Advice on recall during tests?

Nontraditional Premed Discussion
1

Can anybody provide the methods that you use to memorize material and recall it during tests?


I’ve tried lots of things, and nothing seems to work; I can memorize non-science material very easily and easily get A’s in those sorts of courses. However, as soon as I attempt scientific stuff (chemistry, biology, microbiology, etc.), my recall drops precipitously during exams, and so I do poorly on those tests. Instead of an A, I usually end up with a B, or sometimes a C.


I already have a well-documented reading problem; I read very slowly, but the learning center here was unable to assess or elucidate the recall issue that I have. I have tried flash cards, reading out loud, self-quizzing and self-testing, teaching to others, etc. For scientific material, these methods only work to a point, at which I get about half of what I learn correct. The rest either cannot be recalled or comes out wrong.


The real problem, my post-bacc GPA, especially the science GPA, has been irreversibly damaged by this.


I was due to take the MCAT next month, but I am putting it off until I can remedy this situation. I am done with post-bacc, so I have to live with a poor post-bacc GPA.

2

For ochem, I started making a “puzzle” out of the different starting mats, products, reagents, etc. I made arrows and whatever else I needed. Then I tossed them into a pile and pulled things out. After I’d done that, I tried to see if I could make the reaction from the mess I had pulled.


If I could not, then I wrote down what I was missing (didn’t have a big bulky base for E2 reaction, or had a 3 degree OH and the reagent would not work).


I don’t know if it will help me or not. My final is not until Weds. But frustrated at my inability to do synthesis in the exam when 10 minutes beforehand I could blather on about it (and correctly), I had to try something different.


As an aside, I’m thinking of making a game of what I did and selling it Of course, anyone here would get for free, just need to pay for materials (that is not an advertisement nor a solicit - great t/j tho - sorry Datsa!)