TPRH Passages Rant

[deleted92121]

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I try not to complain much because I know that the MCAT is essential to medical school acceptance. I also know the MCAT can be tricky and difficult. Most of us here are reasonably intelligent and still most people score in the mid-20s to low-30s.

But . . .

I am using the online TPRH course with the online passages and free standing questions. Some of these are really tricky/hard. In fact they seem a good bit rougher than FL practice exams. Even the SWB seems tougher. I don't mind a question that requires the use of logic to solve it but some of these questions are arcane and off-the-wall. And heaven forbid your math is not precise and using exactly 9.8 m/s^2. If you use 10 m/s^2, who knows if you'll be right because some answers are within 0.3 of one another.

Currently I am in the physics module on mechanics including Newton's laws and inclined planes. But I keep getting questions on volume:height ratios and surface area and have no clue half the time what is going on.

Sorry for the rambling. Just not having much confidence at the moment.

 

[Futbol99]

One of the big *Flips desk moment* *cussing for 5 minutes* moment came from doing online TPRH passages and FSQ on the next chapter of physics on Centripetal force, Rotational motion and Torque. I haven't reviewed that section since...got me really pissed off lol

I try not to complain much because I know that the MCAT is essential to medical school acceptance. I also know the MCAT can be tricky and difficult. Most of us here are reasonably intelligent and still most people score in the mid-20s to low-30s.

But . . .

I am using the online TPRH course with the online passages and free standing questions. Some of these are really tricky/hard. In fact they seem a good bit rougher than FL practice exams. Even the SWB seems tougher. I don't mind a question that requires the use of logic to solve it but some of these questions are arcane and off-the-wall. And heaven forbid your math is not precise and using exactly 9.8 m/s^2. If you use 10 m/s^2, who knows if you'll be right because some answers are within 0.3 of one another.

Currently I am in the physics module on mechanics including Newton's laws and inclined planes. But I keep getting questions on volume:height ratios and surface area and have no clue half the time what is going on.

Sorry for the rambling. Just not having much confidence at the moment.

 

[deleted92121]

One of the big *Flips desk moment* *cussing for 5 minutes* moment came from doing online TPRH passages and FSQ on the next chapter of physics on Centripetal force, Rotational motion and Torque. I haven't reviewed that section since...got me really pissed off lol

Glad I am not the only one. I am hoping the real thing isn't nearly as bad.

 

[madmuttal]

you can't let the result of every test affect your confidence so much. One thing I found is that you have to be able to approach this test unemotionally, and to be completely undeterred to beat it. IF you get a good score on a practice test great! Keep studying to keep it up. If you get a bad score on a test, still Ok too! That's more stuff that you can learn to increase your score.

 

[deleted92121]

you can't let the result of every test affect your confidence so much. One thing I found is that you have to be able to approach this test unemotionally, and to be completely undeterred to beat it. IF you get a good score on a practice test great! Keep studying to keep it up. If you get a bad score on a test, still Ok too! That's more stuff that you can learn to increase your score.

That's pretty sage advice. I suppose the purpose/difficulty of practice tests is to over-prepare you in a way. Better to expect the most difficult test ever and be prepared for it. Then when you take the real thing, it won't be as bad. Or at least that is my hope.

 

[DocE305]

Guys embrace the hate! The more pissed off you get the more you will remember the trap, and recognize it next time you see it.

 

[deleted92121]

Guys embrace the hate! The more pissed off you get the more you will remember the trap, and recognize it next time you see it.

Are you telling me how to handle practice question or encouraging me to join the Empire?

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I would stick to TBR passages for PS.

 

[deleted92121]

I would stick to TBR passages for PS.

I don't have the money for TBR right now. I bought the TPRH online course, which was about 1400.

 

[Jepstein30]

With any practice resource, it's important to have perspective. Remember that you're not being graded on how well you do and most importantly, that the resources won't exactly mirror the actual MCAT.

Don't worry so much about how you do in those resources, it's more valuable to focus on pinpointing weaknesses and building them up into strengths. So that being said, if you find a specific topic that one resource goes absolutely overboard on (i.e. TBR and metabolism), don't worry so much about going so in depth into it. Use the AAMC topic guide, use the help on this forum, use the official AAMC materials and develop a better idea of what you should expect on the test day.. and while you should still attempt even ridiculously non-realistic MCAT questions from other resources, don't read much into it.

Same thing with math. You'll be able to use 10 for g on the MCAT so if a resource demands you use 9.8.. just use 10 and move on. The point isn't getting the question right, it's making sure you know the concept.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Try the Wikipremed Physics flashcards then. They are online and great for anything PS related.

 

[ManOfDiligence]

I try not to complain much because I know that the MCAT is essential to medical school acceptance. I also know the MCAT can be tricky and difficult. Most of us here are reasonably intelligent and still most people score in the mid-20s to low-30s.

But . . .

I am using the online TPRH course with the online passages and free standing questions. Some of these are really tricky/hard. In fact they seem a good bit rougher than FL practice exams. Even the SWB seems tougher. I don't mind a question that requires the use of logic to solve it but some of these questions are arcane and off-the-wall. And heaven forbid your math is not precise and using exactly 9.8 m/s^2. If you use 10 m/s^2, who knows if you'll be right because some answers are within 0.3 of one another.

Currently I am in the physics module on mechanics including Newton's laws and inclined planes. But I keep getting questions on volume:height ratios and surface area and have no clue half the time what is going on.

Sorry for the rambling. Just not having much confidence at the moment.

You are not alone. I got my a** handed to me on the same section yesterday. What's funny, is that I honestly felt as though I had a good understanding of the general concept of Newtons laws/incline planes, etc. However, the hw presented questions in a way that made me say "lolz ok wut did I just read". Just gotta brush it off and bounce back on GChem today.

 

[DocE305]

Are you telling me how to handle practice question or encouraging me to join the Empire?

LMFAO

 

[jlescher]

I try not to complain much because I know that the MCAT is essential to medical school acceptance. I also know the MCAT can be tricky and difficult. Most of us here are reasonably intelligent and still most people score in the mid-20s to low-30s.

But . . .

I am using the online TPRH course with the online passages and free standing questions. Some of these are really tricky/hard. In fact they seem a good bit rougher than FL practice exams. Even the SWB seems tougher. I don't mind a question that requires the use of logic to solve it but some of these questions are arcane and off-the-wall. And heaven forbid your math is not precise and using exactly 9.8 m/s^2. If you use 10 m/s^2, who knows if you'll be right because some answers are within 0.3 of one another.

Currently I am in the physics module on mechanics including Newton's laws and inclined planes. But I keep getting questions on volume:height ratios and surface area and have no clue half the time what is going on.

Sorry for the rambling. Just not having much confidence at the moment.

On the MCAT they will use 9.8 for g. You can use 10, you just need to pick the answer that is slightly less than the answer you get using 10. The real test may have an answer choice using 10, but you need to know that it should be less than that. If TPR puts multiple answers within that range, that's just mean. I didn't really use TPR so I'm not sure. Like everyone has said, the practice materials aren't perfect. I thought the real test questions were fair. It may seem really hard and you might be depressed coming out, but it is standardized so you will do fine if you know the material and finish.

 

[deleted92121]

Well the consensus on TPR practice probs and passages, after using the search function, seems to be that TPR is a good deal harder or more esoteric than the actual test so that seems somewhat reassuring.

 

[Jepstein30]

On the MCAT they will use 9.8 for g. You can use 10, you just need to pick the answer that is slightly less than the answer you get using 10. The real test may have an answer choice using 10, but you need to know that it should be less than that. If TPR puts multiple answers within that range, that's just mean. I didn't really use TPR so I'm not sure. Like everyone has said, the practice materials aren't perfect. I thought the real test questions were fair. It may seem really hard and you might be depressed coming out, but it is standardized so you will do fine if you know the material and finish.

I highly doubt there will be answer that corresponds to 10 for g and is not the correct answer. The MCAT is not a math test, after all. I've certainly never seen such a question.

Well the consensus on TPR practice probs and passages, after using the search function, seems to be that TPR is a good deal harder or more esoteric than the actual test so that seems somewhat reassuring.

Eh, I personally disagree with that. It's on par difficulty wise overall. That doesn't mean every single passage is MCAT difficulty though.

 

[jlescher]

Well the consensus on TPR practice probs and passages, after using the search function, seems to be that TPR is a good deal harder or more esoteric than the actual test so that seems somewhat reassuring.

This is very true. The real test was different than any practice test I had taken, but still very doable. It required more critical thinking than discrete knowledge of concepts. The PS was very easy, verbal was easy (I didn't finish it), BS was very hard. Despite thinking PS was really easy and BS was hard, I got the same score in both. On the real test, typically one section "feels" difficult. Check out the MCAT date specific threads and you'll notice that. Everyone will complain about a specific section on a given day.

 

[jlescher]

I highly doubt there will be answer that corresponds to 10 for g and is not the correct answer. The MCAT is not a math test, after all. I've certainly never seen such a question.

Although I agree with you, the MCAT does not use rounded numbers for calculations unless it is specifically stated. If the question does't mention using 10 for g and there is an answer calculated using 10, it is wrong. Will they do that? Probably not.

It isn't that they are "trying" to test your ability to calculate. They just use exact numbers and they want to see if you can recognize that the answer should be slightly more/less than the answer calculated using 10. They do this with all calculations. You round the numbers and there will inevitably be one answer greater and one less than your calculation. It is up to you to remember if you rounded up or down. Sounds trivial, but it gets people all the time.

 

[Jepstein30]

They are using 9.8, of course. It's just because it's not a math test, they aren't looking for accurate number with the appropriate amount of sig figs, etc.

You'll be fine with 10. I'd upgrade your "probably not" to "extremely unlikely". I haven't seen one question that requires 9.8 and am fairly confident that every big test prep company advises the same.

The rounding advice you give is important for other scenarios. For g, you're almost always going to be right at an answer choice. We're talking .2 here.

 

[deleted92121]

This is very true. The real test was different than any practice test I had taken, but still very doable. It required more critical thinking than discrete knowledge of concepts. The PS was very easy, verbal was easy (I didn't finish it), BS was very hard. Despite thinking PS was really easy and BS was hard, I got the same score in both. On the real test, typically one section "feels" difficult. Check out the MCAT date specific threads and you'll notice that. Everyone will complain about a specific section on a given day.

The critical thinking required in TPR is sometimes convoluted in a way I have never seen or imaginged.

 

[jlescher]

@Jepstein30 Yeah, in the case of g it's a non-issue. I found it to be more relevant for concentration calculations, pH, etc. Especially when they move the decimal and change the exponent, but that's another issue entirely.

 

[Jepstein30]

@Jepstein30 Yeah, in the case of g it's a non-issue. I found it to be more relevant for concentration calculations, pH, etc. Especially when they move the decimal and change the exponent, but that's another issue entirely.

Yep, you should definitely still round but keep in mind which way you rounded so you can adjust if you end up being smack dab in the middle of two answers.

I'd be surprised if TPRH really required you to use 9.8 for g as well, though. I don't have my set any longer to check.

 

[deleted92121]

Ok so rounding is still good. Just make sure to know if rounding increases or decreases the answer. That works for me.

 

[jlescher]

Definitely. Rounding is a must, speed is your best friend. Less time scribbling on paper = more time to think.

 

[deleted92121]

Definitely. Rounding is a must, speed is your best friend. Less time scribbling on paper = more time to think.

That's good to know. I'll get this stuff down.

After reviewing a bit more, seems like some of my problems are not necessarily math related in PS but some questions beg you to make assumptions or non-intuitaive connections. Like deriving some relationship between two values and figuring out the units of said relationship if you attempt the feat on the third Wednesday of every month that contains the letter "P" in a leap-year.

 

[Jepstein30]

Ok so rounding is still good. Just make sure to know if rounding increases or decreases the answer. That works for me.

and honestly, very rarely will you actually have to make a decision between two answers that are very close. Mostly because the test is becoming less and less calculation intensive but also because the answers are designed for other traps (like doing addition instead of subtraction, messing up the orders of magnitude or forgetting to do some step).

That's good to know. I'll get this stuff down.

After reviewing a bit more, seems like some of my problems are not necessarily math related in PS but some questions beg you to make assumptions or non-intuitaive connections. Like deriving some relationship between two values and figuring out the units of said relationship if you attempt the feat on the third Wednesday of every month that contains the letter "P" in a leap-year.

Do you have an example? The bolded sounds like a fairly common question but I'm kinda curious as to whether the questions are really being ridiculous. I don't have my set anymore but would like to know so I can make sure to keep that in mind.

 

[deleted92121]

and honestly, very rarely will you actually have to make a decision between two answers that are very close. Mostly because the test is becoming less and less calculation intensive but also because the answers are designed for other traps (like doing addition instead of subtraction, messing up the orders of magnitude or forgetting to do some step).



Do you have an example? The bolded sounds like a fairly common question but I'm kinda curious as to whether the questions are really being ridiculous. I don't have my set anymore but would like to know so I can make sure to keep that in mind.

I had one passage that talked about the size of animals, surface area, volume, density, etc. One of the questions involved solving the ratio of surface area to mass of one animal to another. The passage was incredibly unclear, perhaps even poorly written, and made it damn near impossible to get a good grasp on the answer. This also made it hard to narrow the choices down.

Of course, it could be that I found it hard and i'm just a half-wit. But I don't think that is the most likely answer. I just think the passage was incredibly difficult and the questions were poorly written/developed. Most middle-of-the-road passages (medium difficulty, maybe a bit more) I average 4 or 5 out of 7 questions right. But these super tough ones I only get maybe 2 or 3 out of 7.

 

[BK2681]

I had one passage that talked about the size of animals, surface area, volume, density, etc. One of the questions involved solving the ratio of surface area to mass of one animal to another. The passage was incredibly unclear, perhaps even poorly written, and made it damn near impossible to get a good grasp on the answer. This also made it hard to narrow the choices down.

Of course, it could be that I found it hard and i'm just a half-wit. But I don't think that is the most likely answer. I just think the passage was incredibly difficult and the questions were poorly written/developed. Most middle-of-the-road passages (medium difficulty, maybe a bit more) I average 4 or 5 out of 7 questions right. But these super tough ones I only get maybe 2 or 3 out of 7.

I know exactly which TPRH passage you're talking about! I struggled understanding what that passage was trying to say, as well. I think the passage was just poorly written.

 

[valkener]

Some of their passages are way harder than the real MCAT but take it as a challenge. You might also want to supplement other materials in (like EK) to get a more balanced experience; but TPR is definitely a great publisher.

 

[deleted92121]

Some of their passages are way harder than the real MCAT but take it as a challenge. You might also want to supplement other materials in (like EK) to get a more balanced experience; but TPR is definitely a great publisher.

I'll tell you, the hard passages are super hard but they are also limited to every other passage it seems. I get the hint that the passages that SEEM easy are probably more similar to the real thing. If that really is the case, I tend to feel a good bit better about the test.

 

[deleted92121]

Ok so I bit the bullet and the remaining portion of my study plan is as follows:

Physics -- TBR
Gen. Chem/O. Chem -- Chad's Videos (these are simply excellent)
Biology -- EK

I take notes on each subject in accordance with the AAMC outline.

Then I use TPR online practice questions and the TPR SWB and ICC.

I am in Physics II now so that should also help.