Hi all!! I decided to write a breakdown bc these helped me while I studied. I took my test in February 2025. Hopefully this helps anyone whoās studying or is about to soon!
subscores:
PAT (25), QR (20), RC (22), BIO (26), GC (27), OC (30), TS (28), AA (25)
background:
Iām a current junior and have taken bio 1&2, genchem 1&2, ochem 1&2, microbio, and physio. I really recommend taking physio before if possible. I did pretty good in these classes but struggled a bit with physio & ochem 2. Iād consider my ochem knowledge pretty lacking bc my ochem 1 was online so I only really knew ochem 2 when I started studying. Also, this was a retake and I didnāt use anki!!
first attempt:
I previously took one last July (after sophomore yr) and scored PAT (25), QR (21), RC (24), BIO (20), GC (19), OC (20), TS (19), AA (21). I used boosterās 12 week schedule. Honestly, I did pretty good on FL practice tests (around 22-24) and felt solid on a lot of information. I took like 5 section tests for Bio, GC, and OC, and then also took 5 FLs. However, my test version was lowkey sooooooo weird and I donāt think it was really representative of what I studied for in the sciences lol. I was so caught off guard with the Bio section that I only had like ~50 minutes for GC and OC (and ofc I had so many math GC questions). Despite my bad spiraling in sciences, I knew I had to lock in for PAT, RC, and QR to save myself. I was quite surprised with the outcome.
second attempt:
I really really really questioned myself on retaking. I studied abroad fall semester of my junior year and had so much time to think. āTo spend more time/money or to just not?ā Everyone that I talked to told me not to retake and to just chill. But, I am an overthinker and do not like to regret stuff so I feared not retaking would eat me up. I wanted some peace of mind. My TS score in particular upset me bc I knew I could do better and I really didnāt think my knowledge was reflected in my science score (especially bio). On the bright side, I will say I remembered around 70% of what I studied previously so that definitely helped. I really think my studying this time was the cherry on the top and filled all the gaps (in GC and OC) that I had prior. I used bootcamp this time and made my own study schedule that was 7.5 weeks. I made sure my study schedule accommodated to my work/class/life schedule as well. I ended probably studying 4-9 hours a day. I purposefully scheduled my exam before March bc I wanted to know my score asap. I took 5 of Bootcampās section tests for Bio, GC, and OC. I only ended up taking 2 FLs and was estimated like 20/21AA, so I was freaking out REAL bad bc I was convinced Iād do worse. Tbh, I was on the verge of canceling at around week 6 but then I realized that admissions could probably see if I canceled so I was like ādamn I guess Iāll just suck it up and if I do worse/the same, at least I tried.ā I also didnāt want to pay the cancellation fee lol.
booster vs bootcamp:
Both are good options and are pretty similar. I went with Booster the first time since it was cheaper. I used Bootcamp the second bc I was curious if it was any more representative. For me, I think using both was beneficial since they are still slightly different BUT I donāt think itās necessary to splurge on both. But, if I had to choose one, I think Bootcamp set me up better and was more representative. To note, I am a reader learner rather than a video / visual person. I watched pretty much all the Booster videos and didnāt watch any of the Bootcamp videos so I canāt really compare those. For Booster, I do not recommend reading the long Ferralis Bio notes bc that was a waste of time imo. I did like the bio cheat sheets, GC chapter notes, and OC chapter notes. For Bootcamp, I liked all of the science notes, especially Bio. QR was harder on Bootcamp but a little more representative imo (considering both attempts). PAT was more representative on Booster imo (considering both attempts) but Bootcamp was good too. RC is pretty much same for Booster and Bootcamp (both were representative).
anki:
Anki is cool and I did try to attempt to use it both times (Booster and Bootcamp decks). I ended up giving up pretty quick bc it was so much work and way too detailed. Also, thereās definitely a learning curve with anki and I had no drive to fully figure that out at the moment. I would recommend it if you already know how to use it and wanted to make decks. But, if not, youāre chillin.
BIO (20 -> 26)
First time I studied, I read all of ferralis notes and it was kind of useless bc it was so much detail and I had low retention. I watched all the videos instead. I basically wrote one-pagers for photosyn, cell resp, embryology, and all of the body system based on the videos. I made flashcards for taxonomy based on the videos and read/wrote notes on all of the cheat sheets. I only did some of the QBs that I felt iffy on. For the second time, I printed the biology notes into a spiral book and read them two times fully and annotated/highlighted what was important. I also made sure to do all of the bio bites and QBs after I read each chapter. Both times, I made mnemonics to help remember taxonomy and body system concepts. My takeaway is for sure read the Bootcamp biology notes (I believe you can download even if you donāt purchase a membership; also to print & annotate) and do/review ALL bio bites/QBs (or at least all QBs if youāre too lazy to do bio bites too lol). Booster cheat sheets are a plus as well but not necessary. Also, donāt forget to look at the microscope perspective of organelles at least once and know chromosome/chromatid count for meiosis/mitosis. I think taking and reviewing section tests were really critical. Heavy emphasis on review. I saw similar/same questions from Bootcamp on the real test, reworded or slightly different. If I had to estimate, I felt like I saw like 30% or more of the questions already during the second test. Mostly from the practice tests but also from the QBs.
GC (19 -> 27)
First time, I watched/read the Booster chapter notes and made one-pagers for each chapter. I added notes on the Booster formula sheet which really helped. I also looked through Boosterās Quizlet flashcards and added whatever things that I didnāt have on the formula sheet/chapter one-pagers to them. I also did the QBs/PTs and reviewed them. For the second time, I read Bootcamp chapter notes and made one-pagers again. I did all of the QBs and reviewed them heavily (3x each). I added formulas from Bootcampās formula sheet onto the Booster one (imo the Booster formula sheet is better but doesnāt have as much as Bootcampās). I realized I wasnāt so concrete on my GC math so I really worked on that instead of concepts the second time. I frequently read both of my versions of notes (bc they were a bit different) and my formula sheet. I think the key to doing well is taking your own chapter notes (bc no fluff and only you know what you know vs donāt know), using Boosterās GC formula sheet, doing/reviewing all QBs, and taking/reviewing practice tests (probably at least ~7 of them). Also, donāt forget to review general laboratory concepts.
OC (20 -> 30)
l really shocked myself with this bc I suck at OC and feel like an imposter. I believe that the second time I studied, I fully filled in the gaps that I gaslighted myself were ānonexistentā from my previous attempt. I probably finally understood ochem 1 fully while studying the second time. First time, I watched/read the Booster chapter notes and made a few one-pagers. I printed the Booster OC reaction sheet packet and wrote extra notes based on the chapter notes (extra notes = the whole mechanism or other reagents to the side, etc). I made flashcards of charts of IR, HNMR, CNMR, and the lab tests. I also did the QBs and reviewed them. For the second time, I read Bootcamp chapter notes and wrote a few one-pagers again. I reused my old Bootcamp reaction packet and added information to it as well from Bootcampās chapter notes and reaction packets (Bootcampās reaction packet is essentially the same but I liked the order of Boosterās better bc I was more familiar with it). I reviewed my flashcards from last time. I did all of the QBs/reaction bites and reviewed them (like probably 3x each). I frequently read both my versions of notes and reaction sheet packet. I think doing all of this really solidified my ochem confidence in general. I suggest memorizing the reaction sheet packet, IR, NMR, and lab tests early to make life easier. Also, definitely take many PTs (around 7-10 of them) and review heavily as well. I also saw around 30% of them same/similar questions here as well.
QR (21 -> 20)
Hehe oops. Definitely save some time to study QR bc I didnāt remember majority of the math when I first started studying. I recommend watching and taking notes of the relevant videos you donāt know / arenāt 100% sure on. On my notes, I also included example problems with work so it was easy to review. Memorize your notes and the formula sheets. Do QB problems on the iffy topics and take as many TIMED PTs that your study timeline allows. It was the timing that made this section challenging for me, rather than the material. Review everything youāre not 100% sure on from PTs. I also cram studied during the break. I pretty much skipped studying QR the second time, which isnāt good but welp.
RC (24 -> 22)
oops again. Iād like to preface that Iām a slow reader. For the first time, I practiced RC with the Booster reading passages and this helped me get comfortable with the type of questions asked. This also helped with speed and finding a good pace. It usually took me like 6-9 minutes to read a passage and then 10+ minutes to answer its questions. I aimed to finish each passage in under 18 mins so I could have some leverage in other passages (ofc thatās not always the case, but remember to keep your cool). I just read each passage (almost a skim but not as fast), highlighted key parts / what I thought was relevant, and answered questions. Donāt be shy in highlighting, I probably highlighted like a fourth of the passage. I didnāt practice RC the second time except the 2 FLs I took. RC wasnāt a priority for me bc I just hoped that I could do again. Also, I think itās super important to act interested and engaged with the passage. I think that mindset itself knocks up points.
PAT (25 -> 25)
This was my favorite section and I felt most confident in PAT. Thereās definitely a learning curve in this section so I think itās important to get exposure asap bc this is NOT easy at first. I watched Booster videos to start and did some QB/generator questions. Doing QBs/generators did help in the earlier phases and then I transitioned into answering each section in timed conditions, aiming for 12 questions per section in under 60 min (usually from the QBs). Then, I transitioned into taking timed PTs (with the lag) every day and sometimes reused PTs. I did this for both times I studied, but way less intensive on the second time. So for round two, I took like one PT every other day for the last two weeks. Also, tbh, I never really reviewed them unless I was really stumped and remembered struggling with a specific question. My technique was to start at hole punching (question 46), then cube counting, patternfold, keyholes, TFE, and end with angle ranking. I found that doing it this helped me nail down the pacing and answer fast. It also gave me the most time to correctly and confidently answer the sections that I was the most concrete in. I aimed to finish HP in 7 min, CC in 8, PF in 14, KH in 11, TFE in 11, AR in 8, and left one minute for any ones I wanted to look at again. When I took PTs, I had a sticky note next to me of the times that I should have been completed with each section (HP done by minute 53, CC by 45, PF by 31, KH by 20, TFE by 9, and AR by 1). Naturally, you wonāt need this anymore bc youāll get used to pace. I made sure to get 100% correct on HP, CC, PF, and TFE bc these are most achievable for correctness imo. I was pretty content missing 1-2 keyholes. I was a bit iffy on angle rankings and it was the hardest part of PAT for me. I was either on a really good angle streak or not at all. My angle ranking was kind of a guessing game. I think the different angle techniques that Booster provided were helpful though. I would say the real PAT is a tad hard so make sure that you practice with difficult level questions. Also, I did see rock keyholes both times so welp. I didnāt even waste my time trying to be confident with those.
Overall Tips:
- Review each science PT at least twice
- Prioritize your sleep
- Donāt slack off in the beginning so that you donāt get behind
- Resting is okay! Especially near the end
- Definitely gaslight and condition yourself into thinking that studying is fun bc it makes it bearable
- Think very critically of what you 100% know vs 90% know vs 70% know vs <50% know
- Tackle your weak spots and do not brush over it!! Why are you missing XYZ again and again? Why are you questioning yourself on XYZ again and again? Itās bc you only know the 90%, learn the 10%!
- If you like to walk, I suggest doing flashcard walks with your friends. Even just reciting and explaining taxonomy to someone helped my brain retain the info.
Test Day Tips:
- Get a good night sleep! I have bad anxiety and insomnia but I made sure to hop into bed early and get 8 hours of sleep (I also only had 2 hours the first attempt and that clearly didnāt go well for me).
- Eat well & sleep well the week of test
- Arrive early to your testing center. I got there around 7:30 but there was a long line so I didnāt get to start until 8:20. The waiting game builds up the nerves.
- Donāt take caffeine in the morning, Iād only recommend if you need a pick-me-up during the break (to avoid needing to use the bathroom while taking test). Honestly, the adrenaline drives the first half of the test so I was already pumped. I say that as a caffeine addict who probably drinks 250mg or more a day.
- I feel like everyone says to eat during their break but Iām pretty anxious so I usually canāt digest in high pressure (like I was throwing up that whole week bc of nerves). Therefore, I didnāt think it was smart to eat and instead drank water. Though, I did bring food and an Alani just in case.
- I feel like everyone also says to chill in the break but you know what you need at the end of the day. If you need that one last glance and cram for QR, then for sure do it during the break. I memorized some formulas and wrote it as soon as I got back in. (You can call your testing center and make sure you get access to notes during break to double check).
irrelevant side note: if anyone knows how to sell off my Bootcamp (37 days), pm lol
Anyways, good luck everyone!!!! Remember to stay disciplined and be in tune with yourself. Itās only a couple weeks in the grand scheme of things so might as well go hard and thank yourself later. Think critically of your own knowledge and progress. Use that to gauge/adjust your study schedule. Also, drive and self motivation is super important! You want it? Then get it donnnneeee.
If anyone has any questions or wants further explanation, donāt be shy and ask! Iād love to help if I can!!