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?

 

[Entadus]

Well, there are experimentals so the scale isn't out of 52, and since everyone was complaining about how hard PS was, I doubt it will be scaled in a way where 90% correct = 12 since that is what the harshest practice tests with the easiest sections are scaled at, but hey, we'll never know.

How do you know there are "experimentals"? After all, we did the trial section which served as the "experimental" questions for the new mcat they're releasing.

 

[sworzeh]

How do you know there are "experimentals"? After all, we did the trial section which served as the "experimental" questions for the new mcat they're releasing.

I don't know about you, but my bio section had at least one question that I swear wasn't bio-related. I had to think back to my intro psych class, and I still don't know if I got it.

 

[slz1900]

How do you know there are "experimentals"? After all, we did the trial section which served as the "experimental" questions for the new mcat they're releasing.

I don't know for a fact, but the mcat manual makes it sound like experimentals are always included. Also, they're still administering the test for another year and a half, and they need hundreds of new questions a year that are tested over the course of the twenty or so annual administrations, so it stands to reason that there would be a couple experimentals in every section.

 

[pabloyikes]

If there are other test takers like me who's main obstacle in the VR is being a slow reader, then the extra length on these passages should skew the scale downward to some degree..... at least I'm hoping so. I consistently score 10-12 on the AAMC practice test VR but I really feel that the rush to read quickly made this really tough on me and would be thrilled but a bit surprised to get a 10.

 

[pabloyikes]

......did I mention I am dying to know my score 🙁(

 

[Redpancreas]

Well, there are experimentals so the scale isn't out of 52, and since everyone was complaining about how hard PS was, I doubt it will be scaled in a way where 90% correct = 12 since that is what the harshest practice tests with the easiest sections are scaled at, but hey, we'll never know.

I pretty much used AAMC 9's physics section for this because I thought it was the easiest and it was my highest PS score.


As for experimental questions, who knows. I didn't really encounter any question unrelated to biology but there were some definite wacky ones as discrete sections that were totally random. I hope those were random but they're probably not as their like bio trivia.

 

[Mornhavon]

.

 

[carboxylase]

No dreams yet.

Are the scores usually posted exactly on the date listed, or a few days before?

 

[Redpancreas]

No dreams yet.

Are the scores usually posted exactly on the date listed, or a few days before?

Exactly on the date. It was around 2:30 PM for me but it'll vary by time zones.

 

[Albein]

I know you're all worried about scores and I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have any tips for the last 12 days? Woke up with 0 motivation and hoping it was the 26th. Retaking with a miserable score first time around so not trying to do things the same way. Good luck on your scores but I'm sure you all did great.

 

[Redpancreas]

I know you're all worried about scores and I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have any tips for the last 12 days? Woke up with 0 motivation and hoping it was the 26th. Retaking with a miserable score first time around so not trying to do things the same way. Good luck on your scores but I'm sure you all did great.

0 motivation? The important thing is to ask yourself why that is? Have you completed TBR/content review/etc. and are now simply exhausted? If so, and you are just avoiding the practice exams make sure you take AAMC 10 and AAMC 11 as well as atleast two other AAMCs from the 7,8, and 9. If you've done these and finished content review IMO you should take it easy. In the time from now until them focus on polishing small things but don't spend too much time on them. Make sure you're still comfortable with verbal (atleast a passage a day) as a couple days break was enough to always throw me off a bit. As for the sciences, recall all the topics you are worried about it and spend an hour or two a day reviewing them. If you haven't taken any AAMCs at this point just take 2 (10 and 11) and make sure you don't take one 4-5 days before the real thing. Review them for the main idea but don't dissect every little detail about them. If you've been following up on your practice tests/questions before chances are you're not going to have an epiphany. Also, find a de-stressor that you can do every day. I wish mine was working out but I'm ashamed to admit I stopped lifting 20 days before the MCAT because I was so nervous and now I'm still trying to get all of my lifts back up. I did run a couple miles every day after I finished MCAT prep did a bit of school work and then just went to bed early. I also took frequent study breaks to reread the Harry Potter series (big de-stressor). If you have 0 motivation because you barely studied (less than 1/2 of content review done) and your AAMCs are 4--6 pts below what you'd be happy with that's a different story and I don't know what I'd do at that point. Maybe postponing but at this point it's going to affect your application time. Maybe you'll get 27+ which might (depending on subscores) be able to get you past the screenings at some MD schools and then resubmit your new MCAT later.


Point:

Make sure you've done atleast 2-4 AAMCs (10/11 and 7,8, or 9) within the last two months. Make sure you do light content review on stuff that's bothering you. Keep up with verbal passages. Then find a couple destressors. You'll do great 😀

 

[Albein]

0 motivation? The important thing is to ask yourself why that is? Have you completed TBR/content review/etc.? If so, and you are just avoiding the practice exams make sure you take AAMC 10 and AAMC 11 as well as atleast two other AAMCs from the 7,8, and 9. If you've done these and finished content review IMO you should take it easy. In the time from now until them focus on polishing small things but don't spend too much time on them. Make sure you're still comfortable with verbal (atleast a passage a day) as a couple days break was enough to always throw me off a bit. As for the sciences, recall all the topics you are worried about it and spend an hour or two a day reviewing them. If you haven't taken any AAMCs at this point just take 2 (10 and 11) and make sure you don't take one 4-5 days before the real thing. Review them for the main idea but don't dissect every little detail about them. If you've been following up on your practice tests/questions before chances are you're not going to have an epiphany. Also, find a de-stressor that you can do every day. I wish mine was working out but I'm ashamed to admit I stopped lifting 20 days before the MCAT because I was so nervous and now I'm still trying to get all of my lifts back up. I did run a couple miles every day after I finished MCAT prep did a bit of school work and then just went to bed early. I also took frequent study breaks to reread the Harry Potter series (big de-stressor).


Point:

Make sure you've done atleast 2-4 AAMCs (10/11 and 7,8, or 9) within the last two months. Make sure you do light content review on stuff that's bothering you. Keep up with verbal passages. Then find a couple destressors. You'll do great 😀

Thank you so much for that detailed response. I think I'm just burning out or just getting sick of the impact this retake has on my future and want it to be over. I have 9-11 scheduled and took all the other AAMCs. Content review has been done for some time, I'm just doing index cards each day for concepts. I'm not entirely comfortable with physics but I think I'm just ready for it to be over.

 

[Redpancreas]

Hey everyone, suppose the banker behind the glass (deal or no deal t.v. game show reference) offers you X score on your MCAT before you get to see your score. What is the minimum number you'll willing to walk home with?

Mine=30 with nothing lower than a 9 in PS, 8 in VR, and 10 in BS.

 

[mmmwaffles]

Hey y'all-

For everyone freaking out, having nightmares, or crying with anxiety, there are a lot of things worse than getting below a 30 or a 7/7/7 or x/y/z. You don't get your hand chopped off; your life isn't over; and your friends won't think any less of you. If you don't meet your goal on the day scores come out, whether it be getting out of the teens, getting a 26, or maxing the PS section, all you have to do is try again and reattack the test. It's a test, although an important one for all of us, but just like anything in life, stay balanced, flexible, and smiling.

Am I nervous about my score coming out on the 23rd? Absolutely. But will it consume my life? Absolutely not. Keep a plan, modify the plan if necessary, meet your goal, and repeat. Life is about what you make of it, and for me, I'm not going to make life only about the MCAT.

Thanks, and hope this post helps.

 

[AlgernonMed]

Hey everyone, suppose the banker behind the glass (deal or no deal t.v. game show reference) offers you X score on your MCAT before you get to see your score. What is the minimum number you'll willing to walk home with?

Mine=30 with nothing lower than a 9 in PS, 8 in VR, and 10 in BS.

Oooh! This is fun. I think I would complete and submit my application if I got a 28 or higher, but will probably retake if I score below a 31.

 

[MTHFR]

Given my 3.4 GPA, I'd probably retake anything below a 32 to have some semblance of being a competitive applicant. Best of luck, folks. The moment of truth is drawing nigh!

 

[Captain Sisko]

Hey everyone, suppose the banker behind the glass (deal or no deal t.v. game show reference) offers you X score on your MCAT before you get to see your score. What is the minimum number you'll willing to walk home with?

Mine=30 with nothing lower than a 9 in PS, 8 in VR, and 10 in BS.

i dunno, are you essentially asking what we'd be happy with? or what we'd accept before even studying? because, after all, we did already take the damn thing and the banker doesn't really play into it 🙂 maybe I'm over thinking it.

I'd be happy with what i first posted on this thread for a goal score, which is a 35. my post test estimate was a 34, and i don't think I'd retake unless i got below a 29. really what would happen is I'd simply change my school list to account for the difference. it's nice to dream of awesome schools, but at the end of the day MD = DO and the equalizer is your performances on the step exams and clinicals.

edit: go wings!

 

[NuttyEngDude]

SuperDhopper thanks a lot for such a detailed response 🙂 really. I'll focus on practice tests. My score jumps everyone I take one! I wish all the best to you and hope you got like a 39! 😀😀

You are going to do great JrMD! 👍

I know you're all worried about scores and I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have any tips for the last 12 days? Woke up with 0 motivation and hoping it was the 26th. Retaking with a miserable score first time around so not trying to do things the same way. Good luck on your scores but I'm sure you all did great.

If you are finding that you have 0 motivation then you need a break day. Take a day and do something physically strenuous that gets your mind off the test.
In the last week, this is what I did, Good luck Albein!
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=13819375&postcount=1881

Hey everyone, suppose the banker behind the glass (deal or no deal t.v. game show reference) offers you X score on your MCAT before you get to see your score. What is the minimum number you'll willing to walk home with?

Mine=30 with nothing lower than a 9 in PS, 8 in VR, and 10 in BS.

I still have no answer to this 🙂

Hey y'all-

For everyone freaking out, having nightmares, or crying with anxiety, there are a lot of things worse than getting below a 30 or a 7/7/7 or x/y/z. You don't get your hand chopped off; your life isn't over; and your friends won't think any less of you. If you don't meet your goal on the day scores come out, whether it be getting out of the teens, getting a 26, or maxing the PS section, all you have to do is try again and reattack the test. It's a test, although an important one for all of us, but just like anything in life, stay balanced, flexible, and smiling.

Am I nervous about my score coming out on the 23rd? Absolutely. But will it consume my life? Absolutely not. Keep a plan, modify the plan if necessary, meet your goal, and repeat. Life is about what you make of it, and for me, I'm not going to make life only about the MCAT.

Thanks, and hope this post helps.

Very helpful post indeed. Thank you for posting this. I have found that "out of sight, out of mind" has been pretty helpful. I've had only two dreams about the MCAT since taking it and both times posting about it on here. It now seems so long ago that I am hoping I can keep it in the perspective it should be, which is just another hoop in a long line of hoops to jump towards the final goal of becoming a physician. It is too often that we can mistake the MCAT to be the end goal and not a tool towards the end goal.

i dunno, are you essentially asking what we'd be happy with? or what we'd accept before even studying? because, after all, we did already take the damn thing and the banker doesn't really play into it 🙂 maybe I'm over thinking it.

I'd be happy with what i first posted on this thread for a goal score, which is a 35. my post test estimate was a 34, and i don't think I'd retake unless i got below a 29. really what would happen is I'd simply change my school list to account for the difference. it's nice to dream of awesome schools, but at the end of the day MD = DO and the equalizer is your performances on the step exams and clinicals.

edit: go wings!

I'm cheering for you and everyone else and also doing what is the only thing within my power now:

 

[Albein]

If you are finding that you have 0 motivation then you need a break day. Take a day and do something physically strenuous that gets your mind off the test.
In the last week, this is what I did, Good luck Albein!
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=13819375&postcount=1881

Thanks! Yeah, I'm going to take a break saturday and go out and have a drink with friends. Study next week and then take off Thursday. I felt it today too towards the end of my study session.

Does anyone have any tips on how to make index cards for Bio? I started today going by the BR chapters and then realized it would take me until after the exam to complete them. Thanks

I hope none of you/your families were affected by the tragedy in Boston today.

 

[Captain Sisko]

Thanks! Yeah, I'm going to take a break saturday and go out and have a drink with friends. Study next week and then take off Thursday. I felt it today too towards the end of my study session.

Does anyone have any tips on how to make index cards for Bio? I started today going by the BR chapters and then realized it would take me until after the exam to complete them. Thanks

I hope none of you/your families were affected by the tragedy in Boston today.

I've never made flash cards before but some people like anki. I'm thinking about using it for my biochemistry final, since there are a lot of pathways and enzymes and things.





seven days people!

 

[Albein]

I've never made flash cards before but some people like anki. I'm thinking about using it for my biochemistry final, since there are a lot of pathways and enzymes and things.





seven days people!

Thanks. I guess maybe I'll try and just get the main points down from each chapter and really buckle down on recurring patterns like reproduction and kidneys. For biochem, my professor thankfully was more worried about us understanding the pathways more than memorizing them so I'm thankful for that. I was always skeptical of flash cards but they really are a huge help. You really do learn it a lot while writing them down and don't realize it until you pick them up.

 

[carboxylase]

1 week ladies and gentleman, 1 week.

 

[AlabamaPop]

Did anyone get info on Trial section results?

 

[PhysMatMan]

Nothing yet. Do they come out earlier?

 

[Chalupa Batman]

Dreamed I got a 8/8/8 = 24

Everyone report in your dream (nightmare?) scores

Had a nightmare last night that I got a 2 on the verbal section.

woke up freaking out

 

[Captain Sisko]

Nothing yet. Do they come out earlier?

in theory they're supposed to be 3-4 weeks after the exam, but i doubt they'll do anything like that. in practice they'll probably be Monday.

 

[sworzeh]

Dreamed I got a 8/8/8 = 24

Everyone report in your dream (nightmare?) scores

The other day I dreamed I got 8/8/10 = 26. In my dream I ended up applying to DO schools. Wasn't too scary lol.

 

[tibetanowl]

this thread almost has 100k views! hehe : )

 

[carboxylase]

This thread will go down in history as the greatest MCAT support thread ever. One thing I miss about the whole studying for the MCAT process (is that possible?) is logging onto here and seeing the usual bunch discussing FL results and helping each other out. Now the thread is filled with other date test takers. Nothing wrong with that, since we are done our deed, but it's just something that I enjoyed about the process. If I have to retake, I don't think I will even go on SDN. The support threads won't be the same. 😍

 

[Captain Sisko]

1) I just filled out the forms for EDP at my school, which means that somewhere in the back of my mind I think I did well. I can always inform my committee that I won't be doing early decision if my score is not up to what I'd like.

2) I don't feel nervous about the scores at all. But I'm not going to lie, when I start to think "what if" I see I land a 26... my stomach just drops. So I limit those thoughts.

3) This thread will go down in history as the greatest MCAT support thread ever. One thing I miss about the whole studying for the MCAT process (is that possible?) is logging onto here and seeing the usual bunch discussing FL results and helping each other out. Now the thread is filled with other date test takers. Nothing wrong with that, since we are done our deed, but it's just something that I enjoyed about the process. If I have to retake, I don't think I will even go on SDN. The support threads won't be the same. 😍

4) I'm learning a lot of material in school right now that I studied during the MCAT. It just makes me say, "Really? Now we do this?"

5) The one thing that I am still absolutely bummed about is that my particular test covered almost none of my strengths. The subjects I always bat high 90%'s on were almost nonexistant on the test. Then, I heard someone in class a few rows behind me who tested on the 4/4 date say how much those sections were on the test. I know you are supposed to be good at everything, but there will always be a subject that you know a lot better than the other. No reason to worry about it now, but it's one thing I cannot shake.

6) Any "special" plans for revealing scores? One number at a time? Looking at sectional scores first? All at once? With a bottle of whiskey next to you? Already drunk? 🙂

i dunno. I've a final the day scores come out, so I'll be nervous and giddy or sad for the exam. everyone i talk to says to check the score before the test but i dunno. special plans? depends on how i do. i thought about getting cigars if i do well, but that would mean buying them beforehand, and i don't want to jinx myself. I'll have to see. but yeah you guessed it, it will probably involve whiskey 🙂

btw carboxylase, you should put as a subtitle under your name, "Now with biotin!"

 

[sworzeh]

1) I just filled out the forms for EDP at my school, which means that somewhere in the back of my mind I think I did well. I can always inform my committee that I won't be doing early decision if my score is not up to what I'd like.

2) I don't feel nervous about the scores at all. But I'm not going to lie, when I start to think "what if" I see I land a 26... my stomach just drops. So I limit those thoughts.

3) This thread will go down in history as the greatest MCAT support thread ever. One thing I miss about the whole studying for the MCAT process (is that possible?) is logging onto here and seeing the usual bunch discussing FL results and helping each other out. Now the thread is filled with other date test takers. Nothing wrong with that, since we are done our deed, but it's just something that I enjoyed about the process. If I have to retake, I don't think I will even go on SDN. The support threads won't be the same. 😍

EDIT: Oh, the irony of a post talking about early decision AND retaking in the same post

4) I'm learning a lot of material in school right now that I studied during the MCAT. It just makes me say, "Really? Now we do this?"

5) The one thing that I am still absolutely bummed about is that my particular test covered almost none of my strengths. The subjects I always bat high 90%'s on were almost nonexistant on the test. Then, I heard someone in class a few rows behind me who tested on the 4/4 date say how much those sections were on the test. I know you are supposed to be good at everything, but there will always be a subject that you know a lot better than the other. No reason to worry about it now, but it's one thing I cannot shake.

6) Any "special" plans for revealing scores? One number at a time? Looking at sectional scores first? All at once? With a bottle of whiskey next to you? Already drunk? 🙂

There are forms for EDP at your school? I don't think mine has those..

I'm thinking about applying ED too because I love my state score and I hopefully scored the >30 they require.

 

[MTHFR]

I can already tell this last week will be more nerve-racking than the previous 3 weeks of waiting. The "what if" thoughts are killing me. I want to see my score!

 

[Redpancreas]

this thread almost has 100k views! hehe : )

Check out the 4/27 one haha. They've has 100 k + for over a while.

 

[Redpancreas]

The other day I dreamed I got 8/8/10 = 26. In my dream I ended up applying to DO schools. Wasn't too scary lol.

Honestly, this is like my realistic worst case scenario because physics was so hard and verbal's always a struggle. This would truly devastate me as a retaker though because I literally stressed myself out for the majority of the school year...if I end up doing that much worse than I did at the end of last summer 🙁 I thought I did really well on bio but last time I thought I did well on physics and I only got a ten...I am praying for at least a ten of PS (I remember guessing on a lot near the end as time ran out and even had to guess on a simple calculation discrete), I am pretty sure VR won't be a 10 so I'm hoping for a 9 and then for BS I hope I get whatever I lost in verbal to get my to a 30 so 10/9/11 would be my realistic celebration scenario whereas 10/9/12 would be and if I actually somehow managed a 10 on VR which would be unprecedented I'd probably wake up.


Here's a summary of my feelings over time:


Start of PS...this is straight forward stuff...I got this...

During/near the end of the PS section: OMG I'm so strained for time...I'm going to fail...should I just void...17 mins 2 passages and a discrete set, better start skimming passages and treating some passage questions like discretes...it was a crunch to the very end and I had to straight up guess on 2-3 including a very easy discrete that I somehow didn't couldn't calm down to remember how to do it.

VR: First two passages...OMG I am seriously considering voiding this s***...I'm not even reading for comprehension and am just picking answers (exaggeration-1/2 of my choices were pick an answer and move on though even though I had it narrowed down). Then suddenly it clicked for me and with the exception of one tedious natural science passage (I got to spend some extra time on) it was much better.

I came out of verbal thinking, ok...calm down...that went pretty well (but now it's killing me because I feel like ppl who do well in verbal are really unsure of their answers)

I started bio and knew this was the section where I probably wouldn't be strained for time so I got my piece of paper and started paying very close attention to every molecule they mentioned and all the little details. The questions seemed very doable to me and I was in a roll and was sure I'd answered everything correctly (again exaggeration...prolli made some mistakes) until I hit a discrete passage where they asked me something so detailed I was like wth but I ended up completely guessing but I checked later and I think it was right so then I went on and then hit some more of my strengths and then I hit a particularly tedious experimental and I checked the Review screen and noticed I had 28 minutes to get through two passages and a discrete set (2 mins per question almost) so I spent a good amount of time on this passage and then the next passage was kind of tricky and not bad and then I ended the discrete section well.

Then I literally had a rush of excitement that I was done and thought to myself that I had done well and that it was coming in a month anyways so I actually went for a long run and worked out afterwards and then went back to studying for an exam I had in class later.

1 day after the exam I thought I severely underperformed and thought:

9/8/10

Then later I talked to my friend and he kind of convinced me otherwise somehow so for the next 2 weeks I thought:

10/9/12 and actually wrote that score on my board ( I have no idea why...)

Then the next week I was thinking 9/9/12, 10/8/12, and 8/8/10 among other nightmares.

Finally, during this last week I'm really getting nervous and it's starting to make me procrastinate hard core.


inb4 cool story bro

 

[NuttyEngDude]

Just got my trial section results and gift card

edit: just spent my gift card 😛

 

[carboxylase]

There are forms for EDP at your school? I don't think mine has those..

I'm thinking about applying ED too because I love my state score and I hopefully scored the >30 they require.

No special forms. I just had to fill out all of the normal committee forms earlier.


I got an 84% on my trial section.

 

[Captain Sisko]

Just got my trial section results and gift card

Ditto.

Biochemistry, 81% correct, upper quarter.

 

[tibetanowl]

70% on the ethics/soc/psyc section ....which is pretty good considering how towards the end i got a terrible headache/hunger pains, so i just started picking random ones!

 

[MTHFR]

63%, guys. 🙁 I know I only gave half a **** about this section, but hopefully this is no indication of the part that actually matters.

 

[sworzeh]

"You answered 44% of questions correctly on the Trial Section which puts you in the top half as compared to others who received the same Trial Section questions as you."

Biochemistry wohoo.

 

[N7chell]

84% on the biochem trial section! No bad for finising all of it in 25 minutes, skimming passages, and guessing on a bunch of the questions. If only I can do that on the real thing and get a good score...=/

 

[Entadus]

Got my gift card code too..... 63% = top half (Psych/soc)

 

[Entadus]

Check out the 4/27 one haha. They've has 100 k + for over a while.

Do you mean January...?

 

[PlasmodiumVivax]

"You answered 53% of questions correctly on the Trial Section which puts you in the bottom half as compared to others who received the same Trial Section questions as you." (Psych/Soc)

NAILED IT

 

[hope2b62a]

I got my Amazon gift card this morning...movement at last! 😉

 

[NuttyEngDude]

"You answered 53% of questions correctly on the Trial Section which puts you in the bottom half as compared to others who received the same Trial Section questions as you." (Psych/Soc)

NAILED IT

😀👍

 

[Chalupa Batman]

.

 

[Chalupa Batman]

 

[sworzeh]

"You answered 53% of questions correctly on the Trial Section which puts you in the bottom half as compared to others who received the same Trial Section questions as you." (Psych/Soc)

NAILED IT

I still have you beat percentage-wise! Anyone do worse than 44%?

My trial section was insane...

 

[carboxylase]

Check out the 4/27 one haha. They've has 100 k + for over a while.

I sorted the MCAT forums threads by views. This thread is 5th on the list (not counting stickies). We are getting pummeled by the April 2012 date though.