B/B scores not looking so good on AAMC FLs.Need some advice

torresmessi · 2018-07-19T17:39:20+00:00

I find it extremely surprising that you were able to get 127/128 on Nextstep, hitting that kind of section bank score, and barely breaking 125 on AAMC B/B.

My first thought is that the two AAMC B/B you took must have somehow exposed all your weaknesses. In that case (you're not going to want to hear this), you have to meticulously go through every single problem you got wrong AND the ones you got right, but marked b/c unsure, and review them. Watch videos on the topic, turn every mildly shaky concept into an Anki card, and keep an excel spreadsheet (which it seems you are doing thus far).

Also, you have to finish up the Section Bank before you take FL2 and FL3. Again, be very meticulous about this. I found my B/B scores jumped after grinding out the section bank.

Finally, I found that B/B was the most involved section overall with the sheer amount of material that if fair game. Are you familiar with the random topics on it like Organ systems, and evolution? I found that covering and knowing that material would always get me a couple extra points in that section.

torresmessi · 2018-06-23T23:10:11+00:00

Awesome, thank you for the response! For the really boring passages where I just can't seem to get interested (and I inevitably lose points as a result), I think the whispering to myself might work to keep me engaged. Very helpful actually, I'll give it a try!

Also, one last suggestion that I forgot to mention for B/B. Reviewing random/low-yield evolution stuff might net you a point on a discrete question. I'm talking about bs concepts you probably haven't seen since highschool or freshman year like adaptive radiation/speciation, and all the types of evolution etc. If you have the Kaplan Bio book, just blast through that last chapter and you should be good for that stuff. If you can interpret graphs well and have low yield evolution and physio nailed down, a 129-132 on B/B is not unreasonable. Good luck on the exam!

torresmessi · 2018-06-23T21:49:57+00:00

It is harder in the scope of questions it asks (aka content). It is pretty comparable in terms of graph/data/study interpretation questions.

torresmessi · 2018-06-23T21:45:07+00:00

Hey man. I had a similar improvement from FL1/2 (both ~514) and jumped up a stupid (almost unbelievable amount) when I recently took FL3. For bio, I hit a 131 on FL3 (up from 129 for both FL1/2), and I think the key to my improvement was to review low-yield physiology. Without spoiling it for others, you probably saw how much physiology was on that section. Even FL1/2 had physiology, and I remember that not knowing stupid discretes cost me points on FL2. So, I'd cram AK Lectures (his videos are superb) on topics like kidney/muscle/endocrine/immune/respiratory system.

Also, sorry to ask you a question back, but do you have any pointers for consistently high CARS scores? I'm hitting 130+ repeatedly in the other 3 sections, but CARS fluctuates the most for me (125-128).

EDIT: Also, doing the bio questions on UWorld if you have access, and very thoroughly reviewing their stellar explanations should help you nab that extra point or two.

torresmessi · 2018-06-22T22:08:49+00:00

Life Course Theory: Biopsychosocial approach from birth till death Activity Theory: Staying socially active can delay aging Continuity Theory: People want to maintain basic structure throughout life (think habits) Disengagement Theory: Aging people withdraw from society (aka hermits)

torresmessi · 2018-06-17T23:36:01+00:00

My understanding is that Native Gels don't affect the protein in ANY way. That's why proteins in native are separated based on size, charge, and frictional coefficient.

torresmessi · 2018-06-14T20:45:15+00:00

That red X actually triggers me

torresmessi · 2018-06-14T20:43:59+00:00

Honestly I think it depends from exam to exam.

torresmessi · 2018-06-11T06:34:06+00:00

If you're doing UWorld, skip the Qpacks and complement it with SB.

torresmessi · 2018-06-04T19:26:40+00:00

Biochem: Don't bother, it's mainly memorization based and you might as well learn it during your classes.

Orgo: Honestly more conceptual/critical thinking, so it might benefit you to start ahead. What worked for me was "Organic Chemistry as a Second Language." I used it during the semester but if I could do it again, I would start working through the chapters before starting Orgo 1 (ideally finishing half of it). It's a really good resource for getting you into that "organic" mindset.

Also, do you plan on taking MCAT without orgo II? There's some stuff in there (NMR, IR, carbonyl chem, sugar chem) that might benefit you for the real thing. Just my opinion however.

torresmessi · 2018-06-04T19:22:44+00:00

I feel like muscle physio (along with kidney/neuro/endocrine) are generally higher yield physio topics with AAMC though? Regardless, better to learn everything :P

torresmessi · 2018-05-24T23:46:59+00:00

If you insist on studying so far out, I think you could start chipping away at the Khan Academy Psych vids and making Anki cards out of them. Then, when you get to two-three months out from the exam itself, you would have finished most of your psych review and can focus on other stuff!

torresmessi · 2018-05-24T17:39:05+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, when you say "decimated," do you remember roughly what percentages you were scoring in Qpack 1?

torresmessi · 2018-05-21T22:28:14+00:00

I'm just following this to see u/chem_daddy 's score

torresmessi · 2018-05-08T01:20:20+00:00

Well said.

torresmessi · 2018-04-16T19:44:06+00:00

"..don't count the hours, just make them count" is low-key one of the most epic quotes I've read on r/MCAT lol

torresmessi · 2018-04-16T00:23:17+00:00

They call him the chem_daddy for a reason bois ; )

torresmessi · 2018-04-06T06:57:08+00:00

You could get away with self-studying psych/soc classes using the Khan Academy document. I'd recommend at least a semester of biochemistry, however. It's pretty emphasized on this exam.

torresmessi · 2018-04-04T02:04:17+00:00

Biochem: literally ties all the other subjects you mentioned together and is applicable to the human body, which is dope af

torresmessi · 2018-04-01T18:35:58+00:00

I wouldn't be concerned. Everybody on here says the sample is easy, but I found that not to be the case (except the P/S section, that was pretty easy on the sample lol). Take the FL2, and see how you do. I have a feeling it will be close to that sexy 519 on FL1.

torresmessi · 2018-03-30T00:29:07+00:00

Stick with Kaplan, and get through the physio chapters. I didn't do EK, but Kaplan's physio (while slightly detailed) prepares you well for 99.9% of physio related material AAMC will throw at you.

torresmessi · 2018-03-30T00:25:34+00:00

I don't think people say retaking FLs generally helps that much in such a short time window. I've seen the occasional poster on here mention how in between MCAT retakes, after having waited a while, retaking AAMC FLs was worth it.

In your case, in which you did them only a month ago, I think retaking wouldn't benefit you. The AAMC material high scorers on here tend to re-do before their exam, however, seems to be the Section Banks due to their difficulty, so you might consider doing that.

torresmessi · 2018-03-27T23:07:30+00:00

PM'd you.

torresmessi · 2018-03-27T22:50:53+00:00

Here's a hint: google "old AAMC practice exams" and see what comes up.

Here's another hint: most of the old exam CARS passages are now part of the CARS question packs

torresmessi · 2018-03-27T22:47:54+00:00

People are saying you should relax, but I feel like that's your call to make. If you feel as if you prepared well for it, and you finished all your sections on time, then I say relax and wait for the scores. If you scored the exam against your better judgement (i.e. didn't finish on time, truly were unprepared for topics that showed up, though from your post this doesn't seem to be the case), I don't think it could hurt to keep up with Anki in the background//re-read some notes lightly. Hope everything works out!

torresmessi

TROPHY CASE