TPR SCIENCE WORKBOOK

[crazy person]

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Hey guys,

Is it a good idea to time yourself when doing the passages? The reason I asked its because one of my friends who is taking the TPR class said that all her professors told her class that you shouldn't be timing yourself when doing these kind of passages because they are for learning and that its a bad idea at the beginning. You should only time yourself when doing the online exams and AAMC exams of course. What do you guys think?

 

[scrub2scrubs]

It doesn't hurt to always time your practice passages, so you are put under the same pressures as the real exam. For example, while I do these passages I tend to give myself 7 minutes per passage

 

[crazy person]

I see. maybe I should start doing that. 🙂

 

[Doctorphilic]

MCAT is all about timing. BUT, your teachers are right to advice you to focus on the learning aspect with the passages because timing should be kept as a separate issue. I tend to separate MCAT passage skills from the timing skills (both are equally important). Once you figured out the ins and outs of passage set up like extract important info and use it wisely, then you can focus on the timing for the later parts of the passages. For me, I am using the TBR book passages solely for learning (no timing involved) and I am planning on focusing on timing with the FULL Lengths. But if you already figured out the nuances of MCAT passages (a skill that takes a while to develop), then you can focus on timing. But FLs exams are the ideal way to hone your timing and strategic or critical reasoning and integration of multiple concepts skills. Hope that helps!

 

[winterwind_23]

I'd advise to time your practice passages. You can always take the time to thoroughly review the questions afterward when you go back to review your answers.

 

[WierdScience]

I'd advise to time your practice passages. You can always take the time to thoroughly review the questions afterward when you go back to review your answers.

I absolutely agree, especially if they are in passage format and even stand alone questions too. You have to get used to the feel of being timed. Also, consistently timing yourself will give you an idea of how well you are learning and recalling the material. You don't want to get to the MCAT and be under pressure and realize you are bad at managing your time. You should allow a certain amount of time for each passage and then move on no matter what, usually 8 min for each passage and 4 minutes for each stand alone section. I can tell you how to draw up little timing charts if you don't already know.

 

[winterwind_23]

I absolutely agree, especially if they are in passage format and even stand alone questions too. You have to get used to the feel of being timed. Also, consistently timing yourself will give you an idea of how well you are learning and recalling the material. You don't want to get to the MCAT and be under pressure and realize you are bad at managing your time. You should allow a certain amount of time for each passage and then move on no matter what, usually 8 min for each passage and 4 minutes for each stand alone section. I can tell you how to draw up little timing charts if you don't already know.

I'd like to know what you mean by timing chart! I would imagine it entails partitioning an allotted amount of time per passage? I haven't done an FL yet, so not sure how best to partition each section by time.

 

[WierdScience]

I'd like to know what you mean by timing chart! I would imagine it entails partitioning an allotted amount of time per passage? I haven't done an FL yet, so not sure how best to partition each section by time.

You should be done with first passage when overall time is equal to start of the first column. You keep going down column until you get to stand alone and then you move right and should finish that stand alone at time on second column. Then just go down the column until you get another stand alone. PS and BS end with a stand alone so there is 6 minutes at end of last column so four for the set and two spare. There is four to spare in VR. You should write these charts every time you do a practice set so that you remember how to write and follow it on test day.

 

[Sammy1024]

I think if you're just starting it is better to just take your time so you can figure out how to go about answering the questions. Once you get into the flow of it, then start timing your self to find a base time, and then decrease it to your ideal time.

 

[dudewheresmymd]

You should be done with first passage when overall time is equal to start of the first column. You keep going down column until you get to stand alone and then you move right and should finish that stand alone at time on second column. Then just go down the column until you get another stand alone. PS and BS end with a stand alone so there is 6 minutes at end of last column so four for the set and two spare. There is four to spare in VR. You should write these charts every time you do a practice set so that you remember how to write and follow it on test day.

what resource is this from?

 

[crazy person]

I absolutely agree, especially if they are in passage format and even stand alone questions too. You have to get used to the feel of being timed. Also, consistently timing yourself will give you an idea of how well you are learning and recalling the material. You don't want to get to the MCAT and be under pressure and realize you are bad at managing your time. You should allow a certain amount of time for each passage and then move on no matter what, usually 8 min for each passage and 4 minutes for each stand alone section. I can tell you how to draw up little timing charts if you don't already know.

Thank you for providing your charts ! 🙂 but is this from a reliable prep company ? has it helped you so far?

 

[Futbol99]

Hey guys,

Is it a good idea to time yourself when doing the passages? The reason I asked its because one of my friends who is taking the TPR class said that all her professors told her class that you shouldn't be timing yourself when doing these kind of passages because they are for learning and that its a bad idea at the beginning. You should only time yourself when doing the online exams and AAMC exams of course. What do you guys think?

Probably worst advice I ever got using the TPR course which probably made it not worth my money is them consistently saying "Dont worry about timing, focus on getting the passages right". I did that for the longest time, and realized I was screwed for my January MCAT (my first intended time). Doing so many untimed practice passages then getting onto practice tests late on the game put me in so much anxiety and stress, so I had to reschedule it and do it all over again properly. My problem is, you give me an extra 1-2 mins on a passage, and I could literally go up 2-3 points. As you can see, timing makes a huge difference, and always practice with it. But if you cant finish the passage in the allotted time (if you're early in the studying phases), note it down along with your corrections in a book, and strive to get a lower time everyday. Eventually it will work out with practice and review as you get better with knowing how to read a passage, and how to efficiently get around it. Just don't guess the rest of the questions if you are not good for time, as that's not the point of practice passages, obviously lol.