A Systematic Approach to Conquer the new MCAT: A 101-Day MCAT Schedule

[littlebear92]

A Systematic Approach to Conquer the new MCAT: A 101-Day MCAT Schedule


Hi guys!

I’m taking the dreaded new MCAT on June 19th and made this schedule to help me keep on track. ALL the other schedules I have seen have been overwhelming/had a lack of break days (resting your brain is VERY important!) so I decided to build my own personal schedule from the ground up! This schedule is very doable, because of the plethora of break days, for even those who will be working part-time (I myself will be working in a lab during my studying). On a side note, make sure that you are doing AT LEAST 2 CARS passages every single day in order to get a hang of this section; Remember, practice makes perfect (well maybe not for CARS, but why not try? )!

Oh, and one more thing: please leave me feedback on the positives and the negatives you see in my schedule; constructive criticism is always welcome but please don’t be too harsh since I spent a lot of time making this schedule.


So, enough talk! Here’s my schedule (including materials):


Materials:

(Mandatory)

· Examkracker’s 9th edition Complete Study Package (Will be used as primary source for content review. It may seem too concise to some, but trust me, doing practice questions is MUCH MUCH MUCH more important than memorizing every single fact. I can't stress this enough.)
· Any combination of 14 full-length practice exams (I’m using AAMC Official Sample Test, 5 Next Step Full Length Exams, and 8 Princeton Review Full Length Exams)
· EK101 Verbal Reasoning Book
· TPRH Verbal Workbook or the new CARS Workbook if you have access to it (not sure how many of the passages are new)
· The Berkeley Review Biology Book II (if you are weak in Biochemistry)
· Official AAMC Sample Exam
· Free Next Step Half-length Diagnostic Exam
· Next Step Strategy and Practice Books Complete Set
· AAMC Official Guide
· WIKIPEDIA and KHAN ACADEMY are your friends – Use them!

(Optional)

· The Berkeley Review Complete Home Study Package for supplementation (newest edition recommended)
· TPR Psych/Socio for supplementation (Highly Recommended since it is a new section)
· Official AAMC Question Packs (Highly Recommended)


And now it begins…

Day 0: Skim over the Official Guide to the MCAT and then take NS Half-Diagnostic exam
Day 1: EK Physics Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 2: EK Chem Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 3: EK Pysch Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 4: EK Bio1 Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 5: Re-read this week's chapters (Days 1-4) very thoroughly and supplement with The Berkeley Review as needed. Also, review exam questions.
***From now on, after each week's reading, there will be an abbreviation in the form: "Re-read chapters + review exams”***

Day 6: Re-read chapters + review exams + read lectures i and ii from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 7: AAMC Official Sample Test
Day 8: Review AAMC Official Sample Test and NS Half-Diagnostic exam
Day 9: Break

***From now on, the EK 30 min exams will be abbreviated by a “30”***

Day 10: EK Physics Chapter #2 + 30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 11: EK Chem Chapter #2 + 30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 12: EK Psych Chapter #2 + 30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 13: EK Bio1 Chapter #2 +30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 14: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 15: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 16: Next Step FL #1
Day 17: Review Next Step FL #1
Day 18: Break
Day 19: EK Physics Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 20: EK Chem Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 21: EK Psych Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 22: EK Bio1 Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 23: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture ii 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 24: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 1 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 25: TPR FL #1
Day 26: Review TPR FL #1
Day 27: Break
Day 28: EK Physics Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 29: EK Chem Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 30: EK Psych Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 31: EK Bio1 Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 32: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 33: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 2 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 34: NS FL #2
Day 35: Review NS FL #2
Day 36: Break
Day 37: EK Physics Chapter #5 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 38: EK Chem Chapter #5 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 39: TBR Psych Chapter #5 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 40: EK Bio2 Chapter #1 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 41: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 42: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 3 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 43: TPR FL #2
Day 44: Review TPR FL #2
Day 45: Break
Day 46: EK Chem Chapter #6 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 47: EK Bio2 Chapter #2 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 48: EK Chem Chapter #7 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 49: EK Bio2 Chapter #3 + 30
Day 50: EK Bio2 Chapter #4 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 51: EK Bio2 Chapter #5 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 52: EK Bio2 Chapter #6 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 53: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 54: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 4 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 55: Break
Day 56: NS FL #3
Day 57 Review NS FL #3
Day 58: Break

***In-depth Biochemistry Review (Optional)***

Day 59: TBR Bio Chapter #7 + 1st ½ passages
Day 60: TBR Bio Chapter #8 + 1st ½ passages
Day 61: Re-read TBR Bio Chapter #7 + 2nd ½ passages
Day 62: Re-read TBR Bio Chapter #8 + 2nd ½ passages

***END CONTENT REVIEW***

Day 63: Break
Day 64: TPR FL #3
Day 65: Review TPR FL #3
Day 66: Break
Day 67: NS FL #4
Day 68: Review NS FL #4
Day 69: Break
Day 70: Full Section 1 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 1 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 1 NS Psychology/Sociology Strategy and Practice Book
Day 71: Review all Section 1
Day 72: Break
Day 73: Full Section 2 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 2 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 2 NS Psychology/Sociology Strategy and Practice Book
Day 74: Review all Section 2
Day 75: Break
Day 76: TPR FL #4
Day 77: Review TPR FL #4
Day 78: Break
Day 79: Full Section 3 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 3 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 3 NS Psychology/Sociology Strategy and Practice Book
Day 80: Review all Section 3
Day 81: Full Section 4 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 4 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book
Full Section 4 from NS Psychology and Sociology Strategy and Practice Book
Day 82: Review all Section 4
Day 83: Break
Day 84: NS FL #5
Day 85: Review NS FL #5
Day 86: Break
Day 87: TPR FL #5
Day 88: Review TPR FL #5
Day 89: Break
Day 90: TPR FL #6
Day 91: Review TPR FL #6
Day 92: Break
Day 93: TPR FL #7
Day 94: Review TPR FL #7
Day 95: Break
Day 96: TPR FL #8
Day 97: Review TPR FL #8
Day 98: Go over any content that you feel you may be rusty on, or just rest and relax!
Day 99: Rest and relax. Do nothing MCAT-related; I cannot stress this enough.
Day 100: MCAT!!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[allantois]

What's the point of starting FLs way before finishing content review?

 

[littlebear92]

From personal experience, if I were able retake the old MCAT, I would spread practice tests throughout content review so that I get a better feel for the test rather than blindly studying. That was my thought process in distributing exams throughout content review. Ultimately what matters is that you get a high score on the real deal; it does not matter how many questions you miss on those practice exams, all that matters is that you learn from them and not make the same mistake again (in a way, practice tests are another form of learning content).

 

[PostGanglionic]

From personal experience, if I were able retake the old MCAT, I would spread practice tests throughout content review so that I get a better feel for the test rather than blindly studying. That was my thought process in distributing exams throughout content review. Ultimately what matters is that you get a high score on the real deal; it does not matter how many questions you miss on those practice exams, all that matters is that you learn from them and not make the same mistake again (in a way, practice tests are another form of learning content).

I double like this. I absolutely agree with your strategy. Taking the FL while going through the chapters really put an emphasis on what you need to learn and reassures you that you have learned everything correctly up to that. Where you performed poorly during a certain section will let you know where you need to go back and spend some more time on.

 

[PostGanglionic]

A Systematic Approach to Conquer the new MCAT: A 101-Day MCAT Schedule

Note: The numbering of the days is off. I'll fix it tomorrow and tweak the schedule.

Hi guys!

I’m taking the dreaded new MCAT on June 19th and made this schedule to help me keep on track. ALL the other schedules I have seen have been overwhelming/had a lack of break days (resting your brain is VERY important!) so I decided to build my own personal schedule from the ground up! This schedule is very doable, because of the plethora of break days, for even those who will be working part-time (I myself will be working in a lab during my studying). On a side note, make sure that you are doing AT LEAST 2 CARS passages every single day in order to get a hang of this section; Remember, practice makes perfect (well maybe not for CARS, but why not try? )!

Oh, and one more thing: please leave me feedback on the positives and the negatives you see in my schedule; constructive criticism is always welcome but please don’t be too harsh since I spent a lot of time making this schedule.


So, enough talk! Here’s my schedule (including materials):


Materials:

(Mandatory)

· Examkracker’s 9th edition Complete Study Package (Will be used as primary source for content review. It may seem too concise to some, but trust me, doing practice questions is MUCH MUCH MUCH more important than memorizing every single fact. I can't stress this enough.)
· Any combination of 14 full-length practice exams (I’m using AAMC Official Sample Test, 5 Next Step Full Length Exams, and 8 Princeton Review Full Length Exams)
· EK101 Verbal Reasoning Book
· TPRH Verbal Workbook or the new CARS Workbook if you have access to it (not sure how many of the passages are new)
· The Berkeley Review Biology Book II (if you are weak in Biochemistry)
· Official AAMC Sample Exam
· Free Next Step Half-length Diagnostic Exam
· Next Step Strategy and Practice Books Complete Set
· AAMC Official Guide
· WIKIPEDIA and KHAN ACADEMY are your friends – Use them!

(Optional)

· The Berkeley Review Complete Home Study Package for supplementation (newest edition recommended)
· Kaplan MCAT 528
· Official AAMC Question Packs (Highly Recommended)


And now it begins…

Day 0: Skim over the Official Guide to the MCAT and then take NS Half-Diagnostic exam
Day 1: EK Physics Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 2: EK Chem Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 3: EK Pysch Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 4: EK Bio1 Chapter #1 + 30 min in-class exam
Day 5: Re-read this week's chapters (Days 1-4) very thoroughly and supplement with The Berkeley Review as needed. Also, review exam questions.
***From now on, after each week's reading, there will be an abbreviation in the form: "Re-read chapters + review exams”***

Day 6: Re-read chapters + review exams + read lectures i and ii from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 7: AAMC Official Sample Test
Day 8: Review AAMC Official Sample Test and NS Half-Diagnostic exam
Day 9: Break

***From now on, the EK 30 min exams will be abbreviated by a “30”***

Day 10: EK Physics Chapter #2 + 30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 11: EK Chem Chapter #2 + 30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 12: EK Psych Chapter #2 + 30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 13: EK Bio1 Chapter #2 +30 + 1st 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 14: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 15: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 16: Next Step FL #1
Day 17: Review Next Step FL #1
Day 18: Break
Day 19: EK Physics Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 20: EK Chem Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 21: EK Psych Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 22: EK Bio1 Chapter #3 + 30 + 2nd 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 23: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture ii 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 24: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 1 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 25: TPR FL #1
Day 26: Review TPR FL #1
Day 27: Break
Day 28: EK Physics Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 29: EK Chem Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 30: EK Psych Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 31: EK Bio1 Chapter #4 + 30 + 3rd 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 32: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 33: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 2 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 34: NS FL #2
Day 35: Review NS FL #2
Day 36: Break
Day 37: EK Physics Chapter #5 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC Physics Question Pack
Day 38: EK Chem Chapter #5 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC Chem Question Pack
Day 39: TBR Psych Chapter #5 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC CARS Question Pack
Day 40: EK Bio2 Chapter #1 + 30 + Final 1/4th Official AAMC Biology Question Pack
Day 41: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 42: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 3 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 34: TPR FL #2
Day 35: Review TPR FL #2
Day 36: Break
Day 37: EK Chem Chapter #6 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 38: EK Bio2 Chapter #2 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 39: EK Chem Chapter #7 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 40: EK Bio2 Chapter #3 + 30
Day 41: EK Bio2 Chapter #4 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 42: EK Bio2 Chapter #5 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 43: EK Bio2 Chapter #6 + 30 + 20 questions from The Official Guide to the MCAT
Day 44: Re-read chapters + review exams
Day 45: Re-read chapters + review exams + do lecture 4 30 min in-class exam from EK MCAT Reasoning Skills
Day 46: Break
Day 47: NS FL #3
Day 48 Review NS FL #3
Day 49: Break

***In-depth Biochemistry Review (Optional)***

Day 50: TBR Bio Chapter #7 + 1st ½ passages
Day 51: TBR Bio Chapter #8 + 1st ½ passages
Day 52: Re-read TBR Bio Chapter #7 + 2nd ½ passages
Day 53: Re-read TBR Bio Chapter #8 + 2nd ½ passages

***END CONTENT REVIEW***

Day 54: Break
Day 55: TPR FL #3
Day 56: Review TPR FL #3
Day 57: Break

***Optional KTP 528***

Day 55: KTP MCAT 528 Chapters 1-6
Day 56: KTP MCAT 528 Chapters 7-9
Day 57: KTP MCAT 528 Chapters 10-11
Day 58: KTP MCAT 528 Chapters 12-13
Day 59: KTP MCAT 528 Chapters 14-16
Day 60: Break
Day 61: NS FL #4
Day 62: Review NS FL #4
Day 63: Break
Day 64: Full Section 1 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 65: Full Section 1 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 66: Full Section 1 NS Psychology/Sociology Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 67: Full Section 2 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 68: Full Section 2 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 69: Full Section 2 NS Psychology/Sociology Strategy and Practice Book+ Review
Day 70: Break
Day 71: TPR FL #4
Day 72: Review TPR FL #4
Day 73: Break
Day 74: Full Section 3 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 75: Full Section 3 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 76: Full Section 3 NS Psychology/Sociology Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 77: Full Section 4 NS Chemistry/Physics Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 78: Full Section 4 NS Biology/Biochemistry Strategy and Practice Book + Review
Day 79: Full Section 4 from NS Psychology and Sociology Strategy and Practice Book
Day 80: Break
Day 81: NS FL #5
Day 82: Review NS FL #5
Day 83: Break
Day 84: TPR FL #5
Day 85: Review TPR FL #5
Day 86: Break
Day 87: TPR FL #6
Day 88: Review TPR FL #6
Day 89: Break
Day 90: TPR FL #7
Day 91: Review TPR FL #7
Day 92: Break
Day 93: TPR FL #8
Day 94: Review TPR FL #8
Day 95: Break
Day 96: Break
Day 97: Break
Day 98: Retake Official AAMC Sample Test + Review
Day 99: Rest and relax!!!
Day 100: MCAT!!!

I like how you did the one chapter a day set up and putting the KTPs and NS together. I also like how this program allows for flexibility to supplement in Berkeley and other material. I'm very excited to compare our experiences at the end of every other week (At this point were at about the same section in the books more/less). The amount of effort and detail you put into this revision shows nicely. I think your right, the way you set this up is much more practical for people that have job, research, etc..

 

[littlebear92]

Yah man the 1 subject/day definitely gives more breathing space! I felt like the NS schedule was literally suffocating me

 

[littlebear92]

So, I fixed the numbering, added more breaks, and also took out the Kaplan MCAT 528 as I think it is a huge waste of time...unless you want to purchase it for their practice test that comes along with it.

 

[runanteldat]

Do you do the in chapter questions as well?

 

[littlebear92]

Do you do the in chapter questions as well?

Yup!

 

[cjcarter]

Thank you for this! I tried the NS schedule and definitely did not have enough time as I am taking classes and working PT. It takes me over 2 hours to just read one chapter and take notes! I will give your schedule a try, it seems a lot less overwhelming. Thanks again!

 

[littlebear92]

I know, right?! I am in no means a slow reader or anything. In fact, I was able to get a 10 on the old MCAT verbal section, but I was having trouble finishing two subjects in a day (let alone comprehend all that I had read). And the thing is that these are just the intro chapters, and it will get even worse as time progresses! After 2 days, I couldn't take it anymore and decided to make my own schedule. No problem and let me know how it goes for you!

 

[tvjclr]

thank you for this!! I was feeling so overwhelmed with the other study plans.... I felt like I was playing catch up everyday because I was never on track lols

 

[littlebear92]

No problem let me know how it goes for you!

 

[runanteldat]

I was on week 4 of NS, but I think Im going to gear the rest the way you have yours. I was crashing so hard everyday lol

 

[littlebear92]

Wow at least you got that far! lol, props to you! I couldn't take it after 2 days hehe

 

[allantois]

I was on week 4 of NS, but I think Im going to gear the rest the way you have yours. I was crashing so hard everyday lol

Could you tell us how many hours you were spending on NS schedule. I would love to hear what you think were the biggest pros/cons of it.

@littlebear92 , what are the biggest things that you took out of NS schedule? I agree that going through thousand pages of content review is not reasonable and it would be better to do more practice instead.

 

[littlebear92]

I totally phased out the "3 pass approach." Also, one subject/day instead of two. Also took out the Kaplan 528. And I don't have specific "khan days," rather I just use khan and Wikipedia as needed when I don't fully grasp a content.

 

[littlebear92]

I also think the numerous break days I added will help prevent burnout. Also, after every week's reading, I have added two days where you just re-read all of that week's content and go over all the practice problems. I think this approach is better than the "3 pass approach" and will help you retain more info.

 

[allantois]

I totally phased out the "3 pass approach." Also, one subject/day instead of two. Also took out the Kaplan 528. And I don't have specific "khan days," rather I just use khan and Wikipedia as needed when I don't fully grasp a content.

I'm just going through NS schedule in detail: and it suggests to get through KTP 528 book (400+ pages) in 3 days all while getting through 2 chapters of complicated NS Biolchem.

I did not learn material in my pre-reqs by reading textbooks and I don't see a way to start comprehending 2000 pages of prep books in a few weeks.

 

[littlebear92]

I would also highly recommend using a spreadsheet that @mcatjelly made that corresponds EK chapters with TBR.

 

[littlebear92]

Yeah, when I first made my plan yesterday, I spread out KTP over 5 days (even that is a bit unreasonable), and then I just completely took it off of my schedule. Kaplan materials aren't very good IMO. I would stick to EK, TBR, Next Step Strategy and Practice Books.

 

[tvjclr]

I'm currently using Kaplan materials but there is just so much to read. Are the EK books more condensed? I'm debating if I should invest in those instead. I have the old edition ones but I don't know how much they've changed...

 

[allantois]

I'm currently using Kaplan materials but there is just so much to read. Are the EK books more condensed? I'm debating if I should invest in those instead. I have the old edition ones but I don't know how much they've changed...

EK is most concise out of all. I wouldn't use their old content review books though.

 

[littlebear92]

EK is most concise out of all. I wouldn't use their old content review books though.

Ditto.

 

[tvjclr]

thanks guys! guess I'm just going to be $200 poorer....

 

[littlebear92]

It will be well worth the investment! Just don't get Princeton Review (I heard they totally re-released their old material with very minimal changes to accommodate the new MCAT). However, their Psych/Socio book is a good supplement to EK Psych/Socio!

 

[tvjclr]

i hope so >.< this will be my second time taking the mcats. Definitely won't get Princeton Review then! I can't believe they did that haha

 

[littlebear92]

Same here, I'm retaking on June 19th! I'm set for verbal, just need to get my sciences up. I made a huge mistake by APing out of classes and not taking them in college

 

[runanteldat]

Could you tell us how many hours you were spending on NS schedule. I would love to hear what you think were the biggest pros/cons of it.

Took me almost 7ish hrs to get through everything.
Pro: I like the 3 pass through, felt like I retained a lot more, I like how different suggests are integrated and I like starting early with taking FLs
Con: Its really time consuming especially doing multiple subjects a day

 

[cjcarter]

How many hours per day are you studying with your new schedule?

 

[FCMike11]

Same here, I'm retaking on June 19th! I'm set for verbal, just need to get my sciences up. I made a huge mistake by APing out of classes and not taking them in college

I am a Full time nurse looking to take the MCAT. Question: What is NS?

 

[dboyhaaan]

I am a Full time nurse looking to take the MCAT. Question: What is NS?

NextStep.

It's a company that makes MCAT prep material.

 

[FCMike11]

NextStep.

It's a company that makes MCAT prep material.

Ok cool I see that now.

I'm a year+ out of my physics classes (hated them). Do others think EK would be sufficient for me? I'm looking at the 2015 MCAT and I have to admit it is OVERWHELMING.

 

[dboyhaaan]

Ok cool I see that now.

I'm a year+ out of my physics classes (hated them). Do others think EK would be sufficient for me? I'm looking at the 2015 MCAT and I have to admit it is OVERWHELMING.

You're preaching to the choir, physics was no fun for me either. I think as long as you have been exposed to physics in undergrad then you should be fine with the content review.

 

[BestICanBe_doc]

Ok cool I see that now.

I'm a year+ out of my physics classes (hated them). Do others think EK would be sufficient for me? I'm looking at the 2015 MCAT and I have to admit it is OVERWHELMING.

If you want a top score, then you are going to have to do more than just use EK.

 

[littlebear92]

If you want a top score, then you are going to have to do more than just use EK.

I would use EK for main content review and use Berkeley review for concepts that you need reinforcement in. EK actually has EVERYTHING you need to get a high score on the MCAT as long as you have taken your pre-reqs. The most important thing is doing practice questions and exams. You actually learn a lot of content while reviewing questions/exams.

 

[littlebear92]

Eek sorry, meant that for FCMike11

 

[mental1]

Thanks littlebear! This seems much more practical than the original NS plan. I modified your study plan by exchanging a few FLs, adding NS Biochem content review (removed TBR), TPRH Verbal, & NS CARS Strategy & Practice, and came to a total of 114 days (could probably be shortened if I wanted to take out some break days, but I feel more comfortable starting earlier and having this buffer).

 

[PostGanglionic]

Ok cool I see that now.

I'm a year+ out of my physics classes (hated them). Do others think EK would be sufficient for me? I'm looking at the 2015 MCAT and I have to admit it is OVERWHELMING.

I recommend the MCAT Physics Book by Nova. This book was the best thing that happened to me when I was studying for the physical science section on the old MCAT. I just want to point out that physics is only worth 25% of this section. Like little bear said do lots of practice questions and passages. Those will help you out the most.

 

[orangeblue]

Where is OCHEM in this schedule? I see physics, bio(biochem), chemistry ..but no ochem?

 

[PostGanglionic]

Where is OCHEM in this schedule? I see physics, bio(biochem), chemistry ..but no ochem?

The Ochem is in the EK chemistry book. Chapters 2 and 3

 

[dboyhaaan]

Where is OCHEM in this schedule? I see physics, bio(biochem), chemistry ..but no ochem?

I'd like to know as well. Am I missing something here?

Edit:

The Ochem is in the EK chemistry book. Chapters 2 and 3

I didn't see your post. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Eliza330]

I have a question for all of you doing the modified NS. I have about 75 days over the summer to study with no days off to prepare for the August 22 mcat. I know this isn't as many days as the rest of you, however, I have no classes and only hoping to get a small volunteer position of one day or less. Given that I have minimal obligations and lots of hours in the day, is one of these modified schedules doable in around 75 days? I really want to complete the mcat before classes start back - I know I can't do both.

 

[mental1]

I have a question for all of you doing the modified NS. I have about 75 days over the summer to study with no days off to prepare for the August 22 mcat. I know this isn't as many days as the rest of you, however, I have no classes and only hoping to get a small volunteer position of one day or less. Given that I have minimal obligations and lots of hours in the day, is one of these modified schedules doable in around 75 days? I really want to complete the mcat before classes start back - I know I can't do both.

I would be less concerned with having fewer days and more concerned with burnout and the lack of days off.

 

[Eliza330]

I would be less concerned with having fewer days and more concerned with burnout and the lack of days off.

Yes that is definitely a concern. About how many hours per day do you think you are putting in with your current schedule?

 

[Stumpyman]

Thanks for posting this schedule.

For someone who took the pre-reqs a long time ago and hardly remembers any chem/physics/general bio, would you still recommend this study plan? Would you add in more TBR?

 

[fawkes94]

Thank you so much for posting this schedule! My MCAT date is August 21, and I am only starting to study now because I found that I couldnt balance volunteering/research/course work/ etc with MCAT prep and I finally found a schedule that doesnt seem too overwhelming but could still prepare me enough. Would buying all of the 9th edition EK books separately by subject work or do I need the Complete study package? I'm asking because I already have most of the individual subject ones.

 

[Dreamstoo]

From personal experience, if I were able retake the old MCAT, I would spread practice tests throughout content review so that I get a better feel for the test rather than blindly studying. That was my thought process in distributing exams throughout content review. Ultimately what matters is that you get a high score on the real deal; it does not matter how many questions you miss on those practice exams, all that matters is that you learn from them and not make the same mistake again (in a way, practice tests are another form of learning content).

I completely agree with this.

 

[S G]

How did you get the TPR FL Exams? Can you buy them without enrolling in a TPR course? I couldn't find the link to buy just the 8 practice exams anywhere.

 

[doctor_wannabe]

Is there a reason you chose the EK books as the primary review source? I was trying to decide between the EK or BR set but don't know which one would be better for the new exam. I heard good things about the amount of depth BR goes into, but not all of their books are updated for the current MCAT. EK books have practice questions at the end of each chapter just like BR, but they are not as detailed with the basic concepts.