The Official August 2015 MCAT Thread

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cerebellum11 said:
c/p: 126
cars: 126
b/b: 127
p/s: 130
total: 509

Worried about the 126s getting me screened out? Cars was easy this test, but that made it hard scoring-wise.
Is it worth a retake for 2-3 points to feel a bit more comfortable?
Click to expand...
You are in the safe with a 509.
 
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cerebellum11 said:
c/p: 126
cars: 126
b/b: 127
p/s: 130
total: 509

Worried about the 126s getting me screened out? Cars was easy this test, but that made it hard scoring-wise.
Is it worth a retake for 2-3 points to feel a bit more comfortable?
Click to expand...
You're looking at a fairly balanced score between 30 and 31 on the old scale. A retake would not be advised. Nice work!
 
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ryan23brown said:
503: 124/127/126/126
sgpa: 3.67 cgpa: 3.79

:/ Any opinions on my chances after this?
Click to expand...

import aamc.studentMeasure.chancesForYourB*tchAzz;

class yourChance{
String mdChances;
String doChances;
String allChances;
public static void main(String[] args){
if(notURM){
mdChances = notGood;
doChances = good;
allChances = bleh;
}
else
allChances = good;
}
}


Youre-welcome_zps3737cc66.gif
 
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I think if you "feel good" about CARS, then you probably fell into a MCAT trap. [unless you consistently do well (10+) on practice] You're not supposed to feel good about it, you narrow it down to 2 and pick the more MCATy like answer. That's what makes it different than solving a science problem. You're reasoning beyond what they give you.
IMO, even the author of that passage would probably be like wtf...
 
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Here are the results from the highly scientific study of prediction vs real score (from what I could gather):

Prediction--- Real Score
510--- 517
512 uneven--- 512 even
508--- 515
515-520--- 522
450--- 509
510/472--- 508
515-520--- 509
496/503--- 505

We can conclude that these numbers don't mean anything.
 
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skinofteeth said:
Here are the results from the highly scientific study of prediction vs real score (from what I could gather):

Prediction Real Score
510 517
512 uneven 512 even
508 515
515-520 522
450 509
510/472 508
515-520 509
496/503 505

We can conclude that these numbers don't mean anything.
Click to expand...

Props taking the time to do that. Though I think it was obvious enough already.
 
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skinofteeth said:
Here are the results from the highly scientific study of prediction vs real score (from what I could gather):

Prediction--- Real Score
510--- 517
512 uneven--- 512 even
508--- 515
515-520--- 522
450--- 509
510/472--- 508
515-520--- 509
496/503--- 505

We can conclude that these numbers don't mean anything.
Click to expand...

Ayyyyyeee, You included my four fiddy!!!

If anyone was curious on my break down it was:

130 C/P
121 CARS
129 B/B
129 P/S

total: 509

Well, I'm out guys 😉

I'm happy for those who got the scores you wanted, you are an inspiration for me.

I know my overall score is pretty weak, but I scored 90th percentile + in the other three sections which is a huge improvement for me.


Next step is to fix the CARs score or apply straight up.
 
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skinofteeth said:
I think if you "feel good" about CARS, then you probably fell into a MCAT trap. [unless you consistently do well (10+) on practice] You're not supposed to feel good about it, you narrow it down to 2 and pick the more MCATy like answer. That's what makes it different than solving a science problem. You're reasoning beyond what they give you.
IMO, even the author of that passage would probably be like wtf...
Click to expand...

See, this is how I feel about my CARS. On the 8/22 test, the whole section went by fast and I felt like I was picking the best of 2 choices, or that I never felt certain. Like I didn't feel like I completely bombed the section but it's not like I feel like I aced it because it's such a tricky section.
 
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Just checked for my August 6th score! (Was in denial and refused to check yesterday) Fairly satisfied 🙂
Breakdown: 517 total.
128/128/131/130, 96th percentile.

Only wished my CARS was one point higher lol... Just curious if anyone know, is a 128 on CARS good enough for some top 20 med schools? I know it translates to an 11 on the old test but not sure if that's fine. On the bright side, no retake ^^

Also, overall GPA 3.9 and BCPM GPA also ~3.9, and I attend a top 20 undergrad institution in the U.S. Any recommendation for possible schools I might consider? Know this isn't much info but just want to get a general sense. Thanks y'all!
 
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JustAnotherPre-Med said:
Just checked for my August 6th score! (Was in denial and refused to check yesterday) Fairly satisfied 🙂
Breakdown: 517 total.
128/128/131/130, 96th percentile.

Only wished my CARS was one point higher lol... Just curious if anyone know, is a 128 on CARS good enough for some top 20 med schools? I know it translates to an 11 on the old test but not sure if that's fine. On the bright side, no retake ^^

Also, overall GPA 3.9 and BCPM GPA also ~3.9, and I attend a top 20 undergrad institution in the U.S. Any recommendation for possible schools I might consider? Know this isn't much info but just want to get a general sense. Thanks y'all!
Click to expand...

Stop it 😉 Your CARS is more than fine ha.

Your stats are great for pretty much all places, assuming your EC's are on par. Research is paramount for the higher tiers. And even then, top 20 seems to be a crapshoot for everyone, so I'd shoot for a good mix of reaches, mid-tier, and safeties just to cover the bases. Are you going this cycle or next?
 
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LastWinter said:
Ayyyyyeee, You included my four fiddy!!!

If anyone was curious on my break down it was:

130 C/P
121 CARS
129 B/B
129 P/S

total: 509

Well, I'm out guys 😉

I'm happy for those who got the scores you wanted, you are an inspiration for me.

I know my overall score is pretty weak, but I scored 90th percentile + in the other three sections which is a huge improvement for me.


Next step is to fix the CARs score or apply straight up.
Click to expand...

Probably need to fix the CARS before applying. Seems to be about a 5 on old scale, which will get you screened out unfortunately. Good work on the rest though!
 
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Okazaki Frag Grenade said:
Stop it 😉 Your CARS is more than fine ha.

Your stats are great for pretty much all places, assuming your EC's are on par. Research is paramount for the higher tiers. And even then, top 20 seems to be a crapshoot for everyone, so I'd shoot for a good mix of reaches, mid-tier, and safeties just to cover the bases. Are you going this cycle or next?
Click to expand...

Haha aight, I'll stop myself from overthinking lol 🙂

Yeah I have a fair amount of EC's (volunteering, leadership positions, etc.) but I'm gonna try to build more this year since I'm applying next cycle (I just started my junior year). I also had some interesting life experiences (lived abroad most of my life, didn't learn English until middle school lol) which I hope will help for interviews. For research been working in a stem cell lab for a year and one summer. It's a small lab so I'm hoping I might be able to get something published by the time I apply. But yeah I'll definitely try to spread it out. Thanks man!
 
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TexasSurgeon said:
See, this is how I feel about my CARS. On the 8/22 test, the whole section went by fast and I felt like I was picking the best of 2 choices, or that I never felt certain. Like I didn't feel like I completely bombed the section but it's not like I feel like I aced it because it's such a tricky section.
Click to expand...

I had been doing pretty well on CARS (it was my highest AAMC FL section, 127s on TPR FLs, 80-100% on TPR practice sections) and improving throughout my study, but for some reason the 8/22 CARS seemed almost too easy. It went by quickly and once I got to 2 answers, 1 seemed fairly obvious. Hopefully I won't be eating my words, but isn't it funny how you can build up your confidence for a section to only doubt yourself even more when something on the MCAT seems easy?

I also agree that the hardest part of CARS study was getting into the mindset of MCATesque reading comprehension as opposed to more rational reasoning. Weird.
 
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billeboi31 said:
I had been doing pretty well on CARS (it was my highest AAMC FL section, 127s on TPR FLs, 80-100% on TPR practice sections) and improving throughout my study, but for some reason the 8/22 CARS seemed almost too easy. It went by quickly and once I got to 2 answers, 1 seemed fairly obvious. Hopefully I won't be eating my words, but isn't it funny how you can build up your confidence for a section to only doubt yourself even more when something on the MCAT seems easy?

I also agree that the hardest part of CARS study was getting into the mindset of MCATesque reading comprehension as opposed to more rational reasoning. Weird.
Click to expand...
I agree with the 8/22 CARS as well. I thought it was unlike the old passages from SA's. I felt like it was less main idea questions and more specifics, but who knows. I don't think the TPR sections were anywhere representative of the AAMC passages though! I thought they were harder

But yeah exactly. I find myself doubting the test a lot haha
 
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kringle said:
Depends what top 20 undergrad but you should be fine I think. 11 on old MCAT is okay I think it's median ish for most places. But a 128 is closer to a 10 than an 11 but the point is your scores are roughly balanced and you're 96th percentile which is good.
Click to expand...

Cool, and yeah new MCAT to old MCAT doesn't quite translate sometimes. Thanks for the input haha
 
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MCAT
Chem/Phys: 128
CARS: 126
Bio/Biochem: 126
Psych/Soci: 130
Total: 510

Kaplan scores (updated)
Diagnostic: 492
1: 491
2: 495
3: 500
4: 504
5: 499
6: 503
11: 503

AAMC Practice Full Length (% Correct)
Chem/Phys: 76%
CARS: 85%
Bio/Biochem: 69%
Psych: 86%

Overall I would say that the Kaplan course and its books prepared me, however the Bio sections on their tests did not. I suggest watching the Khan MCAT videos and taking detailed notes of them. I watched 8/10 of the Foundational concepts from Khan and read all of the Kaplan books at least twice (Organic Chem 5 times). The number one rule for the MCAT is definitely stress management and time awareness. Generally you should score several points higher than your Kaplan scores.
 
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ilangolia said:
517 128/130/129/130. Couldn't be happier. When I took it as an undergrad in 2009, I didn't study much and pulled out a 33 12/10/11. Very pleased to have crammed hard science back into my head. uGPA is pretty miserable but, with a graduate degree doing medical research through a social science lens, I finally feel confident.
Click to expand...


Adding my FL %s

P/C 68%
CARS 94%
B/B 80%
P/S 85%
 
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Apologies if this has been asked and I just missed it. What is the testing center's policy with scrap paper? I've seen different things. I've read that they take away scrap paper and give you new ones after each section, I've seen people say they're writing tons of small things down during the tutorial. Does anyone know for sure? Basically I want to know if and when I'll have a chance to do a memory dump (and keep that scrap paper with me) outside of the 4 timed sections. Could I do it during the tutorial and keep that paper? Could I do it during a break between sections and keep that paper? Scrap paper got me stressed out y'all.
 
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dinodyno said:
Apologies if this has been asked and I just missed it. What is the testing center's policy with scrap paper? I've seen different things. I've read that they take away scrap paper and give you new ones after each section, I've seen people say they're writing tons of small things down during the tutorial. Does anyone know for sure? Basically I want to know if and when I'll have a chance to do a memory dump (and keep that scrap paper with me) outside of the 4 timed sections. Could I do it during the tutorial and keep that paper? Could I do it during a break between sections and keep that paper? Scrap paper got me stressed out y'all.
Click to expand...
I was given scrap paper, and only gave it back after I was completely finished. I was going to ask for more paper but I was afraid they would take away the 1st packet of paper (with all the formulas/memory dump I wrote during the tutorial).
 
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skinofteeth said:
I was given scrap paper, and only gave it back after I was completely finished. I was going to ask for more paper but I was afraid they would take away the 1st packet of paper (with all the formulas/memory dump I wrote during the tutorial).
Click to expand...

Thank you! Do you remember how much you were given?
 
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513 with 127/131/128/127. I'd really like some advice about if I should retake or not. I studied way less than I could/should have because of a death in the family that took a lot of my time and energy, so I was really relieved to have gotten the score I did. However, I really think I could do better if I studied the way I wanted to to begin with. I'm just worried that the second time around I'd get a test on everything I'm weak at and my score would go down. Does anyone have any idea about the cost/benefit of getting my score up a handful of points (I think I could maybe hit a 520...)? Also, I'm a little worried about my CARS score being higher than my science scores. I've always done well on verbal reasoning type things, so I know that score isn't a fluke and I could more than likely replicate it if I retook the mcat, but does it make me seem horribly unbalanced to have lower science like that and a higher CARS?
 
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dinodyno said:
Apologies if this has been asked and I just missed it. What is the testing center's policy with scrap paper? I've seen different things. I've read that they take away scrap paper and give you new ones after each section, I've seen people say they're writing tons of small things down during the tutorial. Does anyone know for sure? Basically I want to know if and when I'll have a chance to do a memory dump (and keep that scrap paper with me) outside of the 4 timed sections. Could I do it during the tutorial and keep that paper? Could I do it during a break between sections and keep that paper? Scrap paper got me stressed out y'all.
Click to expand...

So if you want another booklet they take the first one away. I asked for a new booklet before every section. There's also 10 minutes before every section in which you can do a memory dump. I also let the time elapse and didn't click through and found that no time was subtracted from my actual test time (my test centre had a fingerprint issue that held us up during the breaks so it resulted in us not getting back to our seats in time). So essentially you can take as much time as you like! (unless that was specific to my test centre).
 
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azoneofdanger said:
513 with 127/131/128/127. I'd really like some advice about if I should retake or not. I studied way less than I could/should have because of a death in the family that took a lot of my time and energy, so I was really relieved to have gotten the score I did. However, I really think I could do better if I studied the way I wanted to to begin with. I'm just worried that the second time around I'd get a test on everything I'm weak at and my score would go down. Does anyone have any idea about the cost/benefit of getting my score up a handful of points (I think I could maybe hit a 520...)? Also, I'm a little worried about my CARS score being higher than my science scores. I've always done well on verbal reasoning type things, so I know that score isn't a fluke and I could more than likely replicate it if I retook the mcat, but does it make me seem horribly unbalanced to have lower science like that and a higher CARS?
Click to expand...

513 is a solid score, I would not retake. Nicely done and good luck! 🙂
 
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dinodyno said:
Apologies if this has been asked and I just missed it. What is the testing center's policy with scrap paper? I've seen different things. I've read that they take away scrap paper and give you new ones after each section, I've seen people say they're writing tons of small things down during the tutorial. Does anyone know for sure? Basically I want to know if and when I'll have a chance to do a memory dump (and keep that scrap paper with me) outside of the 4 timed sections. Could I do it during the tutorial and keep that paper? Could I do it during a break between sections and keep that paper? Scrap paper got me stressed out y'all.
Click to expand...
Best thing to do is to call your test center. I personally visited mine and asked them a lot of questions. My classmate who took it in another town had a slightly different experience.
 
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dinodyno said:
Apologies if this has been asked and I just missed it. What is the testing center's policy with scrap paper? I've seen different things. I've read that they take away scrap paper and give you new ones after each section, I've seen people say they're writing tons of small things down during the tutorial. Does anyone know for sure? Basically I want to know if and when I'll have a chance to do a memory dump (and keep that scrap paper with me) outside of the 4 timed sections. Could I do it during the tutorial and keep that paper? Could I do it during a break between sections and keep that paper? Scrap paper got me stressed out y'all.
Click to expand...
Okay so I do not know if the experience will be the same, but my testing center was extremely nice. Everyone working there is very sweet. For me, every time I was going to go back into the test after a break, they offered me more scrap paper as I was signing back in. They never took away old paper, and collected my papers only at the very end.
 
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I'd kill for some of y'alls CARS scores. Sheesh. 131. How in the hell did y'all get that? I'd trade my 516 with your 513 any day.
 
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DelightedPreMed said:
Hi Jared.mock. No I don't read any philosophy, history, etc. I did study psychology and many of my upper level course required a lot of reading but I'm not particularly well versed in humanities, literature etc.

I am naturally a pretty fast reader, and I noticed in my prep course that I consistently finished the tests before the rest of my class, but my comprehension of the passages was not great. The strategy that ultimately worked for me was to train myself to slow down when I read, go through the passage once thoroughly and identify the main point (in my head). Then I completed the questions without looking back at all (except in the case of a specific detail). This is the strategy identified in the EK book. I would sometimes actually physically place my hand in front of the passage so that I wouldn't be tempted to look back at all lol. I know the test companies all drill the main idea/main point concept and in my case I found that it really worked.
Click to expand...




Well, my case is opposite to yours, I am not fast reader as English is not my first lang... so how can I train myself to read fast and still get the content?
 
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Congrats on finishing the MCAT to all the early-August takers! To all those feeling depressed with a score lower than expectations, you are amazing individuals and don't let one exam define you. And as corny as it sounds, if it is your dream to become a doctor, nobody can take that away from you!

If it weren't for this supportive community, I could not have kept myself sane!
 
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learner01 said:
Well, my case is opposite to yours, I am not fast reader as English is not my first lang... so how can I train myself to read fast and still get the content?
Click to expand...
I don't think reading fast is necessary (although I didn't score the 131 that he did...). I found when I read faster my accuracy went down. I would suggest reading at your own pace and slowly decreasing your time as you continue your prep. I ended up taking 6.5 minutes to read (and outline the passage as is the Kaplan method) and was still able to answer questions efficiently.
 
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Ari77 said:
I don't think reading fast is necessary (although I didn't score the 131 that he did...). I found when I read faster my accuracy went down. I would suggest reading at your own pace and slowly decreasing your time as you continue your prep. I ended up taking 6.5 minutes to read (and outline the passage as is the Kaplan method) and was still able to answer questions efficiently.
Click to expand...


So how long it would take you to finish an entire passage with replying to questions ?
 
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trimethylpurine said:
It was a lot for me, like 8-10 pages.
Click to expand...

1/2 page for me.

TexasSurgeon said:
Does anyone have any suggestions for relaxing or calming down? I actually think I'm depressed because of this wait
Click to expand...

Increase frequency/variety of sex with SO?
Masturbation if no SO?
Physical activity?
Hanging out with friends?
Drinking copious amounts with said friends?
Drinking copious amounts alone if no friends?
Raves? (bring those cool laser gloves)
Complimenting random strangers?
Playing soccer with that huge group of arabic guys that don't seem to befriend people outside their own race even though they're actually pretty nice??
Watching anime with that huge group of asian girls that don't seem to befriend people outside their own race even though they're actually pretty nice??
Video games/TV/Movies?
Yummy food (with SO to recharge before round 3)?
Hitting on random guys/girls during high traffic hours on campus? (if you have an SO, make sure he/she is not with you during this)
Longboarding with our longboards bruhhhhhh?
Getting a massage?
Having SO give you a massage (before round 6)?
Cooking something that actually tastes good?
Getting in a random fight over whose machine it is with a huge stranger at the gym?
Trying to hit 100mph speeding through a nice residential neighborhood @ 3am??
Waking up that kid sleeping on one of the library couches and telling him you really have to throw up as you gag over him? (he will run away, but it will be funny)
Drawing naked women using female friends as models?
Drawing naked men using male friends as models?
Eating Mexican/Indian food and then wishing you hadn't?
Going shopping with your SO and then wishing you hadn't?
Going out with your parents to "catch up" and then wishing you hadn't?
Going to beach, if you're near one?
Pretending you're going to the beach, if you're not near one, and then having a good cry after you realize the best place you can go is some sh*tty public lake that has more human feces in it than water?


.....yeah I got nothin.

I say masturbation yet?
 
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dmon123 said:
I'd kill for some of y'alls CARS scores. Sheesh. 131. How in the hell did y'all get that? I'd trade my 516 with your 513 any day.
Click to expand...
I'm naturally a pretty fast reader (shout out to my parents for restricting TV but buying me as many books as I ever wanted) but I found all of the CARS study advice pretty unhelpful for me personally. I did the CARS section by speed reading (pretty much skimming) the passage, and then when I was answering the question I went back to the specific sentences in the passage the question was about. A lot of times I found that the answers given were all plausible-ish, but a sentence or two buried in the passage would point to the right answer unequivocally. That's just what worked for me though and I know lots of people that have had success with the test-prep-company method of reading the passages.
 
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StudyLater said:
1/2 page for me.


Pretending you're going to the beach, if you're not near one, and then having a good cry after you realize the best place you can go is some sh*tty public lake that has more human feces in it than water?
Click to expand...

Do you live in Central CA? Arizona?
 
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learner01 said:
it would take me 12-14 minutes
Click to expand...
Hmmm, well you will definitely need to cut down on something, maybe try cutting down a minute on answering questions or reading and see which negatively affects your mark the least and go from there. Are you using a prep course? and if so, which one? I found with Kaplan I often ran out of time because the passages were more complex, however the AAMC passages were fairly straightforward and therefore an easier (and faster) read.
 
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Ari77 said:
Hmmm, well you will definitely need to cut down on something, maybe try cutting down a minute on answering questions or reading and see which negatively affects your mark the least and go from there. Are you using a prep course? and if so, which one? I found with Kaplan I often ran out of time because the passages were more complex, however the AAMC passages were fairly straightforward and therefore an easier (and faster) read.
Click to expand...

Anyone spending >5.36mins per passage is setting themselves up for failure. I mean, that's just math, guys. If you'd like to know how to accomplish what your b*tch a*s currently cannot on the MCAT, please visit our website: http://www.prepcompanydouche.com/iswearifyoudon'tbuythisyou'llfaillikeforrealfailbrosrs
 
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Ari77 said:
Hmmm, well you will definitely need to cut down on something, maybe try cutting down a minute on answering questions or reading and see which negatively affects your mark the least and go from there. Are you using a prep course? and if so, which one? I found with Kaplan I often ran out of time because the passages were more complex, however the AAMC passages were fairly straightforward and therefore an easier (and faster) read.
Click to expand...


I have done Kaplan and did AAMC pack,,, but somehow the actual test was a killer more than AAMC ... I randomly guessed on the last 2-3 passages... I ran out of time and now hoping I retake so trying to figure how on earth I can read all and answer at least to have a fair chance!
 
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