When should I start using AAMC material?

[Future_Bone_Docta]

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I am currently finishing up content review for the MCAT. I should be done with it by about Monday. My test date is going to be May 31, however I am mid semester and that will run to about May 14th. I have the TPR course, which gives you about 10 tests. I plan on doing them periodically for timing and format practice sake; however due to the fact that they are not as reliable on testing your Critical analysis skills, I am contemplating on whether it is worth it to take every single one when I can just focus on the AAMC content due to the fact that I heard the TPR tests are way left field compared to the real deal. However, I also heard that you can only access the AAMC content (qbanks, section banks, tests, ect.) a certain amount of times so I am hesitant on starting them this early. Any advice on when to start what material, as well as whether or not I should put the time aside to take every TPR test would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Lawpy]

Use them when you're mostly done with 3rd party practice tests and have thoroughly reviewed your answers. Make sure you're also done with content review and have a solid grasp of background material and key concepts.

An unfortunately not uncommon situation is people taking AAMC FLs when they lack key concepts and end up wasting them. Don't do that. Hence why it's usually recommended to save the AAMC material near the end when you are solid with MCAT study.

TPR tests aren't perfect but they are good practice. Their CARS is better than EK. It's difficult passages but with reasonable questions.

 

[fuggedaboutit]

Do them a month before. Start with q packs, then the OG half length, then the SBs, then do sample, FL1, Fl2, Fl3. You can also do what I did and ration out the CARS q packs. Any more than a month before is a waste imo.

 

[Future_Bone_Docta]

Do them a month before. Start with q packs, then the OG half length, then the SBs, then do sample, FL1, Fl2, Fl3. You can also do what I did and ration out the CARS q packs. Any more than a month before is a waste imo.

Alright! Thank you! I would probably start them immediately after the semester ends which would give me about 20 days! so what do you think I should do until then? keep working through TPR stuff and take those tests? Maybe take the free EK fl test? I am just scared those are going to steer me away from where my true focal points should be as far as MCAT preparation goes.

 

[Future_Bone_Docta]

Use them when you're mostly done with 3rd party practice tests and have thoroughly reviewed your answers. Make sure you're also done with content review and have a solid grasp of background material and key concepts.

An unfortunately not uncommon situation is people taking AAMC FLs when they lack key concepts and end up wasting them. Don't do that. Hence why it's usually recommended to save the AAMC material near the end when you are solid with MCAT study.

TPR tests aren't perfect but they are good practice. Their CARS is better than EK. It's difficult passages but with reasonable questions.

Alright! should I try to get more practice tests like EK and NS? I would like to avoid getting them since I have already gotten the TPR course, but if some of their sections are more accurate and it would be beneficial to get and go through I could do that.

 

[Lawpy]

Alright! should I try to get more practice tests like EK and NS? I would like to avoid getting them since I have already gotten the TPR course, but if some of their sections are more accurate and it would be beneficial to get and go through I could do that.

I’d do the TPR tests first. They are better in assessing your content review and what to improve. Just don’t get too focused on the actual score as the scale is deflated

 

[fuggedaboutit]

Alright! Thank you! I would probably start them immediately after the semester ends which would give me about 20 days! so what do you think I should do until then? keep working through TPR stuff and take those tests? Maybe take the free EK fl test? I am just scared those are going to steer me away from where my true focal points should be as far as MCAT preparation goes.

In the meantime, do uworld and do NS exams 1-6. I think I took one of the EK test but it wasn't good imo. Also idk if you have but you should use something like anki to keep track of things you get wrong or things you want to remember. Just have some way to keep content fresh in your head. I used anki and I thought it was really helpful. Idk much about tpr exams but NS exams are good in that they aren't just content regurgitation and actually test some reasoning/critical thinking. This is what I did at least, and I think it worked out ok for me. I just took my MCAT last week (1/18) and am waiting for the results. I was averaging 524 on my FLs so hopefully i get 520+ on the real one.

 

[Future_Bone_Docta]

In the meantime, do uworld and do NS exams 1-6. I think I took one of the EK test but it wasn't good imo. Also idk if you have but you should use something like anki to keep track of things you get wrong or things you want to remember. Just have some way to keep content fresh in your head. I used anki and I thought it was really helpful. Idk much about tpr exams but NS exams are good in that they aren't just content regurgitation and actually test some reasoning/critical thinking. This is what I did at least, and I think it worked out ok for me. I just took my MCAT last week (1/18) and am waiting for the results. I was averaging 524 on my FLs so hopefully i get 520+ on the real one.

what is anki? and where do I find it? hahaha

 

[fuggedaboutit]

what is anki? and where do I find it? hahaha

It is a very useful notecard app. Ideally you would've started using it during content review to put in anything you had trouble getting to "stick" in your mind or is prone to forgetting. That's how I used it at least. You can find it online to download for free on your computer. You can also pay like $25 to have the app on your phone. I found this useful for me because basically anytime I had a minute of free time I could quickly do a bunch of cards to review concepts and keep them fresh in my head. Like when I'm walking between classes or waiting for the bus. I would say that due to Anki, my content was extremely strong on the MCAT. I never missed due to lack in content, only lack in reasoning (which is an innate ability that can improve with practice). You can use other people's cards, but it's honestly best to make your own. I actually started using it for MCAT but now I'm using it for some of my classes since I've found it so useful. Probably will use it in med school when I need to cram a buttload of information. It literally makes your brain a walking supercomputer hard-drive.