The Official October 25th, 2014 MCAT Thread

[Violagirl]

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Hey all! Just thought I'd get a thread out there for those of us taking the MCAT on October 25th! Feel free to post how you plan to study, any study tips/tricks you might have or other resources you found helpful that might benefit others. I originally planned on taking the MCAT on July 12th but ended up having to reschedule with the hassle of job hunting. Now that I have a new job lined up, I ended up rescheduling to take it in October instead in getting back on track with studying. Best of luck to everyone taking it!

 

[stitchattack]

Ok, I asked this on the forum earlier but no one responded to me so I want to ask you guys..ones who are using the EK books for content. When you guys do practice using TBR, TPR, and Kaplan for your sciences, are you guys finding that you can't answer some of the questions in the practice because EK didn't go into detail or didn't include it in the books? I'm just worried that EK content might not be sufficient content-wise..so far if I get any question wrong, I write the concept down in my notes and hoping that by doing that, that will cover the detail stuff that EK doesn't.

 

[Jason12]

Ok, I asked this on the forum earlier but no one responded to me so I want to ask you guys..ones who are using the EK books for content. When you guys do practice using TBR, TPR, and Kaplan for your sciences, are you guys finding that you can't answer some of the questions in the practice because EK didn't go into detail or didn't include it in the books? I'm just worried that EK content might not be sufficient content-wise..so far if I get any question wrong, I write the concept down in my notes and hoping that by doing that, that will cover the detail stuff that EK doesn't.

why dont u do TBR passages instead, their explanations are detailed and sufficient

 

[stitchattack]

why dont u do TBR passages instead, their explanations are detailed and sufficient

I will be doing TBR passages. I'm just wondering if learning the additional content that EK doesn't cover from doing the passages and problems will be sufficient for the test. I don't really want to do another content review using TBR since I already did it with EK.

 

[Jason12]

I will be doing TBR passages. I'm just wondering if learning the additional content that EK doesn't cover from doing the passages and problems will be sufficient for the test. I don't really want to do another content review using TBR since I already did it with EK.

dont do content from TBR, just do the passages and go over the explanations, they are lengthly and really make the content much more understandable. thats what Im doing and Ill go over EK once Im done with TBR. I think EK will be pointless at this point cuz their explanations are so short and pointless.

 

[sps27]

Would u consider acceleration = 0 as constant? There is a question in TPR SW passage 3, question 2 in phy where a velocity time graph has 3 sections and one section has constant velocity, yet the ans says all 3 sections have constant acceleration. I was confused by that.....dunno if it is a mistake by TPR....

 

[stitchattack]

dont do content from TBR, just do the passages and go over the explanations, they are lengthly and really make the content much more understandable. thats what Im doing and Ill go over EK once Im done with TBR. I think EK will be pointless at this point cuz their explanations are so short and pointless.

Thanks! EK gets straight to the point but I find myself using videos or TBR to supplement for some stuff EK is lacking in. I'll do the TBR passages and use the explanations as guidance.

 

[stitchattack]

Would u consider acceleration = 0 as constant? There is a question in TPR SW passage 3, question 2 in phy where a velocity time graph has 3 sections and one section has constant velocity, yet the ans says all 3 sections have constant acceleration. I was confused by that.....dunno if it is a mistake by TPR....

constant velocity would mean a = 0 wouldn't it? Acceleration is change in velocity over time so let's say t = 5 s and if vi = 5 m/s and vf= 5 m/s then a =(5-5)/5 = 0/5 = 0. Also, for acceleration to be constant, wouldn't velocity have to increase/decrease at a constant rate? So, that would mean there should be a straight sloped line on velocity vs time graph. I could be wrong..I'm curious what the answer is.

 

[deleted439911]

Well three cases for a is constant
a < 0; velocity decreases in a straight line
a = 0; velocity is a straight horizontal line
a > 0; velocity increases in a straight line

 

[sps27]

Well three cases for a is constant
a < 0; velocity decreases in a straight line
a = 0; velocity is a straight horizontal line
a > 0; velocity increases in a straight line

Ya.....that is pretty much how the book sums it up. But I don't agree with the logic a=0, means acceleration is constant......

constant velocity would mean a = 0 wouldn't it? Acceleration is change in velocity over time so let's say t = 5 s and if vi = 5 m/s and vf= 5 m/s then a =(5-5)/5 = 0/5 = 0. Also, for acceleration to be constant, wouldn't velocity have to increase/decrease at a constant rate? So, that would mean there should be a straight sloped line on velocity vs time graph. I could be wrong..I'm curious what the answer is.

You are right, as the user above summarized the 3 cases.....which is exactly what the book mentions too.....

 

[DoctorInASaree]

Thanks! EK gets straight to the point but I find myself using videos or TBR to supplement for some stuff EK is lacking in. I'll do the TBR passages and use the explanations as guidance.

How far along are you with your content review?

constant velocity would mean a = 0 wouldn't it? Acceleration is change in velocity over time so let's say t = 5 s and if vi = 5 m/s and vf= 5 m/s then a =(5-5)/5 = 0/5 = 0. Also, for acceleration to be constant, wouldn't velocity have to increase/decrease at a constant rate? So, that would mean there should be a straight sloped line on velocity vs time graph. I could be wrong..I'm curious what the answer is.

Yes. Picture a graph - constant acceleration as a horizontal line, so velocity would be a linear line.

Or, recall the constant acceleration equations:

a = constant ; y = 1/2 a(t^2) ; v = at (linear)

 

[deleted439911]

0 is probably the most important constant. It may not be as expressive, it is not really positive but neither does it have a negative outlook. In fact it is mostly silent. You can't really see what it is feeling because it's pretty much in the middle of real and imaginary things. But it identifies with the complex and is no stranger to transcendentals.

 

[question25]

Would u consider acceleration = 0 as constant? There is a question in TPR SW passage 3, question 2 in phy where a velocity time graph has 3 sections and one section has constant velocity, yet the ans says all 3 sections have constant acceleration. I was confused by that.....dunno if it is a mistake by TPR....

I'm curious, what were the other choices?

 

[stitchattack]

Ya.....that is pretty much how the book sums it up. But I don't agree with the logic a=0, means acceleration is constant......

You are right, as the user above summarized the 3 cases.....which is exactly what the book mentions too.....

In the EK Physics book, for the velocity vs time graph, it gives an example "Between 20 and 40 seconds the particle has no acceleration and is moving at a constant velocity to the left." This is the description of the horizontal line. So does it mean TPR assumes a = 0 to be constant like accelerating constantly at 0 m/s^2 because they're saying the horizontal line has an acceleration and it's constant while EK is saying there's no acceleration if no change in velocity?

 

[stitchattack]

How far along are you with your content review?

Second round of content review...half way done. Hoping to do another round of review but making flash cards of concepts I keep forgetting. I feel like if I move forward, I forget the earlier stuff and if I go back to those, I forget the newer stuff. It helps to recall concepts by doing practice which are at random.

 

[sps27]

In the EK Physics book, for the velocity vs time graph, it gives an example "Between 20 and 40 seconds the particle has no acceleration and is moving at a constant velocity to the left." This is the description of the horizontal line. So does it mean TPR assumes a = 0 to be constant like accelerating constantly at 0 m/s^2 because they're saying the horizontal line has an acceleration and it's constant while EK is saying there's no acceleration if no change in velocity?

It's just 1 question and probably moot at this point but yes, as @billy2908 implied and u mentioned, constantly accelerating at 0 m/s^2. Be that as it may. No harm done....
@billy2908, reminds me of a star trek TNG episode....'silence has a leash'.....a hole in space absence of everything......where concepts such as space, time, energy, matter don't hold true......
@question25, the other choices were like 1)region 1 and 3, 2)region 2 3)region 1, 2, 3 4)acceleration is not constant for any time period......
@Doctor in a saree....curious username. Reminds me of sis. U may find this link fascinating...... http://scroll.in/article/659624/Remarkable-photos-of-19th-century-Indian-women-in-US-medical-school (they didn't have MCAT back then....)

 

[ayocaptain628]

kinda worried after seeing the aug 15th posts
im really not good at extrapolating information X_X!!!

 

[lillyandpearls]

kinda worried after seeing the aug 15th posts
im really not good at extrapolating information X_X!!!

I think the main idea behind it is really understand the concepts of physics problems. Figure out why the equation works and what the equation represents, rather than the typical plug-and-chug deal. At least that's what I'm going to take that as. But then again, I didn't take it so I don't know myself unfortunately.

 

[texan2414]

Just thought I'd drop in and say hi - I am signed up for Oct 21st so I'll be joining this MCAT journey.
Currently in middle of finishing Berkeley content (have not done any passage practice yet).

 

[texan2414]

I also wanted to ask a quick question-
I am personally not following the SN2ed schedule but of a modified version of my own. With that being said, I am looking for feedback how to finish the end-of-chapter TBR passages from Gen Chem and Physics workbooks. There are a total of 199 passages (if I have done my math correctly). I know some people do them in 3 phases but I've never really understood what that meant... I was thinking of breaking them down into 3-4 phases myself so I would cycle through all the topics and won't burn out doing like 10 kinematics passages in a span of 2 days- plus it refreshes old content.

For the people using Berkeley books, how are you going to tackle the plethora of passages following it? While at the same time using resources such as Kaplan, TPR SWB, EK 1001 etc.

Thanks,

 

[thespectrum]

Hi, everyone!
I am in a bit of a dilemma. I am currently registered for the Sept.6th MCAT. I put aside a full summer to prepare for this test. Currently, I have a very low Verbal score of around 6-7. When I used to time myself for just 1 or 2 verbal passages, I used to do fine (getting only 1-2 wrongs or sometimes all correct answers). However, when I started timing myself for all 7 passages, I realized I lack basic test-taking skills i.e. I cannot get through all 7 passages, feel rushed and make more mistakes than what I used to previously (while doing just 1-2 passages). I feel like I studied for the Verbal section in a wrong manner. Since the past few days, I have been trying new techniques to figure out what works for me. I have around 20 days until the test and I don't think I am prepared enough to reach my target score of 11 in the verbal section. I think with right techniques and enough practice I can definitely pull up my score. I have read tons of inspiring stories of people in this forum who started with my score and have gotten 11-12 in verbal.

The thing is I don't want to go in unprepared. I only have until this Thursday to postpone my test, else I will have to pay full price to register for another test. A part of me wants to write the test and give it a shot. Another part of me wants to write and then void it. However, I also want to give my very best and get it done in one shot. In order to do so, I am thinking of pushing my test to 25th of October to go through all GS + AAMC practice tests, pull up my verbal score and work on my test-taking skills. However, school starts from the first week of September and I am worried if school+MCAT will be too much to handle. I have a bit lighter schedule for the fall and a bit heavier schedule during the spring, so I want to get it done before next semester starts. Considering I have all my content down and have gone through the TPR science workbook completely, I don't have to start from scratch. I can keep up with content review from Kaplan, EK, etc books every now and then; juggling school, verbal practice and practice tests.

Does this make sense? 🙁 What do you guys advice me to do? Should I take time to work on my verbal? Will school + MCAT be too much to handle? Are any of you in a similar situation? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[stitchattack]

Hi, everyone!
I am in a bit of a dilemma. I am currently registered for the Sept.6th MCAT. I put aside a full summer to prepare for this test. Currently, I have a very low Verbal score of around 6-7. When I used to time myself for just 1 or 2 verbal passages, I used to do fine (getting only 1-2 wrongs or sometimes all correct answers). However, when I started timing myself for all 7 passages, I realized I lack basic test-taking skills i.e. I cannot get through all 7 passages, feel rushed and make more mistakes than what I used to previously (while doing just 1-2 passages). I feel like I studied for the Verbal section in a wrong manner. Since the past few days, I have been trying new techniques to figure out what works for me. I have around 20 days until the test and I don't think I am prepared enough to reach my target score of 11 in the verbal section. I think with right techniques and enough practice I can definitely pull up my score. I have read tons of inspiring stories of people in this forum who started with my score and have gotten 11-12 in verbal.

The thing is I don't want to go in unprepared. I only have until this Thursday to postpone my test, else I will have to pay full price to register for another test. A part of me wants to write the test and give it a shot. Another part of me wants to write and then void it. However, I also want to give my very best and get it done in one shot. In order to do so, I am thinking of pushing my test to 25th of October to go through all GS + AAMC practice tests, pull up my verbal score and work on my test-taking skills. However, school starts from the first week of September and I am worried if school+MCAT will be too much to handle. I have a bit lighter schedule for the fall and a bit heavier schedule during the spring, so I want to get it done before next semester starts. Considering I have all my content down and have gone through the TPR science workbook completely, I don't have to start from scratch. I can keep up with content review from Kaplan, EK, etc books every now and then; juggling school, verbal practice and practice tests.

Does this make sense? 🙁 What do you guys advice me to do? Should I take time to work on my verbal? Will school + MCAT be too much to handle? Are any of you in a similar situation? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Well, aside for VR, how are you doing on PS and BS? And have you taken any FL tests and/or AAMC tests to give you an idea of where you stand? Also, what sources do you use to practice VR? If you're getting a lot wrong when you take the full verbal but can get the answers right if you have more time, you should work on your pacing and endurance. When you do your practice, say 3 or 4 passages a day, you should limit yourself to 8 mins/passage which means when you do the actual 1 hour for 7 passages, you should have 4 minutes to spare if you can do a passage in 8 mins. If verbal is the only thing you need to really work on, 2 months should give you enough time to raise that score up even with classes.

 

[stitchattack]

I also wanted to ask a quick question-
I am personally not following the SN2ed schedule but of a modified version of my own. With that being said, I am looking for feedback how to finish the end-of-chapter TBR passages from Gen Chem and Physics workbooks. There are a total of 199 passages (if I have done my math correctly). I know some people do them in 3 phases but I've never really understood what that meant... I was thinking of breaking them down into 3-4 phases myself so I would cycle through all the topics and won't burn out doing like 10 kinematics passages in a span of 2 days- plus it refreshes old content.

For the people using Berkeley books, how are you going to tackle the plethora of passages following it? While at the same time using resources such as Kaplan, TPR SWB, EK 1001 etc.

Thanks,

I was just going to mix it up by doing 2 passages for each subject per day so total of 8 passages (2-2.5 hrs to do the passages and thoroughly go over the key concepts/answers). So going by your calculation, if you do 8 passages/day x 5 days/week that would mean you do 40 passages a week..199/40 so you can be done with them within 5 weeks. I haven't started TBR yet..tomorrow will be my first day doing practice using TBR material. I'm sure my content is weak so hopefully TBR pounds it til it sticks in my head. lol

 

[USMC2Doctor]

Just took my first full length practice test with Kaplan yesterday and I didn't so well. Motivation is definitely low, but I need to keep at it. Most of the passage based questions I couldn't even figure out what it was even asking. I'm alternating my content review study sessions every other day (with at least 2 days for each topic that I am weaker at) with practice full length test by the end of each week.

Any advice on how you all are studying with content and making the info stick please let me know. Thanks!

 

[bambam92]

Just took my first full length practice test with Kaplan yesterday and I didn't so well. Motivation is definitely low, but I need to keep at it. Most of the passage based questions I couldn't even figure out what it was even asking. I'm alternating my content review study sessions every other day (with at least 2 days for each topic that I am weaker at) with practice full length test by the end of each week.

Any advice on how you all are studying with content and making the info stick please let me know. Thanks!

don't worry about that man --kaplan FL's are known to be rape then they have crazy scale to counter this. You should be reviewing content now and doing passages--early for FL's. If you don't have them I would highly suggest chads vids--for physics, gen chem, and organic these are gold. What I do is before I start a respective chapter in TBR I watch chads vids on that topic and take detailed notes--then when I jump into TBR chapter I can move thru content way faster and do better on passages. You got this 🙂

BTW where is everyone @ for content--after today I will be thru ch 5 for TBR gen chem, ch 6 physics, and ch 5 ek bio. Hoping to finish content first week of september. Hoping I not behind lol.

 

[USMC2Doctor]

don't worry about that man --kaplan FL's are known to be rape then they have crazy scale to counter this. You should be reviewing content now and doing passages--early for FL's. If you don't have them I would highly suggest chads vids--for physics, gen chem, and organic these are gold. What I do is before I start a respective chapter in TBR I watch chads vids on that topic and take detailed notes--then when I jump into TBR chapter I can move thru content way faster and do better on passages. You got this 🙂

BTW where is everyone @ for content--after today I will be thru ch 5 for TBR gen chem, ch 6 physics, and ch 5 ek bio. Hoping to finish content first week of september. Hoping I not behind lol.

Great advice! I was discouraged throughout the entire practice test, but I think I will go through chad'a videos first and then go over the books from Kaplan or TBR.

Are you doing any kind of prep with TBR, Kaplan, or PR or do you have your own schedule that you follow?

I'm in a Kaplan course now and it's going way too fast! I definitely should have strengthened my content first before going to an actual Kaplan prep course.

Let me know what schedule works best for you with content review and maybe I can add that or change my study schedule to make it work for me, because Kaplan prep in my opinion is too fast for a nontrad, full time nurse like me.

 

[ayocaptain628]

gl studying all - another week another fresh start :~)
gonna study proportions b/c that is what others said in another thread ^^

 

[sps27]

I have some old Kaplan VR tests (60 questions , 9 psgs, 85 mins) and the 1'st psg of VR test 4 is beyond comprehension. I can spend 15 mins on that one psg alone and still not get it. It's about AHA (American history association) so you get the picture.......got 3/7 on that one.....

 

[stitchattack]

Quick question for you guys with the Kaplan FL. Do you guys get the Kaplan FL from books you can buy off amazon or are these for Kaplan students only? And, is it worth buying or should I just stick with AAMC and SA for FL with TBR and TPR for practice of course.

 

[sps27]

Quick question for you guys with the Kaplan FL. Do you guys get the Kaplan FL from books you can buy off amazon or are these for Kaplan students only? And, is it worth buying or should I just stick with AAMC and SA for FL with TBR and TPR for practice of course.

To get Kaplan FL's I think u have to be registered in their online course. They don't just sell the FL's - I think. You can try GS tests. The sciences are good on those and u can buy those tests individually. I have some hard copies of old Kaplan material which has exchanged many hands over the years no doubt........

 

[stitchattack]

To get Kaplan FL's I think u have to be registered in their online course. They don't just sell the FL's - I think. You can try GS tests. The sciences are good on those and u can buy those tests individually. I have some hard copies of old Kaplan material which has exchanged many hands over the years no doubt........

Thanks. If I need any more FL, I'll probably purchase the GS's 10 tests for $99. Only have 2 months to go and I still have the AAMC FLs so that might be enough. I'm not sure how I feel about Kaplan FLs though..I have the Qbank and their questions seem to rely on heavy calculation and content.

 

[sps27]

Thanks. If I need any more FL, I'll probably purchase the GS's 10 tests for $99. Only have 2 months to go and I still have the AAMC FLs so that might be enough. I'm not sure how I feel about Kaplan FLs though..I have the Qbank and their questions seem to rely on heavy calculation and content.

My recommendation would be to get your hands dirty first with GS, Kaplan and any other source that you may have and get close to your target scores. Once u are there do a few AAMC's and see where you land. And best to finish SA's before u touch AAMC test - to get familiar with AAMC style questions......as they are slightly different than other standardized tests......

 

[texan2414]

I am also doing something similar to what sps27 suggested. I plan to be done with Phys 2 book of TBR by end of this week and will dive straight into practice questions from EK 1001, TPR SWB and slowly phase in Berkeley end-of-chapter passages.
I also wanted to bring some other resources out to you guys for practice and I definitely plan on purchasing them for practice:

1) Sterling MCAT PS & BS passages: http://www.onlinemcatprep.com/mcat.htm
2) Testing Solutions Verbal Reasoning Exams: http://www.mytestingsolution.com/mcat-verbal-reasoning/
3) MPrep MCAT Question Bank: http://www.mcatquestion.com/qbank.php

All the above resources are quite affordable and some have garnered good reviews from posters here. So here is even MORE practice to make sure you get absolutely ready to destroy the MCAT on test day 🙂

 

[bambam92]

Hows everyones studying going? Had to go to second page of MCAT discussions to find our tests dates thread👎 Come on guys lets get some activity in here for us 10/25 takers!!!🙂

 

[DoctorInASaree]

Hows everyones studying going? Had to go to second page of MCAT discussions to find our tests dates thread👎 Come on guys lets get some activity in here for us 10/25 takers!!!🙂

Yes! An excellent idea!

First chapter of TBR General Chemistry for me today - hopefully chapter two as well!

 

[ayocaptain628]

back to work after long break :~)

 

[bambam92]

Yes! An excellent idea!

First chapter of TBR General Chemistry for me today - hopefully chapter two as well!

Nice good old stoichiometry 😎 I am starting TBR physics ch 7 today and just finished phase I passages for TBR gen chem ch 6. These damn TBR physics and gen chem books have been consuming my life..lol. I am only thru ch 5 in EK bio and haven't touched organic yet🙁

 

[hojjung33]

Will be starting my organic chem review today. Does anyone know how I can effectively study for organic?

 

[deleted388502]

Will be starting my organic chem review today. Does anyone know how I can effectively study for organic?

EK ORGANIC. Chad.

 

[bambam92]

Will be starting my organic chem review today. Does anyone know how I can effectively study for organic?

You using TBR? I say use chads videos for organic (he has phD in ochem) and they follow the AAMC guidelines for content. Then do TBR and passages. Get the AAMC SA as it will give you good idea of what MCAT organic is like.

 

[bambam92]

EK ORGANIC. Chad.

what chapter in EK organic covers content that is not on the MCAT now? Thanks

 

[texan2414]

You using TBR? I say use chads videos for organic (he has phD in ochem) and they follow the AAMC guidelines for content. Then do TBR and passages. Get the AAMC SA as it will give you good idea of what MCAT organic is like.

The SA organic is a little weird. It mimics the outdated organic that was once asked and now is being phased out.
The organic that is asked nowadays is intertwined with biochemistry so I think TBR has more overall value than ochem SA (that's not to say to not attempt the SA at all).

 

[texan2414]

Hows everyones studying going? Had to go to second page of MCAT discussions to find our tests dates thread👎 Come on guys lets get some activity in here for us 10/25 takers!!!🙂

Going to finish Ch 7 Fluids in TBR. Will be doing Cell biology Ch 5 from TPR Bio. Plan is to finish all TBR Phys II chapters by this Saturday then start phase I passages in both GChem and Phys, while at teh same working through the Kaplan/TPR Bio books to finish bio content.

For verbal, I'm simply downloading random philosophy/humanities articles from JSTOR and reading them while making notes of what my understanding of author's point of view is and connecting different concepts/ideas presented in the article. I am also trying to think as the AAMC verbal question writer- Asking myself how can I strengthen/undermine a particular assertion; Which ideas can be broadened or generalized, etc. I hope this workout will help me 🙂

 

[hojjung33]

You using TBR? I say use chads videos for organic (he has phD in ochem) and they follow the AAMC guidelines for content. Then do TBR and passages. Get the AAMC SA as it will give you good idea of what MCAT organic is like.

Thanks!

 

[texan2414]

Also wanted to share this resource: http://mcat-review.org/

Every time I complete a chapter in TBR, I go to the page and review all the concepts outlined under each AAMC topic.

 

[stitchattack]

What do you guys think about TBR Bio passages? I only started doing TBR passages for all subjects and I've done ok with the other subjects (still in the beginning sections for the passages) but Bio destroyed me. I did my content with EK and there were a lot of things that TBR goes into that EK only touched a bit on.

 

[Smash333]

I'm using kaplan review books for content and I'm through 9 chapters of both physics and gen chem and I'm on chapter 9 for ochem and bio now, hopefully to be through chapter 12 of both by the end of the week. I'm going through the chapters and taking notes and once I'm done with that I'm going to spend a week reviewing my notes then start to get into practice problems and passages. With where I'm at now I should be done with content and starting the problems and passages during the first or second week of September and then start practice tests in October. Does this sound like a good plan?

 

[lillyandpearls]

What do you guys think about TBR Bio passages? I only started doing TBR passages for all subjects and I've done ok with the other subjects (still in the beginning sections for the passages) but Bio destroyed me. I did my content with EK and there were a lot of things that TBR goes into that EK only touched a bit on.

Generally people on this forum have been saying that the TBR Biology level is over and beyond the MCAT, and that the TPRH style is a little more representative because they have more experiment based passages. However, I still think that it's beneficial for you to over-prepare rather than under-prepare, so I've been doing the TBR passages and supplementing with TPRH. Keep in mind that although you may get a lot of the BR questions wrong, it's the post game that matters! TBR goes much more in detail for biology than any of the other books. It's a little too detail-oriented in my opinion.

I'm using kaplan review books for content and I'm through 9 chapters of both physics and gen chem and I'm on chapter 9 for ochem and bio now, hopefully to be through chapter 12 of both by the end of the week. I'm going through the chapters and taking notes and once I'm done with that I'm going to spend a week reviewing my notes then start to get into practice problems and passages. With where I'm at now I should be done with content and starting the problems and passages during the first or second week of September and then start practice tests in October. Does this sound like a good plan?

Sounds perfect! That's pretty much my plan too because I was done with content review a week or so ago and now I'm going back and doing passages. Try to use different sources if you have access to them, simply because there is no one best test-prep company 🙂

 

[texan2414]

Last year I exclusively used TPR SWB for Bio and I managed to get a 12- I didn't complete all the passages but most of them.
I will be doing TBR passages soon and will let you guys know how I feel the TPR Bio vs TBR bio is. When I was looking at the passages in the book, it did not occur to me that they were vastly more difficult than TPR. Yes there are a few isolated questions where the emphasis on factoid recall is way over the top but that is not really dissimilar from MCAT. The discretes on MCAT are no longer freebies but they are sometimes really random facts so I feel its appropriate in that sense. More on TBR later.

Good luck all studying 🙂

 

[Smash333]

I know, I think once I finish with the content I'll buy a month long subscription to chad's videos and watch them as I review/practice and I am also thinking about getting the EK problem books. Another question, I might be the only one with this problem but I started off with VR practice passages out of the back of the Kaplan VR review book I was given for the course and by the time I finished all of the passages I was getting about 30-34/40 of the questions right. Now I'm doing the passages on my computer and have been doing worse. I feel like I understand the passage much better when it's in front of me on paper rather than looking at a computer screen. Does this just come with practice or were those passages in the book just easier, I'm starting to think the latter.

 

[stitchattack]

Last year I exclusively used TPR SWB for Bio and I managed to get a 12- I didn't complete all the passages but most of them.
I will be doing TBR passages soon and will let you guys know how I feel the TPR Bio vs TBR bio is. When I was looking at the passages in the book, it did not occur to me that they were vastly more difficult than TPR. Yes there are a few isolated questions where the emphasis on factoid recall is way over the top but that is not really dissimilar from MCAT. The discretes on MCAT are no longer freebies but they are sometimes really random facts so I feel its appropriate in that sense. More on TBR later.

Good luck all studying 🙂

@texan2414 What did you use for content review? Any tips on improving BS? I feel TBR has a lot of extra info that EK doesn't go into so I've been just taking thorough notes after each practice. I completed TPR SW discretes for Bio but haven't done the passages yet. I plan to but I feel I should get started on TBR first since I heard TBR really pounds the info into your head.