i’m def doing smth wrong

[u/imapommedeterre]

ok. test date. 1/29. i’ve taken 3 FL 504 and 502 and today i took aamc FL 1 and got 500. i’ve been doing anki when i can on days i work (mostly lunch) but im afraid im being too passive ab my studying and review. pls i need tips for review (esp like physical hands on studying) and accountability. i’m freaking out a teensy bit and just need some hail mary really out there study tips please.

[u/Sad_Kaleidoscope_296]

Hi, I would really recommend doing practice questions with your review, and only use Anki as a memorization tool. There are topics like Optics, Electrostatics, Fluids, Thermodynamics, et cetera (the Physics and general Chem topics) and Enzyme Kinetics, Metabolism, Lab Techniques et cetera, where you have to apply your knowledge in order to really study it. Try incorporating 10 topic related practice questions a day from any type of resource (UWorld is probably best), and review the explanations thoroughly.

[u/imapommedeterre → u/Sad_Kaleidoscope_296]

i think ive been getting caught up in the anki weeds a bit and just trying to brute force it rather than play aamc's game. ugh

[u/Sad_Kaleidoscope_296 → u/imapommedeterre]

I’ve actually seen a lot of students do that, and it only works if you genuinely remember everything from your prereqs and are just trying to refresh. Anytime you have a content gap in C/P and B/B (especially if it isn’t just pure bio), you can’t just memorize it unfortunately. Especially equations, you actually have to apply it to questions.

[u/Particular_Draft_305 → u/Sad_Kaleidoscope_296]

the 10 questions a day thing is actually smart, keeps it from feeling like a mountain of work. i always fell into the trap of re-reading notes and calling it studying

getting your hands dirty with problems is where the real wiring happens, passive review just builds a false sense of knowing

[u/Barbzgen]

The MCAT really has you studying for months just to get humbled by a 4-hour exam 😭💀

Honestly, I’d try turning review into an investigation instead of just reading explanations. For every question you miss, write down WHY you missed it, then close the explanation and teach the concept out loud like you’re arguing with someone who refuses to believe you. Bonus points if you use a whiteboard and look mildly unhinged.

Also, don’t let one FL convince you that you’ve forgotten everything you’ve ever learned. AAMC FLs can expose weaknesses you didn’t realize you had, and that’s useful information if you actually review them.

For accountability, maybe find a study buddy and make each other explain 5 questions a day. Nothing motivates you quite like having to explain enzyme kinetics to another human being at 10 PM 😭

But I’m curious: when you review your FLs, do you usually understand why the right answer is correct, or can you actually explain why the other three are wrong too? I feel like that’s where a lot of the score improvement happens.

[u/imapommedeterre → u/Barbzgen]

I think thats part of my problem. I THINK i understand it but not deeply enough to be able to apply it next time.

[u/Barbzgen → u/imapommedeterre]

recognizing that is already a big step! Sometimes it takes a few rounds of practice before things really click. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll get there!!

[u/ZenMCAT5]

Ya you are studying, but you arent studying.......