The Official November 7, 2014 MCAT Thread

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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!!!
 
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PS was HARD. I felt really, really good about verbal and pretty good about BS. But holy crap... I averaged a 36.1 (40, 36, and 37 on the last 3 AAMCs) and I feel like I will definitely do lower than the +/- 2 prediction.
 
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Yeah PS was hard. Had to guess on 5-7 questions. Bio felt average but I felt great about verbal (never thought I'd say that!) - what do you all think?
 
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I thought the PS was definitely the worst part. BS was about average, maybe a little harder than my FLs. Like others said, I actually felt really good about VR. Unfortunately, that probably means our VR was easier and will thus be curved less. Glad to see I'm not alone on the PS cause that means we'll probably score higher due to the curve.
 
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What, BS had 3 passages with the same material (my weakness) and verbal was the first time I had to guess on two passages. I picked my passages carefully too and never scored below an 8 prior to studying. PS was easy since I tutor a friend in physics/gen chem all semester lol. We do have all the same test right, but scrambled passages? I decided to score regardless even though I made educated guess more than I should have.
 
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Predictions:
PS - I had a rough start, so that first passage caught me off guard, I regained composure and finished PS with 5 mins left, was able to go back to first passage and spend a little more time on the questions.
VR - Typical. Passages were easy to read, had questions where I was torn at times between two. Overall, finished with 3 mins left. Could go either way.
BS - Expected. Experimental. I thought the orgo wasn't bad at all. I finished with 10 mins left and reviewed some of the passages. Some questions, again, at times I was torn between two, could go either way.

I really have no idea how I did, but I felt my execution of the exam was solid (besides the rough start in PS). I'm really hoping I did well.

To everyone that took this beast, congratulations. We made it this far, and taking this test alone is admirable. I'm hoping we all get the scores we all deserve.
 
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First passage on PS

image.jpg
 
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Did we take the same exam?

PS: Felt like a normal PS section to me. Got a chance to go over my answers and I felt content with what I had. What I knew I knew and what I didn't I didn't.

Verbal: Totally rocked this guys socks off. This was EASY.

BS: Little uneasy. It wasn't hard, but some parts of it felt...obscure? Didn't get to go over all of my answers.
 
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Glaustice said:
Did we take the same exam?

PS: Felt like a normal PS section to me. Got a chance to go over my answers and I felt content with what I had. What I knew I knew and what I didn't I didn't.

Verbal: Totally rocked this guys socks off. This was EASY.

BS: Little uneasy. It wasn't hard, but some parts of it felt...obscure? Didn't get to go over all of my answers.
Click to expand...

There are different tests given on the same day, so it's hard to say. The PS section I had was very math-heavy. It was very different than the practice AAMC tests.
 
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Okay, just got off the phone with sister, who took Nov 7 MCAT (her second attempt).
She was in tears. Was doing really well in PS and BS on all the AAMC FL practice (between 11-14).
Verbal is her weakness only 7-9, but was consistent. She was hoping for a 32 +/- 1.

BS was her money maker, and it failed her. Felt it tested all the stuff she didn't know, not all like the AAMC FL in her opinion. PS was harder in general than the AAMC Practice, but she able to finish, and verbal was just verbal (always needed to guess on the last passage, never has enough time).

She is very emotional right now, so not sure if she is objective. Did anyone else feel the Bio was out of line from the AAMC FL Practice tests??
 
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My thoughts on how it went:

PS: A little bit harder and had some "wtf questions". I had like 10 minutes left for alst two passages so defintely was why i voided (even tho i was going in to void for verbal) Although I thought from everyones past experiences/talk post mcat that it would be the hardest thing in the world, which it most certainly was not.

VR: I was going to void for this but thought this test was fair (except for one passage that was hard for me)

BS: Actually not too bad finished with time left over, but 2 passages were killlerrrr. (for me at least)

Probably should have scored but PS would have been lowww
 
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Great White Buffalo said:
Okay, just got of the phone with sister, who took Nov 7 MCAT (her second attempt).
She was in tears. Was doing really well in PS and BS on all the AAMC FL practice (between 11-14).
Verbal is her weakness only 7-9, but was consistent. She was hoping for a 32 +/- 1.

BS was her money maker, and it failed her. Felt it tested all the stuff she didn't know, not all like the AAMC FL in her opinion. PS was harder in general than the AAMC Practice, but she able to finish, and verbal was just verbal (always needed to guess on the last passage, never has enough time).

She is very emotional right now, so not sure if she is objective. Did anyone else feel the Bio was out of line from the AAMC FL Practice tests??
Click to expand...

I didn't feel that way about BS, no. PS was definitely the hardest of the 3 for me.
 
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Can anyone hint me what was on the last discrete section of PS? Any hint pleasee I took the exam today btw, not cheating or anything. I just want to make sure if I finished the last section..I can't remember if I did.
 
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Phew! Finally done with that beast! I kind of feel pretty...okay about it. A lot better than I felt the first time taking it, at least.

PS: I don't think it was -horrible-, but I'd say it was definitely harder than usual. I was rushed for time near the second half, and had to do the last passage + question set in ten minutes, so I pretty much just skimmed the passage (thankfully, it was on a topic I felt decently confident, so hopefully that didn't destroy my score). I know I missed out on a few easier questions because of time/my rush at the end. In the end, it felt more calculation heavy and less conceptual, something I definitely didn't like. Gimme' a conceptual PS section any day!

VR: Pretty normal, if not easier verbal section, I think. Almost all (except maybe one) of the passages were pretty easy to read, though there were a few questions I had to narrow it down to two and give my best guess. I'm worried about the curve, really.

BS: The distribution of topics wasn't as varied as usual, so that was certainly something. I could see it being a real crapshoot if someone wasn't very good with those topics @Great White Buffalo. I'll be hoping for the best for your sister! The topics were okay, I think, and asides from two dense passages, everything else kind of seemed a bit easy. Again, that worries me because the curve might be harsh.

I'm optimistically estimating a 10/10-11/11-12 breakdown...so let's hope it's somewhere around the ballpark.

Just a month to go until we know our score, haha! Try not to think of the MCAT too much during this time!
 
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I'll post a more thorough review later.

But my god the VR was absolutely a KILLER!!! There was only 1-2 straightforward passage, the rest of VR (especially on mine) was full of dense philosophy, humanities, ethics, morality passages. I got incredibly roughed up by the VR.
And now people are saying that their VR was really really really great??? OMG!!!
 
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texan2414 said:
I'll post a more thorough review later.

But my god the VR was absolutely a KILLER!!! There was only 1-2 straightforward passage, the rest of VR (especially on mine) was full of dense philosophy, humanities, ethics, morality passages. I got incredibly roughed up by the VR.
And now people are saying that their VR was really really really great??? OMG!!!
Click to expand...

This. VR killed me.
 
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The Boatox said:
First passage on PS

View attachment 186824
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lol yeah the PS was rough. The calculations really threw me. I don't remember there being that much calculating on any of the FLs. Maybe it just seemed that way because the calculations were bunched up into the first two or three passages. I finished all the sections, but PS was definitely the closest, time-wise. A couple of the BS passages really ate up my time, but I sped up and ended up having time to review a little. Other than those one or two BS passages, it felt pretty normal. There were a couple discrete questions on Bio material that I was torn between two answers on, which usually doesn't happen for me. Bio is usually where I make up points. Optimistically, I'm thinking a 33. Realistically, I'm thinking maybe a 29 or 30. Range: 29-33
Edit: my VR was pretty straightforward. No philosophy or ethics or anything like that. Mostly science type passages really, with a little history/literature.
 
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I kid you not I had to run to the bathroom with 30 mins left in BS hahaha. Looking at the passage I'm on (5) and how much time is left (27mins), yea i got time 😛

I can't tell if I should trust my feeling on it or not because VR and BS felt fairly easy/typical. PS was my strength but left feeling eh.. could go either way.
 
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The PS section for me was a bit more challenging than the AAMC FL's IMO. Out of the three sections, I think the BS section was the most do-able and fair. I had the same trouble with the VR section for the reasons that texan2414 stated.

In the end, I wouldn't worry too much guys. The general consensus on this forum is that the PS section was more difficult than anticipated, which means that the curve will most likely be generous. Most people walk out of the exam feeling like they did horribly and end up with higher scores than they were anticipating.

Refer to this thread for a good topic about in-test and post-test feelings vs. actual scores on the MCAT:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...-vs-how-you-actually-did-on-the-mcat.1055939/
 
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I felt like it went alright, honestly. I am scared to death that i feel this way. That's usually a bad sign for me on exams. 🙁
 
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Yeah I'm kind of worried about that. I left feeling that the VR would raise my score, but later remembered that it will probably be scored harder because it was easier. 🙁 Thinking maybe a 9 in PS, so hoping VR and BS will push me above a 30
 
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texan2414 said:
I'll post a more thorough review later.

But my god the VR was absolutely a KILLER!!! There was only 1-2 straightforward passage, the rest of VR (especially on mine) was full of dense philosophy, humanities, ethics, morality passages. I got incredibly roughed up by the VR.
And now people are saying that their VR was really really really great??? OMG!!!
Click to expand...

schmidt21 said:
Edit: my VR was pretty straightforward. No philosophy or ethics or anything like that. Mostly science type passages really, with a little history/literature.
Click to expand...

I think we may have gotten a different Verbal section than you guys. Mine was in line with @schmidt21's description. I only -actually- remember around three passages, but I remember feeling that they were all pretty straightforward asides from a literature-related passage...hell, one of the passages on my VR was actually really...cute. For lack of a better word.
 
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I would have to agree with the general consensus that the PS section was considerably harder; at least for me it was. I thought on the AAMC practice exams, the PS sections were difficult but, basic scientific principles could be used to reveal the solution.. On this test it was considerably more difficult.
 
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Sitting here waiting to donate plasma at 3:30 with no roommates home and I can already picture 2 stupid calculation mistakes....going to lose my mind if I don't get out of here lol
 
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Wow I still can't believe I'm relieved of studying for this monster of a test (for now atleast)

Immediate thoughts after the exam:

PS: Overall felt more calculation heavy than all of the FLs. I definitely felt pressed for time and speeded up towards the middle to finish up and do a thorough review. I am so GLAD that I caught some obvious mistakes and changed my answers to a few of the questions. Overall slightly harder than all of the FLs and I'm honestly not sure at all how did.

VR: first 3 passages: totally manageable. the last 4 really had me double-guessing myself on ALOT of the answer choices even though I understood the jist of the authors' main points. Just used my POE skills to the max and hoped for the best

BS: fairest out of all the sections today IMO. Some of the discretes were definitely tricky which I caught on to when I was reviewing my answers, dodged a few bullets there. The passages towards the end were really dense and almost like a puzzle dissecting them. I was pretty mentally drained at this point and don't even remember some of the questions but it didn't feel too horrible

This is it guys!!! We survived the MCAT!!! hell of an accomplishment :clap:
 
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emmet311 said:
Can anyone hint me what was on the last discrete section of PS? Any hint pleasee I took the exam today btw, not cheating or anything. I just want to make sure if I finished the last section..I can't remember if I did.
Click to expand...

Yea that last question was not specific enough. Without revealing anything I'll just say a topic like electrons?
 
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Bluecollarmed said:
Sitting here waiting to donate plasma at 3:30 with no roommates home and I can already picture 2 stupid calculation mistakes....going to lose my mind if I don't get out of here lol
Click to expand...

Yeah. During a break, I went back and checked the calculations for a physics problem I ended up guessing on and found that it was actually pretty simple. I was just so discombobulated on that first section that my thinking really suffered. It was a tough section, though.
 
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Besides some of the calculation based questions, I know I got some of the conceptual questions wrong in the PS section. Which is frustrating, since I'm typically better at those types of questions.
 
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I was a 9/6 test taker and my thoughts on this MCAT were that the verbal insane compared to 9/6. PS was much more manageable than 9/6 with a few wtf questions as expected. BS, seemingly fair, but one question was worded so poorly that I could not understand the answer choices nor the question. Overall, verbal was a killer the rest were okay.
 
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So this could have had an "easier" curve right? Each date's curves can be different? Not curve persay but like the raw score conversion or whatever
 
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The Biology Section seemed more like a verbal reasoning section than a section tested over knowledge.... In difficulty it was a breath of fresh air compared to the PS section. It wasn't necessarily easy, but it was fair.
 
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Posting my complete thoughts now:


First off,


Congratulations to everyone who took this exam. And yes I am talking to you even if you VOIDED your test. The fact that you had the audacity to take one of the most challenging graduate level entrance exams proves your commitment and willingness to take on challenges in life. I remember the quotation in MCAT Official Guide “some succeed because they are destined to but MOST succeed because they are determined to”.


Now to my feelings about today’s exam.


PS: Definitely a calc-heavy section. Dominated by physics moreso than gen chem. Also, I sincerely believe that the saving grace was my exhaustive practice in TBR books!!!! There was one identical passage that I had seen in TBR Physics books. Overall, there was a good variety of physics concepts and topics represented on this exam. There were some equation rearranging, some annoyingly long calculations, and some stupidly simple questions. A good mix of questions.


VR: I feel EXTREMELY uneasy about this section. I agree with lazyindy’s post that in the beginning it was manageable but towards the end, it got extremely tough. This section was DOMINATED by humanities, philosophy, social sciences passages. Most of them were not only longer than your usual AAMC FL VR, but also dense. Although I was able to get to author’s bottom line, some of the questions were left-field. I think the ratio of application/incorporation of information questions was significantly greater than comprehension/evaluation questions. And I think this is what made the overall section hard for me. There were very few questions that were quick to decide based on author’s main idea or a quick reference back to passage, most of them required two-three step logical thinking. I have never felt so much uneasiness and self-doubt of the answers putting down on VR. I sincerely hope I can at least manage to get an 8-9 on this section.


BS: Fairly reasonable section in my opinion. Although dominated by one or two concepts, I felt the passages did a good job of testing your overall knowledge of biological concepts. There was only one orgo passage which was relatively easy. There was an easy discrete that I missed (kicking myself for it…..) but I feel good about this section.



Overall, I feel really scared for my performance in VR, especially considering many here are seeing that it was one of the easiest VR sections they’ve seen. I just hope the curve is in our favor.


Over and out.
 
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The feeling of not knowing how to feel is one of the worst feelings in the world.

PS was ok like 10/11 AAMC. Had about 15-18 minutes for last two passages. Before the last passage I quickly did the last discretes.

VR was ok as it was actually interesting . I actually enjoyed a few passages.

BS was ok. I just checked 3 questions that I'm sure I got wrong.

Now when I say OK I mean it was like the AAMCs I took. Until I actually scored the exam, I could not figure out how I did. I always remember the questions I'm uncertain of, and I feel surprised if I get an ok score.

I don't know how to feel. I can't even relax right now
 
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texan2414 said:
Posting my complete thoughts now:


First off,


Congratulations to everyone who took this exam. And yes I am talking to you even if you VOIDED your test. The fact that you had the audacity to take one of the most challenging graduate level entrance exams proves your commitment and willingness to take on challenges in life. I remember the quotation in MCAT Official Guide “some succeed because they are destined to but MOST succeed because they are determined to”.


Now to my feelings about today’s exam.


PS: Definitely a calc-heavy section. Dominated by physics moreso than gen chem. Also, I sincerely believe that the saving grace was my exhaustive practice in TBR books!!!! There was one identical passage that I had seen in TBR Physics books. Overall, there was a good variety of physics concepts and topics represented on this exam. There were some equation rearranging, some annoyingly long calculations, and some stupidly simple questions. A good mix of questions.


VR: I feel EXTREMELY uneasy about this section. I agree with lazyindy’s post that in the beginning it was manageable but towards the end, it got extremely tough. This section was DOMINATED by humanities, philosophy, social sciences passages. Most of them were not only longer than your usual AAMC FL VR, but also dense. Although I was able to get to author’s bottom line, some of the questions were left-field. I think the ratio of application/incorporation of information questions was significantly greater than comprehension/evaluation questions. And I think this is what made the overall section hard for me. There were very few questions that were quick to decide based on author’s main idea or a quick reference back to passage, most of them required two-three step logical thinking. I have never felt so much uneasiness and self-doubt of the answers putting down on VR. I sincerely hope I can at least manage to get an 8-9 on this section.


BS: Fairly reasonable section in my opinion. Although dominated by one or two concepts, I felt the passages did a good job of testing your overall knowledge of biological concepts. There was only one orgo passage which was relatively easy. There was an easy discrete that I missed (kicking myself for it…..) but I feel good about this section.



Overall, I feel really scared for my performance in VR, especially considering many here are seeing that it was one of the easiest VR sections they’ve seen. I just hope the curve is in our favor.


Over and out.
Click to expand...
I
To my knowledge they administer different tests on the same day. Verbal sections may vary
 
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