Timing for PS Discretes

[salsasunrise123]

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Hello. So I've recently started to time myself for PS discretes using the TPRH science workbook and am having trouble finishing each discrete within 1 minute. My timing on passages is much better, though I am still struggling to let certain problems go within a passage. Does anyone have any suggestions on improving timing for discretes. I find I struggle the most with calculation heavy problems. The more conceptual/increase or decrease problems I am much quicker with. My overall strategy is to do all 13 discretes first followed by passages. Thanks.

 

[Sean Lee]

I am about to start those physics discretes as well! I've been doing okay time-wise on the physics passages, but I'll have to see how I do on the discretes.

Also, is doing the discrete questions really necessary? The discretes on the AAMCs so far are pretty easy.

 

[salsasunrise123]

How easy would you say the AAMC ones are? I wonder if they are easier than TPR SW. Lately I've been struggling with rotational motion discretes. I understand the concept but run out of time when I crunch the numbers

 

[Sean Lee]

How easy would you say the AAMC ones are? I wonder if they are easier than TPR SW. Lately I've been struggling with rotational motion discretes. I understand the concept but run out of time when I crunch the numbers

I don't think rotational motion is even on the MCAT...

I haven't done any of the TPRH physics discretes yet, so I can't comment. But the majority of the AAMC physic discretes are pretty easy. One of them goes something like:

A ball of 10 kg moves at a constant speed of 5 m/s and hits a stationary ball that weighs 20 kg. The collision is completely inelastic. What's the final velocity of the objects after the collision?

 

[salsasunrise123]

wow. not bad. by rotational motion I meant problems that deal with torque and hanging weights from a board and determing where fulcrum should be placed to make it balanced, etc.

 

[brood910]

What I do: -
60 mins left when I am done with discretes
25~28 mins left when I am done with the 4th passage.

 

[Sean Lee]

I just go about it in order.

 

[workethic712]

I don't worry about timing for discretes. I just know that by 35 minutes into the section, I better be done with 26 questions (passages and discretes)

 

[salsasunrise123]

Do any of you find it difficult to finish 13 discretes within 10 minutes? Are the questions that basic/ easy to calculate in less than minute?

 

[Blueprint MCAT Tutor]

Do any of you find it difficult to finish 13 discretes within 10 minutes? Are the questions that basic/ easy to calculate in less than minute?

On the real AAMC practice tests you won't have that problem, I guarantee it. Test prep companies often make their discretes too calculation-heavy or really intense. Maybe they're just afraid that the questions will seem "too easy" or "too simple"? I dunno.

What you'll see on Test Day and on your AAMC practices is that there are lots of discretes (anywhere from 6 to 9 of them) that you can answer in literally 15 seconds. They're just straight recall questions. Even if you don't know, you can just look at it and say to yourself, "Okay welp I don't remember if testosterone is made in the leydig cells or sertoli cells. eff-it i'll just guess".

You're only going to get a handful of discretes that involve heavy calculations, so timing is much less likely to be an issue than it is when doing prep company questions.

 

[Sean Lee]

On the real AAMC practice tests you won't have that problem, I guarantee it. Test prep companies often make their discretes too calculation-heavy or really intense. Maybe they're just afraid that the questions will seem "too easy" or "too simple"? I dunno.

What you'll see on Test Day and on your AAMC practices is that there are lots of discretes (anywhere from 6 to 9 of them) that you can answer in literally 15 seconds. They're just straight recall questions. Even if you don't know, you can just look at it and say to yourself, "Okay welp I don't remember if testosterone is made in the leydig cells or sertoli cells. eff-it i'll just guess".

You're only going to get a handful of discretes that involve heavy calculations, so timing is much less likely to be an issue than it is when doing prep company questions.

I wonder if you can give me some advice with my situation.

I've taken 3 AAMC exams so far, scoring a 11, 12, and 13 on the PS section. I have no trouble answering the physics discrete questions on the practice exams. My exam is on March 22nd, and I still have 420 physics discrete questions from the TPRH science workbook. These questions, like you said, are quite calculation heavy and take a lot of time to complete. Should I bother doing them, or is it not productive use of my time in the next 2 or so weeks?

Thanks!

 

[Blueprint MCAT Tutor]

I've taken 3 AAMC exams so far, scoring a 11, 12, and 13 on the PS section.

Very solid! If your other sections are even close to that then you're in good shape for Test Day.

With two weeks left, I'd say to do another three or four AAMC exams and do all of the AAMC self assessment package practice passages.

good luck!

b.

 

[Sean Lee]

Very solid! If your other sections are even close to that then you're in good shape for Test Day.

With two weeks left, I'd say to do another three or four AAMC exams and do all of the AAMC self assessment package practice passages.

good luck!

b.

Thanks! I've already completed the self assessment packages, and I'll continue doing the rest of the AAMC exams.

My verbal score hovers around a 9-10, and my BS score hovers around 10-11. My goal is only a 28+, so I should be good.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Starting the Workbook today for my April 24 exam. How are you Guys going about the passages? In order or randomly?

 

[Sean Lee]

Starting the Workbook today for my April 24 exam. How are you Guys going about the passages? In order or randomly?

In order.