Advice on how to start

[DblHelix]

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Ok, so I just started an MCAT class and all but I'm feeling VERY overwhelmed when I study on my own time. Particularly, I am worried about bio. I haven't taken a bio class since freshman year and very little of the material is actually ringing a bell, meaning I can just jump in and do practice problems. How do you suggest I start? Do I just go and memorize bio textbooks? Thanks.

 

[jebus]

I was in a sort of similar position: I had been out of school for 3+ years when I decided to take the MCAT.
I didn't memorize bio textbooks. But I did take the Kaplan Comprehensive review book and the Princeton Review book and took notes from each of them. Hard core notes. After I did that I looked at both sets of notes and aggregated them. So, I essentially looked at the material 3 times. Then, I started the practice tests. Using my results on those tests I continued to target my studies on areas in which I didn't do very well. 4 weeks (4-5 hours an evening) later I took the MCAT and I did well.
I hope other people offer ideas. Regardless, put in the effort and prepare wisely and you'll do fine. Good Luck!

 

[lostnfound]

I was in a sort of similar position: I had been out of school for 3+ years when I decided to take the MCAT.
I didn't memorize bio textbooks. But I did take the Kaplan Comprehensive review book and the Princeton Review book and took notes from each of them. Hard core notes. After I did that I looked at both sets of notes and aggregated them. So, I essentially looked at the material 3 times. Then, I started the practice tests. Using my results on those tests I continued to target my studies on areas in which I didn't do very well. 4 weeks (4-5 hours an evening) later I took the MCAT and I did well.
I hope other people offer ideas. Regardless, put in the effort and prepare wisely and you'll do fine. Good Luck!

desired --- you inspire! how many months did you study for?

 

[remo]

I was in the same boat with GChem and Physics. What I have been doing is quickly reading in my textbooks any areas that don't make sense in the Kaplan review books as I am going through them. After that I can go back through Kaplan without needing the texts. It is not actually taking that long because the knowldge required for the MCAT is relatively basic. I wouldn't just use textbooks by themselves because you will get bogged down in too much detail.

 

[jebus]

desired --- you inspire! how many months did you study for?

~4.5 weeks.