- I should have revised math all year round, I have absolutely no math foundation how can I expect to start a month before and finish all of GCSE maths from the basics?! Also considering that I will be competing against UKs finest students, I have done quite well in terms of my math knowledge. I think a good way of revising math all year round is allotting a time each day for it and playing brain training on the DS.
- I should have taken the UKCAT early. OH HOW I WISH I DID THIS.
- If i had taken the UKCAT early I would have known my score and then determined if I should take the BMAT and GAMSAT.
- I should have read books on medical law and medicine throughout the year- this one is no biggie but it would have helped a lot on the SJT.
- I should have started my PS earlier...now I only have a week and a half to prepare it tops.
- I should have allotted no more than 3 weeks for revising the UKCAT. This year I took the little but lengthy approach...I think that was wrong, I am so fed up of this test. 3 weeks is really enough. UKCAT is supposed to be intensive and thats how I think the revision should be too.
- I should have read more books/articles to practice fast reading.
- I should have researched university entrance requirements wayyyyyy earlier, then I would have prevented everything relying on the UKCAT.
- I should have practiced a healthy lifestyle during the revision period. Right now I sleep late, I am undisciplined, I eat unhealthy food, I spend the whole day at the desk..only to work solidly for about two hours in total, I wake up late, I hardly exercise, I make too much time for friends...and the list goes on. This is something that needs to be practiced all year round...it has to be a lifestyle decision.
Monday 30 September 2013
Things I have learnt
This whole process isn't easy, its the uncertainty that is hard. I have made all kinds of mistakes this year regarding this application process, here they go:
official UKCAT mock 1
These are my results:
VR- 25/44 =640
QR- 8/36 = 433
AR- 31/55= 638
DA- 21/28 =750
AVERAGE= 615
arghhh QR killed me in that one its way too hard. I love DA right now, i thought it was one of my weakest areas in the past mocks.
AR was quite hard in this one too
VR- 25/44 =640
QR- 8/36 = 433
AR- 31/55= 638
DA- 21/28 =750
AVERAGE= 615
arghhh QR killed me in that one its way too hard. I love DA right now, i thought it was one of my weakest areas in the past mocks.
AR was quite hard in this one too
Sunday 29 September 2013
Medify hard mock
I just did the medify hard mock, and this is what I got...
VR- 20/48 = 550
QR- 12/36 = 516
AR- 40/55= 736
DA- 15/28 = 621
AVERAGE = 605
My results seem to be stagnant. I don't know what to feel. A lot of people are getting 700s in their mocks although Ive heard of people getting 500s and doing well in the real thing
but having a look on the tsr megathread people are doing way better than me at the mocks. Eek.
VR- 20/48 = 550
QR- 12/36 = 516
AR- 40/55= 736
DA- 15/28 = 621
AVERAGE = 605
My results seem to be stagnant. I don't know what to feel. A lot of people are getting 700s in their mocks although Ive heard of people getting 500s and doing well in the real thing
but having a look on the tsr megathread people are doing way better than me at the mocks. Eek.
Saturday 28 September 2013
Decision Analysis
Seems so be everyone's strongest section...
-Don't forget that you have to do a confidence rating (score of 1= low confidence in your answer and score of 5=high confidence). The confidence ratings are 'not sent to medical school'....hmmm. Why are they making everything harder i don't know.
-Midway through the sub test you will be given an additional part of the table
Some examples: (given as literal translations, then the right option stated)
*carry(opposite generalise water) combine (earth water dwelling) danger
pulling that water from the well is hazardous
''opposite generalise'' is used to represent ''that water'' as opposite of a generalisation is a specific. So to oppositely generalise water it would be representing a specific water.
*opposite personal= you or they
-Don't forget that you have to do a confidence rating (score of 1= low confidence in your answer and score of 5=high confidence). The confidence ratings are 'not sent to medical school'....hmmm. Why are they making everything harder i don't know.
-Midway through the sub test you will be given an additional part of the table
Some examples: (given as literal translations, then the right option stated)
*carry(opposite generalise water) combine (earth water dwelling) danger
pulling that water from the well is hazardous
''opposite generalise'' is used to represent ''that water'' as opposite of a generalisation is a specific. So to oppositely generalise water it would be representing a specific water.
*opposite personal= you or they
Situational Judgement
I'm not too bothered about this section as it will only really be used for Edinburgh applicants this year.
But I think its a good idea to get a perspective of what is right/wrong in medical practice/other situations. I really enjoy this subsection because of all the social challenges they come up with and the 'right' reaction to each. Of course all the reactions are debatable but you have to start accepting that your whole medical life will be dictated by guidelines...and you have to accept these as the right way of reacting. There is a theme for the SJT, and i think this is the only subset that can actually be revised for properly.
Here are some question types:
A very inappropriate thing to do/very important issues:
But I think its a good idea to get a perspective of what is right/wrong in medical practice/other situations. I really enjoy this subsection because of all the social challenges they come up with and the 'right' reaction to each. Of course all the reactions are debatable but you have to start accepting that your whole medical life will be dictated by guidelines...and you have to accept these as the right way of reacting. There is a theme for the SJT, and i think this is the only subset that can actually be revised for properly.
Here are some question types:
A very inappropriate thing to do/very important issues:
- any question where it asks if its appropriate for the person in question to discuss the matter (sensitive subjects) within his peer group
- any question that involves the person arriving to work late, not going to work at all or anything that puts patients at a disadvantage should be seen as a very inappropriate thing to do.
- copying a colleague's work= dishonesty and endangers your colleague too.
- calling in sick dishonestly
- patient doctor romantic relationships
- code of practice governed by the hospital should always be deemed as highly important.
- any situation that may aggravate that person's situation/or anothers.
Inappropriate but not awful:
- wasting time- calling the senior doctor for help on a decision that you can make yourself
Appropriate but not ideal:
- misplacing your workplace heirachy by doing someone else's job/ decisions.
28/09/13
I did no work yesterday, I spent the day out. I'm kind of bored of this whole thing. But there are only 4 days left. At least the boredom is making the nervousness go away.
I really do wish I was motivated. I read something interesting yesterday; ''Flow is an optimal state in which you feel totally engaged in an activity- whether long distance swimming or songwriting, sumo wrestling or sex. In a state of flow, you're neither bored nor anxious, and you don't question your own adequacy. Hours pass without you noticing.....The key to flow is to pursue an activity for it's sake, not for the reward it brings''- (Quiet by Susan Cain). I completely understand what they mean by 'flow,' I've rarely been in this state but I know that feeling, being completely in the mood of work, and not caring about the outcome. It goes on to say; ''Flow often occurs..in conditions in which people become independent of the social environment to the degree that they no longer respond exclusively in terms of its rewards and punishments. To achieve such autonomy, a person has to learn to provide rewards to themselves.''....''in flow, a person could work around the clock for days on end, for no better reason than to keep working.''
I think to get into that state is the only way I can truly stay focussed on the work. I have had a short attention span for as long as I could remember, but I do remember some university days where I was so immersed in the work that I felt like I didn't care about the outside world.
Anyway, I should get started now. I slept quite early last night but ended up waking up at 10 :(. I think I've been quite negative these past few days. I should work on that.
STOP TYPING. why? because. ndjhfknkfnefo.
I really do wish I was motivated. I read something interesting yesterday; ''Flow is an optimal state in which you feel totally engaged in an activity- whether long distance swimming or songwriting, sumo wrestling or sex. In a state of flow, you're neither bored nor anxious, and you don't question your own adequacy. Hours pass without you noticing.....The key to flow is to pursue an activity for it's sake, not for the reward it brings''- (Quiet by Susan Cain). I completely understand what they mean by 'flow,' I've rarely been in this state but I know that feeling, being completely in the mood of work, and not caring about the outcome. It goes on to say; ''Flow often occurs..in conditions in which people become independent of the social environment to the degree that they no longer respond exclusively in terms of its rewards and punishments. To achieve such autonomy, a person has to learn to provide rewards to themselves.''....''in flow, a person could work around the clock for days on end, for no better reason than to keep working.''
I think to get into that state is the only way I can truly stay focussed on the work. I have had a short attention span for as long as I could remember, but I do remember some university days where I was so immersed in the work that I felt like I didn't care about the outside world.
Anyway, I should get started now. I slept quite early last night but ended up waking up at 10 :(. I think I've been quite negative these past few days. I should work on that.
STOP TYPING. why? because. ndjhfknkfnefo.
Thursday 26 September 2013
Let go of perfectionalism
It has never served you in any way. Move on and do the work. Yes it's sunny, yes everyone is having fun outside. But seriously what do you want more in the long run?
6 DAYS LEFT. IF YOU BURN OUT, LIGHT THE FUCKING MATCH AGAIN. no burning out. GET TO WORK ARHHHHHHHHHHH
Wednesday 25 September 2013
A journal of my quest into graduate entry medicine: keyboard shortcuts
A journal of my quest into graduate entry medicine: keyboard shortcuts:
ALT+F for flagging
ALT+E for ending a review
ALT+C for bringing up the calculator
ALT+P for going to the previous question
ALT+N for the nex...
ALT+F for flagging
ALT+E for ending a review
ALT+C for bringing up the calculator
ALT+P for going to the previous question
ALT+N for the nex...
Abstract Reasoning
AR is one of my weakest areas. Sometimes no matter how hard I look I just don't see the pattern.
The kaplan mnemonic is:
S hape
C olour
A rrangement
N unmber
S ize
I don't usually have time to go through these for each question, so I don't think the kaplan method was really useful to me in this section. Sometimes even if I know the problem lies in the arrangement of the shapes, I can't actually find how they differ. It's so frustrating because it doesn't seem like something you can change about yourself. You either see the pattern or you don't. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic and it is something you can practice and get better at. I will practice it and see.
13 minutes to answer 55 items. -about one minute for each question (11 of them)
Reference point- at question 27 you should be at about 6mins 30 secs
Steps:
1. ignore the test shape!
2. look at the set and find the pattern (using SCANS/or 'CATSPENIS' mneumonics)
3. check the test shape
4. eliminate and select
** if it takes you too long to figure out the test shape, mark an answer and flag (ALT + F), (ALT+N)
Some patters:
*Shapes go clockwise, other set goes counterclockwise
*Relationship between direction of arrow and a shape: for example in set A- arrow pointing downwards represent 3/4 of a circle, arrow pointing right represents 2/4 of circle, arrow pointing up represents 1/4 of circle and arrow pointing left represents both 1/1 and no circle present. So you can see that two shapes are changing. The arrow is going clockwise and the circle is also increasing by 1/4 with each clockwise turn of the arrow.
*Set A- more sides on outer shape than inner shape - e.g. square containing a triangle
Set B- more sides in inner shape than outer shape -e.g. square containing pentagon
*Set A- at least 3 circles close to each other
Set B- no two circles are close to each other and each box contains 6 circles
*Set A- odd number of shapes. There are more shaded than not. At least one quadrilateral and one black hexagon.
Set B- even number of shapes with none shaded. At least one quadrilateral.
*Set A- shapes point to the right
Set B- shapes point to the left
*Set A- triangle above circle
Set B- circle above triangle
*Set A- odd number of shapes. Bottom left shape is black
Set B- even number of shapes. Top right shape is black
*Set A- Right angled triangle
Set B- isosceles triangle
*Set A- biggest shape is white, smallest shape is black
set B- smallest shape is white (the other shapes are not necessary black)
*Set A- all straight shapes are filled, 2 quadrilaterals means arrow points right
Set B- all curved shapes are filled. 2 quadrilaterals means arrow points left
*Set A- has an even number of shapes, with none shaded- Ignore the smiley face (very hard to ignore)
set B- off number of shapes, more shaded than not. Ignore the smiley face.
*(hard)
Set A- the interior angles of all shapes and intersecting lines summates to 720 degrees
Set B- the interior angles of all shapes and intersecting lines summates to 360 degrees
*Set A- square enclosed by a circle, if no square then triangle
Set B- square enclosed by triangle, if no square then circle
The kaplan mnemonic is:
S hape
C olour
A rrangement
N unmber
S ize
I don't usually have time to go through these for each question, so I don't think the kaplan method was really useful to me in this section. Sometimes even if I know the problem lies in the arrangement of the shapes, I can't actually find how they differ. It's so frustrating because it doesn't seem like something you can change about yourself. You either see the pattern or you don't. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic and it is something you can practice and get better at. I will practice it and see.
13 minutes to answer 55 items. -about one minute for each question (11 of them)
Reference point- at question 27 you should be at about 6mins 30 secs
Steps:
1. ignore the test shape!
2. look at the set and find the pattern (using SCANS/or 'CATSPENIS' mneumonics)
3. check the test shape
4. eliminate and select
** if it takes you too long to figure out the test shape, mark an answer and flag (ALT + F), (ALT+N)
Some patters:
*Shapes go clockwise, other set goes counterclockwise
*Relationship between direction of arrow and a shape: for example in set A- arrow pointing downwards represent 3/4 of a circle, arrow pointing right represents 2/4 of circle, arrow pointing up represents 1/4 of circle and arrow pointing left represents both 1/1 and no circle present. So you can see that two shapes are changing. The arrow is going clockwise and the circle is also increasing by 1/4 with each clockwise turn of the arrow.
*Set A- more sides on outer shape than inner shape - e.g. square containing a triangle
Set B- more sides in inner shape than outer shape -e.g. square containing pentagon
*Set A- at least 3 circles close to each other
Set B- no two circles are close to each other and each box contains 6 circles
*Set A- odd number of shapes. There are more shaded than not. At least one quadrilateral and one black hexagon.
Set B- even number of shapes with none shaded. At least one quadrilateral.
*Set A- shapes point to the right
Set B- shapes point to the left
*Set A- triangle above circle
Set B- circle above triangle
*Set A- odd number of shapes. Bottom left shape is black
Set B- even number of shapes. Top right shape is black
*Set A- Right angled triangle
Set B- isosceles triangle
*Set A- biggest shape is white, smallest shape is black
set B- smallest shape is white (the other shapes are not necessary black)
*Set A- all straight shapes are filled, 2 quadrilaterals means arrow points right
Set B- all curved shapes are filled. 2 quadrilaterals means arrow points left
*Set A- has an even number of shapes, with none shaded- Ignore the smiley face (very hard to ignore)
set B- off number of shapes, more shaded than not. Ignore the smiley face.
*(hard)
Set A- the interior angles of all shapes and intersecting lines summates to 720 degrees
Set B- the interior angles of all shapes and intersecting lines summates to 360 degrees
*Set A- square enclosed by a circle, if no square then triangle
Set B- square enclosed by triangle, if no square then circle
Monday 23 September 2013
Medify medium mock
VR - 25/44 -640
QR- 16/36 -566
AR- 27/54 -600
DA- 13/28 - 578
AVERAGE = 596
:( THINGS ARE LOOKING BAD FOR ME. just want to cry :(
QR- 16/36 -566
AR- 27/54 -600
DA- 13/28 - 578
AVERAGE = 596
:( THINGS ARE LOOKING BAD FOR ME. just want to cry :(
Only 3 days left :O....EDIT I RESCHEDULED...!! :d
How did time go by so fast?
Im nervous, actually kind of paralysed by the fear of failing this UKCAT. I just hope I can get a decent enough mark to actually deem me eligible to apply. I don't care about not getting into medicine this year, I just don't want a big blow to my confidence.
I wanted to postpone the test once again but yesterday I checked there were no more dates available.
Im going to do another mock now.
Im nervous, actually kind of paralysed by the fear of failing this UKCAT. I just hope I can get a decent enough mark to actually deem me eligible to apply. I don't care about not getting into medicine this year, I just don't want a big blow to my confidence.
I wanted to postpone the test once again but yesterday I checked there were no more dates available.
Im going to do another mock now.
Saturday 21 September 2013
my first UKCAT mock
I am really disappointed :(. So these are the marks i got in the medify easy mock:
VR- 24/44 = 627
I ran out of time for this one, I probably answered only half the questions properly, the other half was all guess work.
QR- 13/36 = 516
I guessed literally EVERY question. I HATE THIS SHIT.
AR- 28/55 = 605
I saw a pattern for maybe only two sets, the other questions were answered by my gut.
DA- 17/28 = 664
It was the only section where i used the time well. I did have two minutes to spare at the end. But I was really tired by this section.
MY AVERAGE IS 603 :( WAH.
SJ - 37/71 = 612
I actually enjoyed this section, but apparently it won't be used by medical schools much?...
...I feel like Im developing a cold. I have a runny nose, maybe this is a sign that i should postpone my exam again
....evening time:
I am actually going through the quantitative reasoning questions now and they are fairly easy when you have enough time, this is certainly an improvement from my previous state where I was not able to answer QR questions even in an unlimited amount of time.
This proves that with practice you can really improve on this section.
VR- 24/44 = 627
I ran out of time for this one, I probably answered only half the questions properly, the other half was all guess work.
QR- 13/36 = 516
I guessed literally EVERY question. I HATE THIS SHIT.
AR- 28/55 = 605
I saw a pattern for maybe only two sets, the other questions were answered by my gut.
DA- 17/28 = 664
It was the only section where i used the time well. I did have two minutes to spare at the end. But I was really tired by this section.
MY AVERAGE IS 603 :( WAH.
SJ - 37/71 = 612
I actually enjoyed this section, but apparently it won't be used by medical schools much?...
...I feel like Im developing a cold. I have a runny nose, maybe this is a sign that i should postpone my exam again
....evening time:
I am actually going through the quantitative reasoning questions now and they are fairly easy when you have enough time, this is certainly an improvement from my previous state where I was not able to answer QR questions even in an unlimited amount of time.
This proves that with practice you can really improve on this section.
Thursday 19 September 2013
19/09/13 - 1 WEEK LEFT!!
- i didn't study much yesterday, i only did half a chapter of math :(
-but at least i spent some time bonding with my family :D. I was at a desperate level of boredom so I couldn't be bothered to study.
-Anyway, it's a new day, here is a buddha quote for motivation:
Concentrate on what you want to happen rather than what you don't.
Forget about the outcome.
todays chapter:
-averages and range
-then aim to do 150 medify questions (as you didn't do any yesterday)
stop fluffing around on the internet.
-but at least i spent some time bonding with my family :D. I was at a desperate level of boredom so I couldn't be bothered to study.
-Anyway, it's a new day, here is a buddha quote for motivation:
Concentrate on what you want to happen rather than what you don't.Forget about the outcome.
todays chapter:
-averages and range
-then aim to do 150 medify questions (as you didn't do any yesterday)
stop fluffing around on the internet.
Wednesday 18 September 2013
18/09/13
I didn't study yesterday, I have decided not to feel shit about it, rather, i will work twice as hard.
I hope I don't get ill, i've got a permenant headache and not feeling too energetic. And my sleeping pattern is fucked up.
KEEP CALM.
i made coffee for the first time ever. I hope i'll be alright.
I hope I don't get ill, i've got a permenant headache and not feeling too energetic. And my sleeping pattern is fucked up.
KEEP CALM.
i made coffee for the first time ever. I hope i'll be alright.
Monday 16 September 2013
Plan for the next 10 days:
17/09:
understanding and using measurements
18/09:
collection and organisation of data
19/09:
averages and range
20/09:
presentation of data1 and presentation of data 2
21/09:
cumulative frequency
22/09:
probability
23/09:
medify easy mock
24/09:
medify medium mock
official ukcat mock
25/09:
medify hard mock
26/09:
TEST DAY
understanding and using measurements
18/09:
collection and organisation of data
19/09:
averages and range
20/09:
presentation of data1 and presentation of data 2
21/09:
cumulative frequency
22/09:
probability
23/09:
medify easy mock
24/09:
medify medium mock
official ukcat mock
25/09:
medify hard mock
26/09:
TEST DAY
ONLY 10 DAYS TO GO UNTIL UKCAT
Just try your best
Aim for 150 medify questions a day
positive thinking
wake up early
switch off your phone
Wednesday 11 September 2013
Monday 9 September 2013
arghh. Think positive!!!
if all else fails, ill have to take the BMAT and apply for the A100 courses in leeds and ucl..
BUT BE POSITIVE, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT NOT WHAT YOU DONT WANT.
BUT BE POSITIVE, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT NOT WHAT YOU DONT WANT.
Saturday 7 September 2013
Wednesday 4 September 2013
percentage equation that i really need to practice
Original x (1 + or - %) = final value
+ would be for a percentage increase
- for a percentage decrease
rearranged:
Final value/(1+ or - %) = original value
This is the same equation as % change= final value-original value/ original value
But it arrives at the answer quicker so it would be useful for the time limit
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