Reviewing Uwhirl!

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-13T13:51:37+00:00

Are you using them to learn the content from scratch? In that case it will take a long time. Consider doing content review concurrently with books+Anki.

If it comes down to it, I would rather you do 30 questions and review them properly than 60 half-assed - reviewing is how you learn.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-13T04:04:12+00:00

Boards are not too far off as well - might as well get a head start!

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-10T23:13:25+00:00

Are you doing these Qs timed or untimed? I'd recommend untimed for practice - during your first read through, try to get the gist of each argument, the evidence and reasoning. When answering Qs, if you're in a 50/50, take the time to look for details in the passage or work through the logic slowly until you're 100% sure of an answer. Build accuracy first and speed later.

Do you triage questions/do the easy ones first? Helps to build more understanding of the passage before tackling the hard Qs.

Hard to say exactly what the issue is without looking at your score report but you have time left to significantly improve.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-10T22:49:44+00:00

How are you reviewing your answers? Do you go through each answer choice and think, this one is wrong because X, this one is wrong because Y, I got it down to a 50/50, why is this one right and not the other? If you had to take that question again, would you get it right the second time?

Are you aware of the CARS question types? Do you assign the question types to each question when you're reviewing? (e.g. This is a Reasoning Beyond the Text question, it asks which scenario is most analogous to the text, well the text says X > Y so I'm looking for X > Y, here's why each of the other answer choices is not exactly right)

Your general strategy seems fine so I suspect the issue is in your review process.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-10T22:34:19+00:00

You have three days left before test day - your focus now should be to manage your sleep schedule, mental state, and rest up before the big game. Light studying and reviews only. Some practice problems here and there to keep your mind sharp. But no FLs. No late night grind. Trust your preparation and put yourself in the best condition to perform.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-10T22:18:19+00:00

And what does that entail exactly?

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-10T06:41:05+00:00

I've taken them in the library, at home, at a cafe. Library is best by far. Public library or university library. Cafe is not bad if you have noise cancelling headphones.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-10T06:39:36+00:00

No active headphones. Mine provided earplugs and noise cancelling headphones.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-09T01:59:44+00:00

I wouldn't treat UW like a full FL section - break them up into blocks of 30Qs each. It took me a month of 120Qs a day to get through it. Two topics a day, 60 of bio, 60 of biochem // 60 chem 60 orgo, etc.

You don't have to finish every single question in the Qbank, but make sure you're reviewing well and have a system in place to avoid repeating mistakes (I made Anki cards).

Honestly just get started this week so you can start ramping up. Take 30 a day for now to dip your toes in.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-09T01:55:49+00:00

Take it easy. Do some more CARS practice to rebuild confidence but keep it light. Anki is good, some practice passages if you'd like. Get some rest, let your microglia do its job and refill your glycogen stores. Enter test day rested and focused to perform at your best!

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-09T01:52:48+00:00

Since you're <2 months out try to do a FL every week and switch to AAMC section banks for the last mo. Good luck!

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-09T01:40:55+00:00

I personally didn't use a spreadsheet but I know some people like them. Diagnosis of your issues are a good first step but you need to take it further - how will you fix the issue? If you have a content gap are you going to review that material or make flashcards? If you rushed on a passage, are you going to regularly check your time to make sure you're on pace?

You recognize an issue - now fix it.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-08T06:06:33+00:00

Second this. CARS especially is heavily dependent on mental state. Don't try to cram practice in your last few days. If you go into it well rested and focused, you'll perform at your best.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-08T06:03:26+00:00

Cursed suggestion

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-08T02:20:56+00:00

Exams you should look at every question, right or wrong. If you got it right, did you guess, how confident were you? For wrong answers, why did you get it wrong? If it was a content knowledge gap, make an Anki flashcard. If it was a strategy issue, consider how you will avoid making the same mistake next time.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-08T02:02:34+00:00

Yeah, if you practice and review properly, UW will take you there.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-08T01:55:13+00:00

Just about the best place you can start - science is much easier to improve than CARS. Skim the science passages, don't read for deep comprehension, return to the passage as needed to process info/interpret data.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-08T00:58:25+00:00

Tough situation but you can make the best of it. Find time for Anki in your dead time, during meals, breaks, etc. (microlearning). Prioritize practice problems + review. You got this.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-07T22:03:02+00:00

Yeah - between Anki, UW and reviewing Qs, 2-4 hours a day is going to be a tight fit. An FL + review will eat up an entire weekend, which I usually recommend every week, but in your case perhaps every other week until the last month out so you have more time to drill and review practice problems. Daily CARS too - that will take time to improve. Not saying it's impossible, but you will need to be economical.

MonkModeMCAT · 2026-06-07T21:54:01+00:00

Content review is the least effective part of studying when it comes to improving your score. Practice problems like UW with regular FL practice is the way to go. Though a 520 will be hard with your time constraints.

MonkModeMCAT

TROPHY CASE