1) Your individual scores and composite score
37Q (11V 14P 12B)
2) The study method used for each section
V - Basically practiced here and there. I didn't use any review notes or learn any 'special methods'. Just stayed fresh and to be honest, my range of scores didn't change. I did not spend much time on this.
P - Used the EK Gen. Chemistry book and reviewed (annotation, repetition, etc.) all the chapters thoroughly, doing the included practice problems and any others I could salvage in secondary books. For Physics, it was mostly a once through content review, returning to the tougher concepts as needed, and most of all priming my problem-solving skills.
B - Relied mostly on primary review books. Generally my first go-through was one chapter at a time, thorough with annotations/highlighting (get that boss Bic four-colour pen, love that thing), then lighter review the next day and an EK chapter quiz. I also had time for another light full review 2-3 weeks prior. Supplemental books for extra practice and tougher concepts. Some Orgo reaction flash cards.
W - I spend a couple hours reviewing strategies and form, but then I just wrote some essays sporadically, more frequently as the the test approached. Probably 8-10 in total? Time them strictly! I felt really disappointed with my essays on test day compared to my practice, but I won't complain about a Q.
3) What materials you used for each section(Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)
V - I worked through passages from library books, borrowed my friend's Kaplan book for a while. Heck, read the newspaper and practice a good balance of speed and detail.
P - EK General Chemistry book, Kaplan Physics book. Some supplementary library books (Princeton, McGraw-Hill, Barron's) for extra practice.
B - EK Biology and EK Organic Chemistry. I highly recommend these. I think Examkrackers is great - far more concise than Kaplan, which I find rambles on about stupid analogies you don't have time for. I made those EK books my bitch and used whatever secondary library books for practice when I had extra time.
W - Google and Word.
4) Which practice tests did you use?
Oh boy, all kinds. Seven in total. A few from Barron's (library), one from McGraw-Hill (which kinda sucked), two from Princeton (harder than most), and one AAMC (the free one lol). I forgot all my scores, but I'll say something like:
32, 34, 36, 36, 30, 31, 35.. Yeah, they started going down and man, it was frustrating. (Don't take these number with too much weight, though. The low ones were harder and the early ones weren't as 'test-like' as they should have been.) Just remember you're probably not getting dumber, but you have to condition your mind be
sharp. The Princeton ones were harder because that "guaranteed improvement" jargon, the AAMC was the most accurate. I would stress disciplining yourself to time strictly to mimic test conditions or else you'll feel overwhelmed on the test. And that's not cool.
I structured my studying around practice tests, which helped me keep deadlines. My schedule might have looked something like this:
Week 1: Initial total content review.
Week 2: Initial total content review.
Practice test 1.
Week 3: In depth studying.
Week 4: In depth studying.
Practice test 2.
Week 5: In depth studying.
Practice test 3.
Week 6: In depth studying.
Practice test 4.
Week 7: Review-style studying.
Week 8:
Practice test 5, 6, and 7; alternating days with light review, verbal/essay practice.
Show time.
5) What was your undergraduate major?
Life Sciences (anatomy, physiology... all that good stuff). I just finished second year.
6) Any other tips you may have for those of us who still have this test lurking over us?
A whole bunch, I guess. Keep your eye on the prize and remember how good it will feel when you're done. If you are intelligent in your decisions and remain disciplined, you're going to feel good about your accomplishment and end up a better person in the end. Don't assume that taking breaks will hurt you. If you're in a rut, the best use of your time might just be to take the weekend off and go drinking with your buddies. You might come back on Monday morning with a new perspective, a more intense focus, and motivation to level-up your pace. Eat well. Wake up and go to bed at consistent times. Keep little rituals as you go a long to keep you disciplined. I listened to a lot of country music and brewed green tea before study sessions, for no reason in particular aside from that I associated them with studying. Be creative! Go study in the Zoo all day, and look at animals during your breaks. One time I drove 100 kilometers out to a small town park just for a change of scenery. The MCAT is as much a personal challenge as a competitive one. The satisfaction of hard work paid off is worth every minute.
7) How long did you study for the MCAT?
Eight weeks. I didn't take a course or anything and I was working about 50 hours a week, but I kept a disciplined routine and managed. About 2-4 hours/day for a few weeks, then up to 3-5 (I could do a couple hours during my day shift, it was real chill). By week 6 and 7, I was probably at 35 hours/week, and the last week was more relaxed.
Good luck! A piece of wisdom for the road:
"A little suffering is good for the soul." - Captain James T. Kirk
