequently. Both reactions proceed more rapidly.

However, Le Châtelier's principle tells us that the equilibrium position for an endo/exothermic reaction equilibrium will change when the temperature is changed. Because the equilibrium constant Keq can be defined as the ratio of forward to reverse reaction rates, and because we know that both rates will increase and that for an exothermic "forward" reaction the Keq will decrease with increase in temperature, we can conclude that the reverse reaction rate will increase to a greater degree than the forward reaction rate.

Exception: If the reaction observed is facilitated by a catalyst that responds to sufficient temperature change, such as in the case of an enzyme that becomes denatured as a result of increased temperature, the final rate of reaction may actually have a lower absolute value compared to the rate at the initial temperature. This is a result of the reaction's loss of catalysis.

 

[StraddleHand]

How do u like it so far? Im actually planning on taking the MCAT next year spring and was thinking of taking the course.

I actually like it a lot so far. All of the materials they give you for practice are really well done in my opinion. Also, the main reason I took the course was for help with structure and planning when to do things in my busy schedule. Seems to be helping so far!

 

[Jr MD]

Great tip GTLO!! Keep em coming!

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[NuttyEngDude]

So I was just trying to register for my MCAT and apparently everything in my area is full until April 26th so I registered for that date 🙁

oh no! 🙁

Do you know if I can change my test date even after I already registered? If so, does this cost money?

I think it's like $100 ish, go try to sign up for a different date and dont complete it, it will show you the price.

Great tip GTLO!! Keep em coming!

agreed.

 

[Captain Sisko]

Cool tip. Or hot. Whatever. Thanks!

 

[EphemeralRose3]

Hi! I've been lurking over this thread for some time now. I am planning on taking the exam on 3/23 as well.

I just took my first EK 30-min verbal test. I got a 6 on it, and I am very upset.

I know it is not indicative of the MCAT verbal reasoning, but I got a 600 on the SAT critical reading.

I'd really appreciate it if someone would give me some advice.

Thanks!

 

[gettheleadout]

First of all no, don't take EK verbal passages in big groups like that. It's not worth it because they won't be as predictive as full length practice test verbal sections. Second, verbal takes practice, don't worry about it.

 

[EphemeralRose3]

Thank you! That made me feel better!

Also, I was taking about the 30-minute in-class exam that's at the end of the small EK book.

 

[gettheleadout]

Thank you! That made me feel better!

Also, I was taking about the 30-minute in-class exam that's at the end of the small EK book.

Oh, you mean the Verbal strategies one or whatever?

 

[EphemeralRose3]

Yup!

 

[gettheleadout]

Yup!

Ah okay, I have the book but I didn't notice that in there and obviously haven't done it haha. I wouldn't consider it meaningful at this point.

 

[EphemeralRose3]

Ah okay, I have the book but I didn't notice that in there and obviously haven't done it haha. I wouldn't consider it meaningful at this point.

Okay. Thank you so much!

 

[Jr MD]

First of all no, don't take EK verbal passages in big groups like that. It's not worth it because they won't be as predictive as full length practice test verbal sections. Second, verbal takes practice, don't worry about it.

So you're saying doing passages again and again everyday until u improve will work?? I've done soo many and I can say I've gotten a tad better but...I just wanna make sure I do imrpove and not waste these quality passages

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[gettheleadout]

So you're saying doing passages again and again everyday until u improve will work?? I've done soo many and I can say I've gotten a tad better but...I just wanna make sure I do imrpove and not waste these quality passages

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Part of it is practice, so actually doing the passages, yes. Part of it is also reviewing them and identifying where you make mistakes, why you make them, etc...

Simply doing passages over and over without learning from your errors and actively trying to better your strategy would be pointless. That's the same reason doing large batches of verbal passages in full VR-section style isn't ideal; you're burning through more passages with a yet-to-be-perfected approach, when you could save them for practice as you better said approach.

 

[Jr MD]

Part of it is practice, so actually doing the passages, yes. Part of it is also reviewing them and identifying where you make mistakes, why you make them, etc...

Simply doing passages over and over without learning from your errors and actively trying to better your strategy would be pointless. That's the same reason doing large batches of verbal passages in full VR-section style isn't ideal; you're burning through more passages with a yet-to-be-perfected approach, when you could save them for practice as you better said approach.

Very true..I think my post game review is lacking then. What do you do for your review? Do you chart anything? Thanks GTLO

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[Dark Ace]

wooo! just wrapped up 10hrs of studying. School starts in 1 week! gl with that everyone 👍

I really need to check out this thread more often so much activity here.

 

[Dark Ace]

Very true..I think my post game review is lacking then. What do you do for your review? Do you chart anything? Thanks GTLO

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I would like the answer to this one too 👍

 

[ash0515]

I've been doing verbal passages for the past 3 months and my scores are still all over the place! I'm getting so frustrated 😡

Anyway, I've already used up my TPRH Verbal workbook, and I'm almost finished with my EK 101 Verbal book... Any suggestions for what the next best verbal prep material is? Thanks!

 

[osprey099]

I've been doing verbal passages for the past 3 months and my scores are still all over the place! I'm getting so frustrated 😡

Anyway, I've already used up my TPRH Verbal workbook, and I'm almost finished with my EK 101 Verbal book... Any suggestions for what the next best verbal prep material is? Thanks!

AAMC SAP Verbal
EK Verbal Reasoning book (the one with 9 passages in the 30minute exam format)
14 Kaplan Verbal Section Tests (only available from taking the course)
EK16 Mini-MCATs (the verbal passages in here that is..)
TPR MCAT Workout (there's like 10 or so verbal passages in here)

 

[Jr MD]

So I'm looking at the metabolic pathways chapter for the Berkeley review and im like 😱😱

Do we need to know all this info????? Gawlleeee!!

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[osprey099]

So I'm looking at the metabolic pathways chapter for the Berkeley review and im like 😱😱

Do we need to know all this info????? Gawlleeee!!

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No it's way too much

 

[Jr MD]

Thank God

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[Jr MD]

second 2 1/3s suck

 

[gettheleadout]

See yesterday's Fact here

Today's fact concerns Conservation of Energy!

For an isolated system, or for the universe, energy is always conserved. Specific forms of energy may be conserved.

Watch for specific wording of conservation statements in questions and answers! Consider an isolated system of two objects colliding: Energy is conserved in the collision, but kinetic energy may not be conserved. Conservation of specific forms of energy within a system depends on the nature of interactions of system components. For a collision, kinetic energy conservation depends on the elasticity of the collision. If there is deformation of the objects, and therefore an inelastic collision, kinetic energy will not be conserved. However, because the lost kinetic energy powered the deformation and is thus contained as internal energy in the objects, total energy is conserved, as it always is.

 

[timeturner]

All this time spent studying is making the ladyfriend unhappy. 🙁

What a horrible conundrum... On the one hand my relationship is very important and it's another person's feelings to be weighed, on the other hand this test is extremely important to me and I don't feel like I have much of a choice anyway.

In the same predicament! Except for I lack serious self control...spent the last two days with boyfriend doing absolutely nothing....I feel pretty guilty but then it's hard to study when I'm unhappy too!

What a terrible situation

 

[Jr MD]

Very terrible...my gf broke up with me lol but she'll hit me up when I flash all my acceptance letters in her face hahaha 🙂

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[Belle Melodie]

3-year relationship lol

Doesnt matter how many years, if she really loves you she will stand by your side. Headaches and all. You're not out in the street you're trying to become a doctor. She should be more understanding. This is coming from a females point of view in a 3yr relationship as well. GL!

 

[sworzeh]

All this time spent studying is making the ladyfriend unhappy. 🙁

What a horrible conundrum... On the one hand my relationship is very important and it's another person's feelings to be weighed, on the other hand this test is extremely important to me and I don't feel like I have much of a choice anyway.

Ugh I totally know what you're feeling. I've resolved just to get less sleep so that she doesn't feel like I'm ditching her 🙁 I fall behind a lot though, but I always manage to catch up.

 

[gettheleadout]

See yesterday's Fact here

Today's fact concerns the endocrine system!

The posterior pituitary gland secretes the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin (anti-diuretic hormone or ADH), but does not synthesize them. Unlike the hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary, oxytocin and vasopressin are synthesized outside the pituitary gland, in the hypothalamus.