<p>^^primarily for the money, miami. He had the choice to be full pay at the guarantee school, or sell his stats on the open market (~4.0 from a top 10 research Uni, several national awards, pubs, etc.). So, he applied to ~5 additional schools, 3 acceptances, 1 withdraw after interview (didn’t like it as much as guarantee school), and one WL (Best Medical School).</p>
<p>But the merit money did roll in, forcing guarantee school to make an offer in an attempt to keep him. But it was too little too late. :)</p>
<p>General message to taking tests. Remember they are not written by the Gods then fluttering down to earth in perfection. They are written by people. Once you accept that the next step is to figure out what they want you know. Those two steps will tell you how to answer the question. Example rarely do they want you to do exponetial math in your head - that part of the equation will almost always get crossed out. </p>
<p>Number two, if all the information you know about the subject is in the question, select B and more on. For example if you know the sky is blue and that’s it about the sky, if the question is " the sky is blue. This is because…" Don’t even bother to read the answers (a waste of time and therefore rescources) pick a letter and move on.</p>
<p>The MCAT Verbal Reasoning section seems to be set up like the SAT Critical Reading section, so are the strategies used for the SAT CR also applicable to the MCAT VR? D1 is taking the Kaplan course and will review the strategies they give, but was wondering if those from a source like Grammatix that worked well for the SAT would also be helpful.</p>
<p>Got a couple of quick questions. I have read through all the science content books and I am now in the process of memorizing kaplan’s flashcards. When I was reading through the science content books, I was also adding material onto the flashcards that I thought was important but wasn’t covered by the flashcards. </p>
<p>Will memorizing these flashcards be sufficient for all the knowledge that I need for the actual mcat?</p>
<p>Also is the EK101 verbal book harder than the actual test? Does the scale that the book provides an accurate representation of an average mcat scale? In the Ek101 book, you could miss 10 questions on the verbal and still end up with a 10 on that section. I know the TPR verbal tests are much harder but I was wondering about the EK 101 books.</p>
<p>im having a tough time figuring out when to take the mcats.</p>
<p>I will be a junior this upcoming fall, and i’m taking physics this year.</p>
<p>I feel like i will have a VERYY tough time studying during school with research and physics and all.</p>
<p>But do i really have a choice? I was hoping to finish physics and use the summer to study and take the exam in August…but i’ve heard Aug is too late.</p>
<p>I just feel like taking it any earlier would be difficult…but do i have any other options?</p>
<p>Are tests given in July? and would that be too late?</p>
<p>If memory serves, you’re the one who posted another thread recently? Given the craziness surrounding everything else, including a transfer (and a sort of low GPA), I strongly recommend taking a year off afterwards. That year can boost your application, give you time to get your grades up, and give you time to study for the MCATs. You want your application filed by early June – so that means you want an MCAT score by May, meaning you’re looking at an April test date.</p>
<p>If you think you can do it by April, more power to you, but I don’t recommend it. Find something to do with a year off (research?), and apply afterwards.</p>
<p>I have a question regarding the MCAT verbal reasoning. I have the EK101 and I have done the first 3 tests and have gotten all 10s. My goal is a 13 on the MCAT but I am really struggling to get past a 10. I review all my answers and read the economist and new yorker frequently. What else can I do to be able to have a shot at a 13? Is the EK101 harder than the real MCAT?</p>
<p>It is very difficult to make big improvements on verbal, because by this point in your academic career your reading comprehension skills are generally static. EK101 is the best practice besides the actual AAMC practice tests. I took the MCAT last spring and my scores on verbal on the AAMC practice tests and all EK101 tests varied from 9-11. I got a 10 on the real thing. I did feel that the AAMC tests may have been a bit easier for me because they asked more conceptual/main idea questions rather than passage detail retrieval questions found in EK101. All I can say is continue to take as many practice tests as you can, and don’t be dismayed if you can’t score a 12+.</p>
<p>For those that have taken a prep course (Kaplan or other), how much did your actual score go up from the diagnostic test? I took the Kaplan diagnostic today and was disappointed with my score. I scored a 22 (7 PS, 8 VR, 7 BS). Now granted, I took the diagnostic cold and hardly remember intro physics or biology material. </p>
<p>Am I freaking out over nothing? I’m targeting a 32 or 33 for what it’s worth.</p>
<p>Thanks for the link plumazul! Most of the posts on that thread are reassuring. I guess it just comes down to putting in the time and effort now.</p>
<p>How accurate are the practice tests from ExamKrackers Verbal 101? I’ve taken two thus far and have missed an average of ten questions. Is Kaplan a better indicator?</p>
<p>So I took the AP Physics B exam in high school and received credits for it so technically I can get out of the 3 physics courses I have to take. I’m still taking the first one and planning to get out of the last 2. Is this recommended for MCATs? I was thinking that I could self study the physics part (with review courses and practice tests of course) but will that actually be a disadvantage?</p>
<p>MCAT physics is incredibly easy compared to “real” physics. You’ll be fine skipping those classes, unless you personally feel like you need the review.</p>
<p>I have completed intro bio and genetics. I have room for a biology class next semester and was wondering what is most recommended for the MCAT? From what I have read, it seems as though that would be cell bio or physiology? Does anyone have any input on how helpful a neurobiology class would be?</p>