what should I do with my verbal?

[coach55]

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EK1: 4
EK2: 4
EK3: 6
EK4: 6

Normally I finish a passage in 9 minutes but the arts passages takes me up to 12 minutes, and I miss most of the questions on arts passages. My exam is in a month. Do you think I'll improve by then? I'm using EK 101 and princeton review verbal (hyperlearning) as my sources.

 

[Vanguard23]

EK1: 4
EK2: 4
EK3: 6
EK4: 6

Normally I finish a passage in 9 minutes but the arts passages takes me up to 12 minutes, and I miss most of the questions on arts passages. My exam is in a month. Do you think I'll improve by then? I'm using EK 101 and princeton review verbal (hyperlearning) as my sources.

I'd reschedule until you get a firmer grasp on your Verbal. maybe a month or two if you only have problems in those areas. But you need to up the ante on the timing. 7 minutes, maximum for a passage. If you aren't comfortable with Verbal practice tests, then I doubt you will be for the real deal; whose passages I have noticed are longer than most practice tests, by the way. It's really not worth it to blow a possibly good score because you *knew* you weren't doing well in verbal.
I *did* make a 6 today on the 14th EK 101 practice test, but I lost focus twice(once was an outside distraction). But I'm making 9's and 10's mostly, so I feel comfortable with Verbal.

 

[coach55]

Anyone else?

 

[FuSoYa]

I agree that you shouldn't go into the real MCAT if those scores keep up. The EK verbal book is very close to the MCAT's style. If you're having trouble with timing, know that the MCATs verbal passages are a longer read than those in the EK's book or in the AAMC FL CBTs.

btw, have you done any AAMC FL CBTs? How are your verbal scores in there?

 

[coach55]

I agree that you shouldn't go into the real MCAT if those scores keep up. The EK verbal book is very close to the MCAT's style. If you're having trouble with timing, know that the MCATs verbal passages are a longer read than those in the EK's book or in the AAMC FL CBTs.

btw, have you done any AAMC FL CBTs? How are your verbal scores in there?

no, all I've taken were these 4 passages only

 

[FlipDoc2Be]

I'd reschedule until you get a firmer grasp on your Verbal. maybe a month or two if you only have problems in those areas. But you need to up the ante on the timing. 7 minutes, maximum for a passage. If you aren't comfortable with Verbal practice tests, then I doubt you will be for the real deal; whose passages I have noticed are longer than most practice tests, by the way. It's really not worth it to blow a possibly good score because you *knew* you weren't doing well in verbal.
I *did* make a 6 today on the 14th EK 101 practice test, but I lost focus twice(once was an outside distraction). But I'm making 9's and 10's mostly, so I feel comfortable with Verbal.

Hey Vanguard do you really recommend 7 min/passage on EK 101!? Have you taken the MCAT before? I'm barely getting by with 8 min/passage on EK 101 and I'm a little worried that when it comes time to take my exam, I'm going to get owned by the long passages people keep talking about..

 

[g8orlife]

EK1: 4
EK2: 4
EK3: 6
EK4: 6

Normally I finish a passage in 9 minutes but the arts passages takes me up to 12 minutes, and I miss most of the questions on arts passages. My exam is in a month. Do you think I'll improve by then? I'm using EK 101 and princeton review verbal (hyperlearning) as my sources.

1. Read this:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=509702

2. Practice it.

3. Then read this:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=6022602&postcount=96http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=509702

4. Practice and improve.

5. Then read this:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=223930

6. Practice and improve.

 

[g8orlife]

EK1: 4
EK2: 4
EK3: 6
EK4: 6

Normally I finish a passage in 9 minutes but the arts passages takes me up to 12 minutes, and I miss most of the questions on arts passages. My exam is in a month. Do you think I'll improve by then? I'm using EK 101 and princeton review verbal (hyperlearning) as my sources.

I don't think so.... But if you do try, then use all 3 links above.

 

[g8orlife]

EK1: 4
EK2: 4
EK3: 6
EK4: 6

Normally I finish a passage in 9 minutes but the arts passages takes me up to 12 minutes, and I miss most of the questions on arts passages. My exam is in a month. Do you think I'll improve by then? I'm using EK 101 and princeton review verbal (hyperlearning) as my sources.

This one's worth a shot too:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=6347469&postcount=40

 

[FuSoYa]

Hey Vanguard do you really recommend 7 min/passage on EK 101!? Have you taken the MCAT before? I'm barely getting by with 8 min/passage on EK 101 and I'm a little worried that when it comes time to take my exam, I'm going to get owned by the long passages people keep talking about..

Even though the passages were longer on the real thing, my verbal score was still within range of my EK & AAMC practice range. On the lower end, but still within range. Basically if you aren't doing well on these two sets of practices, don't expect a miracle on the real thing, I think it can only be harder and not easier.

 

[FlipDoc2Be]

Even though the passages were longer on the real thing, my verbal score was still within range of my EK & AAMC practice range. On the lower end, but still within range. Basically if you aren't doing well on these two sets of practices, don't expect a miracle on the real thing, I think it can only be harder and not easier.

So Fusoya, how long did you time yourself per passage on EK 101?

 

[Ceasar]

It is a mistake to think that the slower you read, the better you comprehend. I started to doing better when I moved faster. Also, passage mapping in your head, not writing which wastes time, is crucial. Understand the gist in each paragraph before moving on. It can be something extremely basic such as "Author thinks Freud bad, modern psychology good," then move on. I read a passage in about 4 minutes. I have taken so many verbal tests so practice helps too! I'm doing Kaplan and EK101 (1st:7, 2nd:9, 3rd:10). Read quickly, read for understanding, and the questions become so much easier. I know it's easier said than done, but I used to read as slow as you do now, but practice is extremely important. When I read a question, I immediately say to myself, "Where in the passage is this info? 3rd paragraph? Second and 4th? Where?" All the answers you need are in the passage! They are right there! Understand the passage! Understand what the author's opinion is! Then you get it! I promise🙂 Good luck and get reading!

 

[coach55]

It is a mistake to think that the slower you read, the better you comprehend. I started to doing better when I moved faster. Also, passage mapping in your head, not writing which wastes time, is crucial. Understand the gist in each paragraph before moving on. It can be something extremely basic such as "Author thinks Freud bad, modern psychology good," then move on. I read a passage in about 4 minutes. I have taken so many verbal tests so practice helps too! I'm doing Kaplan and EK101 (1st:7, 2nd:9, 3rd:10). Read quickly, read for understanding, and the questions become so much easier. I know it's easier said than done, but I used to read as slow as you do now, but practice is extremely important. When I read a question, I immediately say to myself, "Where in the passage is this info? 3rd paragraph? Second and 4th? Where?" All the answers you need are in the passage! They are right there! Understand the passage! Understand what the author's opinion is! Then you get it! I promise🙂 Good luck and get reading!

I usually finish reading in 4 minutes too. Its just the questions that takes me too long, and I keep looking back at the passage when I answer them...Btw I just got an 8 on EK5

 

[coach55]

I'm wondering why everyone who replied are telling me to reschedule. I read the EK 101 Scores thread and there are people who started with 4's and 5's and ended up with 10's or 11's in verbal. and I'm assuming they improved their scores in 1 to 2 months. I just took EK5 and got an 8; I still used 10 mins/passage.

I'm hoping to see more opinions..

 

[FuSoYa]

I don't remember how much time I used per passage, this was over a year ago. But it was timed based on real MCAT settings, trying to finish with 2 minutes left for buffer.

We're telling you to reschedule IF those scores keep up (6 or less). Obviously if you end up improving, and consistently scoring well, then by all means go for it. But if you can't consistently hit your target, you might want to consider waiting. Just don't go into the MCAT expecting a miracle, go in fully expecting and knowing that you will do well.

 

[coach55]

I don't remember how much time I used per passage, this was over a year ago. But it was timed based on real MCAT settings, trying to finish with 2 minutes left for buffer.

We're telling you to reschedule IF those scores keep up (6 or less). Obviously if you end up improving, and consistently scoring well, then by all means go for it. But if you can't consistently hit your target, you might want to consider waiting. Just don't go into the MCAT expecting a miracle, go in fully expecting and knowing that you will do well.

My plan was to finish TPRH and EK 101 and see how I do. Then I was planning to do AAMC and TBR FL's. Then I'm going to decide if I'm in a good range for verbal, I'll go ahead and take it, if not, I'll just reschedule. Isn't this a good idea?

 

[Vanguard23]

Hey Vanguard do you really recommend 7 min/passage on EK 101!? Have you taken the MCAT before? I'm barely getting by with 8 min/passage on EK 101 and I'm a little worried that when it comes time to take my exam, I'm going to get owned by the long passages people keep talking about..

7 passages at 7 minutes a piece is 49 minutes, optimum. You're going to spend more time on some passages than others(with the minimum of course being 7 minutes), and that's going to add up very quickly against you. You won't have any time to go back to the harder questions that you were iffy on and I consider that a game changing strategy(for me anyways).

Spend 3 minutes extra on 3 passages that are more difficult and you've just bumped yourself up to 58 minutes. Again, optimum. I'd rather give myself room for error by knowing I can finished passages sooner. Becuase, trust me, when you're on your last 2-3 passages and only have 20-25 minutes left, you're going to start getting worried and that will decrease concentration.

 

[coach55]

7 passages at 7 minutes a piece is 49 minutes, optimum. You're going to spend more time on some passages than others(with the minimum of course being 7 minutes), and that's going to add up very quickly against you. You won't have any time to go back to the harder questions that you were iffy on and I consider that a game changing strategy(for me anyways).

Spend 3 minutes extra on 3 passages that are more difficult and you've just bumped yourself up to 58 minutes. Again, optimum. I'd rather give myself room for error by knowing I can finished passages sooner. Becuase, trust me, when you're on your last 2-3 passages and only have 20-25 minutes left, you're going to start getting worried and that will decrease concentration.

8 mins/passage is also a good option i guess

 

[FlipDoc2Be]

7 passages at 7 minutes a piece is 49 minutes, optimum. You're going to spend more time on some passages than others(with the minimum of course being 7 minutes), and that's going to add up very quickly against you. You won't have any time to go back to the harder questions that you were iffy on and I consider that a game changing strategy(for me anyways).

Spend 3 minutes extra on 3 passages that are more difficult and you've just bumped yourself up to 58 minutes. Again, optimum. I'd rather give myself room for error by knowing I can finished passages sooner. Becuase, trust me, when you're on your last 2-3 passages and only have 20-25 minutes left, you're going to start getting worried and that will decrease concentration.

Thanks Vanguard. I'm going to try and push myself to do 7min/passage. I guess I'll start off by making the transition to 7:30min/passage first.

 

[J ROD]

I would try to shoot for 7-8 min/passage....but I found on the real one I was pressed for time and never was on practice tests.

I recommend active reading for passages and really try to get interested in what you are reading. It makes you pay closer attention to the details and refer less to the passage. Also, remember where things are in teh passage so when you have to refer to the passage you can do it quickly.

Basically, you have to get to learn what the MCAT writers are looking for. Reading over explanations can help you get a feel more what the differences are for right and wrong answers.

I also closer my eyes for a couple of seconds between passages to rest my eyes to help me stay fresh and separate passages so I can focus on one passage at a time.