3 weeks enough for MCAT?

[autodestruction]

Initially allocated a semester and 3 weeks after classes for the MCAT. Ended up getting into a bad car accident, had to pull out from classes (still graduating in time, just dropped my 2nd major) and quit my job for rehabilitation. Finally feeling okay enough to crack down on MCAT, but unsure if I have enough time. Here's where I'm at now:

-read 1/3 of EK material
-took AAMC FL1 yesterday, my first prac exam (took two extra 5-min breaks in C/P b/c back pain; for real exam I can endure):
507: 124/128/128/127
-Though I was in some pain during C/P, I think the 124 is b/c I am weak in those areas. Without the pain, maybe a 125

Funds are super tight rn, and I have 1 week to decide if I want to reschedule the exam for $150. I do need to apply this cycle though (long story).

Q's:
A) If I choose to proceed with the exam, how much of a score jump is reasonable if the next 3 weeks are just MCAT/~15-20h a week for self-care/checkups/continuing recovery
B) How should I structure my remaining time? How much material review (would focus on C/P)/practice exams?


Thanks, everyone!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ServiceFirst]

I wouldn't recommend taking the MCAT exam when you are not where you want to be score/health-wise. The number of times you take the MCAT has a significant bearing on your application, with the majority accepted students having taken the exam only once.

Reschedule the test and front the $150 today so that you come in with the strongest application when you are ready. Regarding that, why the rush in applying this cycle when the application is already open and you haven't taken your MCAT yet (if you mind sharing)?

 

[HomeSkool]

Don't take the MCAT before you're ready. Bad MCAT scores don't go away -- schools will know if you've taken it more than once, and many will average your scores instead of going with the highest or most recent. You should only take the test when you're consistently scoring above 510, and that's probably going to take more than three weeks of study.

 

[IdkwhatIshouldput]

Its only your first FL, try taking the next one after thoroughly see what you did wrong on the first one. This will be a better indicator because you are just getting used to taking this type of exam on your first FL.

 

[Oso]

Like others have mentioned, this is NOT something you want to rush. Take the test
only when you are ready.

That is, unless you want to stay true to your username.

 

[Goro]

Initially allocated a semester and 3 weeks after classes for the MCAT. Ended up getting into a bad car accident, had to pull out from classes (still graduating in time, just dropped my 2nd major) and quit my job for rehabilitation. Finally feeling okay enough to crack down on MCAT, but unsure if I have enough time. Here's where I'm at now:

-read 1/3 of EK material
-took AAMC FL1 yesterday, my first prac exam (took two extra 5-min breaks in C/P b/c back pain; for real exam I can endure):
507: 124/128/128/127
-Though I was in some pain during C/P, I think the 124 is b/c I am weak in those areas. Without the pain, maybe a 125

Funds are super tight rn, and I have 1 week to decide if I want to reschedule the exam for $150. I do need to apply this cycle though (long story).

Q's:
A) If I choose to proceed with the exam, how much of a score jump is reasonable if the next 3 weeks are just MCAT/~15-20h a week for self-care/checkups/continuing recovery
B) How should I structure my remaining time? How much material review (would focus on C/P)/practice exams?


Thanks, everyone!

This is a career-deciding, high stakes exam. Do NOT take it until you are 100% ready. The MCATis as much a test of judgement as it is of subject competency.

 

[autodestruction]

Hi all,
Thanks for the advice I've gotten so far! I am fully aware that getting a low score if I take it will really damage my application, and about the importance of readiness/preparation. However, due to my personal situation, it will be very difficult for me to even push back the mcat let alone wait another cycle to apply. That is why, even though I am still recovering from an accident, I am so intent on still trying for the exam in 3 weeks. The reason is actually not only financial, but due to needs and issues in my family. I will seriously consider what you are all saying, BUT. If I really must take the exam in 3 weeks, could I get thoughts on the questions (A and B) I asked at the end?

Thanks!

 

[kb1900]

Hi all,
Thanks for the advice I've gotten so far! I am fully aware that getting a low score if I take it will really damage my application, and about the importance of readiness/preparation. However, due to my personal situation, it will be very difficult for me to even push back the mcat let alone wait another cycle to apply. That is why, even though I am still recovering from an accident, I am so intent on still trying for the exam in 3 weeks. The reason is actually not only financial, but due to needs and issues in my family. I will seriously consider what you are all saying, BUT. If I really must take the exam in 3 weeks, could I get thoughts on the questions (A and B) I asked at the end?

Thanks!

15-20 hours per week is very little to dedicate to the mcat this close to your test date.

It’s possible to only dedicate 3 weeks to the exam, but those weeks need to be intense at your fullest potential. I did closer to 70-80 hours for 3 weeks before my exam


You do not NEED to apply this cycle and it doesn’t really matter what reason you have because the risk and disadvantage you put yourself at if you get rejected because of a poor mcat or rushed app is not worth it.

 

[THEBACKANDFORTH]

I would push the text back to late June, spend time with content review and learning all week. Do a full length at least once a week under test conditions. Track scores, and review test and missed/guessing questions thoroughly. Note patterns and study accordingly.

Nobody can say for sure whether you can improve in three weeks, but nobody is going to recommend it either. I wouldn’t count on a 507+ even in 3 weeks

 

[THEBACKANDFORTH]

Think of it this way. This test covers your entire pre med undergrad and then some. It can make your dreams and work of the last 4 years become pointless. Why would you try to prepare for that in just three weeks?

 

[autodestruction]

Also, if I am able to push back the exam, when is the latest I can push it back and still apply this cycle (without completely wasting my time and money just due to the delay)? @kb1900- sorry if my initial post was confusing; I meant that I need to give 15-20 hours for medical-related things, but the rest of that time is to myself and the MCAT

I am planning to take another practice tomorrow. Insight on what kind of test (AAMC 2 or different company), and what score I would need to decide to take in 3 weeks (I know you are all advising against this, but I do have a few more days to decide, and if the score does improve it will give me more info), ex. 510 or higher?

 

[Oso]

However, due to my personal situation, it will be very difficult for me to even push back the mcat let alone wait another cycle to apply. That is why, even though I am still recovering from an accident, I am so intent on still trying for the exam in 3 weeks. The reason is actually not only financial, but due to needs and issues in my family.

I am sorry that you have so much going on in your personal life. To be honest though, I feel like if you really have this much other stuff happening and need significant time for recovery from the accident, then maybe this really is not the best time to take the MCAT. Your LIFE would need to be MCAT for the next 3 weeks. And even then, a good score is not guaranteed by any means.

If you get a poor score on your MCAT your chances of becoming a doctor could become significantly lower, perhaps even zero -- are you prepared for this possible reality?

I highly recommend you heed the unanimous advice you have gotten so far.

 

[Inspired Chaos]

I agree with everyone about rescheduling. I had to reschedule mine because I ended up really sick for months of my study time. To give you an idea of how tight money was for me, I applied to 5 schools (would have been 7 if I didn't have to pay to reschedule MCAT). I pushed it out an extra month and ended up raising my score 9 points from where I was scoring when I would have taken it.

As far as how to devote your time if you do go ahead with your scheduled date, practice tests might be the most bang for your buck, so to speak. Besides that I'd review C/P basics and then hit P/S really hard because you can fairly easily raise that section score several points.

 

[DSM_302.0]

Do not take the exam until you are as ready as you possibly can be. Given where you're at, I don't think 3 weeks would be enough. You really, really, really, really do not want to have to re-take the exam.

Focus on all the AAMC official materials. QBank and practice sessions. Study them hard. Figure out why you got them right / wrong. Wait a few weeks before taking another official FL. Those are like gold! Study the old one in and out. Why did you get things right? Why wrong? I found Exam Krakers to be best towards the end of my studying.

GL!

 

[rathoarder]

First of all, a 507 is an amazing starting place, but I fear that three weeks of prep will not put you in the best place you can be. I feel you on the being tight on funds part, but if you can find the extra money, you should definitely reschedule. I think given a proper amount of time to prepare and do some active studying, you could be scoring very well. Don't limit your options due to $150.

 

[Bob's Gift]

You are only ready to take the MCAT when you start to consistently make the scores you want in your practice tests, not before. Not worth rushing it if you can.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

Reschedule

 

[time2ski]

It seems to be common that your AAMC score is pretty darn close to your actual score, so I guess the answer to your question is are you okay with a 507?

 

[hedgedoge]

I would suggest waiting longer. Although you are starting off at a higher starting score, 3 weeks probably wouldn't be enough time.

 

[cthorburn]

Everyone is different when it comes to studying. You know best what you can accomplish with the time you have, and you know where you're starting based on your practice scores.

 

[theKingLT]

$150 is a very worthwhile investment if it prevents you from having to re-apply and/or retake the mcat. Whether you can get a decent score or not in 3 weeks, you will not be the best prepared for the exam that you could be and that in itself is not something you want

 

[autodestruction]

I thought I would update this for future MCAT-takers who are in a similar situation, now that I have my score back. I ended up scoring a 515. I decided to go through with my initial exam because I know my own study habits, and knew that I would be able to push myself. Having said that, it was VERY stressful. I still agree with everyone who said to not take the exam until your scores are where they should be, and so I would not actually recommend doing what I did. So why am I posting this? To give people who want to give up some hope that with hard work and determination, you can really improve your score by a lot; do not be let down by low practice exam scores, but rather be motivated to raise that score (while still being realistic). Good luck, everyone!

 

[trobinsonmd]

It's hard to tell where you will be in three weeks wrt your score... some people can boost their score ten points in that time, others stay the same... it is hard to tell. Do not take the test until you are ready, meaning you are scoring well on your practice exams. As people have pointed out, this test basically decides whether or not you will get into medical school -- I understand that funds are tight, but a few hundred bucks should not be the reason you rush this and get a bad score... a bad score is going to cost you a lot more money than a few hundred bucks

 

[ciestar]

It's hard to tell where you will be in three weeks wrt your score... some people can boost their score ten points in that time, others stay the same... it is hard to tell. Do not take the test until you are ready, meaning you are scoring well on your practice exams. As people have pointed out, this test basically decides whether or not you will get into medical school -- I understand that funds are tight, but a few hundred bucks should not be the reason you rush this and get a bad score... a bad score is going to cost you a lot more money than a few hundred bucks

OP already took the MCAT and got a 515.

 

[frog301]

I thought I would update this for future MCAT-takers who are in a similar situation, now that I have my score back. I ended up scoring a 515. I decided to go through with my initial exam because I know my own study habits, and knew that I would be able to push myself. Having said that, it was VERY stressful. I still agree with everyone who said to not take the exam until your scores are where they should be, and so I would not actually recommend doing what I did. So why am I posting this? To give people who want to give up some hope that with hard work and determination, you can really improve your score by a lot; do not be let down by low practice exam scores, but rather be motivated to raise that score (while still being realistic). Good luck, everyone!

lol the dream. congrats op

 

[mariposas905]

I thought I would update this for future MCAT-takers who are in a similar situation, now that I have my score back. I ended up scoring a 515. I decided to go through with my initial exam because I know my own study habits, and knew that I would be able to push myself. Having said that, it was VERY stressful. I still agree with everyone who said to not take the exam until your scores are where they should be, and so I would not actually recommend doing what I did. So why am I posting this? To give people who want to give up some hope that with hard work and determination, you can really improve your score by a lot; do not be let down by low practice exam scores, but rather be motivated to raise that score (while still being realistic). Good luck, everyone!

Wow that's just amazing. Could you please share how you improved so much in such a short time? I am exactly 9 days away from my test, and I've done a lot of review already, but I just want to score a 512. I am at ~510 right now. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[trobinsonmd]

OP already took the MCAT and got a 515.

did not read the rest of the thread lol, but congrats to OP... great score

 

[autodestruction]

Thanks, everyone! mariposas905- sorry for not seeing this earlier. In case others who come across this post have the same question:

I spent almost all of my time on practice problems. I actually did not have the endurance to review even half of the questions I missed (I was getting bad headaches from hours in front of the computer, and my injuries did not help), so I made sure to give my eyes rest so that I could continue with passages each following day. The day before my exam, I made sure to eat well and relax so my eye strain would be minimal the day of the exam.

For me, the key was really understanding how the passages and questions work. If that means you need to do more review, then focus your prep on that. On my actual exam, the subjects that had the most focus (so. much. Orgo.) were not really to my advantage.. but because I understand where to find information in the passage, and the nuances of the exam, I was able to narrow down a lot of answer choices. Also, I stayed calm during the exam and made sure to move on when I needed to.

Know your own decision-making well: which questions do you tend to mess up on? Which questions do you spend too much time on with little gain (would it be better to just skip and return to it if you still have time?)? Do you lose focus toward the end of each section, and if so would it be better to do easier/harder passages last (I did the easiest ones first in sections that I usually rush through)? People say that the mcat is largely an exam on test-taking abilities, and I have to agree with that.