Student Blog: Introduction

April 26, 2012

"So, how did you study for the MCAT verbal?" asked Dr. Peck

"I did a bunch of MCAT practice passages using the Princeton Review books, Examkrackers, and other MCAT verbal review books," I responded.

"How did that work out for ya?"

"Not so well."

The verbal section of the MCAT has always been my weakness on the exam. No matter what I did, I could not perform at a consistently high level. I didn't attempt to enroll in any MCAT prep class because I just thought it was never worth the cost. Many of my friends had also advised me against taking it because they did not find it very helpful. I took all the AAMC practice tests and did absolutely abysmal on them (the verbal sections at least), but I always gave myself more credit than the "practice exams" gave me credit for. I foolishly thought I could do well on the exam when the time came because I was sure the "stress of test day" would magically make me focus, but, it didn't.  As a result, I was left humbled and humiliated when I got my scores a month later.

Then, before I began to explain myself, Dr. Peck interrupted and said, "the MCAT verbal passages are designed to confuse test-takers". Then he went on to say, "Every MCAT verbal passage is EXACTLY the same." I looked at him with confusion, and in case I didn't hear him the first 10 times, he said it about 10 more times.  I felt awkward sitting there listening to him say this because I partially didn't believe him. Surely, if the passages were exactly the same, I would have scored a perfect 15 on the section! With such strong conviction, Dr. Peck stated this until I had to concede my position. I felt like I was in the famous scene of Good Will Hunting when Dr. Sean Maguire tells Will, "It's not your fault." I'm sure he knew I wouldn't truly understand it until I learned more about the structure of the MCAT passages because he told me that I would get it... eventually.

- Eugene Choi, Student

Welcome to Teach, MD - MCAT edition

The Teach, MD method for Verbal MCAT has been developed over the last decade and has helped hundreds of students get into medical school.  The foundation of the method is a simple idea: every Verbal MCAT passage is the same. 

My goal is to demystify the Verbal MCAT and help you realize that you can study for it!  There are basic rules and guidelines that dictate the structure of each passage.  If you understand these guidelines, you will begin to see through the details of the drab passage topics, and begin to see the underlying framework on which each passage is built.  Eventually, you will be able to speed through the passage, looking for the answers to the questions before they are even asked!  My goal is to make you realize that you only have to be able to master the skills to get the questions correct for one passage - if you do that, you will get the questions correct for every passage.

Step one is to watch the first introductory video.  It's only about 12 minutes.

Welcome to Teach, MD.  Let's get started!

- Timothy C. Peck, MD (aka: Teach, MD)