April '06 MCAT Takers

[mshheaddoc]

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So how are you studying? I'm working up to 4 hrs a day. Man, so much material. I don't know how I'm going to get through it by then 🙁
J/K!


😉


How many of you are out there lurking? I know it, I see you. I seriously am considering studying like 4 hr/week during fall semester and maybe doing a few practice exams. I have to see if I'm going to shell out $1500 for the kaplan class if I need it 🙁

 

[andrewmalanga]

Whats going on?
Hey, I have to be honest with you and tell you straight up that the Kaplan class is a waste of time if you're cool with studying on your own. If anything I would stick with the online class. You'll get all the same lessons and materials as the class students. If you have a good computer with a clean fast hook-up, then you're good to go. The only thing you won't get is interaction, but I'm assuming you get enough of that in your classes at school already. Save the bucks and hit the books.
Good luck.

 

[Mike MacKinnon]

I just started yesterday. Im planning to take it in april if i feel ready. I was doing 2 hours a day and started with verbal. The going to Chem (while im taking bio and physics) then ill do physics/bio.

I figure ill have done a once over by christmas then start again.

 

[rs76]

I just started yesterday. Im planning to take it in april if i feel ready. I was doing 2 hours a day and started with verbal. QUOTE]



Can someone tell me how to study for verbal which I'm not good at. I have a crapload of material. DO I mess an entire test to do a verbal passage a day, or should I do te entire verbal section? I am saving examkrackers till a month b4 April. Dont wanna do it too early. Any suggestions to improving my verbal reading skills? Thanks!

 

[gozeemer]

First off, take a practice MCAT right now just to get a feel of the test. Its a lot easier to study when you know what you are up against. Second, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. We all know the facts, equations, and reactions. By the time your mcat comes around you should be a pro at the test. Notice I said test, not material. You obviously need to know the material (duh) but its more important to understand timing, confidence, and how to tackle the exam.

As for verbal, there are so many different stategies out there, and the best thing to do is try some now and find your own. Personally, I would take a practice verbal ateast once a week until 2 months before, then start taking 2 a week at the minimum.

Also, someone said just study on your own. For some people that works awesome, some not really. Do some research and see whether or not thats right for you. I personally took TPR and wish I had not. Why? Because I am a better self learner, I found class to be a waste of time. I would have rather been at a table at barnes cracking out problems for 3 hours a night. But, I know for some people the class gave them a structure to study. So it really depends on you. Make sure you take the AAMC tests though, thats really important.

Well, I have about 49 days till my MCAT comes in (I have taken it before, just 3 years ago, so I know the drill hehe)

 

[booji]

You guys might also want to check out the MCAT 30+ scores thread stickied at the top of the forums. This thread has some useful information about past MCAT takers, the matierails they used, and how they did on the real deal.

 

[MSc44]

So how are you studying? I'm working up to 4 hrs a day. Man, so much material. I don't know how I'm going to get through it by then 🙁
J/K!


😉


How many of you are out there lurking? I know it, I see you. I seriously am considering studying like 4 hr/week during fall semester and maybe doing a few practice exams. I have to see if I'm going to shell out $1500 for the kaplan class if I need it 🙁

Hey im in the same boat, i just started studying the other day. I have great grades but feel like i forgot more then half the stuff i need to know, i feel like my head is spinning. I have the kaplan books and will probably review the material from them, then im getting all the examcrackers books and doing them as well as the CD's im also going to take the october Princeton review, and just keep practicing questions, i feel like i dont h ave enough time...........any suggestions

 

[tintin007]

I would suggest you all to take it little bit easy. Do not be under the impression that if you start early you will be ahead in the game. The earlier you start spending time for MCAT-prep; the chances of getting burnt out are real. Bunch of gun-hos in my school started like you guys and were burnt out few weeks before the real deal. I am not trying to discourage or scare you, but just a word of caution.
You should be fine with a month or two for review and couple of months for practice/tests.

 

[DocteurMarion]

Are you guys taking science classes/have a full time job as well as studying for MCAT ?or you guys are just studying the MCAT alone?

I am working full time and taking 2 classes this semester - I dont even know where to start with MCAT 😱

 

[Nekbat]

I would suggest you all to take it little bit easy. Do not be under the impression that if you start early you will be ahead in the game. The earlier you start spending time for MCAT-prep; the chances of getting burnt out are real. Bunch of gun-hos in my school started like you guys and were burnt out few weeks before the real deal. I am not trying to discourage or scare you, but just a word of caution.
You should be fine with a month or two for review and couple of months for practice/tests.

I dont understand what it means when people say "burnt out"... i guess it means i have never studied hard enough.

 

[shantster]

So how are you studying? I'm working up to 4 hrs a day. Man, so much material. I don't know how I'm going to get through it by then 🙁
J/K!


😉


How many of you are out there lurking? I know it, I see you. I seriously am considering studying like 4 hr/week during fall semester and maybe doing a few practice exams. I have to see if I'm going to shell out $1500 for the kaplan class if I need it 🙁

I'm planning on looking over the notes from my science classes soon. Pretty much since I'm taking Biochem, Cell Bio, Physiology and Physics all in this semester, I'm trying to concentrate on those as much as possible and hope that they help me with the studying. I got the EK entire series and and using their 10 week schedule, but I'm probably going to use it more as a guide and spread out the reviewing to make it about a 20 week schedule. Kaplan is offereing a free practice exam at our school on Sept. 24th so I'll wait and see how that turns out before setting up my study schedule and then start sometime in November/December. I'm not paying the money for their course though. I think I'm motivated enough and structured enough to be able to get through all the information on my own. Good luck to everyone!

 

[Belfagor]

I'm sorry, you guys are starting to prepare for the April exam now? Please tell me this is not normal.

 

[DrBowtie]

I'm sorry, you guys are starting to prepare for the April exam now? Please tell me this is not normal.

Welcome to SDN.

 

[morgan]

Welcome to SDN.

Anyone else notice that SDN sounds a lot like S&M???

 

[JustR]

Anyone else notice that SDN sounds a lot like S&M???

what is S & M?? Abbreviation confuses newcomers….

 

[mshheaddoc]

I'm no newcomer, and even I'm stumped on that one.

Oh jeez ... I'm not TOUCHING that one!!! 😱

Look up S & M on the net ...

As for preparation, some of us start to review items. For example, I haven't had chemistry in 8 years so I'm starting to review now. Additionally I need to ace the MCAT with a chance to get in, so I'm just preparing now to see what I need to do.

 

[frankrizzo18]

I would take an EK test now under timed conditions. To get better at verbal, it is not how many tests you take, but how much time you take after a test to critique your previous strategy and improve it for the next test. For example, if the passage you are reading appears too complex, by reviewing it with a dictionary you will soon develop the confidence and ability to attack very challenging reading passages, and hopefully realize it is not the passage that makes verbal reasoning difficult but what the questions ask you to do with the passage information. You will see this more often with the AAMC material. They will have tough reading passages with doable questions, whereas EK has really tough questions and some complex verbal passages. It is good practice but I do recommend the Kaplan verbal reasoning materials. Kaplan offers tests that are at the level of the real MCAT verbal reasoning that you will see. Your score with Kaplan will also be +/- 1 or 2 of your real score for each section. Hope that helps!!

 

[errozion]

I'm taking a full course load (microbiology, genetics, cancer biology and 2 other non science classes) and working two jobs at the same time. My goal is to finish the entire material of the MCAT and have it down by the time Spring semester starts and all spring practice and build up speed.

Fall = 4-6 hours a week (ideal, but prolly end up studying half that amount of time)
Spring = kick it in high gear and go all out.

With my low GPA gotta make sure I do well on the MCAT, its going to take some sacrificing.

 

[karlin009]

I'm planning to retake in April. August PS was a killer for me so I will work on that starting this week along with verbal. I didn't think the 10 weeks I studied over the summer for this damn test was good enough for PS. January I will start BS.

 

[dave613]

I'm planning to retake in April. August PS was a killer for me so I will work on that starting this week along with verbal. I didn't think the 10 weeks I studied over the summer for this damn test was good enough for PS. January I will start BS.

dude, why don't you wait till you get your scores to determine whether you need to study all over again? I am very nervous too about all of my sections, especially PS. However, you might be very surprised when you get your scores. Don't forget the all powerful curve--you're grade is based on it.

Take care

 

[Anastasis]

How many of you are out there lurking? I know it, I see you. I seriously am considering studying like 4 hr/week during fall semester and maybe doing a few practice exams. I have to see if I'm going to shell out $1500 for the kaplan class if I need it 🙁

That sounds about like my plan. But I am taking alot of my pre-recs right now (Bio I, O Chem I, Physics II and then Bio II, O Chem II and Biochemistry in the spring) so basically I am attacking those classes so that I will only need a basic review before the MCAT. Getting started with Physics I and Gen Chem right now.

 

[Caboose]

Hey guys, whaaaat's happening? Indeed, I have felt the burnout. For me, it comes in two and a half month cycles. Study, study, study... vomit - flake for three weeks - study, study, study. I plan accordingly.
Actually, I started navigating around SDN in the beginning of the summer and realized that I would not be able to have any sort of life to be average come the August Beast. Snuffed that candle right away.

What I think sucks about the pretests, (and I'm taking one every few weeks, less valid ones first), is that it takes SO long to go over the answers when you are completely ignorant of the topics. Basically, it sucks to learn.

My plan:

EK series: audio osmosis plus books, modified schedule for 3 months. 1001 books and mini MCATs. Each of these twice. (1001's are easy to get twice, but we'll see how I do with the other part)

Kaplan - Work through the book again and do some tests starting in Nov.

Gold - Book started, only do this one once, practice full lengthers

TPR - I don't think I'll have time to read this one much, but I'll try. Practice tests.

And lets not forget the physics book I bought because I am so lame with electrical problems. My schedule is very harsh, but don't think I'm on top of it - starting from the bottom.

Question: Where would one find enough verbal passages to last once a week until April? I'm nearly through EK 101 and I only have maybe 10 specific verbal tests. Is there another book of just verbal passages? I may have to sell my second child, but whatever.

Caboose.

 

[karlin009]

Question: Where would one find enough verbal passages to last once a week until April? I'm nearly through EK 101 and I only have maybe 10 specific verbal tests. Is there another book of just verbal passages?

Caboose.[/QUOTE

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[iraqiamerican]

I will be taking it this April for the first time too.
I know people telll me its early, but you will benefit more from your time use if you spend it reading an MCAT-prep book instead of surfing the net/getting drunk/having a life/etc

 

[mizzoudude]

The test day for 2006 April is April 22nd. If one takes the test on that day...it takes 60 days for scores to come out...therefore scores wont' come out until around June 22nd. Is this the first day one can submit the MCAT scores to AMCAS?? Even though the first date to apply to medical schools is June 1st?? Thanks for the information.....

 

[spanishviola]

I took the Kaplan course in summer but didnt take the MCAT. I am trying to get them to let me repeat the course. i dont know if I'll be attending the classes. Ill probably just use the online materials. I am not really sure about how i should plan my study schedule. I am doing biochem, physiology, a biochem research class and linear algebra right now. I hope to come up with a study plan and start in 2 weeks.

 

[PreMedMommy]

I'm sorry, you guys are starting to prepare for the April exam now? Please tell me this is not normal.

For people like myself with 2 kids under 3, I don't have the luxury of studying 10 hour days a few weeks before test time. So, I have to start now. That, and I'm being ambitious and I'm going to try to teach myself the O Chem from EK. (I have a feeling that this is a really funny idea.)

 

[mizzoudude]

If anyone wants a cheap copy of the EK Cds let me know...thanks.

 

[Belfagor]

For people like myself with 2 kids under 3, I don't have the luxury of studying 10 hour days a few weeks before test time. So, I have to start now. That, and I'm being ambitious and I'm going to try to teach myself the O Chem from EK. (I have a feeling that this is a really funny idea.)

No, I can understand your circumstance. I was referring to the more traditional students that have current class loads, and are still factoring in MCAT studying many months before the exam. I had planned to take my first full length practice test at the end of December, and gauge my studying accordingly up until the exam using EK's 10 week guide.

 

[hiramshaish]

Question: Where would one find enough verbal passages to last once a week until April? I'm nearly through EK 101 and I only have maybe 10 specific verbal tests. Is there another book of just verbal passages?

Caboose.[/QUOTE

I was wondering the same thing.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=228829

 

[freesolo]

you know i felt like i peaked too early, thats a risk with long studying like this, i felt midway through my studying material was really fresh, and I was doing well in practice tests, 1 month left i started to decline in practice tests. Thats just something to think about if i have to retake, im not going to study earlier for it.

 

[mustangsally65]

I just wanted to wish you an early good luck in your studying. I've taken the MCAT three times now, and I hope not to be joining your ranks for April. But if I have to, I have a rejection letter so I can take it a fourth time.

Hope you guys are more fortunate than I have been, and you only have to take it once!

 

[modelslashactor]

So for the fellow April 06 folks, what do you all think of the MCAT being on the computer? I have a few questions, maybe someone knows the answers:

1. Does anyone actually know how this is going to work, are they going to give us a bunch of scrap paper to work out the PS stuff on and then we just click the answers?

2. Will we be able to skip/go back to questions?

3. Has anyone actually taken the MCAT on the computer (I think it was an option in the past)? Elaborate?

4. I also heard the test would be shorter. Anyone know where the cuts are going and what the start to finish time will be now?

Finally, if anyone has a website that answers all this and more, please post. If the test is going to be the exact same and I dreamt all this, I apologize for wasting your time. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[mshheaddoc]

MCAT in April you odn't have to take on the computer. I would advise AGAINST it as I was advised by several people to just take the test (unless you really are adverse to paper - like for essay. You're a fast typer and SLLLLLLLLOOOOOOWWWWWWWW writer).

I won't take it unless I'm forced to and April 2006 I'm safe 🙂

But to answer some of your questions:

1. Does anyone actually know how this is going to work, are they going to give us a bunch of scrap paper to work out the PS stuff on and then we just click the answers?
To my knowledge, yes this is how it would work. I took the GMAT on computer and this is how it worked. Every other computerized test that I know of allows scrap paper.

2. Will we be able to skip/go back to questions?
Yes but ONLY for that section. Its not a computer adapted test like the GMAT where your question difficulty is based on your answer to your prior question. There are no plans of making the MCAT a CAT (computer adapted test) test to my knowledge.

4. I also heard the test would be shorter. Anyone know where the cuts are going and what the start to finish time will be now? Great question, and one I think we won't really know for sure until next year 😀
.

 

[abyssinianson]

I am planning to take the MCAT in April 06 as well after applying this year. I haven't gotten my decisions back yet (for this application season) but I think it works well to plan ahead for any scenario that might turn out - especially the possibility of not getting in. I KNOW i can definitely do better since I have a lot of help from you fine people and I know much more than I did before.

My plan is as follows for the 2006/2007 MD Program application season -
1. Lock post bac GPA to a 4.0
2. Do well on the MCAT and apply early as hell on the AMCAS - I am thinking June 1, as soon as the AMCAS goes online.

 

[PPatel]

Question: Where would one find enough verbal passages to last once a week until April? I'm nearly through EK 101 and I only have maybe 10 specific verbal tests. Is there another book of just verbal passages?

Caboose.[/QUOTE

I was wondering the same thing.

Kaplan's new books for their class include Verbal Reasoning Review notes, which have 11 VR section tests.

 

[Doc2007]

Kaplan's new books for their class include Verbal Reasoning Review notes, which have 11 VR section tests.

Are they any different than their online tests? I think they have 13 VR section tests on the web.

 

[supersash]

hi guys!

i too am taking the mcats for the first time this april 2006.

i want to take a kaplan course (i am no good on my own for something like this!), but am worried, because the class would be feb-apr, and i will be taking orgo2 and phys2 during this time.

do you think i'll be killing myself, or it will still be a good review?

thanks in advance 🙂

 

[shantster]

hi guys!

i too am taking the mcats for the first time this april 2006.

i want to take a kaplan course (i am no good on my own for something like this!), but am worried, because the class would be feb-apr, and i will be taking orgo2 and phys2 during this time.

do you think i'll be killing myself, or it will still be a good review?

thanks in advance 🙂

Wow, that would be a really condensed class. For me personally, I don't think I'd be able to handle having an MCAT class that lasted less than three months since that's just so little time to get all the information covered especially since you need to have time to do school work and study for the MCAT outside of the class. Would you be able to take one that starts earlier?

 

[supersash]

Wow, that would be a really condensed class. For me personally, I don't think I'd be able to handle having an MCAT class that lasted less than three months since that's just so little time to get all the information covered especially since you need to have time to do school work and study for the MCAT outside of the class. Would you be able to take one that starts earlier?

i am just concerned about taking the class too early, and having information in the class i havent even learned yet (since i'll be taking orgo2 and phys2 in the spring).

does the mcat focus more on orgo 1?