The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Berkeley Review CBT for the MCAT
Berkeley Review CBT Difficulty Losing: How to Ace the MCAT with TBR
Introduction
If you are preparing for the MCAT, you might have heard of Berkeley Review CBT, a series of computer-based practice exams designed by The Berkeley Review (TBR), one of the most reputable MCAT prep companies in the US. TBR has been helping students achieve high scores on the MCAT since 1992, with a curriculum that covers all the topics and skills tested on the exam.
Berkeley Review Cbt Difficulty Losing
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However, you might also have heard that Berkeley Review CBT is very difficult and challenging, and that many students struggle to score well on it. In fact, some students even report losing confidence and motivation after taking Berkeley Review CBT, because they feel like they are not ready for the real MCAT.
So, what is Berkeley Review CBT exactly, and why is it so hard to ace it? More importantly, how can you improve your performance on it and use it as a tool to boost your MCAT score? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with some tips and strategies to help you overcome the difficulty of Berkeley Review CBT and get the most out of it.
What is Berkeley Review CBT?
Berkeley Review CBT is a set of five full-length MCAT practice exams that you can take online through TBR's website. Each exam consists of four sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (CPBS), Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (BBLS), and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (PSBB). Each section has 59 questions and lasts for 95 minutes, except for CARS which has 53 questions and lasts for 90 minutes. The total length of each exam is about 7.5 hours, including breaks.
Berkeley Review CBT is designed to mimic the style, difficulty, and topics tested on the current version of the MCAT. The questions that appear in TBR's practice exams were created specifically to not overlap with the AAMC Official MCAT practice exams (#1-4) in terms of specific content tested. This way, students can take both the TBR and AAMC Official MCAT practice exams and ensure that a larger scope of MCAT material is covered during their practice test campaign.
An estimated scaled MCAT score is provided after the completion of each TBR practice exam. Scaled scores are excellent predictors of your current estimated MCAT score and should be used along with the AAMC Official MCAT practice exams to predict exam readiness. You can also review your answers and get detailed explanations for each question, as well as a score breakdown by section and topic.
Why is it difficult to score high on Berkeley Review CBT?
Many students find Berkeley Review CBT to be very challenging and demanding, and often score lower than they expected or hoped for. There are several reasons why this might be the case:
Berkeley Review CBT is intentionally harder than the real MCAT. TBR's philosophy is that by exposing students to more difficult questions and passages, they will be better prepared for the actual exam and will not be surprised or intimidated by anything they encounter on test day. TBR's practice exams also test a wider range of topics and concepts than the AAMC Official MCAT practice exams, which means that students need to have a deeper and broader knowledge of the MCAT content.
Berkeley Review CBT has a harsher scoring system than the real MCAT. TBR's scaled scores are based on a different conversion table than the AAMC's, which means that the same number of correct answers might result in a lower score on TBR's practice exams than on the AAMC's. For example, according to TBR's website, a score of 510 on their practice exams corresponds to about 80% correct, while a score of 510 on the AAMC's practice exams corresponds to about 85% correct. This difference can make a big impact on your confidence and self-evaluation.
Berkeley Review CBT requires a lot of stamina and endurance. Taking a full-length MCAT practice exam is a mentally exhausting task that requires a lot of concentration, focus, and time management. Taking five of them can be even more draining and stressful, especially if you are not used to sitting for such long periods of time and answering so many questions. If you are not well-rested, hydrated, and motivated, your performance might suffer and your scores might drop.
How can you improve your performance on Berkeley Review CBT?
Despite the difficulty and frustration that Berkeley Review CBT might cause you, it is important to remember that it is not meant to discourage you or make you feel bad about yourself. On the contrary, it is meant to challenge you and help you improve your skills and knowledge for the real MCAT. Here are some tips and strategies that can help you overcome the difficulty of Berkeley Review CBT and get the most out of it:
Tips and Strategies for Berkeley Review CBT
Tip 1: Complete as many challenging practice problems as possible
Before starting your first practice exam, you should complete as many challenging practice problems as possible. There is a very significant correlation between the number of practice passages completed and actual MCAT score the more passages completed, the higher the score. Challenging yourself to navigate difficult passages will allow you to actively apply information rather than passively memorize it.
TBR's books and materials are excellent sources of challenging practice problems that cover all the topics and skills tested on the MCAT. Each book contains hundreds of MCAT-style passages and questions that are organized by topic and difficulty level. You should aim to complete at least 70-80% of TBR's practice problems before taking your first practice exam.
Tip 2: Take at least 7 to 12 full-length practice exams
After you have made significant progress through content review, aim to complete 7 to 12 full-length practice exams. Practice tests are a valuable asset and should only be taken when you are ready to get the most learning from your score. Its important to also consider how time intensive intensive a full length exam is.
You should take both TBR's and AAMC's practice exams, as they complement each other and provide you with different perspectives and insights on the MCAT. TBR's practice exams will expose you to harder questions and passages, while AAMC's practice exams will give you a more realistic representation of what to expect on test day.
You should space out your practice exams evenly throughout your study plan, leaving enough time between each exam to review your answers, analyze your mistakes, and work on your weaknesses. You should also simulate the test day conditions as much as possible, by taking the exams at the same time of day as your actual exam, following the same breaks schedule, using the same calculator and scratch paper, and avoiding any distractions or interruptions.
Tip 3: Review your answers and learn from your mistakes
The most important part of taking a practice exam is reviewing your answers and learning from your mistakes. This is where you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, and work on improving them. Don't just look at the correct answer and move on; try to understand why you got a question wrong, what concept or skill you need to review, and how you can avoid making the same mistake in the future. You can also use TBR's detailed explanations to help you with this process.
Tip 4: Use TBR's books and materials for content review
TBR's books and materials are excellent sources of content review for the MCAT. They cover all the topics and skills tested on the exam, with clear explanations, diagrams, examples, and mnemonics. They also include hundreds of MCAT-style passages and questions that are organized by topic and difficulty level. You should use TBR's books and materials to supplement your practice exams and reinforce your knowledge of the MCAT content.
Tip 5: Attend TBR's lectures and office hours for guidance and support
TBR also offers courses and lectures that can help you with your MCAT prep. Their courses are designed to keep students on a disciplined study regimen with a comprehensive review of all MCAT subjects. They have instructors who are either professional teachers, have a Ph.D., have a M.D., or are candidates for their Ph.D., or M.D. Their instructors generally specialize in one or two subjects.
Their courses include TBR's full set of MCAT Review books, additional individual MCAT-style passages that are presented each class and answered under timed conditions, two sectional exams that are taken in-class, and all five of TBR's Full Length Practice CBT's. They also offer 1-on-1 office hours that are posted during the first two weeks of class and updated on a regular basis. Over the course of the program, they offer approximately 300-400 office hours (depending on course location), and they are held in either small group settings or in a one-on-one setting with the instructor.
If you enroll in TBR's courses or lectures, you can benefit from their expertise and experience in teaching MCAT subjects. You can also get feedback, advice, and support from their instructors and peers.
Conclusion
Berkeley Review CBT is a valuable resource for MCAT prep, but it can also be very difficult and challenging. However, by following the tips and strategies we discussed in this article, you can overcome the difficulty of Berkeley Review CBT and use it as a tool to boost your MCAT score.
Remember to:
Make space for the MCAT
Don't just study for the MCAT strike a balance
Self-reflect on your study techniques
Plan out your study blocks
Use practice questions with your content review
Take at least 7 to 12 full-length practice exams
Review your answers and learn from your mistakes
Use TBR's books and materials for content review
Attend TBR's lectures and office hours for guidance and support
If you do these things consistently and diligently, you will be well-prepared for the real MCAT and achieve your desired score.
Good luck!
FAQs
Q1: How much does Berkeley Review CBT cost?
A1: Berkeley Review CBT costs $49 for one exam, $99 for three exams, or $149 for five exams. You can order them online through TBR's website.
Q2: How long is Berkeley Review CBT valid for?
A2: Berkeley Review CBT is valid for 16 weeks or 20 weeks from the day of activation, depending on which package you purchase. You can contact TBR if you need your exam account extended beyond that period.
Q3: How does Berkeley Review CBT compare to other MCAT practice exams?
A3: Berkeley Review CBT is generally harder than other MCAT practice exams, such as the AAMC Official MCAT practice exams or Kaplan's practice exams. However, it also covers a wider range of topics and concepts than other practice exams, which can help you prepare for the unpredictability of the real MCAT.
Q4: How can I enroll in Berkeley Review CBT?
A4: You can enroll in Berkeley Review CBT online through TBR's website. You will need to create an account and choose your preferred package and payment method. You will receive an email confirmation with your login details and instructions on how to access your exams.
Q5: How can I contact Berkeley Review for more information?
A5: You can contact Berkeley Review by phone at (510) 540-6467 or by email at info@berkeleyreview.com. You can also visit their website at https://www.berkeleyreview.com/ for more information. 71b2f0854b