Took a practice MCAT for the first time in over seven years today ...

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I took the AAMC e-MCAT Practice Test 3 today and got 24: (PS: 6, VR: 9, BS: 9). I sat the MCAT in April of 2005 and scored 35: (PS: 13, VR: 11, BS: 11). I want to meet or beat my previous score to show that a) it wasn't a fluke and b) I've still got what it takes. I honestly can't remember studying that hard for the MCAT back then, but it's all a blur. I definitely burned out.

I finished my pre-reqs the same quarter that I took the MCAT. So, I haven't been exposed to any of this stuff in over seven years. I don't understand how I did so well in BS.

My plan is to apply June 2014, so I was thinking of taking it January 2014. I realize that is over a year away, but I can't stop worrying, so I decided to take the practice test.

What would you do? Should I start studying lightly now (when I feel like it, no schedule, etc.) and take the MCAT sooner (maybe January 2013 with intense studying the 3-4 months leading up to it)?

I bought a physics study guide and a biology textbook at the thrift store yesterday. I thought I would crack those open and get started.

Any input is appreciated.

I'm going through SN2ed study plan in hyper-speed right now. Have you looked at what that entails? I think your time may be put to better use studying MCAT material specifically as opposed to the enormity that is a college textbook. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by ShoTyme

I'm going through SN2ed study plan in hyper-speed right now. Have you looked at what that entails? I think your time may be put to better use studying MCAT material specifically as opposed to the enormity that is a college textbook. Just a thought.

I did look at that plan, and it's expensive. It also looks very intense. How's it working for you? Do you think I should take it sooner? Did you just get the TBR books from their website? I'm really curious how everyone else actually does this.

My thought was to begin with content review and only study the topics listed on the AAMC website by using the textbooks' index/table of contents.

ShoTyme has a point. There's a lot of information out there, and it may be better to find something better tailored to what you'll need to know. If money is an issue, I've spent some afternoons looking at some MCAT-prep books at the local Barnes and Noble. I brought a notebook with me and took some notes. I think you should determine what concepts you'll need to know, and then figure out what your weaknesses are. It might take some extra work, but you should be able to filter out what you'll need to know from free/cheap resources. A lot of them can be found online.

mapandterritory, For how long do you think I should study? When should I take the exam?

Thanks for your tips. I will definitely use the local library and I have a few bucks on a gift card for B&N.

hi, nice name I hope it doesn't get mixed up with mine though.

I wouldn't bother with reiview books and text books which aren't created specifically for the MCAT. You don't need to read a whole text book to remember what you need for the test. A focused review course would be the best option. I would suggest you sign up with a prep course, and between now and early next year you should have plenty of time to prepare and do well. I took the 4/2011 exam, after nearly 20 yrs since graduating from college. I started with Kaplan online course in september, finished reviewing by January, and did practice tests after that (2 hrs per night and 4hrs/day on weekends). Once you finish your basic review, the key is doing a Ton of practice questions. I did 3000+

Since you did so well the first time, I'm sure will do just as well or better if you do a review course, and do all of the AAMC practice tests, plus any practice tests that your review course gives you. my diganostic with Kaplan was 27, and my first full length was 29. But after I finished all my reviews, my full length scores averaged at 38, and I got 37 on the real test.

If you have all your other requirements done, and you are actively doing clinical work and community activity, then you could apply next year. If you GPA needs improvement, cosider taking post-bach courses.

Originally Posted by startoverat40

hi, nice name I hope it doesn't get mixed up with mine though.

Thanks! I didn't look around before creating my name. I also hope we don't get mixed up.

I wouldn't bother with reiview books and text books which aren't created specifically for the MCAT. You don't need to read a whole text book to remember what you need for the test. A focused review course would be the best option. I would suggest you sign up with a prep course, and between now and early next year you should have plenty of time to prepare and do well. I took the 4/2011 exam, after nearly 20 yrs since graduating from college. I started with Kaplan online course in september, finished reviewing by January, and did practice tests after that (2 hrs per night and 4hrs/day on weekends). Once you finish your basic review, the key is doing a Ton of practice questions. I did 3000+

I took a Kaplan course in 2004/2005. It was pricey, and my parents paid for it. I felt like it was useful, because I learn best in a classroom setting.

Since you did so well the first time, I'm sure will do just as well or better if you do a review course, and do all of the AAMC practice tests, plus any practice tests that your review course gives you. my diganostic with Kaplan was 27, and my first full length was 29. But after I finished all my reviews, my full length scores averaged at 38, and I got 37 on the real test.

If you have all your other requirements done, and you are actively doing clinical work and community activity, then you could apply next year. If you GPA needs improvement, cosider taking post-bach courses.

I am starting volunteering at a hospital in a couple of weeks. I also found a doctor to shadow with (and she has contacts I can shadow, too). I should start that in a week or two as well. As for community service, I only have something through the Humane Society; I foster dogs. My pre-med advisor told me that I need to do some community service with people. I need to get started on that.

I do think my GPA is too low. 3.3 BCPM and 3.5 cGPA. I was planning on doing a post-bac year starting winter 2013 through fall 2014. What do you think? Should I apply in 2013 anyway and then re-apply in 2014? Or is it better to delay and take more classes?

Originally Posted by startingover84

I did look at that plan, and it's expensive. It also looks very intense. How's it working for you? Do you think I should take it sooner? Did you just get the TBR books from their website? I'm really curious how everyone else actually does this.

My thought was to begin with content review and only study the topics listed on the AAMC website by using the textbooks' index/table of contents.

I literally just started the plan today so I don't know how it's going yet. The plan looks intense, but I'm an intense kinda guy I ordered the books from their website. Yes they are expensive which is why I didn't buy them earlier. However after staying up late at night thinking about my approach, which wasn't focused, I rethought things.

This is an important exam; this is the most important exam I have ever taken. I don't want to retake it. In the grand scheme of things, the price of the books is nearly nothing. I mean think about how much medical school will cost! So I decided to make the investment. I'm hoping that all the positive reviews on the material are accurate. We shall see.

ShoTyme, please keep us posted! I really want to know what you think of the materials and the study plan as a non-trad. When did you finish your pre-reqs?

I totally agree the money is worth it. The issue I'm having is my husband and I are trying to remove debt from our lives. We have agreed that I will need student loans (possibly for post-bac, definitely for medical school.) Everything else, we'll be paying for in cash: study aids, application fees, etc. I've started to save in a sinking fund, but there's less than $100 in there right now. :'(

Originally Posted by startingover84

mapandterritory, For how long do you think I should study? When should I take the exam?

Thanks for your tips. I will definitely use the local library and I have a few bucks on a gift card for B&N.

I don't want to pull an arbitrary number out of nowhere. There is no doubt that you will have to dedicate quite some time working if a high score is what you want, but everyone retains information and reaches a high level of understanding at different rates. I would also hold other users' posts in a higher regard because I haven't taken the MCAT yet. Yes, I've incorporated some of the material when I learned some subjects on my own, but much of what I know is from observing other people. Medical students I know who scored 30+ spent a few months going over material before the exam, with a pace of 2.5+ hours a day and some days off in between.

It looks like you've already looked at this. https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/

Again, I agree with everyone else in that it would be harder to prepare with resources that aren't designed for the MCAT. That doesn't mean you can't use other resources, but it's more difficult to zoom in on what you want. You might be able to find some prep books online at a reduced price. In the end I think they are a good investment. Although I would be happy to share my long list of free online resources, I mainly use them for my learning projects. If I tried to use them all for MCAT preparation, I think I would die from information overload.

I hope everything goes well for you. You did great last time, so you should pull it off again.

Originally Posted by startingover84

ShoTyme, please keep us posted! I really want to know what you think of the materials and the study plan as a non-trad. When did you finish your pre-reqs?

I totally agree the money is worth it. The issue I'm having is my husband and I are trying to remove debt from our lives. We have agreed that I will need student loans (possibly for post-bac, definitely for medical school.) Everything else, we'll be paying for in cash: study aids, application fees, etc. I've started to save in a sinking fund, but there's less than $100 in there right now. :'(

Thanks. I will keep you posted on my progress. I just finished my prereq's last semester. I did them all within1 year so everything is extremely fresh.

My wife and I several years ago did the same thing in regards to debt. At this point, all we have is one small student loan left for her and then mine which are starting to pile up. But I think of the books as a necessary commodity that I am willing to pay for. If nothing else, I want the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge that I have done everything I possibly can to be competitive. I came to the realization that my peace of mind is worth it.

there is bad debt, and there is good debt. buying consumer goods and going to restaurants and movies on credit cards is bad debt. paying for MCAT prep courses is good debt. the MCAT is one of the biggest hurdles in front of you on your way into med school, so a few thousand dollars spent on prep material is good debt indeed.

I think 3.5cGPA is pretty decent, and with a few postbach courses you could improve it a bit, and show that you are still able to handle coursework. I think you could have a shot at applying next year, but you're young so if you don't mind waiting one more year, you can take your time for MCAT prep and postbach courses.

Originally Posted by startingover84

I did look at that plan, and it's expensive. It also looks very intense. How's it working for you? Do you think I should take it sooner? Did you just get the TBR books from their website? I'm really curious how everyone else actually does this.

My thought was to begin with content review and only study the topics listed on the AAMC website by using the textbooks' index/table of contents.

What is "TBR books"?

Originally Posted by VM3125

What is "TBR books"?

TBR stands for The Berkeley Review. They make MCAT prep books.

Originally Posted by startoverat40

there is bad debt, and there is good debt. buying consumer goods and going to restaurants and movies on credit cards is bad debt. paying for MCAT prep courses is good debt. the MCAT is one of the biggest hurdles in front of you on your way into med school, so a few thousand dollars spent on prep material is good debt indeed.

I think 3.5cGPA is pretty decent, and with a few postbach courses you could improve it a bit, and show that you are still able to handle coursework. I think you could have a shot at applying next year, but you're young so if you don't mind waiting one more year, you can take your time for MCAT prep and postbach courses.

Thanks! I feel like I'm on the cusp of young non-trad, and non-trad. I feel older than I would like to feel at the age of 27.

I'll just chime in some good advice I've read and practiced:

Prep courses are good if you need formal structure to keep you on track.

However, if you can study on your own - it's just as effective (if not better).

Personally, I've found that the following free website is amazing at content review if you had a great understanding at one time of the material:

http://mcat-review.org/index.php

It's structured for content review exactly as the AAMC study outline lists. If you want a pdf copy of the material - it's only $15 from the site (cheap).

Use this site for your content review and spend your money on practice tests. Practicing the problems is the best way to reaffirm content understanding and memory of how to do the problems.

gl with whatever method you decide.

Originally Posted by startingover84

... When should I take the exam?

....

let your practice tests dictate this. Once you are scoring in your target range on full length practice tests, you are ready.

Originally Posted by Law2Doc

let your practice tests dictate this. Once you are scoring in your target range on full length practice tests, you are ready.

It looks like I'll take the MCAT January or March. It can't be that time-consuming to brush up my PS section. I'm already working on VR by reading more non-fiction and magazines like The Economist and The New Yorker. Studying in BS should bring me up, too.

Originally Posted by startingover84

It looks like I'll take the MCAT January or March...

again don't set fixed deadlines for yourself -- you need to be scoring in the target range on practice tests or you don't want to sit for the test, period. So set timetables of when you will take practice tests, but leave the target for the actual thing vague until you demonstrate you are ready.

Got it. Thanks so much for the help.

I've offered this advice to others here before, but I'll bring it up here again. I would advise checking with the schools to which you are planning to apply. Many of them require that pre-reqs be completed within 5 years of applying. I don't want to derail your train at the beginning of your journey, but it's just a caution. I don't know that all schools have this requirement or not.

Best of luck on that 35!

Originally Posted by Matt In The Hat

I've offered this advice to others here before, but I'll bring it up here again. I would advise checking with the schools to which you are planning to apply. Many of them require that pre-reqs be completed within 5 years of applying. I don't want to derail your train at the beginning of your journey, but it's just a caution. I don't know that all schools have this requirement or not.

Best of luck on that 35!

Thanks for the advice. I guess I will start calling tomorrow.

Rather than calling a ton of schools, buy a copy of the MSAR.

https://www.aamc.org/students/applyi...irements/msar/

Originally Posted by TheProwler

Rather than calling a ton of schools, buy a copy of the MSAR.

https://www.aamc.org/students/applyi...irements/msar/

I don't think that the MSAR lists that info, does it? I remember that it says the prereqs for each school but I don't remember it saying a time frame for taking them

Originally Posted by TheProwler

Rather than calling a ton of schools, buy a copy of the MSAR.

https://www.aamc.org/students/applyi...irements/msar/

I have the MSAR, do you? The information is not specifically called out in there. Thanks.

Originally Posted by startingover84

I have the MSAR, do you? The information is not specifically called out in there. Thanks.

Last one I bought was the 2005 edition. To be honest, I hadn't heard anyone mention before that your prereqs would "expire" so quickly. I'd post in the main pre-allo forum with a list of where you were thinking of applying, and see if anyone knows details about prereqs expiring.

Originally Posted by Matt In The Hat

I've offered this advice to others here before, but I'll bring it up here again. I would advise checking with the schools to which you are planning to apply. Many of them require that pre-reqs be completed within 5 years of applying. I don't want to derail your train at the beginning of your journey, but it's just a caution. I don't know that all schools have this requirement or not.

Best of luck on that 35!

That can't possibly be right. If that were true all non-trads would be completely screwed considering that if you're a typical four year graduate, you're 5 years out of your pre-reqs only a year after graduation. No one would ever be able to take a gap year. God forbid you're a five year graduate, you wouldn't even be able to apply! And re-applying more than twice? Forget it!

Meanwhile there's no shortage of people entering med school in their 30s, after doing an SMP, or even after earning their PhDs, etc. What you're saying simply doesn't jive with reality. Perhaps you heard that med schools don't like to see applicants who have been out of school for long periods of time and misremembered that as med schools don't like to see applicants years removed from their pre-reqs.