The Official August 15, 2014 MCAT Thread

Boost your MCAT score by 12 points or more.
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
axa5780

axa5780

New Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
10
Reaction score
2
Members do not see this ad.
Hey guys, I'am signed up for this date. I didn't find a thread for August 15th, so here it is. Let's make this a fun experience, and hope we all come out the other end satisfied with our score.

Materials:
PS: BR Physics, NOVA Physics, BR Chemistry, EK 1001 Chem & Phys
BS: EK Biology, BR Biology, EK 1001 Biol
Verbal: EK 101, TPR Verbal

Extras: TPRH SW, WIkiPremed Flashcards & videos. All AAMC FL plus all Kaplan FL.

Lets do this.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Are y'all planning on studying the day before? I feel like I shouldn't, but I'm sure I will gravitate towards doing some light studying anyways
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
@TBRBiosadist Do you think you could help me out with this question? I was taking the AAMC self-assessment and the question is "What kind of interactions take place between NH3 molecules?" I put down Hydrogen-bond only, but the answer is both hydrogen bond and dipole-dipole bond. I'm a little confused since I thought H-bonds were just much stronger versions of dipole-dipole bonding. Why would there be dipole-dipole bonds as well?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I am going through the BR fluids chapter now but I mainly get frustrated when I do passages because I feel like I understand the main concepts as I am reading the chapters but when it comes to applying them in problems, I seem to have an issue 🙁 Any suggestions? I do better when doing EK1001 problems but not by much. Thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TBRBiosadist said:
What aspect>
Click to expand...

I am going through the BR fluids chapter now but I mainly get frustrated when I do passages because I feel like I understand the main concepts as I am reading the chapters but when it comes to applying them in problems, I seem to have an issue 🙁 Any suggestions? I do better when doing EK1001 problems but not by much. Thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iforget2 said:
@TBRBiosadist Do you think you could help me out with this question? I was taking the AAMC self-assessment and the question is "What kind of interactions take place between NH3 molecules?" I put down Hydrogen-bond only, but the answer is both hydrogen bond and dipole-dipole bond. I'm a little confused since I thought H-bonds were just much stronger versions of dipole-dipole bonding. Why would there be dipole-dipole bonds as well?
Click to expand...

The nitrogen has a lone pair of electrons which cause the H atoms to be bent downwards. A consequence of this is the dipole is not canceled because it is not a trigonal planar molecule. It is trigonal pyramidal. (haven't studied this in awhile but I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
curiousity2013 said:
I am going through the BR fluids chapter now but I mainly get frustrated when I do passages because I feel like I understand the main concepts as I am reading the chapters but when it comes to applying them in problems, I seem to have an issue 🙁 Any suggestions? I do better when doing EK1001 problems but not by much. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it. Suffer through the problems. The thing is, the MCAT will not be composed entirely of difficult problems. There will be a mix of all types. BR usually has high difficulty problems, these are not meant to gauge your score but cause a deeper understanding of the material. For reference, I got smoked on basically every chapter of the BR Physics and Chemistry and i'm doing really well on the AAMC's. Beware though, the AAMC's tend to "broaden" the concept to make it seem foreign when it is actually very simple. Good luck!!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Dannyk1992 said:
The nitrogen has a lone pair of electrons which cause the H atoms to be bent downwards. A consequence of this is the dipole is not canceled because it is not a trigonal planar molecule. It is trigonal pyramidal. (haven't studied this in awhile but I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track)
Click to expand...

Ahh ok that makes sense. So by that logic H2O can also go experience dipole-dipole interactions?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Dannyk1992 said:
Don't worry about it. Suffer through the problems. The thing is, the MCAT will not be composed entirely of difficult problems. There will be a mix of all types. BR usually has high difficulty problems, these are not meant to gauge your score but cause a deeper understanding of the material. For reference, I got smoked on basically every chapter of the BR Physics and Chemistry and i'm doing really well on the AAMC's. Beware though, the AAMC's tend to "broaden" the concept to make it seem foreign when it is actually very simple. Good luck!!
Click to expand...

Thanks! That makes me feel a lot better 🙂 I am going to take my first AAMC test tomorrow.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Anyone else using Princeton's Reviews Science workbook? I'm really liking this book. Seems about on par with AAMC difficult, maybe a little harder. :happy:

AAMC 9 and 10 were both 37's for me which makes me more than happy. Dumb mistakes cost me a 40 score but i'm not complaining.

Last test is aamc 11 for me. Taking it next week either before or after my orgo lab final.
Good luck everyone!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Dannyk1992 said:
Anyone else using Princeton's Reviews Science workbook? I'm really liking this book. Seems about on par with AAMC difficult, maybe a little harder. :happy:

AAMC 9 and 10 were both 37's for me which makes me more than happy. Dumb mistakes cost me a 40 score but i'm not complaining.

Last test is aamc 11 for me. Taking it next week either before or after my orgo lab final.
Good luck everyone!
Click to expand...

Doing EK for everything but Bio and then doing Bio in TPR's Science Workbook. EK's more difficult than it needs to be, but I feel like it's good review for me. And nice work on those scores! I've taken AAMC 10, and thought it was one of the easier ones. How did you think 9 was compared to 10?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Dannyk1992 said:
The nitrogen has a lone pair of electrons which cause the H atoms to be bent downwards. A consequence of this is the dipole is not canceled because it is not a trigonal planar molecule. It is trigonal pyramidal. (haven't studied this in awhile but I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track)
Click to expand...

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong here but I'm pretty sure hydrogen bonding is a type of dipole-dipole bonding. I've always remembered them as building on each other. If you have hydrogen bonding, you have dipole-dipole, london.

(http://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/liquids/hbond2.html) "Hydrogen bonding is a special type of dipole-dipole attraction between molecules, not a covalent bond to a hydrogen atom."

That's how I've always understood it at least. Might be worth asking in MCAT Q&A. Sorry to interject, just wanted to make sure I understood this lol
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Do y'all read the BS passages? I realized one of the reasons I've plateaued at 10-11 is because I miss details that I would have read in the BS passages. But I feel like if I do read the BS passages, I won't have enough time at the end..
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iforget2 said:
Do y'all read the BS passages? I realized one of the reasons I've plateaued at 10-11 is because I miss details that I would have read in the BS passages. But I feel like if I do read the BS passages, I won't have enough time at the end..
Click to expand...
Really, because bs section is the only section right now where I have ridiculous amounts of time left over? And I've heard that's fairly normal.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iforget2 said:
Do y'all read the BS passages? I realized one of the reasons I've plateaued at 10-11 is because I miss details that I would have read in the BS passages. But I feel like if I do read the BS passages, I won't have enough time at the end..
Click to expand...

Absolutely read the passages. It is a huge mistake not to. Many of the questions are geared specifically towards knowledge gained from the passage. If you don't get through the bio passages with reading, there is something else you need to work on. I would suggest getting through a bunch of bio passages with reading untimed for a while before trying to time yourself again. Forgoing reading the passages makes nearly all the questions harder. It may be that it is taking so much time because you are contemplating a seemingly hard question that would not be as hard if you gained the information that is given in the passage.

@TBRBiosadist it is hard for you to compare yourself because you are getting nearly perfect scores on every AAMC you take...
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ive just seen that on other threads, otherwise I wouldnt have said anything because I know its not applicable to everyone
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
@iforget2 I agree with what @sillyjoe said! While some questions can be answered strictly based on outside knowledge and don't require anything from the passage, some questions deal with the passage directly and ask about things that more than likely you don't know coming into the exam. This rewards students who not only have a solid bio content base but also have good reading comprehension skills. In my experience it's definitely worth spending a couple minutes reading the passage to see what your'e dealing with. Especially passages that involve relationships between things (hormone X is secreted and binds to Y which causes Z) or experiments. I think it would end up saving you time from having to go back and look up details. While @TBRBiosadist is definitely doing a lot better than I am on my practice tests, I also have noticed that I usually have some time leftover on BS. I usually don't have much if any leftover for PS or VR.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TBRBiosadist said:
AAMC 7
(15/15/14) that bs had about 3-4 orgo passages, ridiculous, and there was a fair amount of random knowledge needed (thank you medical shows)
Click to expand...

Just finished AAMC 7 and got the same score on a section as TBRBiosadists #lifecomplete #forgettherealtest

If only I could get above a freaking 10 on Verbal
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
sillyjoe said:
Absolutely read the passages. It is a huge mistake not to. Many of the questions are geared specifically towards knowledge gained from the passage. If you don't get through the bio passages with reading, there is something else you need to work on. I would suggest getting through a bunch of bio passages with reading untimed for a while before trying to time yourself again. Forgoing reading the passages makes nearly all the questions harder. It may be that it is taking so much time because you are contemplating a seemingly hard question that would not be as hard if you gained the information that is given in the passage.

@TBRBiosadist it is hard for you to compare yourself because you are getting nearly perfect scores on every AAMC you take...
Click to expand...

I'd have to echo his sentiments, though. Bio is the only one I finish "easily", though my PS score is usually higher.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iforget2 said:
Thanks guys! I'm taking AAMC 7 tomorrow and will start reading the BS passages before going to the questions
Click to expand...

4Tv1ThJ.gif
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
oh forgot to update here AAMC 8#
14/15/15 (14 if you cant a question that was a mismark)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
iforget2 said:
Doing EK for everything but Bio and then doing Bio in TPR's Science Workbook. EK's more difficult than it needs to be, but I feel like it's good review for me. And nice work on those scores! I've taken AAMC 10, and thought it was one of the easier ones. How did you think 9 was compared to 10?
Click to expand...

Honestly, I was a bit nervous at first because I did a bit of research before taking any practice tests and the general consensus was that they got harder. What I experienced was that they indeed did NOT get harder. They all felt the same.

Preparing for the MCAT is mostly learning how to take the test, much less content review. I mean yeah you have to know the basics but you have to know how the aamc wants you to apply it. If you figure this out early in your studying. Your golden. I'm glad I did. I didn't do any serious content review. Just tons and tons of Q's from a variety of sources. Berkeley Review, Gold standard MCATs, Examkrackers, AAMC self assessments, aamc MCATs, Princeton Review Science and verbal workbooks. To get me exposed to as many questions as possible and hone in on my test taking abilities. My averages are pretty good at around 35 and If i got that on the real one, I'd be more than happy. Heck, even a 31-32 I'd be happy. I try not to let hubris get in the way. I just want to be a Doctor. Maybe MD/PhD depending on my score. We'll see.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Hey guys! first off, good luck to you all, just 12 days to go!

I took my AAMCs in this order:
#5- 30 (11, 10, 9) in early july
#7- 34 (12, 9, 13) on 8/2
#3- 36 (11, 12, 13) on 8/3

Planning to take 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 in that order over the next 12 days. On days after I take a practice MCAT and days in between, what do you recommend I should do? My content is pretty solid so i was thinking about reviewing flashcards and doing verbal passages but just keeping my day fairly relaxing in general. Should i follow this or do more practice passages/problems from TPR online (took the course) or the Science WB?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
adits123 said:
Hey guys! first off, good luck to you all, just 12 days to go!

I took my AAMCs in this order:
#5- 30 (11, 10, 9) in early july
#7- 34 (12, 9, 13) on 8/2
#3- 36 (11, 12, 13) on 8/3

Planning to take 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 in that order over the next 12 days. On days after I take a practice MCAT and days in between, what do you recommend I should do? My content is pretty solid so i was thinking about reviewing flashcards and doing verbal passages but just keeping my day fairly relaxing in general. Should i follow this or do more practice passages/problems from TPR online (took the course) or the Science WB?

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...

I would just review the exams for what you missed to fill in those (small) content gaps. But like you said I'd also keep it sorta light to give your brain a break since that's a lot of full lengths to take in the next 12 days. And since you're already doing so well on them. Nice work!

Edit: Also I would keep note of any particular subjects or types of passages you tend to miss and spend some time studying just that content to get it down pat.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Hey all! I decided to just take this test and void it because I've heard the real test is more challenging than any of the AAMCs..so hopefully paying all that money will be worth the practice.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cafeverona said:
Hey all! I decided to just take this test and void it because I've heard the real test is more challenging than any of the AAMCs..so hopefully paying all that money will be worth the practice.
Click to expand...

If you are scoring in your target range on the AAMC's you probably should not do this.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Yeah I'm not quite there yet--that's why haha

Believe me, I also want to be done with this stupid exam...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
cafeverona said:
Yeah I'm not quite there yet--that's why haha

Believe me, I also want to be done with this stupid exam...
Click to expand...

If your not that far off you may want to give it a shot. The MCAT might be "harder" but the curve is still judging people the same.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
In reply to the mcat being harder. It isnt. If it was the average taker wouldnt score within two points of their aamc average, plus or minus. It seems harder either because they are making it easier with a curve or its just the stress of test day.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
sillyjoe said:
I actually already hired him to take my exam. Just working past the biometric issue...
Click to expand...
Dont worry about that sillyjoe, because here is the twist. I AM YOU. I am simply a manifestation of a schizophrenic consciousness and sillyjoe simply has a second account where he posts as me
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TBRBiosadist said:
In reply to the mcat being harder. It isnt. If it was the average taker wouldnt score within two points of their aamc average, plus or minus. It seems harder either because they are making it easier with a curve or its just the stress of test day.
Click to expand...


Yeah that may be so--granted, this is just what I've heard from people who recently took it and said no AAMC compared well. You can check the forums for more testimonials. Either way, the extra practice can't hurt.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Its different yes. Harder, Ive heard high scorers say it isnt harder, just different
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

blue_muse47
August 16th MCAT too late for this cycle?
Replies
3
Views
2K
blue_muse47
blue_muse47
M
Should I retake the MCAT?
Replies
10
Views
3K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
saltyedamame25
15 days away- NEED ADVICE
Replies
2
Views
2K
PONS
PONS
S
Should I retake the MCAT?
Replies
4
Views
4K
babySimba
B
User05252022
Is it worth to postpone MCAT from 5/15 to 5/23 or 5/31 but decrease primary writing time?
Replies
13
Views
3K
polymerization
polymerization
Top