Hey guys,
for those of you who have experience with the MCAT...I got my scores today. Did well in all sections except for BS.

It's weird because all my friends find that to be their easiest section...yet it's so hard for me to excel in this section because of orgo & the bio passages do not follow a predictable pattern as a physical science section...if this makes sense. So even if I do a lot of practice tests, it's hard...am I making sense?

any tips?

You did not do good in biological sciences ? and you want to be a doctor ? lol yeah that makes alot of sense

performance in biology classes and standardized tests don't necessarily go hand in hand.
I am not a bio noob or anything - or I'd like to think that way at least.

Did I imply you are a big noob or anything? No!
All I was saying is, that does not make sense.

I'm sure your score wasn't that bad especially since a lot of people struggle with PS. As for BS, all you can really do is practice over and over. Is your problem more with Orgo or Bio?

Originally Posted by ~*Sara*~

I'm sure your score wasn't that bad especially since a lot of people struggle with PS. As for BS, all you can really do is practice over and over. Is your problem more with Orgo or Bio?

I haven't taken Orgo yet. That's the thing.
And even with bio, I've got just first year bio under my belt...though that should still be "enough" of a background in theory. (as long as I supplement it with more studying on MCAT review books)

Originally Posted by jjae0958

I haven't taken Orgo yet. That's the thing.
And even with bio, I've got just first year bio under my belt...though that should still be "enough" of a background in theory. (as long as I supplement it with more studying on MCAT review books)

Well thats why you did not do as good as you wanted to do. First year biology and no background in orgo (readings from any MCAT book is not enough its a waste) is def not enough. To be honest, I find it very stupid (no offense) to write the MCAT, DAT, PCAT etc immediately after first year, are all to be done at least after 2 years of undergrad school so you would have enough knowledge in different fields.

Everything comes at the right time and everything has its own time. MCAT's time is def not after first year. People say its a good way to experience it so next time would go better. I don't believe in this bologna.

Originally Posted by L'Étoile

Well thats why you did not do as good as you wanted to do. First year biology and no background in orgo (readings from any MCAT book is not enough its a waste) is def not enough. To be honest, I find it very stupid (no offense) to write the MCAT, DAT, PCAT etc immediately after first year, are all to be done at least after 2 years of undergrad school so you would have enough knowledge in different fields.

Everything comes at the right time and everything has its own time. MCAT's time is def not after first year. People say its a good way to experience it so next time would go better. I don't believe in this bologna.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I did well in other sections...so that disproves the notion that you must write the MCAT after 2nd year at the very least to do well. Is it ideal? may not. But it's very do-able and I can say this from my first-hand experience.

Anyhow, Imma give this another go in August. I am going to do more practice tests and see how my scores turn out. And then I will re-evaluate then.

Originally Posted by jjae0958

I haven't taken Orgo yet. That's the thing.
And even with bio, I've got just first year bio under my belt...though that should still be "enough" of a background in theory. (as long as I supplement it with more studying on MCAT review books)

Oooh that makes sense. I know they officially say you only need first year knowledge to get through with it, but friends have told me that second year is actually when you get a lot of knowledge. And it makes sense that your score wasn't great because of Orgo. The Organic chemistry portion of Chem 1AA3 was very brief in my opinion. Also, in terms of bio, you learn a lot more in second year, e.g. cardiovascular, respiratory and renal systems in Bio 2A03, Cellular pathways in Bio 2B03, Genetics in 2C03, etc. All in all, though, I recommend you write it again after second year and having done Orgo + the Bios. I'm sure that alone will get your score up. It's also the reason why the majority of people write the mcat after 2nd year.

BS score should be easy to improve. You will do better next time!

Originally Posted by jjae0958

Anyhow, Imma give this another go in August. I am going to do more practice tests and see how my scores turn out. And then I will re-evaluate then.

If I were you, I'd wait until next summer. You've had the experience, but it's such short notice to believe that you can do better in a month, especially since you haven't taken Orgo or Bio either! I know you might want to get it over with, but now that you've been through it once, you should even more prepared after your second year!

Originally Posted by macsci

BS score should be easy to improve. You will do better next time!

are there any books you'd recommend?
(like for VR - I used Examcrackers 101, which was extremely helpful)

Originally Posted by jjae0958

You are entitled to your opinion, but I did well in other sections...so that disproves the notion that you must write the MCAT after 2nd year at the very least to do well. Is it ideal? may not. But it's very do-able and I can say this from my first-hand experience.

Yes you did good in the other sections Mazel tov! THAT IS BECAUSE they are testing first year material ! first year physics and first year other stuff !

On the other hand, you did poorly in the Bs section due to your lack of knowledge in this section NOT because of your lack of work ethics or lack of studying, its because they test second year material.

Is't doable? Yes
Is't enough to apply to med schools? No

Thats why MCAT should be done after second year.

Originally Posted by jjae0958

are there any books you'd recommend?
(like for VR - I used Examcrackers 101, which was extremely helpful)

The Berkerley Review books are really good for both Orgo and Bio passages, and for understanding the Orgo material itself. For Bio though, the ExamKracker book is great for teh material.
but practice wise.... im loving the BR books.

Good luck!

But I do agree with everyone else, in that it would be best to wait till next summer and have another go at it, this way- you'll just have more knowledge on everythign under your belt, and you wont need ALL SUMMER or even half the summer study, since you know most of the material well now, and it will just become liek second nature once you have the classes in second year. Thats my two cents... hope it makes some sense.

again... good luck!

I would go against what one of the members said above - use one of prep books to prepare for BS. I absolutely have no orgo background but I am now pretty comfortable with it after going through the book and doing some questions.
You can use TPR, which explains concepts pretty thoroughly.
You do not need to know all the principles and what not to do well in mcat... it tests your critical thinking abilities rather than pure knowledge.

Just try to find lots of practice tests or questions. TPR science workbook (if you can get hold of it) will be of great help.