The Official 4/16/11 MCAT Club!

[SteveJMarist]

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[SteveJMarist]

Just signed up for this date and very nervous. Working full time and going to school full time, so with only 3 months to study, lets hope I am able to pull something off. Just using examkrackers and AAMC practice exams. Hopefully this will be enough.

..and I thought I had it bad with a full time job. Good luck to you. That's a busy schedule.

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[cwaranch]

Im in as well. Originally was going to take the Jan. test using only the EK home study method however a month before my mcat i took another FL and only scored a 22 lol. Granted I still had a lot of content review to do and I had scores of 8 in both science sections they probably would have come up but no reason to rush. So I am going to finish up the content review with EK and have ordered tbr physics and gen chem and am going to do the snd 3 month study method def concentrating on my verbal scores which have ranged from a 4-8.

 

[kevo246]

Im in STL. Finishing the undergrad next spring. Currently working every weekend 12hr shifts, wife and baby at home, research work and FULL TIME MCAT STUDIES!!! This test takes way too much time to prepare. I began the SN2 review plan with adjustments to fit my schedule but seem to find it extremely hard to stick to. I have came to the realization that I will just cover most topics ONCE and see what is needed after taking FL exams in May/April. The SN2 review is very exhaustive!!!

 

[SteveJMarist]

Im in STL. Finishing the undergrad next spring. Currently working every weekend 12hr shifts, wife and baby at home, research work and FULL TIME MCAT STUDIES!!! This test takes way too much time to prepare. I began the SN2 review plan with adjustments to fit my schedule but seem to find it extremely hard to stick to. I have came to the realization that I will just cover most topics ONCE and see what is needed after taking FL exams in May/April. The SN2 review is very exhaustive!!!

Yea it's hectic for anyone, but even more so for someone with a family to take care of. I try and cover the topics as much as possible, but it is def hard to cover my based more than once while still working full time.

 

[afib c rvr]

Hey Steve! How far along are you in TPR now? Since we're kind of doing the same thing (TPR class + TBR), thought i'd check in with you as we near our test date. Im doing the Monday-Thursday class that started on 1/3. So we've finished 8 classes already. Have you taken any FL's yet?

 

[kevo246]

Does anybody believe it is worth taking a practice FL this early?

PROS: gain ideas on what areas need greater emphasis, early exposure to testing technique

CONS: lose one practice FL exam, useless energy since all material has not been reviewed yet????


WHATCHA THINK???

 

[Janieve]

Does anybody believe it is worth taking a practice FL this early?

PROS: gain ideas on what areas need greater emphasis, early exposure to testing technique

CONS: lose one practice FL exam, useless energy since all material has not been reviewed yet????


WHATCHA THINK???

Use as diagnostic, decide how hardcore you need to study.

Then don't take one until you've finished content review.

 

[afib c rvr]

Does anybody believe it is worth taking a practice FL this early?

PROS: gain ideas on what areas need greater emphasis, early exposure to testing technique

CONS: lose one practice FL exam, useless energy since all material has not been reviewed yet????


WHATCHA THINK???

I scheduled my 1st FL after the 3rd week of my review which is Jan. 23. So during my content review, I plan to take 1 FL every week so that the passages will be second nature to me already by the time we take the real thing. And after that, about 2-3 FLs every week for 4 weeks until exam. But that's because I have a lot of FLs... I have access to all kaplan, tpr, and aamc. How much time will you have at the end of your review before the exam?

 

[kevo246]

I should have about 4-5 weeks if all goes as planned.

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[afib c rvr]

Hey! So I'm doing an odd TPR schedule because I work full time. I take all Sunday classes, and it is a 6 month schedule that started in October. So right now, I am close to half way done with the material, but I won't be done with the material until around 2 weeks before the test date. To be honest, I think I will attempt to accelerate my TPR schedule so that I am done with the material 4 weeks before the test date.

So far, I've taken 3 FLs. One AAMC (before the class started) and two TPR's (interspersed throughout the course). I estimate that I am in the mid 20's right now, but that's with only about half of the content covered, so I am optimistic. How about you?

My hectic schedule has hindered my work with the TBR books. How have they been working for you?

It takes a lot of time to do both. Im a little behind with the phase 2s but I get to do the phase 1s the day I read the chapter. TBR passages are all great. Their g chem chapters are longer than TPR but I feel more comfortable with it because I feel like TBR has it all covered. So i stopped reading TPR for g chem but I still use the questions for practice. For physics, I use TPR mainly, but I supplement it with TBR. I kind of read the entire chapter again because some topics are explained better in TBR and they offer many time-saver tips. Worth the extra reading. I am taking a full load this semester + research so it's so easy to get behind. I havent taken any FLs, not even a diagnostic because it might just crush me to pieces haha! Back to tpr, how are the freestanding questions from the science workbook working for you? Do you do them all or save some for later? Or are we supposed to do that to passages?

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[SteveJMarist]

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[Janieve]

Anyone else have a lazy day yesterday? It doesn't happen to me often, but I could not study all that much for the life of me! I had the case of the Moondays...

I spent the day heavy-duty cleaning my apartment, then spent the evening curled up with an Organic Chemistry textbook trying to coax Diels-Alder reactions to reveal their secrets to me.

It was a pretty good day.

 

[SteveJMarist]

I spent the day heavy-duty cleaning my apartment, then spent the evening curled up with an Organic Chemistry textbook trying to coax Diels-Alder reactions to reveal their secrets to me.

It was a pretty good day.

That's crazy- I was trying to review D-A reactions last night too haha. I chalked the night up as a loss, and plan on hitting the library hard this evening. For what it's worth, I think the secrets lie in the mechanism of those reactions.

 

[SteveJMarist]

Trying to relearn ALL of the Orgo reactions in 2-3 days = exhausting.

And I hate Aldol Condensations....

 

[Janieve]

Trying to relearn ALL of the Orgo reactions in 2-3 days = exhausting.

And I hate Aldol Condensations....

Tell me about it! I'm making a giant flowchart of reactions and then quizzing myself on every one. I've booked a whole week for it!

And it doesn't help that a game I LOVED in Japan was just translated into English. Something tells me my productivity is going to PLUMMET this week.

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[Janieve]

Lol. I'm not going all out with flowcharts and such on the reactions, but maybe I should.

I also face a large setback this weekend- my golden birthday.

Did you study abroad in Japan?

Ouch. My birthday's next month. I'm trying to prepare for it.

Yeah, I studied abroad in Japan. It was pretty awesome. The only problem is I can't share the things I loved the most over there because no one back here speaks or reads Japanese. When things I like are translated, it's pretty awesome.

But again, it's a massive distraction from my studying, hahaha!

 

[SteveJMarist]

Ouch. My birthday's next month. I'm trying to prepare for it.

Yeah, I studied abroad in Japan. It was pretty awesome. The only problem is I can't share the things I loved the most over there because no one back here speaks or reads Japanese. When things I like are translated, it's pretty awesome.

But again, it's a massive distraction from my studying, hahaha!

Haha yea I can see that. Here's to hoping only a few drinks tonight so that I make it to the library tomorrow 🙄

 

[Self]

Hey everybody,

I was supposed to take the PR course last fall and the MCAT in January, but they canceled my course and forced me to join the 4/16/11 club. Well, thanks to an error from PR, I got a second set of brand-spanking new 2010 MCAT books -all of them- that accompany the PR course. I want to sell these books and am opening up bids to you guys. I won't post anywhere else yet, but these eventually will make their way towards eBay. I'd like to ask $500 for the whole set, but I'm open to offers. Best offer gets the set. The set includes:

-Hyperlearning In-Class Compendum
-Hyperlearning MCAT Verbal Workbook
-Hyperlearning MCAT Science Workbook
-Physics and Math Review
-Organic Chemistry Review
-General Chemistry Review
-Biology Review
-Verbal Reasoning and Writing Review

That's 8 books and, again, these are brand new, unused. No writing, no highlighting. You can't get these unless you drop the ~$2000 on the course itself. Just send me a message with your offer. Thanks and good luck!

 

[SteveJMarist]

Hey everyone,

I just signed up for the 4/16 date last week. Took AAMC FL #3 as a diagnostic on saturday and I got a 28. I've currently reviewed all of General Chemistry, and I'm going through the Physics topics, now. After I do this, I'm gonna hit up Biology because it seems like that's where I'm lacking (I'm majoring in Physics with a minor in Biology).

So, I think I'm in a good position, sitting at 28, even though I know the tests will get harder. But I'll take another FL every Saturday until my test date, so that'll help me narrow down what I need to improve on, but I'm looking to score a 30+.

You should have no problem getting into the 30's. Best of luck to you.

 

[SteveJMarist]

I'm putting together my schedule for the next 3 months (well, 2 and 3/4s) and it's looking intense. It feels good to have a sense of direction though 🙂.

 

[ChocoMoo]

Hello, I'll be joining this club 🙂

Took the Jan. 28th test a couple days ago and voided. Was originally planning on taking it again on March 26, but I decided it's not enough time.

Shooting for a 35!

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[SteveJMarist]

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[ChocoMoo]

Anyone take any of the TPR diagnostics? I've read a lot about how they're crap, but I'm taking them anyway just for timing and practice. I recently scored a 27, which is bad obviously, but they say you should add 3-4 points to that score since TPR tests are harder, which would put me at a solid score. I'm also only gotten through a little over half of the material so far, so I'd say that test was a big win for me in moving towards my 32 that I'm aiming for.

Any other experiences out there with these diags?

Imo they're a bit ridiculous. I did about half but stopped because I was scoring 6-7 points lower on those than the AAMCs. It was completely demoralizing lol. I remember doing terrible (<20) on their diagnostic. I'm pretty sure that even if I tried to take it again now, I would still do bad haha.

I gotta say though, I think doing TPR FL's might help getting used to those frequent "uh wtf' moments on the real thing.

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[NoleDoc]

So I'm currently enrolled in the TPR Hyperlearning course and have been using the whole EK series of books since about august of 2010. My Goal is a 32, so far TPR is working. 👍

 

[NoleDoc]

So where's everyone from? Where did you do undergrad?

I'm from Chi-town and went to Loyola University Chicago- class of '09.

I'm from Fort Lauderdale Fl. Graduated from Florida State in 2008.

 

[sahandy]

Hi All,
I'm a retaker from Jan 28th. I have made a very intense schedule and trying to keep up with it. I thought I'd post it for anyone who might be interested. It's a revised version of SN2ed schedule to work with amount of time and materials that I have. I wish I had the full 3 months but oh well, this is better than nothing. 😀 Also wanted to give props to Rdavido to make the excel sheet to begin with. Anyways, best of luck to all of you. I know I need as much as I can get. 😉 👍

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[SteveJMarist]

Hi All,
I'm a retaker from Jan 28th. I have made a very intense schedule and trying to keep up with it. I thought I'd post it for anyone who might be interested. It's a revised version of SN2ed schedule to work with amount of time and materials that I have. I wish I had the full 3 months but oh well, this is better than nothing. 😀 Also wanted to give props to Rdavido to make the excel sheet to begin with. Anyways, best of luck to all of you. I know I need as much as I can get. 😉 👍

Thanks! When was the last time you took the test?

 

[ChocoMoo]

How's everyone's progress? Almost done with content review?

As for me, I'm kind of doing a combination of content review and passages. I review the chapter briefly and take notes on some key points, then do passages in BR/TPR. I got totally swamped with school work this past week, so I was only able to do some BR passages on genetics and molecular bio.

My goal by the time April comes is to have done ALL the passages and FL's I have. This way I'll have no regrets when I take the test, because there would have been literally nothing else for me to do. We're just under the 2 month point though, hopefully it's enough time

Todays plans: fluids and solids. oh joy.

 

[SteveJMarist]

How's everyone's progress? Almost done with content review?

As for me, I'm kind of doing a combination of content review and passages. I review the chapter briefly and take notes on some key points, then do passages in BR/TPR. I got totally swamped with school work this past week, so I was only able to do some BR passages on genetics and molecular bio.

My goal by the time April comes is to have done ALL the passages and FL's I have. This way I'll have no regrets when I take the test, because there would have been literally nothing else for me to do. We're just under the 2 month point though, hopefully it's enough time

Todays plans: fluids and solids. oh joy.

I'm doing a similar study method as you are, but with the TPR schedule.

Right now, I'm about 2/3 of the way through content review. I'll be done with content review in a little over a month, leaving me with a month of nothing but working on my weaknesses and taking ALL of the AAMCs.

I'm also taking a TPR diagnostic every saturday until I'm finished with content review. I have about 4-5 more of those to go.

Today's plans: equilibrium possibly combined with a little acid/base stuff 🙂

 

[kevo246]

How's everyone's progress? Almost done with content review?

As for me, I'm kind of doing a combination of content review and passages. I review the chapter briefly and take notes on some key points, then do passages in BR/TPR. I got totally swamped with school work this past week, so I was only able to do some BR passages on genetics and molecular bio.

My goal by the time April comes is to have done ALL the passages and FL's I have. This way I'll have no regrets when I take the test, because there would have been literally nothing else for me to do. We're just under the 2 month point though, hopefully it's enough time

Todays plans: fluids and solids. oh joy.

How are you feeling about the BR passages?

I'm using the EK BIO lectures and going to the BR passages but getting too frustrated with my scores to continue on with BR almost. I love all the other BR books, but Bio passages are hurting me and taking too much time.

 

[sahandy]

Thanks! When was the last time you took the test?

Hi Steve, I've taken it once before last year and made a mistake of grading it even though I didn't study for it, and it has been hunting me ever since, because now I gotta show a large improvement. FYI I got a low 20s the first time around. For Jan test I studied a solid month and my average went to 27-30 but my verbal was stuck at 7, that's why I voided it again. This time I'm going at it like a crazy person... 😀 I'm gonna take it for sure this time, because this is the last couple of months that I'm gonna waste my pressious time for this god forsaken test. Good luck to all of you guys...

 

[ChocoMoo]

How are you feeling about the BR passages?

I'm using the EK BIO lectures and going to the BR passages but getting too frustrated with my scores to continue on with BR almost. I love all the other BR books, but Bio passages are hurting me and taking too much time.

I admit that some of the BR bio passages are a little tough. I used only EK bio at first, then got BR later. In the beginning, I thought their passages were impossible. But after a while you get used to it. It seems like a lot of the BR questions require you to recall some random obscure fact, but a majority of the questions can be answered by carefully analyzing the passage. I think BR bio is great in this regard because it helps you develop this skill.

The way I see it, if you think the BR bio passages are challenging, you should try doing as many as you can. Prepare for the worst. Practicing easy passages will only prepare you for easy passages. If we end up getting difficult BS passages on the real thing, you'll be glad you prepared with the more difficult BR passages. At least that's what I think.

 

[SteveJMarist]

Hi Steve, I've taken it once before last year and made a mistake of grading it even though I didn't study for it, and it has been hunting me ever since, because now I gotta show a large improvement. FYI I got a low 20s the first time around. For Jan test I studied a solid month and my average went to 27-30 but my verbal was stuck at 7, that's why I voided it again. This time I'm going at it like a crazy person... 😀 I'm gonna take it for sure this time, because this is the last couple of months that I'm gonna waste my pressious time for this god forsaken test. Good luck to all of you guys...

Yea I can only imagine what it is like going through this horrible process multiple times. I admire your will to stick with it, though.

 

[NoleDoc]

Well guys, I decided to reschedule my testing date to May 7th. Wanted to wish everyone the best of luck on their exams.

 

[SteveJMarist]

Well guys, I decided to reschedule my testing date to May 7th. Wanted to wish everyone the best of luck on their exams.

Hopefully the extra time will help you. Good luck to you too.

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[ChocoMoo]

Happy Friday! Don't know about you guys, but today will be a VERY light study day for me 🙂. I definitely need a breather...

A lot of studying for me today 🙁. I find that after I eat dinner or get back from work/school, it's super hard for me to start studying again. Sometimes I end up watching an extra 30 minutes of TV or something. It's catching up on me now..Ugh..

I just did some TPR VR passages. I really need to train myself to get absorbed in a passage, no matter what the topic is. For the ones where I'm actually interested in what I'm reading, I usually miss none or just one of the questions. For the passages where I don't really care/not interested in the topic, I usually miss more than half the questions, lol. Pretty big difference. Anyone know a trick to get yourself interested in what your reading?

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[Janieve]

I've got a genetics midterm to study for this weekend, and a new job starting Monday. Let's see how this affects my MCAT studying.

On the plus side, this genetics class is helping me IMMENSELY with the BS section. It's my strongest section right now! Who knew?

 

[SteveJMarist]

I've got a genetics midterm to study for this weekend, and a new job starting Monday. Let's see how this affects my MCAT studying.

On the plus side, this genetics class is helping me IMMENSELY with the BS section. It's my strongest section right now! Who knew?

BS is actually my strongest right now too haha. I thought it would be my weakest...

 

[Janieve]

BS is actually my strongest right now too haha. I thought it would be my weakest...

I think everyone fears BS until they content review for it. It's actually quite intuitive, once you get the hang of it! And besides, it's less "WHAT DO I DO TO FIND THE NATURAL LOG OF THIS IN MY HEAD?!" panic and more "FRICK DOES THIS RESTRICTION ENZYME CUT SYMMETRICALLY OR ASYMMETRICALLY AT THIS PALINDROMIC SITE?!" panic. Which is a much lesser form of panic.

I think I'm balancing well! I just went over organometallics for ochem before embarking on recombination frequencies and complementation tests for genetics. Now time to see if my time management skills are enough to budget time for a mindless movie night...

 

[SteveJMarist]

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[ChocoMoo]

Haha I had mindless movie night last night. It was awesome.

Over the weekend TPR SCREWED me. I went to take my saturday exam, and IE kept closing down every time I attempted to access the test. This occurred on three different machines at the library. The goof at tech support told me it was a computer issue- three computers with the same problem- really? Thus I did not take the test, and I was pretty pissed about it. Now I have to spend the week making sure I can get the crappy system to work...

I had the same problem when I was taking their tests, except I was using some super old version of firefox. It was pretty annoying to say the least.

Btw, anyone doing verbal practice and think EK is just way too easy compared to TPR? Some of the answer choices in EK are so obviously wrong that it's easy to guess the correct answer sometimes... the real MCAT was definitely not like this lol