I've been debating whether to take the kaplan class or not. Without going into details, lets just say the major benefit from enrolling in the course will be the qbank (if i end up using it), their quizzes and the ability to practice online as opposed to doing paper stuff and self-grading.
The major con is the fee as well as the fact that i don't see the need to have the same material in a different form.
They're running a special now where you can prep for an entire year. I've an idea about how to split that with someone. But of course nothing is guaranteed.
In terms of online practice, i've and will have gold standard, TBR and AAMC. That's about 25 or so online practice. Will taking quizzes and what nots make a huge difference? I think about the fact that i practiced with nclex 3500 online so much that i was used to taking computer test when the real deal rolled around. It makes me wonder if doing practice passages online can satisfy this purpose and produce the same reward. Actually, it's an assumption i'm making. Is it flawed? i think so.
The major question is: months from now will i look back and say i should've done everything possible for this exam? or will i look back and say I'm glad i saved my money?
Now if i knew the answer to that question, i wouldn't be posting this.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
spilled milk
Earlier, i couldn't find the right word to describe my emotional status. Upset, is the word. I took a closer look and my pot is completely ruined. I'd left a note but picked it up deciding it'll be better to speak to my roommate in person. I did show him the darn pot and showed him the frying pan i use daily. Suprisingly, i kept it simple and just said i moved my pots and he's welcome to put his where mine used to be. He apologized, said he'll replace it and i told him i bought it online and they no longer have it. I said not to worry and walked back to my room.
Earlier, i was going to talk about how i use the other pans everyday and haven't had a single scratch and how my pans don't need sharp objects and blah, blah but too much words leads to sin so i kept it simple.
I'm still upset but i feel a little better voicing how i feel. I'm not upset because i have to buy a new 2qt. I can go to ross and get one for 15 bucks or 20 or perhaps, i can get what i had for about $29.99 or $39.99 so i'm not worried about that. I'm just upset about the loss of the pan especially considering the fact that i barely used it. i can count the number of times i've used it.
Oh well, there's no need crying over spilled milk. Nothing i can do, say or think can change the fact that the pot has been destroyed for good. I guess i move on and hope the others survive. Roommates, ugh!
It just occurred to me this morning that i use that pot to boil pasta. It's been the best thing for boiling pasta simply because it's got 2 different kinds of drain holes and i tend to use the larger ones for draining pasta right from the pot. No more drining into a colander. I'll miss it and i find it annoying that my roommates response was i'll buy one for you, like it's something that can be replaced. I barely used that pan because i rarely eat pasta but nevertheless, it served a purpose and for that i'll miss it dearly. Considering it's scratched soo bad I can feel the teflon coating hanging on top it when i touch the bottom, i'm going to have to throw it away.
Honestly, the pan looks like the guy purposely took a steel sawtooth-edged knife and just scrapped the bottom like i've wronged him. Now that i think of it, i wonder if he did. I've never seen a pot that vandalized, i still can't imagine what else he did besides taking a knife and just going round and round in that pot.
I could've prevented all these headaches by moving out last year and finding my own little basement apartment or something little. I could've gone home too instead of staying here all in the name of studying for the MCAT. Regrets, they're always too late.
Earlier, i was going to talk about how i use the other pans everyday and haven't had a single scratch and how my pans don't need sharp objects and blah, blah but too much words leads to sin so i kept it simple.
I'm still upset but i feel a little better voicing how i feel. I'm not upset because i have to buy a new 2qt. I can go to ross and get one for 15 bucks or 20 or perhaps, i can get what i had for about $29.99 or $39.99 so i'm not worried about that. I'm just upset about the loss of the pan especially considering the fact that i barely used it. i can count the number of times i've used it.
Oh well, there's no need crying over spilled milk. Nothing i can do, say or think can change the fact that the pot has been destroyed for good. I guess i move on and hope the others survive. Roommates, ugh!
It just occurred to me this morning that i use that pot to boil pasta. It's been the best thing for boiling pasta simply because it's got 2 different kinds of drain holes and i tend to use the larger ones for draining pasta right from the pot. No more drining into a colander. I'll miss it and i find it annoying that my roommates response was i'll buy one for you, like it's something that can be replaced. I barely used that pan because i rarely eat pasta but nevertheless, it served a purpose and for that i'll miss it dearly. Considering it's scratched soo bad I can feel the teflon coating hanging on top it when i touch the bottom, i'm going to have to throw it away.
Honestly, the pan looks like the guy purposely took a steel sawtooth-edged knife and just scrapped the bottom like i've wronged him. Now that i think of it, i wonder if he did. I've never seen a pot that vandalized, i still can't imagine what else he did besides taking a knife and just going round and round in that pot.
I could've prevented all these headaches by moving out last year and finding my own little basement apartment or something little. I could've gone home too instead of staying here all in the name of studying for the MCAT. Regrets, they're always too late.
Good grief!
I have stuff in my 1qt saucepan so i took the 2qt to boil egg. The bottom of the pan is so scratched i freaked out for about 2 whole minutes or more perhaps, and i'm still perplexed. My room apparently, not sure what exactly he did, has been using metal utensils because i've a no scratch sponge. He's destroyed my 2qt. I can't stand these roommates anymore. The worst part is that i've not used that 2qt since he moved in so i've missed all the damage and now that i've seen it, it's beyond saving. I can't believe it.
Before anyone thinks i'm overreacting, i've owned these utensils since philly. I bought it myself and i loved it and have taken very good care of it. I told him not to use my cutlery, i prolly should've said please don't use my cooking utensils but that'll be crazy. Maybe i should've educated him you can't use sharp utensils on coated surfaces because it'll wear off but that's common knowledge because my other roommate never scratched it and he used that 2qt.
I used the frying pan almost everyday to several times a day and it's not scratched one bit. This 2qt i barely use and it's been destroyed, by a roommate. This whole thing has messed me up thinking about it but honestly, i can't sit and watch him destroy it further. I think i'll feel a lot better if he used his own utensils. I've always shared utensils but not this time.
I really loved this set. I got stainless steel utensils for christmas 3 years ago and i've not used it because i loved these ones so much i didn't see the point in opening up a new set. I've taken good care of it and to see it destroyed? I wouldn't mind if a plate or cup was broken but to have part of a set destroyed, i'm not sure how i feel right now.
I left a note telling him to use my wooden spoons but on second thought, he needs to get his own utensils. I'm not trying to be difficult but i'm soo not keeping a roommate after this place. the one before this one lost the spoon to my rice cooker, i'm thinking he threw it away during one of his OCD cleaning episodes. I think i'm at the phase where i don't want to share things with people. i don't mind sharing the space, it's just the disregard for my things that bugs me.
Before anyone thinks i'm overreacting, i've owned these utensils since philly. I bought it myself and i loved it and have taken very good care of it. I told him not to use my cutlery, i prolly should've said please don't use my cooking utensils but that'll be crazy. Maybe i should've educated him you can't use sharp utensils on coated surfaces because it'll wear off but that's common knowledge because my other roommate never scratched it and he used that 2qt.
I used the frying pan almost everyday to several times a day and it's not scratched one bit. This 2qt i barely use and it's been destroyed, by a roommate. This whole thing has messed me up thinking about it but honestly, i can't sit and watch him destroy it further. I think i'll feel a lot better if he used his own utensils. I've always shared utensils but not this time.
I really loved this set. I got stainless steel utensils for christmas 3 years ago and i've not used it because i loved these ones so much i didn't see the point in opening up a new set. I've taken good care of it and to see it destroyed? I wouldn't mind if a plate or cup was broken but to have part of a set destroyed, i'm not sure how i feel right now.
I left a note telling him to use my wooden spoons but on second thought, he needs to get his own utensils. I'm not trying to be difficult but i'm soo not keeping a roommate after this place. the one before this one lost the spoon to my rice cooker, i'm thinking he threw it away during one of his OCD cleaning episodes. I think i'm at the phase where i don't want to share things with people. i don't mind sharing the space, it's just the disregard for my things that bugs me.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Internal medicine
I don't see surgeons taking a lot of crap and i don't see the attendings taking a lot of crap but residents and interns in IM do take a bunchload of crap. Surgery residents do take crap. Patients in the hospitals are so rude these days, well at least down here they are, it's sad they're crying about people going to specialty. I mean who wants to put up with an uneducated hiv, hepatitis drug seeker who insists on getting dilaudid?!
Doctors work hard to get where they are. Years of med school, crazy years of residency, putting up with insurance companies and meditech afterward makes me think they deserve every penny they get. The whole entitlement attitude from patients here is one that makes me want to go into a special where i don't have to deal with family members or patients themselves.
My heart goes out to nurses on these medical floors who have to put up with the bulk of the nasty attitude. I mean a resident only takes part of the crap if they decide to come up and see the patient. The nurse on the other hand is constantly on the floor and has to put up with peoples nasty attitude. For example, i've six patients, 3 primary cares, and i've joints i need to wash up and get in the chair in the morning. In order words, i'm overworked, stressed out and i have to put up with nasty attitudes. I wonder what would happen if med/surg nurses went on strike? Maybe the patients would learn to appreciate them? I doubt it!
I had a nasty patient last night, who just got on my very last nerve. He yelled at my charge nurse and i just had to walk over from the next room to tell him to not yell at us because we're trying to help and he doesn't own any of us. That shut him up for a couple of hours, then he started acting up again. 31 y.o male with HIV, Hep C, IVDA hx, all that crap along with the most nasty attitude. I pity the desperate female who has to put up with sight of him, let alone his attitude. The ER nurse couldn't stand him, the resident just said he's nasty and i think he's a pitiful thing. I guess the only way for him to gain some form of control is to yell at anyone when making any demands.
I respect everyone who works in the US health system, putting up with law school and other non-medschool graduates legislating healthcare in whatever way they seem fit. It's these same patients who eat the fruit of their actions. The sad thing is that there are those who are grateful and appreciate the help and sometimes, they make it worthwhile.
Doctors work hard to get where they are. Years of med school, crazy years of residency, putting up with insurance companies and meditech afterward makes me think they deserve every penny they get. The whole entitlement attitude from patients here is one that makes me want to go into a special where i don't have to deal with family members or patients themselves.
My heart goes out to nurses on these medical floors who have to put up with the bulk of the nasty attitude. I mean a resident only takes part of the crap if they decide to come up and see the patient. The nurse on the other hand is constantly on the floor and has to put up with peoples nasty attitude. For example, i've six patients, 3 primary cares, and i've joints i need to wash up and get in the chair in the morning. In order words, i'm overworked, stressed out and i have to put up with nasty attitudes. I wonder what would happen if med/surg nurses went on strike? Maybe the patients would learn to appreciate them? I doubt it!
I had a nasty patient last night, who just got on my very last nerve. He yelled at my charge nurse and i just had to walk over from the next room to tell him to not yell at us because we're trying to help and he doesn't own any of us. That shut him up for a couple of hours, then he started acting up again. 31 y.o male with HIV, Hep C, IVDA hx, all that crap along with the most nasty attitude. I pity the desperate female who has to put up with sight of him, let alone his attitude. The ER nurse couldn't stand him, the resident just said he's nasty and i think he's a pitiful thing. I guess the only way for him to gain some form of control is to yell at anyone when making any demands.
I respect everyone who works in the US health system, putting up with law school and other non-medschool graduates legislating healthcare in whatever way they seem fit. It's these same patients who eat the fruit of their actions. The sad thing is that there are those who are grateful and appreciate the help and sometimes, they make it worthwhile.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Roommates
So, i have new roommate, quiet, sorta but the weird thing about him is that he tiptoes around the place. My door is always closed anyway but the thing about it is that if tiptoeing is his way of not letting me know he's not here, it's actually the way i know he's here. How, the floor creaks. I never heard that with anyone else living here, and it doesn't happen when i walk. He doesn't turn the light on in the hallway either so i believe the goal is to slip in quietly but the slow tiptoe walk justs foils it. I mean, i sat here listening to loud music till i heard that creak and while i didn't hear the door open or close or see a light in the doorway since my door was open, i heard the creak and had to see if there was anyone there.
I never heard my first roommate walk in only thing i'll know is him cracking my door open (which i hated and thought him a creep) but that's cuz he walked so fast right after i heard the door open or not.
I mean this new person seems quiet and i actually learned something about him as i was returning from work this morning but i just find the whole slow walk in the dark thing weird. On the hand, it lets me know he's here simply because i hear the floor creak and it's the kind i hear from the neighbors upstairs, it's a different sound if it's from this very floor. It makes me wonder if the creak i hear from upstairs is from someone trying to tiptoe their way around.
Either way, i'm glad i've someone splitting my rent with me. It was stupid of me to renew my lease and i can't wait for it to be up. I'm sick of creepy, annoying and weird people (in order of people i've had since living here).
I never heard my first roommate walk in only thing i'll know is him cracking my door open (which i hated and thought him a creep) but that's cuz he walked so fast right after i heard the door open or not.
I mean this new person seems quiet and i actually learned something about him as i was returning from work this morning but i just find the whole slow walk in the dark thing weird. On the hand, it lets me know he's here simply because i hear the floor creak and it's the kind i hear from the neighbors upstairs, it's a different sound if it's from this very floor. It makes me wonder if the creak i hear from upstairs is from someone trying to tiptoe their way around.
Either way, i'm glad i've someone splitting my rent with me. It was stupid of me to renew my lease and i can't wait for it to be up. I'm sick of creepy, annoying and weird people (in order of people i've had since living here).
Weekly check-in
I've not advanced. i'm still in week one. I need to reread ochem and physics chap 2 and then do the phase 2 to move on. I slept for 10hr yesterday, spent about 4 hrs watching tv shows and did no studying.
The idea of disconnecting my internet service popped into my mind earlier this past week and i've been contemplating it. Few buts that came up include how do i access myreading lab if i disconnect, how do i download my nytimes subscription to my kindle, how do i check stuff on SDN?
Currently, i've no solutions to the above but i'm thinking,
1. I can do myreading lab at work and if work is too busy to do that, i can go to work early, and do an hour of myreading lab there? So that'll be about 3 times a week. If not, i can go to the library one of my free days and study and do myreading lab so that will be 4 dedicated days a week. Other days, i can read stuff like norton reader and practice passages which should become a daily thing.
2. concerning my nytimes subscription, i barely log on at home to download it. i logged on friday at work and the last issue i had was from the thursday before. Point is, i barely download issues at home so that shouldn't be a huge concern. If push comes to shove, i can drive to mcdonalds and pick up a signal.
3. SDN, maybe i can use the time at work to catch up on SDN? in that case, home is dedicated for studying.
the advantages? i won't be tempted to spend time on facebook or spend time browsing aimlessly. Also, i'd be saving about $37.55 or so a month. I think that's how much i spend on gas per month. Also, i can use my free time at home to read instead of being on the computer.
Looks like i came up with lots of ideas these past few seconds. Question is when do i disconnect? Also, all work no play makes jack a dull boy. Will eliminating all shows eliminate the 'play' in my work week? I do have to argue that before the internet, people still incorporated 'play' in their work week. Maybe i could knit or something.
Sounds like a good idea.
Back to work i go.
The idea of disconnecting my internet service popped into my mind earlier this past week and i've been contemplating it. Few buts that came up include how do i access myreading lab if i disconnect, how do i download my nytimes subscription to my kindle, how do i check stuff on SDN?
Currently, i've no solutions to the above but i'm thinking,
1. I can do myreading lab at work and if work is too busy to do that, i can go to work early, and do an hour of myreading lab there? So that'll be about 3 times a week. If not, i can go to the library one of my free days and study and do myreading lab so that will be 4 dedicated days a week. Other days, i can read stuff like norton reader and practice passages which should become a daily thing.
2. concerning my nytimes subscription, i barely log on at home to download it. i logged on friday at work and the last issue i had was from the thursday before. Point is, i barely download issues at home so that shouldn't be a huge concern. If push comes to shove, i can drive to mcdonalds and pick up a signal.
3. SDN, maybe i can use the time at work to catch up on SDN? in that case, home is dedicated for studying.
the advantages? i won't be tempted to spend time on facebook or spend time browsing aimlessly. Also, i'd be saving about $37.55 or so a month. I think that's how much i spend on gas per month. Also, i can use my free time at home to read instead of being on the computer.
Looks like i came up with lots of ideas these past few seconds. Question is when do i disconnect? Also, all work no play makes jack a dull boy. Will eliminating all shows eliminate the 'play' in my work week? I do have to argue that before the internet, people still incorporated 'play' in their work week. Maybe i could knit or something.
Sounds like a good idea.
Back to work i go.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Weekly check-in
So far, studying is average. I worked all six days this past 2 weeks compared to my usual 5 or 4 days so that has thrown a curvebal in this studying game because i was hoping to use my cancelled nights for catch-up.
Things i've done well: i've done my best to do all the phase 1 passages compared to not doing them last year and just reading content.
Things i haven't done well:
1. Haven't done anything verbal related since the 7th. Bad, bad, bad. That means i'm not sticking to schedule.
2. I spend so much time distracted, tv and daydreaming while reading that i'm taking longer to finish my readings so i end up completing just one subject matter in a 12hr period. bottom line, i need to focus and stick to the timelines i've outlined in my schedule.
3. I find myself sleeping a lot more hours than i should.
Remedies i think i should implement:
1. Do the verbal as the first task of the day (passages) and complete the general readings/myreading lab stuff just before bedtime.
2. Spend less time on the computer, cut out facebook and decrease email time. I can possibly read my email at work.
3. Sit at my desk for an 60minutes without getting up or thoughts wandering. Get up after 60 to stretch, hydrate, void and get back to business.
4. On non working days, complete 2 subjects as outlined.
I think these are a good amount of stuff to work on for now. I'm behind by 2 days or is it 3? i'm doing what i should've done on thursday today (sunday). My sleep schedule is soo messed up it's hard to figure things out. I need to stick to a sleep schedule.
Anyway, i'm doing ok so far. God help me.
Things i've done well: i've done my best to do all the phase 1 passages compared to not doing them last year and just reading content.
Things i haven't done well:
1. Haven't done anything verbal related since the 7th. Bad, bad, bad. That means i'm not sticking to schedule.
2. I spend so much time distracted, tv and daydreaming while reading that i'm taking longer to finish my readings so i end up completing just one subject matter in a 12hr period. bottom line, i need to focus and stick to the timelines i've outlined in my schedule.
3. I find myself sleeping a lot more hours than i should.
Remedies i think i should implement:
1. Do the verbal as the first task of the day (passages) and complete the general readings/myreading lab stuff just before bedtime.
2. Spend less time on the computer, cut out facebook and decrease email time. I can possibly read my email at work.
3. Sit at my desk for an 60minutes without getting up or thoughts wandering. Get up after 60 to stretch, hydrate, void and get back to business.
4. On non working days, complete 2 subjects as outlined.
I think these are a good amount of stuff to work on for now. I'm behind by 2 days or is it 3? i'm doing what i should've done on thursday today (sunday). My sleep schedule is soo messed up it's hard to figure things out. I need to stick to a sleep schedule.
Anyway, i'm doing ok so far. God help me.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
BR Physics
I have to say the new book is better than the old one and i've only walked through chapter one. The last one had graphs that didn't make sense to me and tricks that didn't make sense to me.
I actually understood what i read, save for that turbo thing which i'm just a teeny little bit fuzzy on. The last time i read the old book, i didn't feel like i picked up anything. This time, i saw the stuff that's review and i learned new stuff, especially when it comes to projectiles. the book mentions equations 1.28 and 1.30 and the last equation in the chapter is 1.27. Not sure what they are talking about.
Last time i did their physics passages, i was so frustrated. When i did the first passage today, i felt frustrated. I think i had a block in thought where i just didn't know what to do about the problem and that got me frustrated. Reviewing the first problem set made me realize the questions were easy and i either wasn't thinking or reasoning well or whatever. Anyway, 2nd set of passage i had 6/7 and the last set i had 5/7. Each of the questions i had wrong was not knowing which equation to use and i think that boils down to somewhat not understanding the questions or some concepts.
I'm wondering if it's easy because i've gone through nova. Not sure. The questions reinforced certain concepts that i'd forgotten and final analysis is that i need to read critically and think when answering these questions. Think, yes, think!
I actually understood what i read, save for that turbo thing which i'm just a teeny little bit fuzzy on. The last time i read the old book, i didn't feel like i picked up anything. This time, i saw the stuff that's review and i learned new stuff, especially when it comes to projectiles. the book mentions equations 1.28 and 1.30 and the last equation in the chapter is 1.27. Not sure what they are talking about.
Last time i did their physics passages, i was so frustrated. When i did the first passage today, i felt frustrated. I think i had a block in thought where i just didn't know what to do about the problem and that got me frustrated. Reviewing the first problem set made me realize the questions were easy and i either wasn't thinking or reasoning well or whatever. Anyway, 2nd set of passage i had 6/7 and the last set i had 5/7. Each of the questions i had wrong was not knowing which equation to use and i think that boils down to somewhat not understanding the questions or some concepts.
I'm wondering if it's easy because i've gone through nova. Not sure. The questions reinforced certain concepts that i'd forgotten and final analysis is that i need to read critically and think when answering these questions. Think, yes, think!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Reading lab post test
Scored a 80% on the pretest and 86% on the post -test. Some difference but not that great. Scored 80% in the main idea section compared to 20% on the pretest. Scored above 80% on all sections with a 100% on most except active reading (40%) and graphics and visual aids. For the active reading section, i think some of the questions were more critical thinking type of questions. The graphic and visual aids was awful. i question one of the answers and for the remaining 2, the graph was so bad it was hard to tell what was what. Anyway, I'm happy that graphs i'll be dealing with wouldn't be zigzag intertwining lines where you can't tell the difference between the two variables.
I'm happy i improved in the main idea section. The correct answer for my wrong question was the other answer i'd debated on so it's the case where i went with the wrong choice. I scored 100% on the supporting details which i find great. Besides the dictionary section which i also scored an 80% (stupid oversight), i got a 100% on all other sections.
I feel like the post test points out my strong areas and my weak area shows. I'll say the active reading is a weak area because it involves reasoning and critical thinking which i need to work on. Not sure how i'm going to work on that but i'm moving on to the intermediate reading course so we'll see how that works. I signed up for myreading lab on the 10th of november though i started the studying on the 14th.
While going from an 80 to an 86 doesn't look like much, i feel like myreading lab is worth it. I understood every passage i read in the post test, took a lot less time and skimmed a lot of the passages which may have accounted for my poor performance in the active reading section. I do see and feel and improvement in my comprehension skills, i'll say besides the active reading mistakes, i'll say i could've done better had it not been for that oversight in the dictionary section and that awful graph.
I'm hoping i improve a lot more with the intermemdiate course.
I'm happy i improved in the main idea section. The correct answer for my wrong question was the other answer i'd debated on so it's the case where i went with the wrong choice. I scored 100% on the supporting details which i find great. Besides the dictionary section which i also scored an 80% (stupid oversight), i got a 100% on all other sections.
I feel like the post test points out my strong areas and my weak area shows. I'll say the active reading is a weak area because it involves reasoning and critical thinking which i need to work on. Not sure how i'm going to work on that but i'm moving on to the intermediate reading course so we'll see how that works. I signed up for myreading lab on the 10th of november though i started the studying on the 14th.
While going from an 80 to an 86 doesn't look like much, i feel like myreading lab is worth it. I understood every passage i read in the post test, took a lot less time and skimmed a lot of the passages which may have accounted for my poor performance in the active reading section. I do see and feel and improvement in my comprehension skills, i'll say besides the active reading mistakes, i'll say i could've done better had it not been for that oversight in the dictionary section and that awful graph.
I'm hoping i improve a lot more with the intermemdiate course.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year
Another year, thank God for his protection and grace and blessings this past year.
Hopefully, i don't get lazy in studying for this exam
Hopefully, i lose my "maryland belly."
Hopefully, i succeed during the app season
By God, i'm going to excel on this exam
I was thinking about buying verbal virtuoso but i read what's his name's email again and he said it teaches you to find the "authors opinion." I think that's what Powerscores reading comprehension bible has taught me, and more. I find that after going through it, when i get a question wrong, it's because i didn't read all the choices or i didn't understand what the question was asking for. This has been very few instances. Also, i totally understand the passages are saying now no matter how complex and convoluted they seem. It's made me an active reader. I find that i barely turn back to reference the passage, i did that once to make certain the lists were consistent with the lists in the choices and i knew exactly where to search. I'm not scared of doing passages anymore.
From this point onwards, it's a matter or practicing daily to eliminate errors and master the strategies i've learned from their book so it becomes second nature.
I know lots of people make laudatory remarks concerning PS LRB but not so much for their RCB. I have looked at their LRB and reading the first chapter made me regret buying the logic book i purchased (which btw, amazon reduced the price for the book aned i haven't had the time to read it plus the library has it). I should've returned that book but i think i'll keep it, for now.
Anyway, if i had to do it over again, i wouldn't buy the Ivyhall books. It's not that they aren't good, they helped me get from a 7 to a 9 with minimal use last year. It's because While it talks about the main point, structure, purpose and what nots, in addition to listing sample question types just as PS does, lacks the practice that PS offers and I like the way PS attacks the stuff better. I'd say I'd have invested the money i paid for the ivy hall RC book in buying PS RCB. Then the money i used to buy their passages book to buy PS passage type training book which i have but i'd have saved money. Then i'd buy access to myreading lab. The rest will be practicing with the cambridge book, EK 101, TPRH verbal passages book and whatever i can find. I don't think EK resembles the real deal as most people say. I felt the passages on my exam where much easier to comprehend even with my poor comprehension skills and the most of the answer choices were obvious.
Anyway, i returned the readers edge. It's a complete waste. I did not improve one bit.
Here's to getting rid of that which isn't helpful and making use of the helpful. May the good God guide me according to His WORD.
Hopefully, i don't get lazy in studying for this exam
Hopefully, i lose my "maryland belly."
Hopefully, i succeed during the app season
By God, i'm going to excel on this exam
I was thinking about buying verbal virtuoso but i read what's his name's email again and he said it teaches you to find the "authors opinion." I think that's what Powerscores reading comprehension bible has taught me, and more. I find that after going through it, when i get a question wrong, it's because i didn't read all the choices or i didn't understand what the question was asking for. This has been very few instances. Also, i totally understand the passages are saying now no matter how complex and convoluted they seem. It's made me an active reader. I find that i barely turn back to reference the passage, i did that once to make certain the lists were consistent with the lists in the choices and i knew exactly where to search. I'm not scared of doing passages anymore.
From this point onwards, it's a matter or practicing daily to eliminate errors and master the strategies i've learned from their book so it becomes second nature.
I know lots of people make laudatory remarks concerning PS LRB but not so much for their RCB. I have looked at their LRB and reading the first chapter made me regret buying the logic book i purchased (which btw, amazon reduced the price for the book aned i haven't had the time to read it plus the library has it). I should've returned that book but i think i'll keep it, for now.
Anyway, if i had to do it over again, i wouldn't buy the Ivyhall books. It's not that they aren't good, they helped me get from a 7 to a 9 with minimal use last year. It's because While it talks about the main point, structure, purpose and what nots, in addition to listing sample question types just as PS does, lacks the practice that PS offers and I like the way PS attacks the stuff better. I'd say I'd have invested the money i paid for the ivy hall RC book in buying PS RCB. Then the money i used to buy their passages book to buy PS passage type training book which i have but i'd have saved money. Then i'd buy access to myreading lab. The rest will be practicing with the cambridge book, EK 101, TPRH verbal passages book and whatever i can find. I don't think EK resembles the real deal as most people say. I felt the passages on my exam where much easier to comprehend even with my poor comprehension skills and the most of the answer choices were obvious.
Anyway, i returned the readers edge. It's a complete waste. I did not improve one bit.
Here's to getting rid of that which isn't helpful and making use of the helpful. May the good God guide me according to His WORD.
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