The Official November 7, 2014 MCAT Thread

[M.D.orbust]

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Hey all! I am signed up for this date. 8:00 a.m. Yikes!!! I am aiming hard to make 40+ my reality so hence me making this thread so early. A former lab- mate and current medical student had a ton of MCAT prep stuff she gave to me. So I have the Examcrackers set, Hyperlearning set, regular Princeton Review, audio osmosis, and practice MCAT tests from a variety of sources I also do the MCAT questions a day through email and on my phone (to help with super quick recall). I am officially studying legitimately now. Currently starting with Examcrackers. I'd love to hear from you all doing the same. Let's do this!!!

 

[texan2414]

I am using Kaplan too. By end of this week I will be done with all TBR books and will be working on Kaplan section tests, topical and subject tests. Those are GREAT resources imo.

 

[heathythegreat]

Hey guys! Just had a mental breakdown and decided to switch my MCAT Test date to January 13th because I am freaking out about verbal! Good luck to all on the Nov 7th MCAT!! If any of you are thinking about rescheduling - now is the time because almost ALL January dates are sold out in the United States!

 

[undergrad1020]

Hey guys,
Just took AAMC #7, pulled a 25 (PS 8, VR 8, BS 9). I started studying mid-July and got a 20 on AAMC 10 before any studying. My main problem is speed, guessed on 2 whole VR passages, and at least a passage in each other section. Currently only halfway through Bio TPR content review, I've done some Orgo review, and only a couple more chapters for GChem and Physics left.

Should I switch to a January date? It's a long way off and I don't want to forget things, but a month to finish the content review and hit a 30 mark feels like a gamble, especially since it sounds like most other people have finished content review and are just taking tests now.

 

[baxt1412]

Hey guys,
Just took AAMC #7, pulled a 25 (PS 8, VR 8, BS 9). I started studying mid-July and got a 20 on AAMC 10 before any studying. My main problem is speed, guessed on 2 whole VR passages, and at least a passage in each other section. Currently only halfway through Bio TPR content review, I've done some Orgo review, and only a couple more chapters for GChem and Physics left.

Should I switch to a January date? It's a long way off and I don't want to forget things, but a month to finish the content review and hit a 30 mark feels like a gamble, especially since it sounds like most other people have finished content review and are just taking tests now.

i'm still doing content review :\

 

[techfan]

I'm still doing content review also. I'm not going to start full lengths for another 10 days, if that make you feel any better.

 

[basicallyno]

Same as above, feel like I am very behind as I am also not doing full lengths maybe for another week. Also, I have a cold and I'm going to the doctor tomorrow.

Keep warm and exercise people!

 

[lazyindy]

Oh if anyone needs the answers to the verbal reasoning self assessments, here they are:

Note: this is not mine, I found these on SDN couple of months ago.

 

[lazyindy]

answers to ALL of the science self assessments:

 

[bambam92]

Hey guys,
Just took AAMC #7, pulled a 25 (PS 8, VR 8, BS 9). I started studying mid-July and got a 20 on AAMC 10 before any studying. My main problem is speed, guessed on 2 whole VR passages, and at least a passage in each other section. Currently only halfway through Bio TPR content review, I've done some Orgo review, and only a couple more chapters for GChem and Physics left.

Should I switch to a January date? It's a long way off and I don't want to forget things, but a month to finish the content review and hit a 30 mark feels like a gamble, especially since it sounds like most other people have finished content review and are just taking tests now.

I say re-schedule. You don't want to do yourself a disservice and take before you are ready.

 

[nystin]

answers to ALL of the science self assessments:

Holy crap!!! Thank you! 🙂 life saver!!! Also got answers for any of the old aamcs ....? The ones we practice. The aamcs are disappearing end of the year and I would like to print the ones .. I don't get to..just in case!

 

[lazyindy]

Holy crap!!! Thank you! 🙂 life saver!!! Also got answers for any of the old aamcs ....? The ones we practice. The aamcs are disappearing end of the year and I would like to print the ones .. I don't get to..just in case!

you mean the AAMC practice exams? I have solutions to a few of them (princeton versions of the solutions). Also you can google "kaplan aamc solutions" and find their solutions online.

 

[nystin]

you mean the AAMC practice exams? I have solutions to a few of them (princeton versions of the solutions). Also you can google "kaplan aamc solutions" and find their solutions online.

Ahaha..wow. I have Kaplan.. And access to it and never saw that! Just saw em! Thank you so much!!! Now I don't have to stress about losing em at the end of the year!

 

[ciestar]

The fact that a few of you aren't done with content review yet puts me at ease a bit…
I was hoping to be done by tomorrow (with one month to go) but that's not gonna happen.

Im starting to get nervous. My first AAMC wasn't so hot.. (25, 8/9/8)

 

[baxt1412]

i got an high 10 (one question away from an 11) on EK101 test 2 yesterday. that took me out of my bad mood a little bit 😉


i'm thinking of doing one full length the week of the test (probably on monday), reviewing it tuesday and/or wednesday, then maybe getting a massage or something thursday? nothing real deep or intense as i don't want to be sore, but i will need to relax. probably a couple of drinks. any suggestions? what do ya'll think you will be doing the week of the test? the day before?

i definitely feel like i should be done with content and be working on discreets for a week or two and then full lengths for 2 weeks but oh well, because it's not the predicament that i'm in, so i can't wish it any other way.

 

[ciestar]

I have an awful plan in mind with a high chance for burn out.

I have to take as many FLs as I possibly can. While simultaneously finishing my content review.

One month people!

 

[baxt1412]

I have an awful plan in mind with a high chance for burn out.

I have to take as many FLs as I possibly can. While simultaneously finishing my content review.

One month people!

we can do this!

 

[Carbon090]

Okay, so as an update.

I ended up taking AAMC #5 on Saturday. Did absolutely terrible: 11/6/11. Did the worst in verbal than ever performed before. When taking it, I had a momentary freak out about how desperate I was in improving and could not focus. Missed the main point in passages and just bombed it. Got my composure back in bio. Was really disappointed in it, revamped my verbal strategy and it's looking a lot better.I'm improving in the sciences, but I need to fill in some content gaps.

Just took GS-1 and got: 11/10/11, 32. Happy about it, but I want to improve. I'm really going to work hard in trying to improve my sciences up a point, and get verbal up to a 10-11 by test day.

The possibility of a 30-34 is present.. 1 month to go. Keep jugging everyone, make your weaknesses the motivation needed to eat this MCAT for dem gains.

 

[baxt1412]

Okay, so as an update.

I ended up taking AAMC #5 on Saturday. Did absolutely terrible: 11/6/11. Did the worst in verbal than ever performed before. When taking it, I had a momentary freak out about how desperate I was in improving and could not focus. Missed the main point in passages and just bombed it. Got my composure back in bio. Was really disappointed in it, revamped my verbal strategy and it's looking a lot better.I'm improving in the sciences, but I need to fill in some content gaps.

Just took GS-1 and got: 11/10/11, 32. Happy about it, but I want to improve. I'm really going to work hard in trying to improve my sciences up a point, and get verbal up to a 10-11 by test day.

The possibility of a 30-34 is present.. 1 month to go. Keep jugging everyone, make your weaknesses the motivation needed to eat this MCAT for dem gains.

😛 i wouldn't be too excited about the 6, but i'd be excited about a 28! lol, but that's just me 😉 you got this!

 

[ethiomed]

Hello, I am looking to register for any of the Jan spots, if anyone is dropping their spot please let me know anywhere around Virginia or Illinois. Thank you in advance.

 

[Janus_Kinase]

i got an high 10 (one question away from an 11) on EK101 test 2 yesterday. that took me out of my bad mood a little bit 😉


i'm thinking of doing one full length the week of the test (probably on monday), reviewing it tuesday and/or wednesday, then maybe getting a massage or something thursday? nothing real deep or intense as i don't want to be sore, but i will need to relax. probably a couple of drinks. any suggestions? what do ya'll think you will be doing the week of the test? the day before?

i definitely feel like i should be done with content and be working on discreets for a week or two and then full lengths for 2 weeks but oh well, because it's not the predicament that i'm in, so i can't wish it any other way.

I was planning on taking my last FL tuesday of that week, review it Wednesday, and mental prep Thursday. I will be taking a FL each Tuesday/Friday of this month starting this Friday. I don't know if taking a FL two days before the exam is the best idea though, I guess I can move it to Monday like you.


Way to go with EK101! Are you using their scale or aamc scale?

 

[ciestar]

Hello, I am looking to register for any of the Jan spots, if anyone is dropping their spot please let me know anywhere around Virginia or Illinois. Thank you in advance.

Buddy, you're in the wrong place for that. As we haven't taken the exam we are currently registered for yet.

 

[ethiomed]

Buddy, you're in the wrong place for that. As we haven't taken the exam we are currently registered for yet.

Yea I had multiple sdn pages open and posted on the wrong one lol. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[baxt1412]

I was planning on taking my last FL tuesday of that week, review it Wednesday, and mental prep Thursday. I will be taking a FL each Tuesday/Friday of this month starting this Friday. I don't know if taking a FL two days before the exam is the best idea though, I guess I can move it to Monday like you.


Way to go with EK101! Are you using their scale or aamc scale?

their scale in the book. is that typically lower or higher than the AAMC scale?

 

[texan2414]

Went back to Kaplan VR Section Tests and for the first time scored above 70% (73%) on VR Section Test 5. 🙂

 

[Janus_Kinase]

their scale in the book. is that typically lower or higher than the AAMC scale?

When I was doing my EKs I would score them on both scales. It was about the same. EK scale is a little higher, but not by much.

I scored an 8 on EK test 2. Keep up the good work! I wanna see an 11 next time😉

 

[texan2414]

When I was doing my EKs I would score them on both scales. It was about the same. EK scale is a little higher, but not by much.

I scored an 8 on EK test 2. Keep up the good work! I wanna see an 11 next time😉

Have you burned through all the passages in TPRH?

 

[Janus_Kinase]

Have you burned through all the passages in TPRH?

Yup. I have finished all EK tests, TPRH passages and tests ( I ended up writing all over them haha) Just did the first 1/3 verbal SA yesterday. About to do the 2/3 today.


How is verbal coming along for you?

 

[nystin]

Yup. I have finished all EK tests, TPRH passages and tests ( I ended up writing all over them haha) Just did the first 1/3 verbal SA yesterday. About to do the 2/3 today.


How is verbal coming along for you?

I know you didn't ask me. But I have hit a wall with verbal... Scores are really starting to sucks. Any advice on what to do? Should I keep doing them or spend more time on passages? X_X

 

[baxt1412]

I know you didn't ask me. But I have hit a wall with verbal... Scores are really starting to sucks. Any advice on what to do? Should I keep doing them or spend more time on passages? X_X

do you feel like you've been doing passages for the sake of doing passages or for getting better at verbal? really think about that.

how is your timing? if you consistently run short, maybe try just taking one passage at a time and try to continue getting faster until you are around 7-8 minutes per passage. some will probably be quicker some will be slower. i dunno, may be worth a shot.

really try to understand why you are getting things wrong and then try to figure out what you did incorrectly to make you think that the wrong answer was correct.



===edit===
anyone have a good way to start memorizing physics formulas? besides flashcards
or even just a really logical way to memorize them (as in starting with one, that more logically leads to others, etc)

do you guys think it makes more sense to try and memorize 5 random at a time, or try for 5 related at a time? like 5 from circuits or just make a deck of flashcards and randomize them and flip through them?

 

[Carbon090]

do you feel like you've been doing passages for the sake of doing passages or for getting better at verbal? really think about that.

how is your timing? if you consistently run short, maybe try just taking one passage at a time and try to continue getting faster until you are around 7-8 minutes per passage. some will probably be quicker some will be slower. i dunno, may be worth a shot.

really try to understand why you are getting things wrong and then try to figure out what you did incorrectly to make you think that the wrong answer was correct.



===edit===
anyone have a good way to start memorizing physics formulas? besides flashcards
or even just a really logical way to memorize them (as in starting with one, that more logically leads to others, etc)

do you guys think it makes more sense to try and memorize 5 random at a time, or try for 5 related at a time? like 5 from circuits or just make a deck of flashcards and randomize them and flip through them?

This x 100000. When it came to verbal, at times I would catch myself doing them because I felt I "had to". After my practice test (whether it was due to anxiety, burn out, or lack of understanding, doesn't matter) I actively sought out ways to improve, based on either comprehension, making sure I understood the main point, which answers were too extreme or depended on outside sources, etc. Actively paying attention as you practice and post analysis will definitely help tremendously (has helped me quite a bit so far).

In terms of memorizing equations, I always review them 2 to 3 times a week. Normally I do so at work on weekends. Ill get a sheet of paper and simply write down ALL of the equations I know. I go through eat category in my head (kinematics, thermochemistry, electrostatics) and write down any equations that may be involved in them. Writing down as always helped me retain info. I hope this helps in some way!

 

[baxt1412]

the extreme and outside source stuff helps me a lot. i LOVE eliminating answers. each time you nail eliminating an answer as a possibility, you should feel like you just got a question right! make that a celebration that will keep you positive and move you on to figuring out the next one that is wrong.

the outside source ones can be difficult because usually they are outside info that could be inferred, but if the question doesn't specifically ask for inference and the passage doesn't explicitly state it, it is most likely an incorrect answer!

 

[nystin]

do you feel like you've been doing passages for the sake of doing passages or for getting better at verbal? really think about that.

how is your timing? if you consistently run short, maybe try just taking one passage at a time and try to continue getting faster until you are around 7-8 minutes per passage. some will probably be quicker some will be slower. i dunno, may be worth a shot.

really try to understand why you are getting things wrong and then try to figure out what you did incorrectly to make you think that the wrong answer was correct.



===edit===
anyone have a good way to start memorizing physics formulas? besides flashcards
or even just a really logical way to memorize them (as in starting with one, that more logically leads to others, etc)

do you guys think it makes more sense to try and memorize 5 random at a time, or try for 5 related at a time? like 5 from circuits or just make a deck of flashcards and randomize them and flip through them?[/QUOTt

Yeah you are right.... I am doing them to do em. Don't think I am doing them productively.......sigh. I get so upset when I reviewing it and I am completely off.

 

[baxt1412]

Yeah you are right.... I am doing them to do em. Don't think I am doing them productively.......sigh. I get so upset when I reviewing it and I am completely off.

gotta focus on WHY you were wrong, not that you were wrong. chin up, pity parties will get you nowhere (i've learned that myself from my last MCAT)

 

[nystin]

gotta focus on WHY you were wrong, not that you were wrong. chin up, pity parties will get you nowhere (i've learned that myself from my last MCAT)

Got it. Onwards! Need to do quality not quantity!

 

[texan2414]

I know you didn't ask me. But I have hit a wall with verbal... Scores are really starting to sucks. Any advice on what to do? Should I keep doing them or spend more time on passages? X_X

This is exactly how I was a week ago lol. No matter what I would do my scores on Kaplan VR tests and TPRH would be stuck at 65%.
After taking a break, I restarted TPRH got a 30/40 on Exam 2, and 29/40 on Exam 3, and today for the first time made a 73% on Kaplan VR Section Test 5!!!!!

So maybe all you need is a little break lol (which is a bit scarier because Nov 7th is approaching fast I know 🙁 )

 

[nystin]

This is exactly how I was a week ago lol. No matter what I would do my scores on Kaplan VR tests and TPRH would be stuck at 65%.
After taking a break, I restarted TPRH got a 30/40 on Exam 2, and 29/40 on Exam 3, and today for the first time made a 73% on Kaplan VR Section Test 5!!!!!

So maybe all you need is a little break lol (which is a bit scarier because Nov 7th is approaching fast I know 🙁 )

Taking a break! At the gym ...studying my post-phrasing notebook!

 

[Janus_Kinase]

I know you didn't ask me. But I have hit a wall with verbal... Scores are really starting to sucks. Any advice on what to do? Should I keep doing them or spend more time on passages? X_X

I think depends on how much verbal material you have, but I would suggest to keep doing tests! What verbal resources are you using? And when you say you hit a wall --have your scores reached a plateau or are they decreasing? I am currently in a plataeu-ish. Thinking I need to change something in my strategy. Try that. Also, like you mentioned above its quality or quantity here! It doesn't help at all to keep doing problems if you do not understand why you get them wrong.

What I like to do is after I completed a test, I go through my problems and answer key one by one. First I look at the question and think "How confident am I with this answer and why" It starts to become sort of a fun gambling game, betting on yourself to get the right answer lol. Then I grade it. It feels great when you pick the correct answer and they provide the same reasoning you utilized. However, what I find helps me the most is when I am super duper confident I chose the right answer but they key says otherwise. This evokes a greater response in me ( I start saying noooowaaayyy) which causes me to remember it! Hopefully I do not make those same mistakes. Lol.

Hopefully some of this helps! Do not get discouraged. Verbals scores fluctuate!! I have scored 11s on EK and TPRH but also 6s. Find your methodology and tweak it until you start seeing the scores you want! 🙂

 

[baxt1412]

Yeah verbal isn't just remembering an equation, using it, and then boom as long as no basic math error you got the right answer.

Verbal depends on the type of the passage, the phrasing of the passage, the phrasing of the question, what sort of mood your in (cynical vs optimistic, etc). Lots of variables. That's why you have to control everything you can about it to stabilize your results and method

 

[texan2414]

LOLLL!!!! I can definitely relate to you Janus_Kinase,

It does feel like you are gambling sometimes with the answer choices and typically that unnerving feeling has been consistent in giving me better scores. When I am staunchly picking an answer choice while thinking there is NO possible way this answer could be wrong → turns out its wrong lol.

Also if you are plateauing, I think you DON'T need to change your strategy. Because changing your strategy might cause you to loose your current footing which is kinda dangerous.

 

[texan2414]

Yeah verbal isn't just remembering an equation, using it, and then boom as long as no basic math error you got the right answer.

Verbal depends on the type of the passage, the phrasing of the passage, the phrasing of the question, what sort of mood your in (cynical vs optimistic, etc). Lots of variables. That's why you have to control everything you can about it to stabilize your results and method

Of the things you mentioned, your mood is in your control and is probably the most SIGNIFICANT contributor to your VR score. I have recently started flat out guessing on incomprehensible, indecipherable question stems because I know I can make up for the random guess on other moderate questions. It's kinda interesting to view MCAT as a game, knowing where you'll play offense and knowing when you know you gotta defend (aka educated guessing).

 

[Janus_Kinase]

LOLLL!!!! I can definitely relate to you Janus_Kinase,

It does feel like you are gambling sometimes with the answer choices and typically that unnerving feeling has been consistent in giving me better scores. When I am staunchly picking an answer choice while thinking there is NO possible way this answer could be wrong → turns out its wrong lol.

Also if you are plateauing, I think you DON'T need to change your strategy. Because changing your strategy might cause you to loose your current footing which is kinda dangerous.

Haha right!? Its those questions I was so sure but got wrong that I remember the most. Yeah okay well here the thing. This is pretty much what I do and I recommend it for those who are looking to try something new.

1) I read the first two paragraphs (or one if the passage just consists of 3-4 dense paragraphs) I make sure I get the main idea of the passage and what will most likely be the authors point of view.
2) Then I read the questions. This serves as a guide as to what I will need to concentrate when I read the rest of the passage. If I can answer questions already, I go ahead and do that. I think of it as a road map to the passage.
3) Then I finish reading the passage, actively answering questions whenever something I read in part 2 comes up.
4) At the end I answer any questions left (these are usually the ones that require understanding the entire passage)

Ever since I started following this my scores have increased. However, as I being doing AAMC verbal material I feel like the passages are longer and my method is more time consuming than others. I am running out of time. So I think I need to tweak something with my current method. You know what I mean?

 

[texan2414]

I think that's a good strategy @Janus_Kinase

Personally, I just read the passage low and slow until I begin to comprehend the gist of it. This usually happens to me in the latter half which is when I speed up. After I finish a passage, I ALWAYS glance at the overall structure of paragraphs to mentally see how the argument was constructed and then I move on to the questions. Sure some humanities dense passages might take time but I make up for it by increasing my speed on science passages (where I tend to do better).

Also, I just purchased MPrep QBank - I think next to TBR, the passages are of fantastic quality!!!!!! It also gives you feedback on % of questions other testers got correct so you know where you're standing. The PS passages are tough but if we happen to get a calc-heavy PS section, I think its amazing practice!

 

[Janus_Kinase]

Guys. Girls. It is official!!! We have exactly one month left. 4 weeks. 31 days. About 750 hours ( I like that one the best) 😀

 

[baxt1412]

deactivated my facebook until the test! crunch time! (wish i wasn't so addicted to facebook that I had to do this extreme of a measure lol... maybe this will help) deleted the app off my phone too although i don't use it on my phone much.

realized i've been taking too long to do content review. i need to briefly scan the chapters and then practice as that is how i will be tested. it's not how well i can read and understand a chapter, it's how well i can use it on questions.

took another full length EK 101 verbal, ended perfectly on time and scored a 9 so right at the typical "average +/- 1 point".

 

[Carbon090]

Today is our last day to reschedule the exam with the 65 dollar fee. With December 6th open, it is so, so tempting to reschedule. My last exam (of a 28) scares me to thinking whether I will be ready in a month. What are your guys thoughts? Would an extra month really help or are diminishing returns present? I redid the verbal section that I bombed before and got a 9 (if everything went as well as it could have, I would have ended up with a 11/9/11 = 31).

Ahhhh.

 

[childofmercy]

I scored poorly on AAMC 3 yesterday and didn't feel I'd be able to pull my score up in 1 month with school, work and other extra-cirriculars. I switched literally 5 minutes after finding out about Dec 6!! I've been studying since July and I didn't want to bomb it after working hard for so long.

 

[bambam92]

Today is our last day to reschedule the exam with the 65 dollar fee. With December 6th open, it is so, so tempting to reschedule. My last exam (of a 28) scares me to thinking whether I will be ready in a month. What are your guys thoughts? Would an extra month really help or are diminishing returns present? I redid the verbal section that I bombed before and got a 9 (if everything went as well as it could have, I would have ended up with a 11/9/11 = 31).

Ahhhh.

I believe in you man. I think you should keep this date, and then you still have chance to snag a January test date if things don't go as well as you wanted. I.e. just register two days after we take our test for a January date (I will prob do this regardless of how I feel) . If you push to 12/6 then you have one shot at this thing, so if you don't do well you are shafted with taking the new 2015 exam which is a completely different animal and wayyy longer. I think you are solid man and can do it 11/7, but if not then you can take in january. But I say you got this. 🙂

 

[MelloTangelo]

Today is our last day to reschedule the exam with the 65 dollar fee. With December 6th open, it is so, so tempting to reschedule. My last exam (of a 28) scares me to thinking whether I will be ready in a month. What are your guys thoughts? Would an extra month really help or are diminishing returns present? I redid the verbal section that I bombed before and got a 9 (if everything went as well as it could have, I would have ended up with a 11/9/11 = 31).

Ahhhh.

I definitely feel you. I just took my first AAMC today (AAMC #8) and made a 29 (10/10/9). I don't really know if that's good or bad, but there's always that worry that one month won't be nearly enough to increase your scored. But they say that people generally have the most gains in scores during that last month, and what @bambam92 says is pretty spot on, so I think it might be best to just work hard until the 7th. Your science's are pretty solid, after all, so you just need to work on that verbal! It would not be fun if your science scores went down during that extra month's time!

 

[texan2414]

You people are WAY TOO CARELESSLY undermining your confidence!!! A score of 29 with one-month remaining is envious! You can potentially improve to the 34 range!!!

Remember the inherent psychological factor with the MCAT- because of its enormous importance, you will always feel as if you have not studied enough (because of the sheer amount of material it covers). Thus, relying on your "feelings" is pretty useless when compared to your ACTUAL, empirical results from practice tests!!!

You can do it! I know you can! Don't underestimate yourself at all people!

 

[baxt1412]

You people are WAY TOO CARELESSLY undermining your confidence!!! A score of 29 with one-month remaining is envious! You can potentially improve to the 34 range!!!

Remember the inherent psychological factor with the MCAT- because of its enormous importance, you will always feel as if you have not studied enough (because of the sheer amount of material it covers). Thus, relying on your "feelings" is pretty useless when compared to your ACTUAL, empirical results from practice tests!!!

You can do it! I know you can! Don't underestimate yourself at all people!

That's because unless you got a 45 you didn't study enough 😉