TurkeyLocoGuacamole Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 ************** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafield Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Hey all: It would appear that I am not so talented when it comes to the Kaplan verbal reasoning passages.. While I should be completing 6 passages in under an hour, I am taking 15 minutes or more for each of the 6--AND I'm not even getting them all right. How do you think the Kaplan verbal tests compare to the MCAT in terms of time, question type and content? Do you tend to read the entire passage while thinking critically about it, and read all of the answer choices? If not, what do you skim? Is there hope for Turkey? I mean, can one really improve with a few weeks' practice? Thanks! lol I don't know about their material but I feel their strategy is sub par to say the least.... Personally I like EK's strategy because that is what I do on my own.... A steady paced readthrough trying to get the main idea not overly worried about little details..... and doing the passages straight through... no mapping or ranking..... I don't see the point.... but different things work for different people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig-oy Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 I know exactly how you feel, im about to give up! its just... how much did everyone practice? ive done like 40 passages and im sticking even increasing when its not timed but when its timed, i tend to range 4-7/7 or so i dont know.. This is just tough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafield Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 I know exactly how you feel, im about to give up!its just... how much did everyone practice? ive done like 40 passages and im sticking even increasing when its not timed but when its timed, i tend to range 4-7/7 or so i dont know.. This is just tough I did every verbal passage TPR gave me, and about 54-63 AAMC verbal passages.... started at an 8 got as high as 12, real thing was an 11.... Doing the same thing this time around but adding ek 101 So will plan to have done roughly 300 verbal passages or so going in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyDude Posted May 17, 2008 Report Share Posted May 17, 2008 Doing the same thing this time around but adding ek 101 I am just curious how you finding the EK VR 101 passages, I bought the book and will start soon. Just needed a heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafield Posted May 17, 2008 Report Share Posted May 17, 2008 I am just curious how you finding the EK VR 101 passages, I bought the book and will start soon. Just needed a heads up. I find them good! and their strategy mostly because its what I want to do anyway lol... EK101 is releasing a new verbal books with test sizes of the cbt... just on paper in june.... so keep an eye out.... I'm not sure if the material is new though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamsie Posted May 19, 2008 Report Share Posted May 19, 2008 Hey there, I'm not amazing at verbal either (I'm actually quite bad, but getting better!) BUT, I wanted to add that, Kaplan passages are actually very difficult. I know you're spending 15 minutes on passages to finish them, but, concentrate on your accuracy first. Make sure that if given the time, that you could sit down without any time pressures and get all the answers right. If you can get to that stage, where you are just picking out all the right answers, than that's great. You don't want to practice this too much though. Once you've improved your accuracy a bit, go back to speed. But make sure that you can really pick out thought right answers. What I do is think to myself, why did I get this answer right? Was it just by guessing? Right answers just by random guessing is not good either. Evaluate WHEN you get right answers. For me, I get more answers correctly when I am relaxed but engaging in the passage - I can see the author, I might not understand everything he is saying, but I definately get his tone. I was HORRIBLE at this, but lately I've been reading alot of opinionated articles and really testing myself and spending the time to pick up on the tone and main point quicker. So, with all that said. Understanding that verbal reasoning CAN be self-taught, but it's going to take effort. Strategize and understand that YOU have a learning curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock* Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 I would argue the exact opposite. You want your practice tests to be as similar to the real thing as possible so that you'll feel comfortable and "in the zone" on the real thing. Studies have shown that people recall best when they're in an environment that is similar to their studying environment. If you're going to practice verbal, do an entire test or don't do anything. Set your timer and don't take breaks until it rings. If you're not finishing on time, try to figure out strategies to increase your understanding of the passages and go back to your VR strategy books to see if there's a lesson that you missed. Keep it up and you'll see your scores jump eventually but the most important thing is that you'll be ready on test day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Somethingmore Posted May 22, 2008 Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 Is there anybody here who finds the Kaplan VR tests easier than AAMC? And I plan to buy EK in a year or two (when I 'officially' start Studying for the MCAT). How are their passages in comparison the Kaplan and AAMC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medisforme Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 Is there anybody here who finds the Kaplan VR tests easier than AAMC? And I plan to buy EK in a year or two (when I 'officially' start Studying for the MCAT). How are their passages in comparison the Kaplan and AAMC? that would be me. i scored between a 10-12 on my kaplan tests and only got a 9 on my first aamc practice test (all the tests have been timed). needless to say, i got freaked out when i saw that 9, guess i need to take some more of the aamc tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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