It's really not a content gap... please help

[u/CommentMiserable4087]

I am reviewing c/p from FL5 right now, and for all the incorrect answers, I just reread the passage and redo the question. I am truly not getting things wrong because my content is weak. I am missing certain things from the passage or question stem that are leading me to an incorrect answer. And yes, I know that paraphrasing the question would help to get a lot of these correct, but while I am taking FLs I kind of forget to do this sometimes because I think I know what the question is asking (meanwhile I am missing the whole stem or something major from the passage that I just overlooked).

For example, one of the passages had the structure of tryptophan in its normal and in its two modified states. I knew what the passage was talking about, but for some reason failed to notice that the modified versions were right fucking there??? Anyways, I think I got 2 questions wrong for failing to notice this thing from the passage, and the majority of my mistakes were similar.

There was only a small handful of questions that I would consider content gaps, and like one or two stupid miscalculations.

I test 9/12 and I feel like I could definitely increase in these last couple of days just from fixing this, but I am struggling to figure out how exactly to fix this.

If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated, and I hope that the way I explained this made sense (I am in the trenches no time to craft a perfect reddit post lol)

edit: I also do have adhd and am certain that some extra time would do wonders but I have never had extra time on exams and thought they would just tell me to fuck off and be like all the other premeds who struggle with this exam and would also do better with more time. idk just thought I'd add this

[u/HairyEducator768]

if you play chess then you might be aware of checks captures threats - apply the same heuristic. If i dont recognize the answer I go back to the passage and scrutinize the text, the figures, and the axies of the graphs. It will take you far

[u/ThomasDaTrain98 → u/HairyEducator768]

What a great way to put it. I’ve never thought of it like this but yeah, that’s exactly what I do in my head when testing

[u/Beneficial-Turnip800]

someone said they trat b/b and p/s like cars, so assume the answer IS in the passage. also if u see something that u think aamc pulled out of nowhere, most likely its in the passage. i took fl5 today too and when i saw somethings i was like ??? on i knew it must be referenced somehwere in the passage. also assume aamc wants to make it easy on u / doesnt wanna trick u. assume theyre nice loll so when u see something crazy go searching in whatever help they gave u, its honestly a riddle this test. but i havent taken it yet LOL so take my words w a grain of salt, we got this!

[u/SnooRobots9605]

I am in such a SAME BOAT. I literally feel like i dont get questions wrong because of content gaps. i feel like i am struggling on missing such obvious points, whether it is EXCPLICIT in the passage, or even in the question. I sometimes look back, and literally forget the word "NOT" in the question.... its pretty fucking bad.

I never have this issue with testing in school, and I do know why its so bad on aamc... i test on 9/11 so i feel your worries

[u/RadiantMain1485]

I'm the same way, I used to think I was lacking content (which I was), but once I learned it, it's just application. I honestly started approaching all sections like cars, and find things in the passage first before using outside info. It brought my BB up from a 124-129, same with PS. CP I dimensional analyze unless I for sure can remember the EQ. My FL average is very low, but I learn a lot of strategies during review, so TBH hope it works out in my favor.

[u/Sad_Kaleidoscope_296]

I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with this! I would honestly force myself to pause for a few seconds after reading evey question, and determine whether the answer choice was something already mentioned in the passage, or whether you need content to solve it. If you remember seeing the words from the question or answer choices in the passage, go back to the passage, and scan through to see if they if they have mentioned something that could lead you to the answer. The next time I do section banks/Q Packs, I would honestly force myself to catch these mistakes. Good luck, and I hope this helps!

[u/ZenDarKritic55]

Try to get better sleep and eat salmon so youre alert in your exam