Mcat Anxiety!!!!!

[2ill2imitate]

Ok Heres the deal, I'm taking the MCAT this FRIDAY!!!!, I've been studying my ass off and I eat, breath, and sleep MCAT. I've taken about 10 Practice Tests and have been scoring and average of about a 29 on the last 4 or 5 tests. The problem is not about knowing the material, I'm afraid of my anxiety taking over and me running out of time or something. I don't know if it's just me but when I get nervous sometimes I just can't concentrate and I find myself reading over something again and again even though I KNOW THE ANSWER!!!!

Any Suggestions to deal with this stupid Anxiety?

Oh btw is there any one else that is like this? Or am I alone on this?

[gujusnike]

I am in your boat this Friday. I'm especially nervous about verbal because that's not my strong point. I hate the fact of knowing the MCAT is on Friday and all you can think about is just that.

[spicedmanna]

Here are some good suggestions:

Originally Posted by xucardsfan08

Here is my list of advice for you:

1) The 7 days preceding your exam, do not study the material at all. If you have not learned the material at this point, you will not now. All you can is relax.
2) Drive to the test center beforehand (might not apply to you), so you are familiar with the area and not have to spend time in the morning trying to place (which can add stress).
3) Get into a sleep pattern the couple days before the exam. If the exam is at 8am, and you plan on getting up at 6am; wake up at 6am for a few days before the exam so your body can adjust properly and on exam day you'll feel more energetic and not tired.
4) Eat a nutritional and filling breakfast. Oatmeal is the best choice here (high fiber/protein/carbohydrates) with a piece of fruit to go along. I had a bowl of oatmeal and a protein shake for the morning.
5) For test day, bring a snack (Powerbar, Nutri-Grain bar, Kashi bars are all good choices) and a drink (I used a flavored Green Tea drink with not too much sugar to cause an insulin spike).
6) RELAX!!! Breathe deep and take your breaks, even if you feel you do not need them. I never used the full 10min each break, but I still took a break, went to the bathroom each time (even if I didn't have to, but beats having to go during the exam), and had some of the green tea drink.
7) Be confident! Walk into the exam knowing you are going to set the curve and aim for a 45.
8) The night before, eat a high carbohydrate meal (i.e. pasta), watch a movie, then go to bed early.

[xucardsfan08]

Stop studying. Seriously. Right now.
The last couple days just relax. Go out to eat, watch some movies, hang out with friends, anything to get your mind off of the MCAT.
If you are taking it in the morning, try waking up the previous 2-3 days at the time you are waking up for the exam to get your body in rhythm. If you are unsure where the exam place is, try driving there the day before so there is no anxiety there.
Take your optional 10minute breaks after each section. Just clear your mind.

Before each passage, close your eyes and take a big deep breath. This will help you clear your mind for the next passage and only takes 2-3 seconds to do.

[spicedmanna]

Originally Posted by 2ill2imitate

Ok Heres the deal, I'm taking the MCAT this FRIDAY!!!!, I've been studying my ass off and I eat, breath, and sleep MCAT. I've taken about 10 Practice Tests and have been scoring and average of about a 29 on the last 4 or 5 tests. The problem is not about knowing the material, I'm afraid of my anxiety taking over and me running out of time or something. I don't know if it's just me but when I get nervous sometimes I just can't concentrate and I find myself reading over something again and again even though I KNOW THE ANSWER!!!!

Get some rest. I know it's easier said than done, but it's the best way to prepare at this point. Go out and see a movie, or play some sports, or whatever is fun for you. Don't think too much about the MCAT. Let it go; you've already done the work, now let your work work for you. Trust in the preparation you've done.

Any Suggestions to deal with this stupid Anxiety?

Take three deep, connected breaths when you feel anxiety coming on. Take you eyes away from the MCAT for short moment, refocus, change your position, and get back into the game. Worry is rooted in the future, do what you have to do to stay in the present.

Oh btw is there any one else that is like this? Or am I alone on this?

I think pre-game jitters are more common that you think.

[corbis11]

confidence, man, confidence. I'm taking it, too, this friday and I can't wait to get it over with. Put some pump up music on before you get to the test center and just chill out for a while. If you are nervous and have a thousand things running through your head when you get there you may blank when you start.

[2ill2imitate]

Thanks for the moral support guys haha who da thunk the sdn forums could be my own personal shrink...

I'm still debating whether or not to take at least one or two more practice tests? Maybe one on Monday and one on Tuesday and then take Wednesday and Thursday off? Bad Idea?

[QofQuimica]

Originally Posted by 2ill2imitate

Thanks for the moral support guys haha who da thunk the sdn forums could be my own personal shrink...

I'm still debating whether or not to take at least one or two more practice tests? Maybe one on Monday and one on Tuesday and then take Wednesday and Thursday off? Bad Idea?

Bad idea, unless you haven't taken any practice tests yet and you aren't familiar with the test. You won't be able to accomplish much besides psyching yourself out and burning yourself out. Neither of those is something you want to do, right? Just chill this week. Thousands of people make it over this hurdle. You will, too.

[MSTPbound]

Originally Posted by 2ill2imitate

Thanks for the moral support guys haha who da thunk the sdn forums could be my own personal shrink...

I'm still debating whether or not to take at least one or two more practice tests? Maybe one on Monday and one on Tuesday and then take Wednesday and Thursday off? Bad Idea?

I totally agree with Q on this - I think xucardsfan08's advice is spot on. Relax this week and give the info a chance to consolidate and be reorganized in your brain. I am a big fan of visualization and calming/confidence-building exercises before the exam. By the way, on my last practice exam, the Monday before the actual thing (which was on a Saturday), I scored less than 30, and it freaked me out since my previous scores were in the 30 - 36 range. I ended up with a 30 on the real thing - not ideal, but I have to tell you that after scoring a "twentysomething" on my last practice, I was relieved to see the "3" in my composite.

Chill, meditate, write, or do whatever you do to relax. Follow advice in above posts, and you should be good to go!

Good !

-Mbound