Let me stress the fact that it's not the hard facts of the material that's challenging. You've probably heard and read over and over (including here on this blog) that the MCAT is NOT testing your ability to memorize and regurgitate information. The MCAT is a passage based exam which tests your ability to apply the basic sciences to answer questions through reason.
This is true.
If this were just strict memorization, I have no doubt I could manage to pull off a perfect or near perfect score, as could many other students. It's hard to explain in words now (if you've never taken a practice test), but a common bit of advice to get a better score is to do as many practice problems and take as many practice MCATs as possible. And that's where this book comes in:
Comments left on Amazon and other comments on the Examkrackers forum say the same:
You shouldn't buy each of these books (Physics, General Chemistry, Biology and Organic Chemistry) if you don't need to. These are only recommended to those who feel weak in a subject.
This is one of my subjects.
I'm probably weakest in the Physics passage based questions. I'll be ordering this today or tomorrow.
I'm aware that I recommend a lot of books on this blog. I have a ridiculous amount of books myself and I've read & used them all. The MCAT is coming and I'm beginning to feel the pressure. I figure if there was one time to be on top of my studying, be thorough and not cut any corners it's now. I'm just trying to follow through (unlike some of my previous semesters where I really could have given a little more).
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2 comments:
I'd just like to say Jonathan that you are very admirable in your efforts in solidifying your decision for med school. I've read every single entry and very impressed with your knowledge of the process. In some way, you remind me of myself back in summer 2006. I did not get in my first year and coming from SC, you would think my chances are much greater than in California. I do have a medium range MCAT and good gpa and I would tell you the whole process can be mentally degrading to those not accepted. I can tell you that getting any school is a relief worth beyond words. Though SC this year has kicked me in the balls and left me in the dirt once again, I have considered Osteopathic Medicine. Many people do not know much about DO schools or what a DO is at all. I can tell you that when i was in your shoes, I looked at the DO and swat it off like a fly. Once I put my arrogance aside, I think it took a year for me to mature and realize that med school, regardless of DO or MD in the states is a blessing. I will be joining the prestigious Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, a huge name in the north. I am proud to say that I will be a DO from this prestigious school over my low-tiered MD state school. Just a few words of encouragements and since you've never noted osteopathic medicine anywhere, I wanted you to know there are greater alternatives than ROss University of the caribbean.
By the way, my name is also Jonathan
I would like to second the recommendation for "Examcrackers 1001 questions in MCAT Physics." I have been doing every other question in the book, saving the other half of the questions for extra review. Physics is my weakest subject, and doing the problems in the book has raised my physical sciences score from a 7 to a 9 so far. I'm on question 700 right now, so I have 150 (half of 300) questions left to go, and I'm confident I will get the 10 by the time I finish. Good luck fellow MCATers!
mammadoc
www.mammadoc.blogspot.com
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