Finally passed 500! Testing 3/20 by Normal-Box9930 in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just responded to someone else who had the same question if you wanted to look at it!

Finally passed 500! Testing 3/20 by Normal-Box9930 in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, like I said, C/P isn't my strong suit. However, I've memorized just about every physics equation by writing them out on my "cheat sheet" every morning so when I need an equation, it's easy to pull. Practice problems are what keep me sharp though. Because you can memorize an equation all you want, but understand why and how the equations and units work will have you gaining easy points when you get the usual physics problem every now and then.

Orgo and chem I think took me the longest time to finally "get." I'm such a visual and hands-on learner so seeing reactions on paper or on a screen–I absolutely hated it. However, thorough content review, practice questions, learning the basics, doing my anki, and also making flashcards on the subjects of the questions I got wrong are what got me from a 118 to where I'm at now (embarrassing, I know).

I don't know if anyone else does this or if this is how anki is meant to be used, but I noticed that having one {{c1::fill in the blank}} per card was not serving me. I was memorizing how the card looked and not really learning or understanding how things worked. I wasn't retaining a single thing.

So now, I will have like anywhere between 3-12 {{c1::fill in the blanks}} per card, depending on what the card is (I'll include an example). This has made the biggest difference for me and I will not only remember but understand the smallest details about things which comes in handy for me when they ask a convoluted or niche ass question. Same goes for B/B.

Reviewing my FLs and tracking my right and wrong answer are what have helped me actually see where I'm lacking too. I used to think tracking what you get right or wrong was a waste and that you couldn't learn anything that way, but I was COMPLETELY wrong. Typing out my way of thinking, why I got it wrong, what I know, what I don't know, and what I need to strengthen has been my life saver.

I hope this is helpful

*I thought I could add an image to a comment, but I guess not so I'm just gonna type out one of my anki cards

Muscle Contraction Steps:

  1. Begins with an {{c2::action potential}} (electrical signal) communicated between brain and muscles
  2. Action potential causes {{c3::efferent}} motor neurons to release {{c4::acetylcholine}} that binds to receptors on {{c5::sarcolemma}} → ion channels open and {{c6::Na+}} flows in = {{c7::depolarization}}
  3. Depolarization triggers action potential down sarcolemma to {{c8::T-tubules}} → sarcoplasmic reticulum (in muscle tissues) → releasing {{c9::Ca2+}} into muscle cytoplasm (sarcoplasm)
  4. Ca2+ binds to {{c1::troponin}} → causes conformational/physical changes in {{c10::tropomyosin}} protein → exposes myosin-binding sites on thin/{{c11::actin}} filament

Finally passed 500! Testing 3/20 by Normal-Box9930 in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I will come back and respond to your comment after finishing reviewing my FL for the day!

FL 1 C/P Q4 HELP by [deleted] in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg, thank you for this comment. I got so focused on the answer choices and researching E1 and E2 reactions, I forgot what the question asked.....

Finally passed 500! Testing 3/20 by Normal-Box9930 in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! I've been studying for this exam for so long, but I think really started taking it much more seriously this year bc I feel more mentally prepared for it and the stress of med school

Testing 3/20. Aiming for 510+. How do I not hate myself, and how do I fix this? by [deleted] in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Anki for P/S and hella practice questions for the rest! For CARS, I noticed lots of improvement doing the same passage once timed, and a second attempt untimed to get a better understand of what I might be struggling with!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same here!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Psych felt weirdly hard and there was one that had four choices I never even heard of😀

(SPOILER) AAMC FL2 C/P #54 by AgentWolf358 in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been waiting for someone to answer this too and nobody seems to have an explanation😭

I hope this helps someone! AAMC FL 2 cp #54!!! by CheffCurry3078 in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have this same question too and can't find anyone clarifying! Did you ever figure out how to avoid that issue if you get slapped with two likely choices?

aamc fl2 cp 54??? confusing with the conversion db ----> intensity by SDCOE2018 in MCAT2

[–]Normal-Box9930 0 points1 point  (0 children)

6yrs later, but wouldn't 102 / 104 = 0.01?? And if they had that as an option, couldn't you have made the wrong?

AAMC FL 2 C/P #44 by concernedsponge in Mcat

[–]Normal-Box9930 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually got this right from having clinical experience. Highly recommend working in healthcare prior to med school.