The Official Jan. 24 2013 MCAT Thread

[maybemed2013]

---

Members do not see this ad.

We only have about 8 more weeks of studying.

How are you guys feeling?

I feel as if I am going to bomb this test?

 

[drspacheman]

And it doesn't help I know I've already missed some in ps and bs ( the discrete questions I remember).

THIS. I came home and reviewed the questions I could remember - ALL WRONG.

 

[darklabel]

THIS. I came home and reviewed the questions I could remember - ALL WRONG.

Why would you guys do this? I made sure to forget all these questions. Whats done is done and its unlikely you'll see them again in a retake (God forbid).

 

[drspacheman]

Why would you guys do this? I made sure to forget all these questions. Whats done is done and its unlikely you'll see them again in a retake (God forbid).

I always review questions I can remember after an exam because it's the best way I learn about stuff that confused me, and also I'm just too curious lol. You're right it's unlikely that we'll ever see this again, but I might have to retake, and when I reviewed I learned about the general concept so it wasn't just a specific random question. It is torture doing this though lol

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Why would you guys do this? I made sure to forget all these questions. Whats done is done and its unlikely you'll see them again in a retake (God forbid).

curiosity, I remember discrete q's that I had trouble with. It sucks though because it doesn't help the already mounting anxiety. I wonder how this test will be curved..similar to AAMC? more generous or harsher? I guess we'll never know.

 

[darklabel]

I always review questions I can remember after an exam because it's the best way I learn about stuff that confused me, and also I'm just too curious lol. You're right it's unlikely that we'll ever see this again, but I might have to retake, and when I reviewed I learned about the general concept so it wasn't just a specific random question. It is torture doing this though lol

I'm not being negative, just would do you unnecessary hardship. Trying to make your lives easier 😳

 

[alpharez]

Make sure you guys post your score breakdowns. I always found these helpful when looking at old MCAT threads. They go something like this...

AAMC Avg:
AAMC Range:
Goal:
Prediction:
Actual:

 

[discowisco]

Do you guys feel like TBR helped in PS?

 

[MontanaMD]

To summarize my earlier post
PS/VR/BS

AAMC Avg: 11.5/11/10.5
AAMC Range: 30-35
Goal: 12/11/10
Prediction: 10/10/12
Actual: 🙁 stupid month long wait...

 

[drspacheman]

I'm not being negative, just would do you unnecessary hardship. Trying to make your lives easier 😳

Didn't think you were being negative man 🙂 You actually bring up a good point, but I guess that's just my routine. Reviewing actually saved me a couple of times when it came to subsequent exams, but that might not be relevant to the mcat, at least if I don't have to take it again haha. Let's hope we all did well!

 

[drspacheman]

curiosity, I remember discrete q's that I had trouble with. It sucks though because it doesn't help the already mounting anxiety. I wonder how this test will be curved..similar to AAMC? more generous or harsher? I guess we'll never know.

I never really understood how variable the curve is. Is it similar to the AAMC? Does it differ 1 or 2 points from the AAMC? Or is it drastically different depending on each test? The answers to these questions? - only the MCAT God knows.

 

[Cptn Loko]

AAMC Avg: 35.5
AAMC Range: 33-39
Goal: 37
Prediction: 12/11/13 (36)
Actual: TBA

Post-game:
PS: was pretty similar to AAMCs, though I felt it was slightly calculation heavier. I mismanaged my time here and that + initial nerves probably cost me 1 or 2 points.
Verbal: thought it was easier than AAMCs and like other mentioned, the passages were actually half-interesting!
BS: either similar to AAMCs or maybe slightly easier. There was only 1 orgo passage, and it was a joke (thank god because I hardly studied orgo).

Overall I thought the test was pretty much identical in nature to AAMC 11.

 

[peacefulheart]

Did you guys find the two Orgo passages basic and easy?[/QUOTEw

were there two orgo passages? I am very scared that I missed one because I remember I only did one orgo passage.

 

[Cptn Loko]

Did you guys find the two Orgo passages basic and easy?

were there two orgo passages? I am very scared that I missed one because I remember I only did one orgo passage.

There was only one orgo passage.

 

[darklabel]

There was only one orgo passage.

I don't think all tests are the same. For instance, my Experimental Section had 0 psych but someone else's did

 

[Cptn Loko]

I don't think all tests are the same. For instance, my Experimental Section had 0 psych but someone else's did

Ahh ok.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

AAMC Avg:29
AAMC Range:27-30
Goal:30-34
Prediction:10/10/12
Actual:

I feel less and less confident as time passes...I hope this is natural.....

 

[darklabel]

AAMC Avg:28

AAMC Range:26-31

Goal:29 - 34

Prediction:11/9/13

Actual:?

I might be ambitious with the Bio, but man I owned it.

[EDIT]

Idk my score, so study plan might not worked, but I used all EK books (besides Orgo, did not review at all for that and thank God, would've been a waste. However, DON'T do this haha). Used (almost) all of the AAMC tests, but wanted to save some in case I needed a retake. Studied Since October-Novermberish, focus on PS more since on my first test I got a 7 on it. Studied minimum 4+ hours a day on it and I didn't really take any breaks. Also used EK verbal, averaged about 8 - 10 on that.

Used practice problems from Kaplan, AAMC and EK.

If I don't get the score I want, I'll probably start EK's 1001 series until summer.

 

[totoro-totoro]

Kaplan Diagnosis: 10/9/10 29
AAMC Avg (3-7): 14/10/13 37
AAMC Avg (8-10): 13/10/12 35
AAMC Range: 32-39
Goal: 12/12/12 36
Prediction: 11/12/11 34

The actual scores are obviously not available yet, so I can't really attest to the credibility of my advice, but here are my two cents on the MCAT.

Kaplan: I took a Kaplan course, but found the class itself to be more time-consuming than useful. The practice questions provided, however, were very good practice. They were difficult, and sometimes calculation-heavy, but very appropriate for preparation and confidence build-up nevertheless. I highly recommend Kaplan as supplementary study material, although it depends on how much you are willing to invest in MCAT courses.

EK: Exam Krackers was probably my favorite study material. They covered material very concisely, providing just enough information you need to solve MCAT questions. While TPR or Kaplan may cover extra material that may prove useful for some exams, Exam Krackers was what helped me bring up my score on the AAMCs. The verbal passages on EK101 were awesome practice as well!

Time investment: Again, I took the Kaplan course during school, but didn't truly focus on the class lessons. I started some hard-core studying (7 hrs/day) for three weeks during winter break before the exam. During the week before the exam, I printed out the content outline of BS and PS provided by AAMC, and made sure I understood all concepts without any doubt. I also wrote out all pertinent equations next to the topics, just to increase retention.

AAMC practice tests: AAMC11 and 10 was definitely most representative in terms of question style. I've found that recent MCAT takers have reported decreasing amounts of chemistry and organic chemistry tested in PS and BS, respectively. More so in the case of organic chemistry. I would try not to have weak spots for physics. Chemistry is my worst subject, but I still seemed to have averaged near 13 for the PS section.

The actual exam: Try not to get nervous! I think that's one of the biggest factors to getting a lower score than your AAMC average. The material isn't unreasonably hard-- if you stay clear and alert, you should be able to figure out the majority of problems out 🙂 Some how, I was very calm during the exam and had at least 10 minutes left for each section, including verbal!

Again, since I don't know my results yet, I honestly don't know if this is good advice, but I hope it can be useful for those who haven't taken the test yet. And fingers crossed for everyone who took it today! 😀 See you guys in a month!

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

AAMC Avg:28

AAMC Range:26-31

Goal:29 - 34

Prediction:11/9/13

Actual:?

I might be ambitious with the Bio, but man I owned it.

👍 exactly how I feel dude, I hope we kill it

 

[peacefulheart]

There was only one orgo passage.

thanks a lot

 

[maybemed2013]

I dont have a job and I am not starting school until Mid-May, so I decided to restudy for the MCAT.

This time I am using BR... I felt PR was lacking in content.
I am going to use BR for content and then take a FL every Sat. I am not doing any practice problems or passages just FLs. I am starting with PR FLs, then later on AAMC FLs
This time when I take FL I am going to mark every question I am iffy on and review it.

Hopefully I will not have to retake but just in case, I will be ready to destroy the beast known as the MCAT.

Just realizing now I screwed up orgo and looking up the answers to some of the questions I F up BS big time.
Why was this Fing test so hard and why can't aamc give us raw scores before we leave probably because people would go haywire in the testing center,lol.

 

[CrazyCPA]

AAMC Average: 32
AAMC Average for 9-11: 33 (10,12,11)
AAMC Range: 27 - 34 (31-34 Excluding Diagnostic)
Goal: 31 (10/11/10)
Post Bac Requirement: 27 (with at least an 8 in each section)
Prediction: 26-28

Immediately when I walked out I felt terrible about it, but I am slowly feeling a little better. PS difficulty was similar to the AAMCs, but it seemed to be heavy in some subjects I feel weaker in. Verbal started off strong, but I screwed up my time management and did not leave myself much time to review at the end. Bio was rough. I am only 3 weeks into Orgo II and I felt it. Outside of Orgo, there were two Bio passages I felt moderately uncomfortable with as well. The Bio difficulty really reminded me of AAMC 11. I feel like I might be counting on verbal to carry my score. Good luck to everybody on their scores.

 

[darklabel]

Day two and I can't stop thinking about "the ex". Man I don't know how people can live without knowing for a month.

Anyone else thinking about studying for it again soon or waiting until scores come out?

 

[maybemed2013]

Day two and I can't stop thinking about "the ex". Man I don't know how people can live without knowing for a month.

Anyone else thinking about studying for it again soon or waiting until scores come out?

Yes I am starting up again with BR for content.

 

[drspacheman]

Day two and I can't stop thinking about "the ex". Man I don't know how people can live without knowing for a month.

Anyone else thinking about studying for it again soon or waiting until scores come out?

I'm not gonna study hardcore, but I'm gonna keep reviewing, just so I don't forget the material. I'm really trying to stop thinking about the test but it's so hard lol

 

[darklabel]

Yeah, I'm probably starting EK 1001 series starting with physics and alternating. Probably around 25 or so questions a day to keep me in the game

 

[CrazyCPA]

Day two and I can't stop thinking about "the ex". Man I don't know how people can live without knowing for a month.

Anyone else thinking about studying for it again soon or waiting until scores come out?

I sadly have already been checking the MCAT THx site... just in case. I'm probably going to give myself the week off of MCAT Prep, but I'm going to resume doing questions from the Kaplan Q-Bank once February rolls around.

 

[maybemed2013]

I sadly have already been checking the MCAT THx site... just in case. I'm probably going to give myself the week off of MCAT Prep, but I'm going to resume doing questions from the Kaplan Q-Bank once February rolls around.

I checked multiple times lol

 

[bazinga14]

.

 

[JellyBelly16]

Did anyone else's computer lagging? It took my computer forever to go from one screen to another. Should I report that to AAMC?

 

[maybemed2013]

Did anyone else's computer lagging? It took my computer forever to go from one screen to another. Should I report that to AAMC?

Yes my computer was lagging but it did not screw with my time, so I do not give an F.

 

[supermonkey2000]

I don't get how everyone is saying the PS was so easy or just like the AAMC practice test 11. Am I missing something here? This is my first post but everyone seems so confident. I sure wish I was. I thought the BS and VR were fair and I did enjoy the VR but the PS seemed kind of whack to me. The AAMC 11 PS was A LOT easier in my opinion and there were much simpler passages that had to do with easy chemistry and kinematics. I personally thought this PS asked some questions I would have never encountered on the old tests, and some of the passages were incredibly detailed and annoying. Who would've known they would ask questions about geology on a PS section? There was absolutely nothing about kinematics on this test, which I've always thought is the most popular topic on the PS section.

 

[dcsige]

Shocked everyone found the BS section so easy. I was schooled, and felt I was guessing on so many of the questions.

PS Hoping for a 10, expecting a 9
VS Hoping for a 13, expecting a 11
BS Hoping for a 9, expecting a 7.

I really hope that they crank out the scores quickly, but since I am certain I didn't get my 10 10 10 dream score, I am going to be taking this again soon.

Am also gonna take a week off, and then just focus on the Org Chem and Bio questions so I can but this all behind me in March!

 

[darklabel]

I don't get how everyone is saying the PS was so easy or just like the AAMC practice test 11. Am I missing something here? This is my first post but everyone seems so confident. I sure wish I was. I thought the BS and VR were fair and I did enjoy the VR but the PS seemed kind of whack to me. The AAMC 11 PS was A LOT easier in my opinion and there were much simpler passages that had to do with easy chemistry and kinematics. I personally thought this PS asked some questions I would have never encountered on the old tests, and some of the passages were incredibly detailed and annoying. Who would've known they would ask questions about geology on a PS section? There was absolutely nothing about kinematics on this test, which I've always thought is the most popular topic on the PS section.

For me that first passage almost screwed me over. Luckily I went back and changed some answers. I think once nerves subside (like HOLY CRAP is the MCAT), the first passage became very easy to read for me. So maybe if you would've had enough time you could've gone back and re read it?

 

[Brendon]

Did anyone study with TBR materials? Would you say that it was helpful for the Physical and Biological section?

 

[supermonkey2000]

For me that first passage almost screwed me over. Luckily I went back and changed some answers. I think once nerves subside (like HOLY CRAP is the MCAT), the first passage became very easy to read for me. So maybe if you would've had enough time you could've gone back and re read it?

Yeah, I think the timing was part of the problem. At first I saw the first passage and just skipped over it. Then I saw the others and I was like WTF lol. The second one too, I just hate when they give you a long passage on these tests. I wish they gave you the passages in order of increasing difficulty or something so I wouldn't be an idiot and waste so much time on one of them. They're hard enough when you don't have enough time. I think I wasted most of my time on the first passage and lost so much for easier ones.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

For me that first passage almost screwed me over. Luckily I went back and changed some answers. I think once nerves subside (like HOLY CRAP is the MCAT), the first passage became very easy to read for me. So maybe if you would've had enough time you could've gone back and re read it?

dude this happened to me...I read the first passage completely wrong (i.e. exactly the opposite), and thankfully I finished with exactly 8mins so I had time to go back and re-read and fix my answers

 

[nisarg2010]

I had a really hard time with the BS passage with list from 1-13. I couldnt really understand the passage. I spent like 15 mins on that passage and I think I still got all of the questions wrong.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

I had a really hard time with the BS passage with list from 1-13. I couldnt really understand the passage. I spent like 15 mins on that passage and I think I still got all of the questions wrong.

I didn't think that one was actually bad, they did throw in tricky questions but overall I found it "fair".

 

[darklabel]

I had a really hard time with the BS passage with list from 1-13. I couldnt really understand the passage. I spent like 15 mins on that passage and I think I still got all of the questions wrong.

Have you taken Physio?

Honestly, I don't see how anyone can pull an 11+ without taking physio in the BS section. That class has saved me on the BS.

 

[TX500]

Have you taken Physio?

Honestly, I don't see how anyone can pull an 11+ without taking physio in the BS section. That class has saved me on the BS.

What's your tip on the BS section? I noticed you guys are making it sound easy. What did you guys use to study?

 

[chimothy]

Hey Y'all,

First-time poster here, so bear with me. Anyway, I took the test yesterday as well, and thought the PS section was pretty difficult, the verbal section was OK (I started strong but ended up running out of time and having to randomly guess on a lot of the questions pertaining to the last two passages), and the BS section was pretty easy.

Truth be told, I felt pretty bummed upon exiting the testing facility. 🙁

I also was wondering if someone could clarify how (if at all) the lack of experimental passages dispersed within the PS,VR, and BS sections (as opposed to a separate experimental section) will affect the grading of the test. For example, if there was an experimental passage on last year's PS section of the exam, were the test-takers graded based on their performance on only 6 passages versus 7? I don't know if that would affect the grading all that much, but I think I'd at least be able to sleep easier if I were able to say to myself, "oh that one tricky PS passage was probably experimental."

By the way, congrats on being done (for now), you guys! I know it's hard to relax, but let's just try our best.

 

[SoundScaner]

First of all, let me just say that in the two weeks prior to the MCAT, there were only about 5 of us posting on this thread. With the exam over with, it’s funny how NOW people are coming out of the woodwork to say how they felt about it. Where were you when we were discussing study and relaxation tips? Just an observation.

Now for the test itself. Damn that was difficult! I thought it was definitely harder than AAMC 11, which was the hardest of the AAMC tests. I left feeling really discouraged. My testing center didn’t even open until 7:45 am, and it was -14 degrees F yesterday morning so we were all freezing outside waiting for the doors to be unlocked.

PS – I thought this was the easiest of the sections. I was surprised at how many calculations were needed, compared to other AAMC tests, but they were completely doable calculations.

VR – I must have received a different version from everyone who is saying the VR was easy. I thought the topics were really dry and detail oriented. I couldn’t keep focused and lost a lot of time having to go back because I couldn’t retain anything. I thought about voiding the whole thing midway through this section. Did anyone notice how long the verbal passages were compared to all of the practice verbal passages Kaplan would provide? There are definitely some inconsistencies that Kaplan needs to be informed of, because they are doing people a serious disservice by not preparing them for the real thing.

BS – It was just that, BS!! Very, very difficult, in my opinion. Did anyone notice the passages seemed to focus on certain subjects over and over? Compared to all the possible BS topics, I feel only about 10% showed up. Where did all the orgo go!?!?

Overall, I don’t know how to feel. After studying full time since September, now I feel empty, like with nothing to study, something is missing from my life. I really, really hope I don’t have to take it again because the thought of 5 months going to waste just sickens me. As much as I hate to, I’m probably going to have to start studying again.

 

[common man]

two biology passages on yesterday's exam were more convoluted and harder than the princeton review science workbook biology passages which were more more straightforward in comparison. having said that, i was very happy with the princeton review science workbook overall. great preparation.

i agree that the orgo was very easy. but because of two passages, i don't agree with calling the biology section "easy." i marked about 8 questions in the bio section, got 2 wrong for sure, so if i get say 7 wrong total, that'll probably put me at a 10 or 11 on bio (i expect a tough curve).

verbal - there was one tough passage early on that sent me scrambling. i had 7 minutes left for the final passage. i had 90 seconds for the last 3 questions which made me nervous. i rushed through the third to last question and guessed on the last two questions of the verbal section. i thought this was a fair section.

physical - i don't recall having to do much calculations. i bet there were a lot of questions that could be answered logically without number crunching. i probably used 3 spacious sheets of scratch paper for this section.

 

[SoundScaner]

Oh, and as for the AAMC's Trial Section, screw that. They must be joking if they actually think they're going to get any useful statistics from it. Do they really think that after sitting for over three hours people are going to put any effort into another 45 minutes of testing for something that doesn't matter towards their score? Yeah right. I read the first paragraph of the first passage, then just went through and chose randomly. Thanks for the $30.

 

[darklabel]

What's your tip on the BS section? I noticed you guys are making it sound easy. What did you guys use to study?

Taking Human Physiology is my tip. I also took Bioinformatics and as a Microbio major Im usually exposed to the topics presented on my BS section of MCAT. Also with so little Orgo, it was honestly cake walk to me.

Another tip is get Audio Osmosis. Every time I'm on the bus to school or driving to work, I would listen to Jordan and John and they really helped with a few concepts.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Taking Human Physiology is my tip. I also took Bioinformatics and as a Microbio major Im usually exposed to the topics presented on my BS section of MCAT. Also with so little Orgo, it was honestly cake walk to me.

Another tip is get Audio Osmosis. Every time I'm on the bus to school or driving to work, I would listen to Jordan and John and they really helped with a few concepts.

yea I was a biology major and took 10+ bio classes as an undergrad and I do research so heavy bio/little orgo favored me.

 

[blazinfury]

For those of you who have taken it, what advice do you have for future takers. Which of your practice materials if any would you say best helped or represented your test, if any for all of the sections? What advice do you have for VR and what prep material have you found most helpful. Thanks.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

For those of you who have taken it, what advice do you have for future takers. Which of your practice materials if any would you say best helped or represented your test, if any for all of the sections? What advice do you have for VR and what prep material have you found most helpful. Thanks.

download the AAMC study guides and know it inside out.

 

[maybemed2013]

I am so scared of my results I marked abt 15 PS, 12 VR and 20 BS.
Also I tried to reregister but there are no open test center near me.
I decided to use PR for the retake I started looking at PR books and realize the answers to the questions were right in the book.
I realize PR did not fell me, I fell PR.