Why is my major my weakness?

[EReze]

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I know this has happened to a lot of people. The subject you major in ends up being your worst score on the MCATs. Chem or English majors doing horribly on Physical Sciences or Verbal sections even though they studied exactly that in college. Well I am taking the MCAT again in April and I don't want lightning to stike twice.

What can I do to improve my biology scores? What is the reason the subject you major in ends up being what you suck the worst at?

 

[Megalofyia]

I know for me it was because it was the part of the MCAT I kept putting off studying cause I thought I'd only need to review the material. Where as on the verbal and biological sections I worked really hard to get these two sections down.

 

[PayingMyDues]

I would say that many people believe that Bio like the other sciences can be mastered over a period of 2-4 weeks with hard studying..I disagree because there is a lot of material to understand...I would recommend that you pick up a copy of the PR biological sciences book and study the bio at least 8 weeks before the test.

I followed the following and jumped my score from a 9 to a 13:

Week 1 spend one day on each chapter just getting an understanding of the material (chapters from PR material)

Week 2-4 Spend time with each chapter in detail...take notes...make flash cards if it is necessary...get a good grasp of the material...if you dontunderstand something find someone that can explain the material.

Week 5 Do a lot of Bio questions find every source you can...go to the book store and take some sheets of paper and use those books

week 6 Do a good review of the material again...This is very important...

Week 7-8 Practice test and more practice tests....MAKE sure you review all you answer wrong and right...UNDERSTAND your mistakes...

Hope this helps..

 

[ForensicPath]

I'm a biology major and my biological science score was a 10 and my physical science score was a 12. I think that the MCAT tests basic sciences and I tend to overthink things that I think I know a lot about. I know that I could have done better on the biology section if I would have practiced a bit more, but like Megalofyia said, I kept putting it off.

 

[sophiejane]

You are probably also thinking too much about the bio questions because you know a lot of bio and what the MCAT wants you to do is take what they have given you and churn out the answers that they think make the most sense.

All the MCAT measures is how well you take the MCAT. Seriously.

I got a 24 and I have a friend who got a 33. We are both MS-1s and our averages so far on tests are almost identical.

Just learn to play the MCAT game and you will be fine.

 

[skypilot]

Do the online practice tests offered by the AAMC. Take each test 3 times. Since you will get scored you will know as you are improving.

 

[Idiopathic]

Start early, study often...i think people either get overconfident or underestimate the test. 4-6 months of studying is not unreasonable (4-10 hours a week).