The Official 4/26/13 MCAT Thread

[clothcut]

---

Members do not see this ad.

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..

 

[BBlocker]

How do you prevent the confidence hit from these passages?

I accepted that there will always be "deadly" questions/passages on the MCAT. At least one per section. But after these deadly passages, easier questions will inevitable follow. So it may help to keep that in mind and limit your time spent on these "deadly", convoluted questions.

 

[Back 5]

I accepted that there will always be "deadly" questions/passages on the MCAT. At least one per section. But after these deadly passages, easier questions will inevitable follow. So it may help to keep that in mind and limit your time spent on these "deadly", convoluted questions.

Lol, hopefully these guidebook questions (especially Bio) are more a reflection of the tougher sections.

EDIT: I did relatively okay on the bio section, except for the Diabetes passage. That kicked my butt. I would have scored within my normal range had it not been for that single passage.

 

[BBlocker]

Lol, hopefully these guidebook questions (especially Bio) are more a reflection of the tougher sections.

EDIT: I did relatively okay on the bio section, except for the Diabetes passage. That kicked my butt. I would have scored within my normal range had it not been for that single passage.

Was it the one on obesity and fatty acids? I feel that passage was insane..

 

[Back 5]

Was it the one on obesity and fatty acids? I feel that passage was insane..

Yep. I think I was tired by that point which resulted in me reading a couple questions incorrectly...but I did well on the remaining passages. The answers made sense once I reviewed it...but at the time...holy crap

 

[LaughingMan]

Yep. I think I was tired by that point which resulted in me reading a couple questions incorrectly...but I did well on the remaining passages. The answers made sense once I reviewed it...but at the time...holy crap

Back I'm rooting for ya man.

My scores seem to be similar to yours. Hopefully both of us can break out a miracle on test day.

 

[BBlocker]

Yep. I think I was tired by that point which resulted in me reading a couple questions incorrectly...but I did well on the remaining passages. The answers made sense once I reviewed it...but at the time...holy crap

Yea, lol, these are the types of passages I would not spend > 10 minutes on

 

[Status Sciaticus]

so... the anxiety just kicked in... only 3 more days of studying left.

Going to go over weak physics plus the physics SAP tomorrow.
AAMC 11 Tuesday
Guidebook wednesday ( if it gets here....)
notecards thursday with equation memorization...

post up your week.

 

[chickensoupdr]

Mon: AAMC 11, Review Nova Physics & equations
Tue: review TBR Chem & Orgo, review notecards
Wed: Review AAMC exams, TBR Physics
Thur: fly to TX since all the seats were taken in CA testing centers, review flashcards and bio notes

It's going to be a brutal week!!

 

[Albein]

Monday: finish guidebook and keep writing out index cards and BR passages
Tuesday: AAMC 11 and review guidebook
Wednesday: review AAMC 11 and some more passages / EK questions
Thursday: light review until 11/ noon and then go about the day doing whatever makes me happy


Edit: had an appropriate nightmare where I got my score and it was a 20 with 5/0/15 and 3 points lower than my first attempt. -___- fun....

 

[MedGrl@2022]

AAMC 10 today! We can all do this! Remember it is just a test! We are all capable of mastering it! I hope everyone has a productive day or studying!!! 🙂 We will all be awesome! 🙂

 

[Back 5]

Biggest thing I am doing this week: Going to the testing center on Wednesday morning to make sure I have scheduled myself enough time. I plan on leaving at 7 and get to the testing center within 30 minutes, but I need to make sure traffic isn't terrible.

Start waking up at 5am tomorrow (usually up by 7:30) just to make sure I have enough days getting used to it.

Otherwise, #11 on Tuesday and review concepts the remaining days.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Biggest thing I am doing this week: Going to the testing center on Wednesday morning to make sure I have scheduled myself enough time. I plan on leaving at 7 and get to the testing center within 30 minutes, but I need to make sure traffic isn't terrible.

Start waking up at 5am tomorrow (usually up by 7:30) just to make sure I have enough days getting used to it.

Otherwise, #11 on Tuesday and review concepts the remaining days.

Im doing this thursday in the morning as well to make sure how long it takes to get there, plus the temperature of the test center so i dont over/under dress.

 

[Back 5]

Question: Do we know how many experimental passages/questions are on each section? We are not graded out of 52 because of the experimental questions correct?

 

[MedGrl@2022]

AAMC 10 11 PS/6 VR/11 BS... man I suck at timing... plus I mis-read some questions that I knew the answer too... blah!!!... My VR score sucks on this one

 

[MedGrl@2022]

AAMC 10 11 PS/6 VR/11 BS... man I suck at timing... plus I mis-read some questions that I knew the answer too... blah!!!... My VR score sucks on this one

I wonder if I should re-do the verbal section and see how I do if I can focus better

 

[MedGrl@2022]

Question: Do we know how many experimental passages/questions are on each section? We are not graded out of 52 because of the experimental questions correct?

Have you found the answer yet? I was wondering this myself

 

[Back 5]

My performance summery:
AAMC Official Guide: 26 9PS/ 7VR/ 10BS

My scaled scores for the Official Guide, using the score conversion links are:

29 9PS (39/56) /11VR (25/30) /9BS (41/60)

Not as bad as I had thought. At least I'm not stressing out about the guidebook like I was when I briefly looked it over.

I am still missing questions on the same subjects in VR...Humanities and especially Social Sciences. Out of the 5 questions I missed in the guidebook, 2 were comprehension and I missed 1 of each on classification, evaluation and application. 3 were medium, 1 was hard and 1 was easy.

If I score 28+ on #11 tomorrow I will go into the test feeling calm and confident. Let's hope for the best!!

 

[Postictal Raiden]

My scaled scores for the Official Guide, using the score conversion links are:

29 9PS (39/56) /11VR (25/30) /9BS (41/60)

Not as bad as I had thought. At least I'm not stressing out about the guidebook like I was when I briefly looked it over.

I am still missing questions on the same subjects in VR...Humanities and especially Social Sciences. Out of the 5 questions I missed in the guidebook, 2 were comprehension and I missed 1 of each on classification, evaluation and application. 3 were medium, 1 was hard and 1 was easy.

If I score 28+ on #11 tomorrow I will go into the test feeling calm and confident. Let's hope for the best!!

That's a good score, given that these passages are "harder" than typical ones on the FL's. You did great on VR. I felt it was a little easier than the norm, but not easy enough to score that high. I was killed by one passage in particular. The one about language and poetry. Also, I didn't do as good as I anticipated on the first passage, given that it was a natural science one.

 

[Albein]

My scaled scores for the Official Guide, using the score conversion links are:

29 9PS (39/56) /11VR (25/30) /9BS (41/60)

Not as bad as I had thought. At least I'm not stressing out about the guidebook like I was when I briefly looked it over.

I am still missing questions on the same subjects in VR...Humanities and especially Social Sciences. Out of the 5 questions I missed in the guidebook, 2 were comprehension and I missed 1 of each on classification, evaluation and application. 3 were medium, 1 was hard and 1 was easy.

If I score 28+ on #11 tomorrow I will go into the test feeling calm and confident. Let's hope for the best!!

40/60 on the BS guidebook section. I changed at least 7 of my answers and often times, I chose the wrong one after eliminating two options :/ going to review this tomorrow after AAMC 11. That last bird passage really ruined my score.

 

[Greedo]

Mon: AAMC 11, Review Nova Physics & equations
Tue: review TBR Chem & Orgo, review notecards
Wed: Review AAMC exams, TBR Physics
Thur: fly to TX since all the seats were taken in CA testing centers, review flashcards and bio notes

It's going to be a brutal week!!

Wow, you're flying to another state for the MCAT? They should open more testing centers in CA if you have to do that. Good luck and safe travels!

I don't really have plans for the rest of this week yet. Just took AAMC 11 this morning, so I'll probably focus on topics from that and the last few AAMCs. And maybe try to relax?

And to Back 5 who asked about the experimental passages- we are still graded out of 52 for PS and BS because the experimental passages are all in their own separate section at the end, after you submit your test. At least that's my understanding.

 

[MedGrl@2022]

Wow, you're flying to another state for the MCAT? They should open more testing centers in CA if you have to do that. Good luck and safe travels!

I don't really have plans for the rest of this week yet. Just took AAMC 11 this morning, so I'll probably focus on topics from that and the last few AAMCs. And maybe try to relax?

And to Back 5 who asked about the experimental passages- we are still graded out of 52 for PS and BS because the experimental passages are all in their own separate section at the end, after you submit your test. At least that's my understanding.

so we will know which passages and questions don't count...?

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Wow, you're flying to another state for the MCAT? They should open more testing centers in CA if you have to do that. Good luck and safe travels!

I don't really have plans for the rest of this week yet. Just took AAMC 11 this morning, so I'll probably focus on topics from that and the last few AAMCs. And maybe try to relax?

And to Back 5 who asked about the experimental passages- we are still graded out of 52 for PS and BS because the experimental passages are all in their own separate section at the end, after you submit your test. At least that's my understanding.

I think he is asking about the experimental passages in the BS/VR/PS sections that the aamc uses to see the validity of a test passage.


To my knowledge, all questions count to some extent. The hard or experimental ones you are referring to might be standardized by adding a curve.

 

[Greedo]

Oh ok my bad, I thought he was talking about the questions for the 2015 exam.
I didn't know they put in questions to test the validity of a passage, but I guess it makes sense. It seems like those should still be counted though because they'd be controls for the passage, unless a lot of people miss them. Then they'd have to throw out a whole passage.

 

[Back 5]

I am looking at these posts, from the 3/23 thread:

For the record guys, there are always experimental questions on the test. The added experimental section is testing questions for topics that haven't been tested before, but the typical stuff (that we're actually tested on now) will still be in the 2015 MCAT, so they still need more questions as constantly as they always have.

I was under the impression that it's always a possibility but never a certainty. Where did you hear/see that there are experimental questions on every mcat? Or did I just misinterpret what you're saying?

I can find the excerpt for you later but I'm pretty sure it says so outright in the Official Guide to the MCAT or in Essentials.

Please note that each multiple-choice section (PS, VR, and BS) will include some try-out items that do not count toward your score.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

I am looking at these posts, from the 3/23 thread:

good find👍

 

[Postictal Raiden]

40/60 on the BS guidebook section. I changed at least 7 of my answers and often times, I chose the wrong one after eliminating two options :/ going to review this tomorrow after AAMC 11. That last bird passage really ruined my score.

I scored 46/60 on the BS section, 14/19 on Ochem and 32/41 on the bio. I could have done a lot better if I didn't miss 4 questions on the ochem discrete. What did you guys think of ochem? I thought it was alright, except for the alien discrete questions. I swear some terms I never heard of.

 

[Albein]

I scored 46/60 on the BS section, 14/19 on Ochem and 32/41 on the bio. I could have done a lot better if I didn't miss 4 questions on the ochem discrete. What did you guys think of ochem? I thought it was alright, except for the alien discrete questions. I swear some terms I never heard of.

The o-chem was interesting? It was definitely harder than anything ive seen in BR or the aamc exams. I got the aldol condensation one wrong (always struggle with that) and had to reason my way through the NMR one and guessed right between a and b. I wish I would've done better on the BS for my confidence but I guess I'll just have to fine tune the minor content gaps and I should be ok.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

The o-chem was interesting? It was definitely harder than anything ive seen in BR or the aamc exams. I got the aldol condensation one wrong (always struggle with that) and had to reason my way through the NMR one and guessed right between a and b. I wish I would've done better on the BS for my confidence but I guess I'll just have to fine tune the minor content gaps and I should be ok.

I got that one wrong too. I don't know how we were supposed to rule out the incorrect structure in short period of time.

 

[Albein]

I got that one wrong too. I don't know how we were supposed to rule out the incorrect structure in short period of time.

There's definitely a shortcut that I remember reading somewhere but I need to find it. If I do, I'll post it here.


Edit: I'm going to try and go over both PS and BS in guidebook today so I can have whatever places I messed up solidified for AAMC 11 tomorrow.

 

[Back 5]

I missed the aldol condensation as well. I've been reviewing my missed answers and so far I have made some dumb mistakes. Careful reading of the questions and answers would have prevented many of my errors. I really wish I knew how to fix this before Friday.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

anyone know why alkenes are nucleophiles in ochem reactions?

 

[chickensoupdr]

AAMC 11: 11/8/11
The PS and Verbal were similar to the other AAMC FLs, but I thought that the BS required a lot more analyzing figures, understanding the experiment, etc. I guess I should go back to TPR Hyperlearning book since the type of questions and level of difficulty seem very similar.

And yeah, California needs more testing centers. I will start packing tomorrow.

Good luck studying 4/26ers! Only 4 more days!!

 

[Back 5]

anyone know why alkenes are nucleophiles in ochem reactions?

It depends on the reaction. If the Alkene has electron withdrawing groups on it, then the double bond becomes "nucleus loving" and is attracted to the carbocation "electron loving" electrophile.

Or, just think of it as the alkene has spare electrons to give (pi bond) and the electrophile sure would love to have them.

 

[Back 5]

Official, unofficial, response concerning experimental questions.

Correct. So for example, if you had 2 experimental questions in PS, you'd be graded out of 50 and the curve would be adjusted accordingly. GTLO, does that jive with what you know?

Yes, that's correct. You won't be administered more than 52 or 40 questions for the given section, and since one or more will not count toward your score, the scale would account for questions correct out of the total minus the number of uncounted questions.

 

[BBlocker]

I missed the aldol condensation as well. I've been reviewing my missed answers and so far I have made some dumb mistakes. Careful reading of the questions and answers would have prevented many of my errors. I really wish I knew how to fix this before Friday.

Have faith in the magical powers of adrenaline, lol

But seriously, when the s*** gets real, I feel like I'm subconsciously performing 100% and I usually know whether I'm doing well or not

 

[Status Sciaticus]

Stupid AAMC hasnt delivered my book yet.

I'll update this group on AAMC 11 tomorrow.

Also, does anyone have a list of syn additions vs anti additions?

The only two syn additions I am aware of is the BH3 oxidation and H2 hydrogenation...

 

[Back 5]

Stupid AAMC hasnt delivered my book yet.

I'll update this group on AAMC 11 tomorrow.

Also, does anyone have a list of syn additions vs anti additions?

The only two syn additions I am aware of is the BH3 oxidation and H2 hydrogenation...

Alkene and Alkyne chemistry is not tested.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Stupid AAMC hasnt delivered my book yet.

I'll update this group on AAMC 11 tomorrow.

Also, does anyone have a list of syn additions vs anti additions?

The only two syn additions I am aware of is the BH3 oxidation and H2 hydrogenation...

OsO4 adds 2 OH syn addition.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Alkene and Alkyne chemistry is not tested.

This is a myth. I have encountered Alkene reactions numerous of times on AAMC FL. Alkyne, on the other hand, I haven't seen any.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

OsO4 adds 2 OH syn addition.

KMn04 as well.

Alkene and Alkyne chemistry is not tested.

Actually it is... through a technicality. Radical and halogenation reactions and EAS all use alkenes/alkynes, so its fair game.

also IR/NMR signals for alkenes alkynes are fair game.

 

[Back 5]

If it's not on the official organic list, it's not tested. EAS is not on the MCAT.

 

[Status Sciaticus]

If it's not on the official organic list, it's not tested. EAS is not on the MCAT.

nope, but SN1,SN2,E1,E2 are... and they use alkenes as products or reactants.


just finished TBR section on Periodic motion/waves.... got a 50%..... 🙁

 

[Postictal Raiden]

my studying mood is irreversibly inhibited. Plus knowing that I'm taking AAMC 11 tomorrow gives me stomach butterflies, the same feeling I get as I get closer and closer in line to ride a roller coaster.

 

[AA|FCB|DOC]

Did those AAMC guide questions! Some of those were pretty tough! There was one on muscle sarcomeres that confused me. I am not sure if you guys know which I am talking about. Kaplan says the A band is the thick filaments and whatever overlap they have with the thin filaments, but it also says that it stays constant. The guide question did not seem to really align with this. I guess I am a little confused on the sarcomere specifics.

 

[AA|FCB|DOC]

Did those AAMC guide questions! Some of those were pretty tough! There was one on muscle sarcomeres that confused me. I am not sure if you guys know which I am talking about. Kaplan says the A band is the thick filaments and whatever overlap they have with the thin filaments, but it also says that it stays constant. The guide question did not seem to really align with this. I guess I am a little confused on the sarcomere specifics.

nvm I think I I got it now that I look at it.

 

[Albein]

my studying mood is irreversibly inhibited. Plus knowing that I'm taking AAMC 11 tomorrow gives me stomach butterflies, the same feeling I get as I get closer and closer in line to ride a roller coaster.

I feel the same exact way. I'm taking AAMC 11 in an hour and I'm terrified because this is the last test and will be most indicative I think.

Edit: I guess you can say its not a competitive inhibitor at work? Haha

 

[Back 5]

I feel the same exact way. I'm taking AAMC 11 in an hour and I'm terrified because this is the last test and will be most indicative I think.

Can't let your nerves get to ya man. You did well enough on the guidebook that #11 should be one of your best scores. Stay confident.

 

[Albein]

Can't let your nerves get to ya man. You did well enough on the guidebook that #11 should be one of your best scores. Stay confident.

Should be haha. My emotions/confidence is basically a roller coaster now like Alnafis put it. It's a constant cycle of up and down. Honestly though, I'm ready to just give it my all Friday and see what happens.

 

[Back 5]

Should be haha. My emotions/confidence is basically a roller coaster now like Alnafis put it. It's a constant cycle of up and down. Honestly though, I'm ready to just give it my all Friday and see what happens.

Maybe it's due to the fact that I'm older, maybe it's due to the fact that I have been an athlete my entire life, maybe it's because I have more experience with these sorts of tests...but, I don't get nervous or antsy etc before tests. Sure, I get some butterflies, but that's more anticipation. Doesn't mean I ace every test I take, but I know I didn't do poorly because I couldn't focus/concentrate/too hyped.

Not saying anything against anyone else, just offering my opinion. Try to keep your emotions in check. Don't panic. Deep breaths to keep the heart rate down. Goosefraba.

 

[Albein]

Maybe it's due to the fact that I'm older, maybe it's due to the fact that I have been an athlete my entire life, maybe it's because I have more experience with these sorts of tests...but, I don't get nervous or antsy etc before tests. Sure, I get some butterflies, but that's more anticipation. Doesn't mean I ace every test I take, but I know I didn't do poorly because I couldn't focus/concentrate/too hyped.

Not saying anything against anyone else, just offering my opinion. Try to keep your emotions in check. Don't panic. Deep breaths to keep the heart rate down. Goosefraba.

That's a great ability/trait? Not sure how to describe it. I've had a lot of cases and know of many other people in the same boat, where they lose psychologically because they got worked up and were doomed from the beginning (before they even took the test/whatever other task).