So it's been a few months, what have I been doing? I have completed the first part (of a 2 part series) of Berkeley review books. I have not completed the passage based questions yet, which come after every chapter, so I'm still working on it. I may or may not complete it by the time of my test. My test is going to be on April 29, but I may push it back, since I have an entire list of books I haven't read yet. Berkely Review biology has been a long detailed waste of time for me, yet the berkeley reivew books are amazing, but the bio books are too much information. It took me a long time to finish the first set of the books and I wish I spent my time on something else, like doing other books. I decided to stick with Sn2ed's suggestion to do the examkrackers bio book, but I'm also going to do Bio 1001 questions. I feel like, with Bio, there is too much information that you're better just doing a bunch of practice questions with passages. The Physical Science section has become the hardest section for me, since I'm having a hard time finishing it in time. Now, I'm going to break down each MCAT section and tell you what to do. I've already completed 3 practice exams and I have a lot more studying to go, but I've done a lot of research regarding these tests.
1. Physical Science Section - Physics and Chemistry (52 questions, 70 minutes)
This section is mostly Chemistry based with a few passages of Physics. I would say your best bet is to do as many practice problems as you can to conquer this section. I'm still working on it, but I've read the Berkeley Review chapters for Physics, which helped me understand what these equations mean and where they come from. Don't go insane about memorizing these equations, most of them are similar and during the test you'll probably just have to take a simple equation and change it depending on the variables they want from you. There will be Phyics equations that you must commit to memory - Circuits, Kinematics, Fluids, Mirrors, etc. Sometimes the passage will give you the equations and the values of the constants. For Chemistry, just do practice problems. All these practice problems should be done under timed conditions.
2. Verbal Section (40 questions, 60 minutes)
I have just become accustomed to this section and I've read about a lot of tips. Do examkrackers 101, it is the best verbal book you will use. Practice passages are your best friend. But other than that, ALWAYS look for the main ideas, ALWAYS figure out the author's point of view. This should really help you figure out why the answer is the right answer. Most of the multiple choice problems will seem similar, half the time I sit there going, what's the difference between all these?! But, I figured out that you should not waste too much time going back to the passage. Once in a while, it is key that you do so, but try to find the main idea in the answer- usually if the answer restates the main idea in some way, it's the right answer. If a question asks about a certain subject in a particular paragraph, the answer will lie in THAT paragraph, don't go looking anywhere else and wasting your time. They will try to trick you with key words, always highlight what you think might be important - names, terms, phrases - you'll realize what will come up in a question after you practice a couple of these. Also, it's very easy to get lost in time, keep track of time, and skim the passage after you know the main idea - just to know what each paragraph is talking about. Give yourself about 8 minutes per passage with questions and search for the main idea. If it's a difficult passage, you may find the main idea in the questions. Don't waste time, when you need it.
3. Biological Section (52 questions, 70 minutes) - Biology and Organic Chemistry
Regarding Organic Chemistry, make yourself a list of reactions, memorize a few reactants, and you're good. Don't waste time, as organic chemistry is only going to come up in 1-2 passages. Focus on Biology, this will make or break you. I found that having some flash cards and memorizing biology vocabulary will be helpful. Do passages from Examkrackers 1001- they give you a bunch of passages to go over and time yourself.
Mostly, practice is key to success. I found that reading about these subjects, which I've done a lot of, is not that helpful unless you forgot everything - then of course you will need to refresh yourselfl. I ended up forgetting a lot of details (which they asked in practice tests), and I realized, you have to test yourself to understand what you need to work on and what you know pretty well. This test is time consuming, I know, but if you put the effort, you will succeed. Good luck everyone.
