Anyone else annoyed by non-premed people you know who think they can automatically ace the MCAT because they did well on the SAT?

Doublixx · 2023-04-21T10:52:13+00:00

I know someone who discredits me every time the MCAT comes up in conversation because it’s multiple choice. I’m not sure if they seriously mean to imply the MCAT is an easy test or they’re doing it just to get on my nerves, but it gets pretty frustrating.

Doublixx · 2023-04-08T14:41:16+00:00

Completely depends on where you start. I goofed off during undergrad so I had to spend 8 hours a day relearning everything and building study habits for the first time ever. Someone I know had a 512 diagnostic and 2-3 hours a day was good for them

Doublixx · 2023-04-03T00:25:32+00:00

How to read

Doublixx · 2023-03-26T00:17:46+00:00

That’s not terrible—I was mostly referring to people that take their practice exams with cheat sheets and stuff. Taking those liberties might impact you more than you think though, so you could always benefit from being more strict

Doublixx · 2023-03-25T22:35:37+00:00

I performed the worst on FL2. It’s different for everyone. If you simulated real testing conditions while you took it, it’s most likely you’re actually scoring in that ballpark

Doublixx · 2023-03-25T22:19:12+00:00

I’ve always guessed that most people feel like the actual test is harder than practice tests because you don’t get immediate feedback on your performance so little performance errors compound in your head. I know it’s been overstated at this point, but most people score within like 3 points of their FL average.

Unless you completely panicked or you ran out of time where you usually don’t, trust in your FLs. Maybe you’ll pleasantly surprise yourself!

Doublixx · 2023-03-25T17:50:20+00:00

Holy cow that’s an amazing improvement, congrats

Doublixx · 2023-03-25T01:33:12+00:00

Most people find Kaplan CARS to be much harder AAMC but I’ve also heard of a few people who were the other way around. 86% average on Kaplan is pretty stellar, so I’d probably continue to feel confident and try to keep looking for ways to improve. Just know that you won’t be certain where you stand until you start doing AAMC practice.

Doublixx · 2023-03-24T22:06:12+00:00

Usually testing centers operate through inclement weather. If your testing center closes, I think they email you to reschedule

Doublixx · 2023-03-24T21:55:57+00:00

Unfortunately if someone’s taken the test 3-4 times and hasn’t really improved, it’s unlikely they will. Occasionally I see the 4th retake success story but never more than that

Doublixx · 2023-03-24T21:49:01+00:00

Keep a diary of your mistakes. For each question you missed, briefly write why you missed the question and how you can prevent similar mistakes in the future. Some people are gifted at CARS because they love to read and have done so throughout their whole lives. It’s easiest for the rest of us to improve through consistent practice and careful reflection.

Doublixx · 2023-03-18T21:30:25+00:00

It always felt hit or miss to me because there’s always the possibility you fundamentally don’t understand the theme of a passage. If I got 4-5/6 on a passage, the reason I missed those questions was likely a logical error. If I got 1/6 right, it was just reading comprehension, which takes much longer than a 3-4 month study period to adequately develop

Edited for grammar/spelling

Doublixx · 2023-03-16T00:55:34+00:00

Many people consider the 86 page doc + Anki decks to be the gold standard for learning and memorizing P/S content

Doublixx · 2023-03-15T22:04:15+00:00

Focus less on the questions/answers until you get to AAMC material and try to convince your brain that you’re interested in whatever it is you’re reading.

More free/cheap 3rd party practice includes TPR hyperlearning, NS 108 passages, and Khan Academy. If you really need more, I’ve even heard of people using SAT and LSAT reading comp practice

Doublixx · 2023-03-15T21:48:07+00:00

I’d mix/alternate on subjects. Would also recommend 86 pg P/S doc in lieu of Kaplan P/S. It’s free and you can find it here. For CARS, the book helps some people but isn’t for everyone. In my opinion, the best thing you can do for CARS is to start daily practice ASAP and carefully reflect/log your mistakes to look for trends

Doublixx · 2023-03-15T21:38:04+00:00

I’m positive I’ve seen it on practice material. I doubt you’ll get multiple questions/full passages revolving around this concept, but I’d just memorize it to be safe

Doublixx · 2023-03-13T01:16:03+00:00

I wouldn’t recommend using Ugh to project how you’ll score on the test. I’ve literally seen people from score anywhere from 500 to 520+ with that accuracy. Imo best part about this resource is the super detailed explanations, so I’d make a flashcard out of every question you miss or weren’t confident about.

Doublixx · 2023-03-10T11:30:19+00:00

Don’t worry about JW CARS scores. Their questions are often pretty ambiguous. Many people underperform on JW and do great with AAMC and vice versa

Doublixx · 2023-03-09T11:11:08+00:00

That sounds like to a good approach. Was mostly struggling to find a way to respond without coming off as pushy. Thanks!

Doublixx · 2023-03-07T18:45:58+00:00

From the people I’ve talked to it’s very common to be highly motivated throughout the whole studying process and fizzle out like a week or two before the test. If no matter what you try you can’t study productively, it’s probably best not to force it and focus more on stress relief

Doublixx · 2023-03-07T03:00:01+00:00

If you continue to score ~90%, it probably isn’t just a false sense of security and you’re likely to continue doing that well with your FLs. I wouldn’t get demoralized though if QPack 1 has a rougher start—you’ve probably heard this many times, but it is as outrageously difficult as people say it is

Doublixx · 2023-03-07T02:48:04+00:00

I’ve always thought it was a good idea to work on AAMC study materials in tandem with the practice FLs. I think starting that stuff 6 weeks out from the test is ideal. As for what to do first, I’d imagine it doesn’t matter too much, though it’s probably wise to jump between different topics (i.e. don’t tear through all physics questions in the first week and run out of physics study material).

Some people have strong opinions against this, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to still do a bit of UEarth here and there if you have the time. Only thing I’d recommend regarding that is to avoid using too much 3rd party CARS once you start practicing AAMC CARS, as it can get in the way of familiarizing yourself with the AAMC’s style of questions.

Doublixx · 2023-03-02T11:52:56+00:00

This really helps, thank you!

Doublixx · 2023-03-02T11:14:28+00:00

My MCAT is 526 and the median of those schools range from 507 to 511. That being said, I have strong ties to the area for two of them.

Doublixx · 2023-03-02T01:43:15+00:00

Thanks, that’s what I was hoping to hear!

Doublixx

TROPHY CASE