The Official April 24, 2014 MCAT Thread

[HopelessDreamer]

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Anyone else on here taking it on the 24th? I'm going to start studying later this week. What is everyone else's study plan?

 

[AKMCAT]

Thanks for your reply!
I had been doing content review since January. I wasn't finished with content review before full length 1, but had it completed before full length 2. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I have a 3.95 GPA, and this is the score I'm getting. Do I just need to keep doing practice or is there something else going on here?

I had the same problem when I was prepping last year. I realized my main issue was I did not take enough practice tests/or do enough problems. Just stay positive and try to figure out what you're doing wrong( do you feel like you understand all the topics conceptually ? Do you get nervous during your practice exams? ...?)

 

[premed199088]

I had the same problem when I was prepping last year. I realized my main issue was I did not take enough practice tests/or do enough problems. Just stay positive and try to figure out what you're doing wrong( do you feel like you understand all the topics conceptually ? Do you get nervous during your practice exams? ...?)

I know most of the concepts.. still working on the physics/gen chem, but I shouldn't be this low at this point! I'm going to keep doing more practice tests and problems to get a better grasp.
I know I get nervous when I take the test and everything becomes blurry. I've never had test anxiety before, but it's like I have a mental block when it comes to taking the MCAT. Do you have any recommendations on how to relax and focus? It's quite frustrating to say the least. I'm thinking I'm going to have push the test back if I don't start seeing improvement. 🙁

 

[Dr.Keem]

took AAMC 8 last Sunday
PS/VR/BS
AAMC 3: 27 8/10/9
AAMC 8: 27 10/8/9
Target: 30

Im happy about PS because it was by far my weakest subject. Thinking I may have gotten lucky with AAMC 8 because very little calculations were involved.

For Verbal on aamc 8, I took my time highlighting things and re-reading the passage. I was left with 2minutes to complete 2 passages. I "christmas tree'd" everything.lol. I missed 8 questions out of 10 for the last 2 passages.

BS: Idk. Im going through the test this week whenever I get time. Also finishing the 2nd half of EK bio this week. Hopefully I can do better on the next one.

Taking AAMC 9 this Sunday. I want a 30+. If I can solidify atleast a 10 in bio and physics ill be happy.

Any advice?

 

[Xtract]

took AAMC 8 last Sunday
PS/VR/BS
AAMC 3: 27 8/10/9
AAMC 8: 27 10/8/9
Target: 30

Im happy about PS because it was by far my weakest subject. Thinking I may have gotten lucky with AAMC 8 because very little calculations were involved.

For Verbal on aamc 8, I took my time highlighting things and re-reading the passage. I was left with 2minutes to complete 2 passages. I "christmas tree'd" everything.lol. I missed 8 questions out of 10 for the last 2 passages.

BS: Idk. Im going through the test this week whenever I get time. Also finishing the 2nd half of EK bio this week. Hopefully I can do better on the next one.

Taking AAMC 9 this Sunday. I want a 30+. If I can solidify atleast a 10 in bio and physics ill be happy.

Any advice?

Are you using EK 1001 Q's for Bio? If so, how is it?

In my opinion, don't do what you did for VR on AAMC 8, and work a little harder in BS and you'll guarantee yourself a 30!

 

[Dr.Keem]

Are you using EK 1001 Q's for Bio? If so, how is it?

In my opinion, don't do what you did for VR on AAMC 8, and work a little harder in BS and you'll guarantee yourself a 30!

Thanks for the advice and encouragement!!!
And im only using the EK General bio book. If my scores don't improve by the time I finish reviewing, I may get EK 1001 Qs

 

[SOOyC52H1Sof]

Thanks for your reply!
I had been doing content review since January. I wasn't finished with content review before full length 1, but had it completed before full length 2. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I have a 3.95 GPA, and this is the score I'm getting. Do I just need to keep doing practice or is there something else going on here?

can you break your score down for us?

 

[premed199088]

can you break your score down for us?

Sure. I didn't do very well on the bio or VR because I was so nervous, I was only half paying attention to the question. Granted, this will make a huge difference in my scores. I've been averaging 95% on all the topicals in bio and VR, so...MCAT simulation is killing me.

PS 7/VR 8/BS 8

 

[AKMCAT]

Sure. I didn't do very well on the bio or VR because I was so nervous, I was only half paying attention to the question. Granted, this will make a huge difference in my scores. I've been averaging 95% on all the topicals in bio and VR, so...MCAT simulation is killing me.

PS 7/VR 8/BS 8

Taking a lot of practice tests under the same test conditions will definitely help improve your focus and make you more comfortable taking the exam. From now until your exam I would say practice as much as you can and space days to review content.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Just took BR CBT 1 and scored 31. Ugh

 

[ManOfDiligence]

Just took BR CBT 1 and scored 31. Ugh

That's a good score.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

That's a good score.

I heard the first one is supposed to be the easiest

 

[Lamel]

I heard the first one is supposed to be the easiest

That's too subjective of a thing to say. Keep going.


Unrelated:

AAMC 3: 12 PS, 12 VR, 11 BS - 35
AAMC 4: 14 PS, 12 VR, 13 BS - 39 (Yeah!)

I was expecting more like ~32 because in bio I finished with 50 seconds left, so much pressure, and so much uncertainty; I made like 10 educated guesses, so I am surprised I did better. Same for verbal, the passages were not as clear cut but I got the same score/percentage. This test really is something else.

 

[TheAnonymous]

That's too subjective of a thing to say. Keep going.


Unrelated:

AAMC 3: 12 PS, 12 VR, 11 BS - 35
AAMC 4: 14 PS, 12 VR, 13 BS - 39 (Yeah!)

I was expecting more like ~32 because in bio I finished with 50 seconds left, so much pressure, and so much uncertainty; I made like 10 educated guesses, so I am surprised I did better. Same for verbal, the passages were not as clear cut but I got the same score/percentage. This test really is something else.

wow congrats man ! thats awesome, well done sir

have you taken any other FLs from prep companies? How have you been preparing, SN2Ed?

very nice scores

 

[Lamel]

wow congrats man ! thats awesome, well done sir

have you taken any other FLs from prep companies? How have you been preparing, SN2Ed?

very nice scores

I only started full lengths this week (I am a little behind), so those are the only ones I have done. And yeah I have been doing Sn2ed 4 month schedule, though not completely because it's rough to do during a semester (so I've been skipping the EK 1001s); but overall yeah, doing as many passages as possible.

 

[TheAnonymous]

I only started full lengths this week (I am a little behind), so those are the only ones I have done. And yeah I have been doing Sn2ed 4 month schedule, though not completely because it's rough to do during a semester (so I've been skipping the EK 1001s); but overall yeah, doing as many passages as possible.

Did you find TBR Orgo / TBR Bio passages helpful?

 

[Lamel]

Did you find TBR Orgo / TBR Bio passages helpful?

Yes definitely. TBR Orgo is great for content review and passages. Bio passages seem much harder for TBR because they often require recalling specific details; good thing is that it's not like that on the AAMCs (though some discretes are similar). The reasoning questions from TBR are pretty in line with the real thing.

For reference my TBR Bio Passage scores are 70-75%, and my Chem/Phys/Orgo are 80-85%.

 

[TheAnonymous]

Yes definitely. TBR Orgo is great for content review and passages. Bio passages seem much harder for TBR because they often require recalling specific details; good thing is that it's not like that on the AAMCs (though some discretes are similar). The reasoning questions from TBR are pretty in line with the real thing.

For reference my TBR Bio Passage scores are 70-75%, and my Chem/Phys/Orgo are 80-85%.

nice to know that, thanks.

I've completed content review but haven't done a lot of passages (maybe like 15ish in total?) and I didn't know whether to just do TBR or use Kaplan for passages - I guess I should leave kaplan and just do TBR 🙁

 

[forfun135]

.

 

[Lamel]

nice to know that, thanks.

I've completed content review but haven't done a lot of passages (maybe like 15ish in total?) and I didn't know whether to just do TBR or use Kaplan for passages - I guess I should leave kaplan and just do TBR 🙁

Passages are definitely very important; I haven't done Kaplan, but I can definitely recommend TBR. A lot of their passages have been similar to the AAMCs.

 

[Xtract]

Passages are definitely very important; I haven't done Kaplan, but I can definitely recommend TBR. A lot of their passages have been similar to the AAMCs.

Do you feel like PS/BS for TBR is 100% the way to go? You tore up that last PS section you took haha

 

[Lamel]

Do you feel like PS/BS for TBR is 100% the way to go? You tore up that last PS section you took haha

PS is excellent in TBR, both in terms of breadth/variety and type of questions asked.

BS in TBR are good, but a lot of them do tend to ask crazy little details from memory, but they also have a crap load of passages with so many different topics. Just don't get too worried about the score of TBR bio passages and focus on the reasoning behind them; they are hard but worth it because the AAMCs seem a bit easier in comparison.

 

[TheAnonymous]

PS is excellent in TBR, both in terms of breadth/variety and type of questions asked.

BS in TBR are good, but a lot of them do tend to ask crazy little details from memory, but they also have a crap load of passages with so many different topics. Just don't get too worried about the score of TBR bio passages and focus on the reasoning behind them; they are hard but worth it because the AAMCs seem a bit easier in comparison.

May I ask how many passages (% of the passages) you have completed so far? I was just wondering when is the right time to start the AAMCs... I've been told several times that I should complete 1/2 of all TBR passages before taking the first AAMC?

 

[Lamel]

May I ask how many passages (% of the passages) you have completed so far? I was just wondering when is the right time to start the AAMCs... I've been told several times that I should complete 1/2 of all TBR passages before taking the first AAMC?

See that's tough to answer. You should start the AAMCs latest by next week because you want to have time to finish them all. I did 2/3 BR passages as I went along with content review, and I will be doing the last 1/3 up until the exam date, along with the AAMCs. Try to do as many as you can of course, but at this stage I think AAMC is more important. I think you should be able to do half of them by the time of your actual exam, but don't wait too long before you start full lengths.

 

[TheAnonymous]

See that's tough to answer. You should start the AAMCs latest by next week because you want to have time to finish them all. I did 2/3 BR passages as I went along with content review, and I will be doing the last 1/3 up until the exam date, along with the AAMCs. Try to do as many as you can of course, but at this stage I think AAMC is more important. I think you should be able to do half of them by the time of your actual exam, but don't wait too long before you start full lengths.

Sorry I guess I forgot to mention that I'm writing it on May 31st :-s

Unfortunately I finished content review without doing any passages ..

 

[Karasu]

Just took BR CBT 1 and scored 31. Ugh

I scored a 28ish 9/11-12/8 😵. Their passage on carbohydrates was no bueno but it helped me realize that I should take the time to recognize common sugar structure.

It's a good thing on AAMC Bio I am scoring closer to 11-12, so I am not gonna sweat an 8 on TBR bio too much.

Berkeley Review Teach or w/e the user is called said that their students that score in the high 20's on their CBTs tend to score 30+ on the MCAT.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

I scored a 28ish 9/11-12/8 😵. Their passage on carbohydrates was no bueno but it helped me realize that I should take the time to recognize common sugar structure.

It's a good thing on AAMC Bio I am scoring closer to 11-12, so I am not gonna sweat an 8 on TBR bio too much.

Berkeley Review Teach or w/e the user is called said that their students that score in the high 20's on their CBTs tend to score 30+ on the MCAT.

Yeah that passage was horrible. To tell you the truth I literally guessed on EVERY one of those carb questions and only missed one. I couldn't believe how lucky I got. Definitely reviewing that.

 

[Karasu]

Yeah that passage was horrible. To tell you the truth I literally guessed on EVERY one of those carb questions and only missed one. I couldn't believe how lucky I got. Definitely reviewing that.

LOL, I did the same and got 4 wrong. Luck of the draw, otherwise I'd be sitting on a 30+ too. I am a bit worried about the next exam though because like you said difficulty ramps up.

How many of their exams did you purchase? I have 1-5.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

LOL, I did the same and got 4 wrong. Luck of the draw, otherwise I'd be sitting on a 30+ too. I am a bit worried about the next exam though because like you said difficulty ramps up.

How many of their exams did you purchase? I have 1-5.

I have 5 as well and then AAMC 10 and 11

 

[Karasu]

I have 5 as well and then AAMC 10 and 11

Cool, good luck with he TBR stuff. I'm going to try and finish them off over the next too weeks--then squeeze in AAMC 9-11 right before Apr 24th.

At this point I just want to get on with "life after MCAT", lol.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Cool, good luck with he TBR stuff. I'm going to try and finish them off over the next too weeks--then squeeze in AAMC 9-11 right before Apr 24th.

At this point I just want to get on with "life after MCAT", lol.

That's exactly how I feel. I feel so drained and pissed I can't break 9 in verbal.

 

[SOOyC52H1Sof]

That's exactly how I feel. I feel so drained and pissed I can't break 9 in verbal.

how are you attacking the verbal? Do you just read the passage and try to answer the questions by memory?

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

how are you attacking the verbal? Do you just read the passage and try to answer the questions by memory?

I just have trouble understanding what I'm reading.

 

[Karasu]

I just have trouble understanding what I'm reading.

Too early for me to say if I've actually improved or not because I did poorly on verbal last administration of he exam. But this time around I approach passages with the mentality that I want to spend no more that 4min reading them. Furthermore, I highlight names, occupations, and dates while also keeping track of associations and/or contradictions. After redoing EK 1001 I noticed there's usually some scenario where we are told person A does X, however, Person B does Y. Usually, there's a question about things like that. As far as the main idea goes, I'm not sure how to explain that coherently. I just kind of get at the point of the passage through the associations and from there I ask "how does this question relate to the main idea?"

I have about 2 dozen TPR ICC passages that I haven't seen before and I'll doing them last. I also had an EK 1001 exam that I hadn't seen before and my score on it was vastly improved since last time I studied for the MCAT.

Just remembered, I use earplugs this time around. It's easier to focus if all I can hear are my thougths.

 

[Lamel]

Sorry I guess I forgot to mention that I'm writing it on May 31st :-s

Unfortunately I finished content review without doing any passages ..

Then you have plenty of time, so yeah finish like half of the BR passages this month, it should be a good opportunity for some more review as well and then start full lengths along with the rest of the BR passages.

 

[SOOyC52H1Sof]

I just have trouble understanding what I'm reading.

I learned this technique from an mcat verbal class just last week:

Start by reading the question stems for key words that tell you what the topic of the passage is going to be about. Just really quickly glance at them (Judges, Tudors, Cromwell, Jury ----> In your mind this would come out to judicial system in England) Great, now be on the look out for quetions that asked for specific phrases, b/c you will search for them in your first run through. Also look for any other keywords or Names.

Your first run through the passage, highlight the structure of the passages (keywords like NOT, MUST, ALWAYS, BUT, HOWEVER, AS A RESULT OF, MAY, CANNOT) and proper names that you saw in the question stem, and get a quick idea of what the passage is about. Write on your scratch paper for each paragraph a phrase or sentence that outlines what that paragraph talked about. This is so that when you are answering questions and need to find something, it will serve as an index so you dont waste time looking for things. It also will help you from forgetting what you read, since you wrote it down. Dont read word for word, read quickly and get a quick understanding of whats going on. You should finish "working the passage" in 3 min.

Next, go to the questions and answer only the questions that ask for specifics. (What did author mean by this word or phrase), go back to the passage and read -/+ 3 lines around the location of that phrase. Get a good understanding of what the answer should say, then go back and answer the question.

After you finish all the "specific" questions, you should be getting a pretty good idea of what the passage is really about. Go to the general questions next. (What is the main idea? primary purpose) Make sure you read ALL the answer choices before you pick one. dont pick one just because it mimics wording that the passage used.

Make sure the answers you pick fit the attitude/tone of the author. Dont bring in outside knowledge about topics presented. Dotn pick answers that are too narrow or extreme relative to what compelled the author to write the piece in the first place.

Last, answer the Complex questions, which ask you to think about the passage as a whole (Which would situation would the author not agree with, Roman numeral questions, Most strengthen/weaken)

You are not trying to master the passage, you are trying to master the questions in as little time as possible. You will only have 1 min per question.

This method is frightening at first, but once you get the hang of it, its pretty enjoyable. I wasted almost all of my EK 101 and TPR passages w/o using this method. I decided to go back and redo the passages using this technique. Get practice reading quickly, synthesizing, highlighting, and all that jazz. Give yourself extra time as you first start this method. Eventually, you will get better, and will just work much faster.

 

[ConsultantMD]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

 

[Xtract]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

You're a freaking animal!! Congrats!! Please give me any advice you have for PS thats the only section that's annoying me

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

You're a boss ass bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch

 

[ConsultantMD]

Again I think it was the perfect storm of thing a I'm good at and good guessing and a lack of things I'm bad at. I have to repeat it to own it. Three weeks left!

 

[Bbqchickenman]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

My high score is also on AAMC#4... interesting.

And you take your FLs at a coffee shop and manage to get in the 30's??? Hahaha thats nuts

 

[ConsultantMD]

My high score is also on AAMC#4... interesting.

And you take your FLs at a coffee shop and manage to get in the 30's??? Hahaha thats nuts

I mean like I said for me I think it was easier but that's because I have a general sense of strengths and weaknesses. Especially for verbal I really got into most of the passages unlike another test that maybe a handful are less than idea subjects for me.

 

[Dr.Keem]

I just have trouble understanding what I'm reading.

I thought this article was helpful. Its a little lengthy, but worth the read.

http://www.studentdoctor.net/2012/09/best-methods-to-improve-your-mcat-verbal-reasoning-vr-score/

 

[smoothbunzz]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

Great Job! What a verbal beast. Looks like the Kaplan practice tests helped out 😀

 

[ManOfDiligence]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

Disgusting. Good job man!

 

[Osteoth]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

Jesus you animal! I took AAMC 9 yesterday and got a 32 (11/11/10), which is my most even split thus far and I'm content, but I would like to get to your level! lol

 

[ConsultantMD]

Jesus you animal! I took AAMC 9 yesterday and got a 32 (11/11/10), which is my most even split thus far and I'm content, but I would like to get to your level! lol

Again, I'll accept the congratulations when I can do it again, and again, and again. For all I care about it is a fluke!

I would also say something I did was try and think like the test maker a little bit more than previous tests and think about anwers, especially in VR as to how/what the test maker was trying to get at, and focusing on what the questions were looking for. Like for example, if it's something "suggested", then the words probably won't appear in the text, so on some of them I just guessed based on those hints alone after knocking out clearly wrong options. I have about 10 more practice tests to go and tons of practice passages. "Miles to go before I sleep..."

 

[AKMCAT]

Ok so this is a total glitch, but I got a 41 on AAMC #4 this morning! PS 15 VR 13 BS 13! I honestly think it was the alignment of the stars. Although I did actually take a test in the library with limited distractions (usually I do it at a coffee shop) and I also used a larger monitor because I have a small screen laptop, so I spent a lot less time scrolling and things were easier for me look at/analyze, so maybe those are two factors that helped, but certainly didn't result in this major bump. I'm in complete disbelief...

Wow thats awesome ! Great job. Any suggestions for improving verbal score ?

 

[Lamel]

Again, I'll accept the congratulations when I can do it again, and again, and again. For all I care about it is a fluke!

I would also say something I did was try and think like the test maker a little bit more than previous tests and think about anwers, especially in VR as to how/what the test maker was trying to get at, and focusing on what the questions were looking for. Like for example, if it's something "suggested", then the words probably won't appear in the text, so on some of them I just guessed based on those hints alone after knocking out clearly wrong options. I have about 10 more practice tests to go and tons of practice passages. "Miles to go before I sleep..."

I totally get what you're saying. I want to repeat high numbers until I get a bit comfortable. And I agree, AAMC 4 seemed like a test where a lot of educated guesses were needed.

 

[ConsultantMD]

I totally get what you're saying. I want to repeat high numbers until I get a bit comfortable. And I agree, AAMC 4 seemed like a test where a lot of educated guesses were needed.

It's just tough because one question on AAMCs literally separates you from one section score to another, so every bit counts.

I'd say for verbal, you have to be into the passage, I was actually interested in the majority of these passages or also they kind of seemed like passages I had read before, so maybe I was kind of bringing in outside knowledge, but they did seem similar to one I've seen before (obviously not the same exact thing). I also did the passages out of order and picked the ones based on what I wanted to dig into first. and also I actually didn't passage map at all, so maybe that has been distracting me this whole time at getting a better understanding? I'll try it again and see how it goes.

 

[AKMCAT]

It's just tough because one question on AAMCs literally separates you from one section score to another, so every bit counts.

I'd say for verbal, you have to be into the passage, I was actually interested in the majority of these passages or also they kind of seemed like passages I had read before, so maybe I was kind of bringing in outside knowledge, but they did seem similar to one I've seen before (obviously not the same exact thing). I also did the passages out of order and picked the ones based on what I wanted to dig into first. and also I actually didn't passage map at all, so maybe that has been distracting me this whole time at getting a better understanding? I'll try it again and see how it goes.

Thank you for the advice!! My first passage is always goes slow until I get into the "zone"; thus, I take longer than I should for the first passage, end up rushing at the end!!!