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!!!

 

[ciestar]

@baxt1412 and @texan2414, you're both using Kaplan for prep? Where are you at in the program as far as content is concerned?

 

[texan2414]

@baxt1412 and @texan2414, you're both using Kaplan for prep? Where are you at in the program as far as content is concerned?

I'm not following their online syllabus at all. Last vid I watched I think was MSCT 3. I started out with TBR for Phys/GChem and supplemented with on demand vids for concepts I was unsure about. I watched a couple VR vids but they weren't too helpful so I studied VR initially starting from Official AAMC guide and then using TPRH and Kaplan VR Section Tests.

For Bio, I revisited TPR Biology Review because that book got me a 12 last year. I didn't need to watch any Kaplan lectures so I went straight to the Section Tests/ Topicals and Subject tests. I am also currently doing TPR SWB for bio.

Plan is to complete all Kaplan FLs as well as redo all AAMCs. So far I've only done AAMC 3 as a redo though.

Will be hitting SAs this week and some Kaplan FLs.

 

[texan2414]

Explain this further?

There were a couple of problems in TBR where they emphasized the fact that something with a low Ksp can have highest solubility (in selective precipitation context) - So I just presumed that test-makers are trying to ascertain how well you know Ksp vs molar solubility relationship for non-identical solns (AgOH vs Al(OH)3)

 

[ciestar]

I feel like I have a serious uphill battle here 🙁
I have the SWB, and I know I should be using it, but where's the time?

 

[ciestar]

There were a couple of problems in TBR where they emphasized the fact that something with a low Ksp can have highest solubility (in selective precipitation context) - So I just presumed that test-makers are trying to ascertain how well you know Ksp vs molar solubility relationship for non-identical solns (AgOH vs Al(OH)3)

Maybe I'm just tired, but Im still not following what you're saying here.

 

[baxt1412]

That part isn't really hard to memorize, though.
Using your example of Al(OH)3, where i=4, ksp=[x][3x]^3, and when you put that all together, you do get 27x^4. It's easy enough to derive it, so you don't necessarily have to memorize that.

insert Homer Simpson "doh" image here... wow. can you tell i'm feeling burned out? like there isn't any hope? like my UG institution has failed me miserably?


i'm 2/3 of the way thru the kaplan content review. going to be mostly focusing on full lengths from now on though.

the kaplan video lectures just take too long. he focuses too much on meaningless stuff for the 2-3 hours and speeds up too much on the explanations of the problems IMO.

 

[ciestar]

insert Homer Simpson "doh" image here... wow. can you tell i'm feeling burned out? like there isn't any hope? like my UG institution has failed me miserably?


i'm 2/3 of the way thru the kaplan content review. going to be mostly focusing on full lengths from now on though.

the kaplan video lectures just take too long. he focuses too much on meaningless stuff for the 2-3 hours and speeds up too much on the explanations of the problems IMO.

It's okay. I'm feeling the same way right now.

That's why I stopped watching Dr Josh. They weren't helpful and crazy long. I switched to using Chad, much prefer it.
But we're essentially in the same place for content review. 1/4 done with physics 3 though.

 

[baxt1412]

It's okay. I'm feeling the same way right now.

That's why I stopped watching Dr Josh. They weren't helpful and crazy long. I switched to using Chad, much prefer it.
But we're essentially in the same place for content review. 1/4 done with physics 3 though.

can you link me to chad? (==EDIT== coursesaver vids?)

yeah the kaplan lectures are forever long.

 

[ciestar]

can you link me to chad? (==EDIT== coursesaver vids?)

yeah the kaplan lectures are forever long.

MCAT Videos

Im watching the one on hydrostatics now. Physics is my weakest subject by far, so I need all the help i can possibly get.

 

[baxt1412]

MCAT Videos

Im watching the one on hydrostatics now. Physics is my weakest subject by far, so I need all the help i can possibly get.

i'm weak on everything 🙁 lol

gen chem was in 2010 and i feel like i skated by in ochem because the teacher liked me and I TA'd for her. and in physics, we never had to memorize any equations and basically 75%+ of the problems were pretty basic plug and chugs.



ugggghhhhh UG y u do this to me?

 

[ciestar]

Hah. I was pulling a D in ochem before I withdrew from the course.
Ochem for mcat isn't nearly as bad though…thank god.

My physics class, the exams were from the webassign homework. They went over the problems in class, so as long as you either 1. did the problems and had a clue or 2. just paid attention in class, an A was easy. So i learned nothing and it shows.

 

[nystin]

Hah. I was pulling a D in ochem before I withdrew from the course.
Ochem for mcat isn't nearly as bad though…thank god.

My physics class, the exams were from the webassign homework. They went over the problems in class, so as long as you either 1. did the problems and had a clue or 2. just paid attention in class, an A was easy. So i learned nothing and it shows.

I slept through my physics class as well. Had the old tests ....and so I snoozed through tests. The tests that he did give in class were open notes...and open everything. Anyway. Didn't learn anything. Retaught myself physics with my old college text books,(practice problems) and TBR. I am not sucking in it anymore and I actually enjoy physics ...now. Lol

 

[baxt1412]

I slept through my physics class as well. Had the old tests ....and so I snoozed through tests. The tests that he did give in class were open notes...and open everything. Anyway. Didn't learn anything. Retaught myself physics with my old college text books,(practice problems) and TBR. I am not sucking in it anymore and I actually enjoy physics ...now. Lol

favorite sources for learning basic physics? i feel so dumb even on the simplest of things.


in almost all subjects, i feel like i don't even know where to begin. sigh




just took a kaplan verbal and got 70%, looked on the AAMC conversions for 28/40 and shows a 9 for almost all tests (an 8 for one). so i'm feeling good about verbal.

now i just need to hook a 9 on the other two sections and i'll be golden!

 

[nystin]

favorite sources for learning basic physics? i feel so dumb even on the simplest of things.


in almost all subjects, i feel like i don't even know where to begin. sigh

I used College Physics(6th edition), Author Wilson & Buff textbook from college. I was familiar with it. Anyway...its not super verbose, goes over concept. And then.. I would do practice problems after practice problems.. Used chegg to check my answers not in the back. I was really bad in physics, as in I wasn't able to apply what I was reading so the practice problems hammered in all of the concepts. Practice is key!!! I filled an entire notebook and I remember crying over some problems that were so simple but it would take me like 2 hours to figure it but God it felt good when that light bulb went off! Good luck lemme know if you need anything else.

 

[ciestar]

Im thankful my Kaplan VR scores translate pretty much directly percentage wise to AAMC. Im much more relaxed about VR than I was expecting to be.

 

[ciestar]

Ive heard good things about NOVA physics. Which is why i bought the book, but i haven't even used it.

Chad's videos is just what I'm going to stick to now.

 

[baxt1412]

I need some sort of online source I guess. Kaplan doesn't seem to be clicking for me

i'll check out chad's videos for physics. i am more of a visual person anyway, so the video may be better.


this is why i am pissed kaplan cancelled my on site course since i knew i would like the physical interaction of learning these concepts more than i would like watching a computer screen.

 

[ciestar]

Well, Kaplan's definition of gauge pressure doesn't match what Chad presented it as. So i grabbed my TPR book and Chad/TPR are right. Well, that's frustrating.

 

[texan2414]

favorite sources for learning basic physics? i feel so dumb even on the simplest of things.


in almost all subjects, i feel like i don't even know where to begin. sigh




just took a kaplan verbal and got 70%, looked on the AAMC conversions for 28/40 and shows a 9 for almost all tests (an 8 for one). so i'm feeling good about verbal.

now i just need to hook a 9 on the other two sections and i'll be golden!

Which Kaplan verbals are you doing?

 

[baxt1412]

Which Kaplan verbals are you doing?

I think I used one under the verbal edge practice tonight. Otherwise I think there are like 8 verbal section tests

 

[ciestar]

I just counted out that I have about 13 chapters left of the Kaplan course to finish. I have NO CLUE how I'm going to pull that off…
I feel screwed. But I'm taking the Nov 7th exam regardless.

 

[basicallyno]

I just counted out that I have about 13 chapters left of the Kaplan course to finish. I have NO CLUE how I'm going to pull that off…
I feel screwed. But I'm taking the Nov 7th exam regardless.

well you have a little less than four weeks and Kaplan chapters are not that long so maybe you can cram two chapters + some practice per day?

 

[ciestar]

well you have a little less than four weeks and Kaplan chapters are not that long so maybe you can cram two chapters + some practice per day?

I just need to somehow avoid what happened today. I didn't work today, yet, I still easily spent 8ish hours doing the fluids/solids chapter. I am soooo slow when it comes to understanding physics so it always requires so much more time 🙁

 

[texan2414]

I just need to somehow avoid what happened today. I didn't work today, yet, I still easily spent 8ish hours doing the fluids/solids chapter. I am soooo slow when it comes to understanding physics so it always requires so much more time 🙁

I would just spend minimal amount of time looking at the MAJOR chapter equations for each section. Then just do practice problems because they will eventually hone concepts in your mind. I think reading that's a much more effective study method.

All the best,

 

[baxt1412]

also pay attention to the "star ratings" for the topics. I would go through and rank them that way.

hit up the 5 star sections out of what you have left first. then the 4 stars, etc.


they present a lot of info, but the most common things on the MCAT are usually the best idea to go with. of course knowing EVERYTHING is almost the only way to get those 13s, 14s, 15s, but how likely is that to happen? I'd be ecstatic with a 10 in physical sciences 🙂

 

[Carbon090]

Hey everyone!

I hope all of your studies are going well. Took yesterday off due to gym and work. Doing light review of the sciences today and critical analysis of my verbal assessment. Taking it easy today to prepare my mind for war on AAMC #7 tomorrow. Feeling confident and I'm definitely feeling the excitement.

On a digressed note: Doing legs TWICE today, inb4 leg cramps on practice exam tomorrow ;D Huehue keep your heads up everyone!

 

[sps27]

So all my bio SA told me was that I was weak in a few areas that I need to finish my content review for (EVOLUTION.).
I didn't do horribly though. I'm hoping my wrong answers were a result of careless mistakes rather than a gap in knowledge.

I am on Nov 7 as well now. Was lucky to have found a spot for this date cause it's a mess out there. I moved from Oct 25 to Nov 7'th. Want more time/focus for verbal.....just a terrible section for me......
@ciestar: Your bio scores look good....🙂. I found Bio SA to be hard and verbalesque - so did not really like it as much. So not sure what I will get. Will be done with it tonight. Have a few passages left.
@texan2414: I actually like all of Kaplan material. Awesome! practice. Did 5 section tests so far. Like their verbal tests too. Timing was a huge issue as the tests are difficult. Section test 5 was a mess i.e, lowest for me. It rattled my concepts. I am close to 70% range. Not concerned with scores as much. Just like their questions a lot. I have paper copies of their old exams i.e., with 77 questions and will be doing those after I finish SA's.
@avenlea: GS tests are good practice for PS and BS. But they are more focused on information recall, rather than deductive / inductive reasoning which AAMC tests tend to be. Have done 4 so far. Did ok. Highest 31, lowest 28.

 

[Janus_Kinase]

Hey everyone!

I hope all of your studies are going well. Took yesterday off due to gym and work. Doing light review of the sciences today and critical analysis of my verbal assessment. Taking it easy today to prepare my mind for war on AAMC #7 tomorrow. Feeling confident and I'm definitely feeling the excitement.

On a digressed note: Doing legs TWICE today, inb4 leg cramps on practice exam tomorrow ;D Huehue keep your heads up everyone!

I will be getting ready for way with you! I am taking AAMC#4 tomorrow. Gonna try to start it at 8am, key word: try. Lol.


Will be reviewing AAMC3 BS section today and then tidy up any areas I feel necessary for tomorrow.

Happy Monday everyone!! 🙂

 

[baxt1412]

wow guys idk what is going on


trying to go over the most basic physics stuff and it's not clicking. ugh.

 

[Janus_Kinase]

wow guys idk what is going on


trying to go over the most basic physics stuff and it's not clicking. ugh.

Dont stress. Even the most basic physics stuff can be difficult to grasp, I know it was for me. Have you tried Chads videos already? What about Khan ? Crashcourse? All those videos helped me understand the content --now I just have to figure out how to apply it correctly 😵

Is there any topic in particular? Maybe some of us here can help!

 

[Carbon090]

Dont stress. Even the most basic physics stuff can be difficult to grasp, I know it was for me. Have you tried Chads videos already? What about Khan ? Crashcourse? All those videos helped me understand the content --now I just have to figure out how to apply it correctly 😵

Is there any topic in particular? Maybe some of us here can help!

This!^

 

[baxt1412]

Dont stress. Even the most basic physics stuff can be difficult to grasp, I know it was for me. Have you tried Chads videos already? What about Khan ? Crashcourse? All those videos helped me understand the content --now I just have to figure out how to apply it correctly 😵

Is there any topic in particular? Maybe some of us here can help!

my issue is usually when I have to combine multiple equations to solve for an unknown.

I just bought access to chad's videos. didn't realize that if I used paypal it would take a few days (since I only have my bank account on there) so I had them refund that and now I am waiting on my credit card order. didn't think it would take this long either. (using khan in the mean time)

really sucks working full time during this. I can do quite a bit at work and they don't mind, but I am just always getting interrupted with different stuff so it's hard.

like I think was mentioned above, going to try to nail down some more basic concepts in everything this week and then start doing full lengths every other day with post-game between.

 

[Carbon090]

my issue is usually when I have to combine multiple equations to solve for an unknown.

I just bought access to chad's videos. didn't realize that if I used paypal it would take a few days (since I only have my bank account on there) so I had them refund that and now I am waiting on my credit card order. didn't think it would take this long either. (using khan in the mean time)

really sucks working full time during this. I can do quite a bit at work and they don't mind, but I am just always getting interrupted with different stuff so it's hard.

like I think was mentioned above, going to try to nail down some more basic concepts in everything this week and then start doing full lengths every other day with post-game between.

(Here is an example that gave me the best idea in understanding such relationships; also this is basically a SPOILER ALERT for those who have TBR and have yet to do the beginning passages for Electrostatics and Electromagnetism). TBR had a really good question that emphasized that in the electrostatics chapter. In the passage they gave an equation based on emf (which had the units of volts). One of the questions asked which relationship given correctly demonstrates the amount of work required for an electron to move through a rod (or something along those lines). The key was knowing that work = the change in potential energy, realizing that the change in potential energy =qV. Thus, one could substitute the equation in to figure out the relationship.

I got this one wrong (at the time I had no idea how I could have answered such a question), but by being aware on how all of these relationships tie together, one could potentially answer any problem by knowing so many different kinds of relationships can be substituted and compared to each other. It makes it fun and challenging, but it also goes to show the seemingly unlimited variations test writers can use to test certain concepts and principles.

 

[baxt1412]

okay. the more I try working on it, the more I get irritated.


I wasn't kidding when I said basics....

How would I work this out?

A 4kg block slides down an incline 10m in length with a coefficient of friction of 0.5. The angle of inclination of the plane is 60 degrees. How much energy is dissipated as friction?



My work:
m=4kg
uk = 0.5
E=?

E is measured in joules
A joule is a Nm which should correspond to a force times a distance

So I'm looking for the force due to friction multiplied by the distance of the plane (10m)

frictional force = uk * F-normal

So, now to find F-normal


I have set up my coordinate plane. I rotated it so that F-normal is in the y-direction and that my plane is 60 degrees "south" of the x-direction. I know that I need to find the y-component of that in order to get the force pair for normal force.

so I have a triangle, with a 60 degree angle originating from the origin (x=0, y=0). the hypotenuse is 10? (length of the inclined plane)

so the y-component is equal to 10sin60 = 10(.87) = 8.7, so normal force = 8.7*10? 87N?

So that means that my Frictional force = (0.5)(87N) = 43.5....but that isn't one of the choices


So guys.. I'm super lost. I've been trying to figure out this problem for a while and something isn't clicking.

 

[nystin]

okay. the more I try working on it, the more I get irritated.


I wasn't kidding when I said basics....

How would I work this out?

A 4kg block slides down an incline 10m in length with a coefficient of friction of 0.5. The angle of inclination of the plane is 60 degrees. How much energy is dissipated as friction?



My work:
m=4kg
uk = 0.5
E=?

E is measured in joules
A joule is a Nm which should correspond to a force times a distance

So I'm looking for the force due to friction multiplied by the distance of the plane (10m)

frictional force = uk * F-normal

So, now to find F-normal


I have set up my coordinate plane. I rotated it so that F-normal is in the y-direction and that my plane is 60 degrees "south" of the x-direction. I know that I need to find the y-component of that in order to get the force pair for normal force.

so I have a triangle, with a 60 degree angle originating from the origin (x=0, y=0). the hypotenuse is 10? (length of the inclined plane)

so the y-component is equal to 10cos60 = 10(.5) = 5.0, so normal force = 5.0*10? 50N?

So that means that my Frictional force = (0.5)(50N) = 25....but that isn't one of the choices


So guys.. I'm super lost. I've been trying to figure out this problem for a while and something isn't clicking.

Bax! You sound you need to take a break...also your mental state effects your ability to answer. Take a deep breath...I was having issues with verbal earlier last week and I took a break, cried, fixed my negative attitude and returned. It has helped..

 

[lazyindy]

@baxt1412 the y component is always equal to mgcos(Θ) so it would be 4x10xcos(60)

 

[texan2414]

@baxt1412 the y component is always equal to mgcos(Θ) so it would be 4x10xcos(60)

Yup just memorize this.
x component → sine
y component → cosine

 

[texan2414]

Took Kaplan FL1 today with a bad score - 11/8/10 for a 29.
The verbal is curved much harshly but that's probably because the section was a bit easy.
I made a bunch of inexcusable mistakes in both PS and BS and its because I took the exam on a 5 hr sleep last night. Still woke up @ 6 am...

Taking FL2 tomorrow - hopefully is much better.

 

[Janus_Kinase]

okay. the more I try working on it, the more I get irritated.


I wasn't kidding when I said basics....

How would I work this out?

A 4kg block slides down an incline 10m in length with a coefficient of friction of 0.5. The angle of inclination of the plane is 60 degrees. How much energy is dissipated as friction?



My work:
m=4kg
uk = 0.5
E=?

E is measured in joules
A joule is a Nm which should correspond to a force times a distance

So I'm looking for the force due to friction multiplied by the distance of the plane (10m)

frictional force = uk * F-normal

So, now to find F-normal


I have set up my coordinate plane. I rotated it so that F-normal is in the y-direction and that my plane is 60 degrees "south" of the x-direction. I know that I need to find the y-component of that in order to get the force pair for normal force.

so I have a triangle, with a 60 degree angle originating from the origin (x=0, y=0). the hypotenuse is 10? (length of the inclined plane)

so the y-component is equal to 10sin60 = 10(.87) = 8.7, so normal force = 8.7*10? 87N?

So that means that my Frictional force = (0.5)(87N) = 43.5....but that isn't one of the choices


So guys.. I'm super lost. I've been trying to figure out this problem for a while and something isn't clicking.

Force with with which an object slides down an inclined plane is always equal to mg(sintheta) So therefore Fnormal would be mg(costheta)
-Chad has a great explanation why it is Sin, always, for inclined planes. But no need to remember that.

Like you said Force of friction = uk * Fnormal
Force of friction = 0.5 * (4kg)(10m/s^2)(cos60)
= 10 N ish

This is the Force of Friction, NOT the 'energy dissipated' or work. Which is why you would not see it as an option, unless they are trying to trick you. We need to find work done by this force! We know that Work = Force*(change in distance)
Well, we found our force earlier and our distance was given.
Work of Friction = 10N * 10m
= 100Joules

Is that an option?

 

[baxt1412]

thanks guys. I just got access to chad's videos.

I'm breathing.

I'm starting from the bottom. I have to know the basics before I can learn the advanced topics. the advanced topics won't help me if I can't figure out an inclined plane question, so I'm doing a quick review.


I really like chad's videos so far. gonna zoom through those and I'm doing it as if I was in his class, pausing when I need to, etc.


I WILL GET THIS!!!! 🙂

Is that an option?

idk lol, got mad and closed the test 😉

thanks though, I was on the right track, but made a few fundamental errors.

I did find that typing it all out (which is basically explaining it) helps a lot.. I may make use of that.

 

[texan2414]

lol I just memorized the inclined plane equations and they are one of the first things I jot down on scratch paper during tutorial section before PS.
This isn't our undergrad physics class where you have to derive the equation geometrically. Just memorize and move on 😛

 

[baxt1412]

lol I just memorized the inclined plane equations and they are one of the first things I jot down on scratch paper during tutorial section before PS.
This isn't our undergrad physics class where you have to derive the equation geometrically. Just memorize and move on 😛

so force down the ramp = mgsin(theta) like @Janus_Kinase said
normal force = mgcos(theta) opposite

or...?

thx for ur help everyone.

 

[bambam92]

so force down the ramp = mgsin(theta) like @Janus_Kinase said
normal force = mgcos(theta) opposite

or...?

thx for ur help everyone.

yes, you are correct. I suggest just memorize as everyone says mgsin(theta) is the grav. force down the ramp, and mgcos(theta) is the normal force which is perpendicular to the grav. force. Often times you are setting up your free body diagrams with just the mgsin(theta) portion as normally the block or object isn't leaving the surface of the incline thus the normal force is being cancelled out (by a component of the grav force). And the dxn of displacement is in the mgsin(theta) portion. Good luck

 

[baxt1412]

thanks again.

 

[ciestar]

Force with with which an object slides down an inclined plane is always equal to mg(sintheta) So therefore Fnormal would be mg(costheta)
-Chad has a great explanation why it is Sin, always, for inclined planes. But no need to remember that.

Like you said Force of friction = uk * Fnormal
Force of friction = 0.5 * (4kg)(10m/s^2)(cos60)
= 10 N ish

This is the Force of Friction, NOT the 'energy dissipated' or work. Which is why you would not see it as an option, unless they are trying to trick you. We need to find work done by this force! We know that Work = Force*(change in distance)
Well, we found our force earlier and our distance was given.
Work of Friction = 10N * 10m
= 100Joules

Is that an option?

I got the same answer! It makes me feel a bit better that I was able to do that.

 

[baxt1412]

65% on the organic assessment! above average boo yah lol.

 

[getfat]

Just finished grading AAMC#8 and i got 10(Phys)/7(Verbal)/11(BIO).
For verbal i have been redoing the TPR Passage, I faintly remember the passages and i think redoing the passages is not helping my verbal
My target score for verbal is 10 and I was thinking about doing Berkeley review passages, does anyone else recommend it?

 

[Janus_Kinase]

Just finished grading AAMC#8 and i got 10(Phys)/7(Verbal)/11(BIO).
For verbal i have been redoing the TPR Passage, I faintly remember the passages and i think redoing the passages is not helping my verbal
My target score for verbal is 10 and I was thinking about doing Berkeley review passages, does anyone else recommend it?

I don't like TBR passages. If you can get your hands on TPRH or EK101 that would be better, if you haven't done them already. I think I did the first 6 verbal tests from TBR. They passages aren't too bad but the questions they ask are so dense and ridiculous. Nothing like aamc. But hey, in the end practice is practice.

 

[texan2414]

http://puu.sh/cbo7h.png

Can someone explain how the hell the answer is D??? That molecule has no beta-hydrogens so how would it undergo E2.
(Source: Kaplan FL1)

 

[Janus_Kinase]

http://puu.sh/cbo7h.png

Can someone explain how the hell the answer is D??? That molecule has no beta-hydrogens so how would it undergo E2.
(Source: Kaplan FL1)

The alpha carbon is connected to three (CH2-CH3) so isnt that 'H' on CH2 a beta hydrogen? Orgo is not my strength but I do know that Sn2 cant happen if the alpha carbon is tertiary because of sterics (so naturally I like D) I would eliminate C because it has no LG, B has a poor LG for any substitution, and A could undergo Sn2 because it is not 'sterically hindered'


Just my thought process!