The Official 4/26/13 MCAT Thread

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In lieu of the other threads popping up, I thought it'd be good for those of us taking the test to identify ourselves 👍

I'm not planning on following a rigid study schedule until January, but I think I'm going to watch a single video off of wikipremed daily to lightly review.

Good luck to everyone... we will crush this exam..

 

[Temperature101]

Fro what I read on SDN, tests 10 and 11 are the most representative FL's to the real test. Therefore, I decided to do test 10 first to allow myself sufficient time to either postpone my test date, in case I bombed it, or focus on my areas of weakness.

You should not postpone if you're applying only DO. You should definitely spend more time in VR ( at least 50% of your time) for the time you have left since you are consistently scoring 10+ in BS/PS....

 

[Incontrol]

and just did TBR 4 (11/9/7) (27)

No matter how many full practice tests I take, I am so stubborn to move on when I am stuck 🙁 hopefully I will learn that soon.

Going to review this, I think I found some areas I am unconfy with! TIME TO IMPROVE!!!!

note: is it just me, or BR Verbal is very forgiving curve wise.

Just took an AAMC 7 (PS/VR/BS) (13/11/11) (35)

this is a retake from 8/22/2012 where I got a 31 (11/8/12).

The passages looked new to me, there wasn't a single question where I said, OH I REMEMBER YOU. But still... that BS decrease shows that I haven't reviewed enough orgo this time around. O_O

 

[Albein]

Did an EK verbal test in 2 halves: 1st half yesterday 9/18 and today 18/22 -_-
I really hope I can keep producing the second half of the exam because I've never gotten that many right in verbal, let alone in EK verbal. Also, to those asking which is a better indicator of verbal, my scores from tests 1-4 of EK verbal reflected my verbal score from last year, but I still feel like EK goes out of their way more than AAMC verbal to trick you.


85% on Gen Chem self-assessment

 

[Back 5]

this is good but instead of keeping it untimed, use a timer to see how long it actually takes you to complete it. That way you have an idea on how to divide up your time or where to look for improvement.

I took the PS of aamc #4 and it took me 80 minutes instead of the 70 minutes. I could have finished within the allotted time, but I spent quite a while on 2 questions trying to reason them out. In the real test I would have marked them and moved on.

I scored 43/52 this time around (still made some silly mistakes, like forgetting avogadro's number) versus a 30/52 the first time I took the test.

I feel like I'm getting a better handle on the PS section!

I am scheduled to take aamc#8 tomorrow morning, so let's hope I can keep the momentum going.

 

[Albein]

I took the PS of aamc #4 and it took me 80 minutes instead of the 70 minutes. I could have finished within the allotted time, but I spent quite a while on 2 questions trying to reason them out. In the real test I would have marked them and moved on.

I scored 43/52 this time around (still made some silly mistakes, like forgetting avogadro's number) versus a 30/52 the first time I took the test.

I feel like I'm getting a better handle on the PS section!

I am scheduled to take aamc#8 tomorrow morning, so let's hope I can keep the momentum going.

Good job. I find it helps to make an index card of a concept I missed and review it whenever I have time.

 

[Hemorrage]

I took the PS of aamc #4 and it took me 80 minutes instead of the 70 minutes. I could have finished within the allotted time, but I spent quite a while on 2 questions trying to reason them out. In the real test I would have marked them and moved on.

I scored 43/52 this time around (still made some silly mistakes, like forgetting avogadro's number) versus a 30/52 the first time I took the test.

I feel like I'm getting a better handle on the PS section!

I am scheduled to take aamc#8 tomorrow morning, so let's hope I can keep the momentum going.

I recommend you pick up a copy of nova physics if you can, it helped me become alot better at PS

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I recommend you pick up a copy of nova physics if you can, it helped me become alot better at PS

also use the EK 1001 physics. Repeated question types will help you become more efficient and eventually become faster for each given topic.

I am purely basing this on nothing... but thats what I am going to do. Its also whats been helping me in gen chem problems for equilibrium and acid/base titrations.

 

[Albein]

AAMC 7: 12/8/12 for 32. Verbal continues to be my Achilles heel and I started running out of time in PS.

Those of you who improved on verbal, how did you do it? Did you review AAMC verbal to see why you got things wrong or just kept doing more and more passages?

 

[osprey099]

AAMC 7: 12/8/12 for 32. Verbal continues to be my Achilles heel and I started running out of time in PS.

Those of you who improved on verbal, how did you do it? Did you review AAMC verbal to see why you got things wrong or just kept doing more and more passages?

More practice never hurts but in terms of verbal, I think it's 90% natural talent and really difficult to improve on. Personally, I've done >200 verbal passages before my first MCAT last summer and only ended up with an 8.

Do you think your issue is more of reading comprehension or answering questions? TPRHL verbal workbook is good for getting used to MCAT style passages and EK101 verbal is good for getting used to MCAT question/answer styles.

 

[Albein]

More practice never hurts but in terms of verbal, I think it's 90% natural talent and really difficult to improve on. Personally, I've done >200 verbal passages before my first MCAT last summer and only ended up with an 8.

Do you think your issue is more of reading comprehension or answering questions? TPRHL verbal workbook is good for getting used to MCAT style passages and EK101 verbal is good for getting used to MCAT question/answer styles.

I finished PR verbal and have verbal self assessment and EK 101 (6-12 remaining). I really don't know. I think my problem may be more concentration. I did a verbal test in 2 halves and did half right first day, finished it next day and got 18/22 right.
I neglected verbal until the last month for my mcat last year and ended up with a 7. This time around, I've been doing passages throughout last 4 months and there doesn't seem to be any difference. I guess I'll just keep plugging away and hope something clicks but I think I may be in the same boat as you which sucks because even though I've improved drastically in PS, I don't want to rely on only that to boost my mcat score.

 

[osprey099]

I finished PR verbal and have verbal self assessment and EK 101 (6-12 remaining). I really don't know. I think my problem may be more concentration. I did a verbal test in 2 halves and did half right first day, finished it next day and got 18/22 right.
I neglected verbal until the last month for my mcat last year and ended up with a 7. This time around, I've been doing passages throughout last 4 months and there doesn't seem to be any difference. I guess I'll just keep plugging away and hope something clicks but I think I may be in the same boat as you which sucks because even though I've improved drastically in PS, I don't want to rely on only that to boost my mcat score.

Yea, I've basically given up on practicing verbal. I think the best thing to do for people like me and you is to just get a good night's sleep and focus when on the verbal section. I doubt any additional practice at this point will help.

 

[Albein]

Yea, I've basically given up on practicing verbal. I think the best thing to do for people like me and you is to just get a good night's sleep and focus when on the verbal section. I doubt any additional practice at this point will help.

I was resisting that conclusion for a few months now, but I'm starting to agree with it. Hopefully, a more thorough BS review and the increase in PS boosts the score enough. I still think doing passages can't hurt, if nothing else, we get used to the grind of reading and answering.

I'm also praying for no lens/mirrors passages.

 

[Back 5]

Good job. I find it helps to make an index card of a concept I missed and review it whenever I have time.

Did aamc#5 PS today, timed, and scored a 10, 41/52. My first time taking it I scored an 8, 33/52 but I guessed correctly a few times the first go.

I missed a question because I erroneously calculated 1/3 to equal .667 (where the heck did I get that idea from?) and there were a couple questions that I had no idea about and incorrectly guess wrong.

I hope this is a reflection of my improving in PS.

I still get oxidation and reduction messed up. It seems like such an easy topic when I study it, but during the test, it's anything but.

 

[GemelloMD]

Just took AAMC#8 13/9/11 33

This makes:
AAMC#4 11/12/11 34
AAMC#5 10/10/13 33
AAMC#8 13/9/11 33
AAMC#7 Saturday

Looks like I need to put a little extra effort into Biology. I thought I had that section down. Grr.
Oh and verbal, I was distracted, but still honestly happy with a 9.

 

[Albein]

Just took AAMC#8 13/9/11 33

This makes:
AAMC#4 11/12/11 34
AAMC#5 10/10/13 33
AAMC#8 13/9/11 33
AAMC#7 Saturday

Looks like I need to put a little extra effort into Biology. I thought I had that section down. Grr.
Oh and verbal, I was distracted, but still honestly happy with a 9.

👍 Good job. I'm talking 8 Thursday and hoping my results are at least close to yours.

How do you approach verbal? I ask because your disappointing score is higher than any of my regulars.

 

[Temperature101]

Just took AAMC#8 13/9/11 33

This makes:
AAMC#4 11/12/11 34
AAMC#5 10/10/13 33
AAMC#8 13/9/11 33
AAMC#7 Saturday

Looks like I need to put a little extra effort into Biology. I thought I had that section down. Grr.
Oh and verbal, I was distracted, but still honestly happy with a 9.

You had a 12VR in AAMC#4 and you are happy with a 9 now! You definitely have the potential to get an 11 on the real deal...

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Just took AAMC#8 13/9/11 33

This makes:
AAMC#4 11/12/11 34
AAMC#5 10/10/13 33
AAMC#8 13/9/11 33
AAMC#7 Saturday

Looks like I need to put a little extra effort into Biology. I thought I had that section down. Grr.
Oh and verbal, I was distracted, but still honestly happy with a 9.

Those are good scores, dude. Maintain this momentum as momentum on MCAT is not conserved 😉

 

[Albein]

EK verbal test 6: 28/40 for a 9. This is my highest score yet but still frustrating. Praying for a miracle on test day in getting a 10

 

[Status Sciaticus]

EK verbal test 6: 28/40 for a 9. This is my highest score yet but still frustrating. Praying for a miracle on test day in getting a 10

are you checking why youre missing these problems? ( lack of proper attention to detail?, not understanding the question, not understanding the answer choices?)

 

[Jr MD]

Thinking about moving my test date but I really don't want to...: \ I just don't have time to peak cause of these stupid classes and I have two tests this week. I'm in limbo with my grades and I want to keep my 3.8 GPA...then I have an ochem test next Thursday that I need an A in cause I've been slacking..ugh..what should I do guys? I'm at a 27 right now and I can just taste that 32! At least in think I can 🙁🙁

I just want to be free come summer time with my family. I miss them :\ and I gotta teach my brother a few lessons about that pigskin. He's gonna be on varsity next semester🙂

What do you guys think??
Sent from my Nexus 7 using SDN Mobile

 

[Back 5]

are you checking why youre missing these problems? ( lack of proper attention to detail?, not understanding the question, not understanding the answer choices?)

I just took EK#8 and scored 31/40. I finished 15 minutes early and I just don't think EK101 is a good representation of what aamc verbal is like. I disagreed with a few of their answers (I felt like my answer was better supported in the passage, but oh well).

Despite missing 9 questions, I feel that EK answers are very easy to figure out. Aamc answers are hinged upon knowing the second definition of a single word! At least that's how they were on the self-assessment.

 

[Albein]

are you checking why youre missing these problems? ( lack of proper attention to detail?, not understanding the question, not understanding the answer choices?)

I try not to read the explanations for non AAMC verbal because I don't want to get suckered into their thinking. I'm going to go over my AAMC test today and see what I miss. Briefly glancing? It seems like I'll miss a minor detail and that leads to an incorrect answer.

 

[vagusnerve]

Doing AAMC 7 tomorrow! Hopefully I can beat the 31 I got on AAMC 5.. I'm kind of excited the test is 2 and a half weeks away, I want to go back to work again full time and finally hang with the fam and friends. How is everyone holding up?! Positive thoughts bring positive outcomes 🙂

 

[Albein]

Doing AAMC 7 tomorrow! Hopefully I can beat the 31 I got on AAMC 5.. I'm kind of excited the test is 2 and a half weeks away, I want to go back to work again full time and finally hang with the fam and friends. How is everyone holding up?! Positive thoughts bring positive outcomes 🙂

I know exactly how you feel! I've started counting down days until its over! I had to give up boxing (training and teaching) and seeing people. I can't wait to go back to that.

 

[GemelloMD]

Hey Guys,

Just finished the AAMC SA Physics- 88%

Honestly, I could have sworn I got a 70% that thing was freaking hard! Much harder than gchem and I got the same score.

Time to review the SA's and aamc 8 and make some changes.

My verbal strategy is simply to remain focused. I usually just read through once while highlighting details and key words that jump out to me, as in words that the author seems to hing on/main idea words and words that clue into an authors POV. I then just go through the questions. If I'm teetering on two answers, often, than I just go with the one that is most like the theme of the article. Sounds cliche but it works for me. As long as I don't start thinking about everything else that I'd rather be doing it seems to work (12 on #4 and a 10 on the real deal last May)

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Hey Guys,

Just finished the AAMC SA Physics- 88%

Honestly, I could have sworn I got a 70% that thing was freaking hard! Much harder than gchem and I got the same score.

Time to review the SA's and aamc 8 and make some changes.

My verbal strategy is simply to remain focused. I usually just read through once while highlighting details and key words that jump out to me, as in words that the author seems to hing on/main idea words and words that clue into an authors POV. I then just go through the questions. If I'm teetering on two answers, often, than I just go with the one that is most like the theme of the article. Sounds cliche but it works for me. As long as I don't start thinking about everything else that I'd rather be doing it seems to work (12 on #4 and a 10 on the real deal last May)

damn dude.... thats awesome. I hope I score that high on physics. Gonna take verbal tomorrow then physics.

 

[Hemorrage]

Thinking about moving my test date but I really don't want to...: \ I just don't have time to peak cause of these stupid classes and I have two tests this week. I'm in limbo with my grades and I want to keep my 3.8 GPA...then I have an ochem test next Thursday that I need an A in cause I've been slacking..ugh..what should I do guys? I'm at a 27 right now and I can just taste that 32! At least in think I can 🙁🙁

I just want to be free come summer time with my family. I miss them :\ and I gotta teach my brother a few lessons about that pigskin. He's gonna be on varsity next semester🙂

What do you guys think??
Sent from my Nexus 7 using SDN Mobile

I feel you bud. I have 3 exams from now until the MCAT and it's such a ***** keeping this together while trying to do well on those. Just use every free second you have from now until the exam and hope for the best in my opinion...

 

[Albein]

And another mcat nightmare last night. I had a dream that the mcat was all gibberish and no concept I studied was on there. Then the proctor oddly tells me, don't worry you have another try and I tell her this was a retake and she gives me the pity look.

 

[Albein]

Thinking about moving my test date but I really don't want to...: \ I just don't have time to peak cause of these stupid classes and I have two tests this week. I'm in limbo with my grades and I want to keep my 3.8 GPA...then I have an ochem test next Thursday that I need an A in cause I've been slacking..ugh..what should I do guys? I'm at a 27 right now and I can just taste that 32! At least in think I can 🙁🙁

I just want to be free come summer time with my family. I miss them :\ and I gotta teach my brother a few lessons about that pigskin. He's gonna be on varsity next semester🙂

What do you guys think??
Sent from my Nexus 7 using SDN Mobile

I would really sit down and weigh your options. My GPA is a little less than stellar so I can't afford to postpone it anymore because I want to apply early. If you have more content review to do then maybe postpone it, but if all you have left are practice tests, then maybe just gut it out? No one can make the decision, but you.

 

[Back 5]

Man, another 27 on aamc#8. My verbal dropped to a 9 on this one...must have been more difficult? The humanities passages kicked my butt.

I did better on Physics (70% correct) but worse on GChem (60% correct) otherwise my PS would have been higher.

Going to take a few hours off then back to the grind.

I really would like a 30+ but I am stuck in the mid-high 20's.

 

[Jr MD]

Man, another 27 on aamc#8. My verbal dropped to a 9 on this one...must have been more difficult? The humanities passages kicked my butt.

I did better on Physics (70% correct) but worse on GChem (60% correct) otherwise my PS would have been higher.

Going to take a few hours off then back to the grind.

I really would like a 30+ but I am stuck in the mid-high 20's.

Are you thinking about postponing back 5? I'll take it if you do!! I too am stuck in the high20s

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[Back 5]

No, I'm not going to postpone. If I score below a 30, I will consider not applying to my state MD schools and stick with DO schools. I was only going to consider applying to my state MD schools if I scored 30+.

EDIT: I've always been an underperformer in these sorts of standardized tests, the ones where they make you fight the information and the test as well. At least with boards, it's knowledge of the information that is the limiting factor, not the test itself.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Man, another 27 on aamc#8. My verbal dropped to a 9 on this one...must have been more difficult? The humanities passages kicked my butt.

I did better on Physics (70% correct) but worse on GChem (60% correct) otherwise my PS would have been higher.

Going to take a few hours off then back to the grind.

I really would like a 30+ but I am stuck in the mid-high 20's.

if youre scoring is sporadic, it shows a lack of content knowledge.
If it is consistently low, its your reasoning and test taking skills.

One thing that really helped me on the second part is to apply the terms of how you answer verbal questions to the sciences. Rather than looking for the right answer, i look for why an answer is wrong and cross it out.

Secondly, a lot of my mistakes were and still are mainly due to not reading the question/answer choices properly or not understanding what the question is asking.

hope that helps.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Man, another 27 on aamc#8. My verbal dropped to a 9 on this one...must have been more difficult? The humanities passages kicked my butt.

I did better on Physics (70% correct) but worse on GChem (60% correct) otherwise my PS would have been higher.

Going to take a few hours off then back to the grind.

I really would like a 30+ but I am stuck in the mid-high 20's.

27 is not a bad score, especially if you are considering osteopathic schools. What was the breakdown?

 

[Back 5]

if youre scoring is sporadic, it shows a lack of content knowledge.
If it is consistently low, its your reasoning and test taking skills.

One thing that really helped me on the second part is to apply the terms of how you answer verbal questions to the sciences. Rather than looking for the right answer, i look for why an answer is wrong and cross it out.

Secondly, a lot of my mistakes were and still are mainly due to not reading the question/answer choices properly or not understanding what the question is asking.

hope that helps.

My scores are consistently 26-27average.

aamc#3: 26 6/10/10 (first aamc taken)
aamc#4: 24 7/8/9 (bad test day, outlier score)
aamc#5: 29 8/10/11
aamc#7: 26 7/9/10
aamc#8: 27 8/9/10

27 is not a bad score, especially if you are considering osteopathic schools. What was the breakdown?

aamc#8: 27 8/9/10

Maybe it's a pride thing. I had hoped that taking time off of work and studying full-time would have gotten me a score 30+, at least consistently. I'm not very good at admitting something got the best of me, which it seems this test has. Perhaps if I had more time to study I could break the 30+ boundary.

 

[Albein]

Does anyone know the range for osteopathic schools?

 

[Temperature101]

Does anyone know the range for osteopathic schools?

3.5 cGPA...3.4 sGPA and 27+ MCAT for most DO. Some are a little bit higher such DMU, CCOM, Western.

 

[Albein]

3.5 cGPA...3.4 sGPA and 27+ MCAT for most DO. Some are a little bit higher such DMU, CCOM, Western.

Thanks!

 

[vagusnerve]

Just took AAMC 7 and got a 33! Im pretty amazed lol. 11/9/13. Still annoyed that my verbal has gone down, that's what I get for slacking and not doing it everyday... 2 more weeks to get back into my verbal groove! Pretty stoked I keep increasing my score. Score breakdown goes as follows:

AAMC 3: 25 6/10/9
AAMC 4: 30 9/12/9
AAMC 5: 31 12/9/10
AAMC 7: 33 11/9/13

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Thanks!

I would say from what I've read on here even 25+s get interviews.

 

[Albein]

I would say from what I've read on here even 25+s get interviews.

Yeah but I'm assuming their GPAs are on par. My GPA is a little lower than what's accepted for most MDs so I need to compensate a little with the mcat. Regardless, once I get my score, I'll decide on where/how to apply. All any of us can really do now is do our best on this beast and I'm sure we all will.

 

[Temperature101]

Just took AAMC 7 and got a 33! Im pretty amazed lol. 11/9/13. Still annoyed that my verbal has gone down, that's what I get for slacking and not doing it everyday... 2 more weeks to get back into my verbal groove! Pretty stoked I keep increasing my score. Score breakdown goes as follows:

AAMC 3: 25 6/10/9
AAMC 4: 30 9/12/9
AAMC 5: 31 12/9/10
AAMC 7: 33 11/9/13

Nice upward trend!

 

[Jr MD]

Hey all,

So I'm getting ready to destroy this test in a couple of weeks. I've decided to stay off of sdn just to stay on task because I love coming on here and getting opinions and seeing how everyone is doing and then I get stuck. Its just for my sanity I guess lol But I wish u all the best!!!!! Good luck to all and see you guys after the test!😎😎😎😎😀😀😀😀😀

Albein good luck to you man and temp101 good job hopefully ill start peaking like u you beast!

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

 

[Albein]

Hey all,

So I'm getting ready to destroy this test in a couple of weeks. I've decided to stay off of sdn just to stay on task because I love coming on here and getting opinions and seeing how everyone is doing and then I get stuck. Its just for my sanity I guess lol But I wish u all the best!!!!! Good luck to all and see you guys after the test!😎😎😎😎😀😀😀😀😀

Albein good luck to you man and temp101 good job hopefully ill start peaking like u you beast!

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q using SDN Mobile

Good luck to you man! That's the right attitude and I'm confident that test will fear your name for many years to come!

 

[vagusnerve]

Nice upward trend!

Gracias 🙂

 

[Postictal Raiden]

I feel I'm leaking MCAT information. There are quite a few physics equations that I haven't used in a while. I want to take the test already.

 

[Albein]

I feel I'm leaking MCAT information. There are quite a few physics equations that I haven't used in a while. I want to take the test already.

Ditto. Oddly enough, I'm not feeling the nervousness or anything, maybe I'll start getting it in the next few days. I don't think that's good given this is a retake from a god awful score last summer. But I just want this test to come already and get back to a normal life.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

I feel I'm leaking MCAT information. There are quite a few physics equations that I haven't used in a while. I want to take the test already.

yea this is my biggest problem too. When i went back to do the EK problems, I had completely forgotten circular motion and torque and tensioncontent🙁

 

[osprey099]

Any of you guys using Kaplan online materials or FLs?

 

[Albein]

yea this is my biggest problem too. When i went back to do the EK problems, I had completely forgotten circular motion and torque and tensioncontent🙁

Tension is one of those sneaky ones. I was working on a problem and realized I completely forgot how to work tension problems -_-EK verbal 7: 9
Going to just finish them up and hope I can hit a 10 or 11 come test day

Edit: sneaky in the sense of false confidence where you think it's easy but you really don't have a handle on it. I need to review that and pulleys along with lens/mirrors. Those are my Achilles heels. Hopefully the physics SA has those topics.