Hi!
Today was a very tiring day... I finally reviewed all of my TBR biology questions and learned A LOT.
What ive completed today:
- 3 Verbal reasoning passages
- TBR biology passages review : 15 passages... review ear and eye structure, also hormones; some reproduction
- Read all of ch 1 TBR chemistry, half ch 1 Organic Chemistry
- finished 4 passages gen chem
To do list 6/10:
- Read ch. 2 TBR Biology, finish all bio passages
- finish rest of ch 1 chemistry, ch 1 organic chemistry, ch 3 physics.
- 5 passages in science workbook for each section.
- Review ALL passages.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Saturday, June 8, 2013
6/8/2013
Hi!
Today's plan:
Read ch 1 TBR Bio and Reread ch 1-4 TBR Physics, and then attempt all questions in ch1 TBR bio and all questions in ch 4 physics.
I'm currently 2 days behind my original schedule due to content review but I'll make up for it.
I scored 68/98 on section 1 of TBR bio. Gotta improve
Today's plan:
Read ch 1 TBR Bio and Reread ch 1-4 TBR Physics, and then attempt all questions in ch1 TBR bio and all questions in ch 4 physics.
I'm currently 2 days behind my original schedule due to content review but I'll make up for it.
I scored 68/98 on section 1 of TBR bio. Gotta improve
Monday, June 3, 2013
6/3/2013
Hi!
As my studying continues, it seems like the days of the week are now nonexistent. I'm just happy that the library I am studying in is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Yesterday I found an amazing book, its called "How to read a book" by Adler. The title is very ironic, but I believe 100% that this book will improve my verbal reasoning skills.
As for today, I have finally finished growth and development for biology content review. The concepts seemed to be very foreign at first, so I read through the Berkeley review chapter also and I believe that it has improved my knowledge dramatically. I am starting to favor content review from Berkeley as opposed to Princeton review. The detailed chapters really help me create a mental movie of what is happening. More importantly, it explains to me "why" things happen the way they do.
For the rest of today, I have scheduled for myself 3 more physical sciences chapters. It seems like a mighty challenge to finish reading all 3 by tonight, but I will have to see what I can do. Hoping for the best!
NEW INSIGHT:
I am starting to learn more about the verbal reasoning section. The syllabus seems to be a very helpful document! The verbal reasoning section will show 3 kinds of articles: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences.
Humanities:
Definition - basically study of things that are humane or of human elements
*What I've learned*
examples: astronomy, botany, computer science, ecology, ethology,geology, meteorology, technology, and zoology
As my studying continues, it seems like the days of the week are now nonexistent. I'm just happy that the library I am studying in is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Yesterday I found an amazing book, its called "How to read a book" by Adler. The title is very ironic, but I believe 100% that this book will improve my verbal reasoning skills.
As for today, I have finally finished growth and development for biology content review. The concepts seemed to be very foreign at first, so I read through the Berkeley review chapter also and I believe that it has improved my knowledge dramatically. I am starting to favor content review from Berkeley as opposed to Princeton review. The detailed chapters really help me create a mental movie of what is happening. More importantly, it explains to me "why" things happen the way they do.
For the rest of today, I have scheduled for myself 3 more physical sciences chapters. It seems like a mighty challenge to finish reading all 3 by tonight, but I will have to see what I can do. Hoping for the best!
NEW INSIGHT:
I am starting to learn more about the verbal reasoning section. The syllabus seems to be a very helpful document! The verbal reasoning section will show 3 kinds of articles: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences.
Humanities:
Definition - basically study of things that are humane or of human elements
a. the study of classical languages and classical literature.
b. the Latin and Greek classics as a field of study.
d. the study of literature, philosophy, art, etc.
*What I've learned*
Everything in humanities passages will be very theoretical. There will be no "research" studies for these articles to base off of. These passages will be VERY opinionated, and the author will have a point of view about a certain thing. It is our job to understand his view from tone, word choice, and support from examples. Also we must understand "why" the author is writing what he is writing.
examples: architecture, art, literature, music, philosophy, popular culture, religion, and theater
Social Sciences
Definition - relationships between the individual and society as a whole
1. the study of society and social behavior.
2. a science or field of study, as history, economics, etc., dealing with an aspect of society or forms of social activity.
Social Sciences is the middle ground between Natural Sciences and Humanities. Humanities is all very theoretical while natural sciences is very practical. Humanities = no research studies; Natural Sciences = all research studies. In a natural sciences passage, there will be *some* research studies presented to us initially, and then the author will either support this research or undermine it by giving his own opinion on the matter. It is our job to understand "why" this author is supporting or refuting the scientific study or results. Again, we must use the hints given to us through word choice, examples, counter examples, and tone.
examples: anthropology, archaeology, economics,education, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, and sociology
Natural Sciences
Definition - Sciences where knowledge of processes are observable in nature
Natural sciences will have very clear support for a natural phenomenon. Information presented will be based on facts.
*What I've learned*
Figure out what facts the author is talking about ASAP and figure out whats important! Support will be very clear; UNDERSTAND the support and examples given.
examples: astronomy, botany, computer science, ecology, ethology,geology, meteorology, technology, and zoology
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From reading the first paragraph of passage, you should be able to KNOW which category the passage fits under.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
6/2/2013
Hi!
Yesterday I finished a few more chapters of content and I will have 1 more chapter of biology left, 2 of chemistry, 3 of physics, and 4 of organic chemistry to finish. This is what my plan for the next 2 days looks like to finish up content review:
6/2 - Finish up biology chapter 12 (growth and development), finish physics chapter 9 electric circuits, and chemistry chapter 8 thermochemistry. If there is time, I will attempt to cover kinetics, chapter 9 from chemistry book 2.
6/3 - Finish up the last of chapter 9 kinetics if I have not finished covering it. Read chapter 10 electrochemistry, Read chapter 10 in physics, optics. Also review physics, biology, and chemistry concepts I'm not comfortable with such as:
electrostatics, sound, springs, and waves and optics.
6/4 - Organic chemistry book 2! Read: section 5 carbonyls and alchols and section 6 carbohydrates.
6/5 - Finish Organic chemistry sections 7 and 8. Nitrogen compounds and organic chemistry lab techniques.
After content review this is my idea for a tentative schedule to finish up all the Berkeley review chapters and also most of the Princeton review science workbook:
Each day I will cover 2 topics: day 1 = physics + biology; day 2 = chemistry and organic chemistry...
Each morning, I will start off the day by rereading each chapter that I will be covering for that day. For biology, I will be reading from the Berkeley review biology book to more adequately understand the concepts. Then I will cover ALL of the end of the book chapters for the corresponding chapters. After that I will cover chapters from each subject in the princeton review hyperlearning science workbook.
The workbook includes: Physics: 425 discretes, 62 passages
Chemistry: 92 discretes, 93 passages
Biology: 146 discretes, 87 passages
Organic chemistry: 138 discretes, 45 passages
Each day for a particular subject, I will cover 10 passages and x amount of discretes
Sample day:
8:30 - begin reread of physics
10:00 - finish reread of physics, begin reading biology
1:00 - finish biology
lunch
1:30 - start passages Biology
3:00 - start passages physics
5:00 - start hyperlearning passages(10-20)
7:00 - review all questions
8:30 - verbal mastery
I probably need to find time to get in the gym at least 2 hours every other day...
edited:
6/12 Bio ch 1 *finished*
6/11 chem ch 1 + orgo ch 1 *finished*
6/13 bio ch 2 + physics ch 4 *finished*
6/14 chem ch 2 + orgo ch 2
6/15 bio ch 3 + phy ch5
6/16 chem ch 3 + orgo ch 3
6/17 bio ch 4 + physics ch6
6/18 chem ch 4 + orgo ch 4
6/19 bio ch 5 + physics ch7
6/20 chem ch 5 + orgo ch 5
6/21 bio ch 6 + physics ch8
6/22 chem ch 6 +orgo ch 6
6/23 bio ch 7 + physics ch9
6/24 chem ch 7 + orgo ch 7
6/25 bio ch 8 + physics ch10
6/26 chem ch 8 + orgo ch 8
6/27 bio ch 9 + physics ch1 +2
6/28 chem ch 9 + chem ch 10
6/29 bio ch 10 + physics ch3
Thats my schedule for the next 3 weeks! T minus 73 days!
Yesterday I finished a few more chapters of content and I will have 1 more chapter of biology left, 2 of chemistry, 3 of physics, and 4 of organic chemistry to finish. This is what my plan for the next 2 days looks like to finish up content review:
6/2 - Finish up biology chapter 12 (growth and development), finish physics chapter 9 electric circuits, and chemistry chapter 8 thermochemistry. If there is time, I will attempt to cover kinetics, chapter 9 from chemistry book 2.
6/3 - Finish up the last of chapter 9 kinetics if I have not finished covering it. Read chapter 10 electrochemistry, Read chapter 10 in physics, optics. Also review physics, biology, and chemistry concepts I'm not comfortable with such as:
electrostatics, sound, springs, and waves and optics.
6/4 - Organic chemistry book 2! Read: section 5 carbonyls and alchols and section 6 carbohydrates.
6/5 - Finish Organic chemistry sections 7 and 8. Nitrogen compounds and organic chemistry lab techniques.
After content review this is my idea for a tentative schedule to finish up all the Berkeley review chapters and also most of the Princeton review science workbook:
Each day I will cover 2 topics: day 1 = physics + biology; day 2 = chemistry and organic chemistry...
Each morning, I will start off the day by rereading each chapter that I will be covering for that day. For biology, I will be reading from the Berkeley review biology book to more adequately understand the concepts. Then I will cover ALL of the end of the book chapters for the corresponding chapters. After that I will cover chapters from each subject in the princeton review hyperlearning science workbook.
The workbook includes: Physics: 425 discretes, 62 passages
Chemistry: 92 discretes, 93 passages
Biology: 146 discretes, 87 passages
Organic chemistry: 138 discretes, 45 passages
Each day for a particular subject, I will cover 10 passages and x amount of discretes
Sample day:
8:30 - begin reread of physics
10:00 - finish reread of physics, begin reading biology
1:00 - finish biology
lunch
1:30 - start passages Biology
3:00 - start passages physics
5:00 - start hyperlearning passages(10-20)
7:00 - review all questions
8:30 - verbal mastery
I probably need to find time to get in the gym at least 2 hours every other day...
edited:
6/12 Bio ch 1 *finished*
6/11 chem ch 1 + orgo ch 1 *finished*
6/13 bio ch 2 + physics ch 4 *finished*
6/14 chem ch 2 + orgo ch 2
6/15 bio ch 3 + phy ch5
6/16 chem ch 3 + orgo ch 3
6/17 bio ch 4 + physics ch6
6/18 chem ch 4 + orgo ch 4
6/19 bio ch 5 + physics ch7
6/20 chem ch 5 + orgo ch 5
6/21 bio ch 6 + physics ch8
6/22 chem ch 6 +orgo ch 6
6/23 bio ch 7 + physics ch9
6/24 chem ch 7 + orgo ch 7
6/25 bio ch 8 + physics ch10
6/26 chem ch 8 + orgo ch 8
6/27 bio ch 9 + physics ch1 +2
6/28 chem ch 9 + chem ch 10
6/29 bio ch 10 + physics ch3
Thats my schedule for the next 3 weeks! T minus 73 days!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
6/1/2013
Hi!
It looks like another great day for some Mcat studying!
I'm finally almost done with content review! I only have 2 chapters of biology, 3 chapters of chemistry, 3 chapters of physics, and 4 chapters of organic chemistry left to do. I can't wait to start busting out some questions and passages.
To test my progress so far, I pulled out Kaplan full length exam 2 yesterday. This is how my results looked:
Physical sciences: 13
Verbal: 10
Biological sciences: 12
Total: 35
The exam was an older version with 77/60/77 questions for each section so I did not time myself for each of the parts. Since the test is not officially AAMC, I'm not certain about the validity of the score but other than that, the scores are not too bad, but there's definitely lots of room for improvement, especially in verbal reasoning...
It looks like another great day for some Mcat studying!
I'm finally almost done with content review! I only have 2 chapters of biology, 3 chapters of chemistry, 3 chapters of physics, and 4 chapters of organic chemistry left to do. I can't wait to start busting out some questions and passages.
To test my progress so far, I pulled out Kaplan full length exam 2 yesterday. This is how my results looked:
Physical sciences: 13
Verbal: 10
Biological sciences: 12
Total: 35
The exam was an older version with 77/60/77 questions for each section so I did not time myself for each of the parts. Since the test is not officially AAMC, I'm not certain about the validity of the score but other than that, the scores are not too bad, but there's definitely lots of room for improvement, especially in verbal reasoning...
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
5/29/2013
Hi!
Today is the 29th so there is 77 days until test day, already feeling kinda nervous. I have been trying to finish content review as fast as possible, but it is just so tiresome.
I covered Biology chapter 7 today, nervous system and endocrine system. These two systems are some of the most confusing I have come across thus far. Here is an outline of what it looks like:
Today is the 29th so there is 77 days until test day, already feeling kinda nervous. I have been trying to finish content review as fast as possible, but it is just so tiresome.
I covered Biology chapter 7 today, nervous system and endocrine system. These two systems are some of the most confusing I have come across thus far. Here is an outline of what it looks like:
NERVOUS AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS
A. Endocrine System: Hormones
1. Function of endocrine system (specific chemical control at cell, tissue, and organ levels)
2. Definitions of endocrine gland, hormone
3. Major endocrine glands (names, locations, products)
4. Major types of hormones
B. Endocrine System: Mechanisms of Hormone Action
1. Cellular mechanisms of hormone action
2. Transport of hormones (bloodstream)
3. Specificity of hormones (target tissue)
4. Integration with nervous system (feedback control)
C. Nervous System: Structure and Function
1. Major functions
a. high-level control and integration of body systems
b.response to external influences
c. sensory input
d. integrative and cognitive abilities
2. Organization of vertebrate nervous system
3. Sensor and effector neurons
4. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (functions, antagonistic control)
5. Reflexes
a. feedback loop, reflex arc, effects on flexor and extensor muscles
b. roles of spinal cord, brain
c. efferent control
D. Nervous System: Sensory Reception and Processing
1.Skin, proprioceptive and somatic sensors
2.Olfaction, taste
3.Hearing
a. ear structure
b. mechanism of hearing
4. Vision
a. light receptors
b. eye structure
c. visual image processing
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
5/22/2013
Hi!
I have officially finished reading book 1 of berkeley review Physics and Chemistry. I am also done with chapters 1-3 of BR organic chemistry and also chapters 2-5 in Princeton Review Biology review.
I will be changing it up a bit these next few days by doing some questions to test the extent of my understanding.
Plan:
Examkrackers 1001 physics 1-500
Examkrackers 1001 chemistry 1-500
Examkrackers 101 biology
Examkrackers 16 mini mcats
Finished: up to 277 in physics 1001. Score: 237/277 = 85% (not bad hoping to get past 92%!)
T minus 84 days until test day!
I have officially finished reading book 1 of berkeley review Physics and Chemistry. I am also done with chapters 1-3 of BR organic chemistry and also chapters 2-5 in Princeton Review Biology review.
I will be changing it up a bit these next few days by doing some questions to test the extent of my understanding.
Plan:
Examkrackers 1001 physics 1-500
Examkrackers 1001 chemistry 1-500
Examkrackers 101 biology
Examkrackers 16 mini mcats
Finished: up to 277 in physics 1001. Score: 237/277 = 85% (not bad hoping to get past 92%!)
T minus 84 days until test day!
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