Best time to take MCAT

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I was reading some stuff on the princeton review, and it said best time to take mcat is junior year the april one. Im taking org chem II during that semester. Will most of whats on the mcat be covered by april...One hell of a time to study too with org chem II studying too. If i take the august mcat, will my chances of getting in med school be worst, since im applying later.

 

[Amy B]

That is the best time. By April you would have covered all you really need for the MCAT. Plus if you need to retake it, you can do it in August. Otherwise if you do badly on the August test, you would have to retake it in April of the following year and then you would have to reapply in that year.

Lots of us have taken Org II and Physics II and other classes and studied for the MCAT. It is a pain, but it is doable.

Good luck

 

[1olddoc]

Make sure to finish all pre recs for MCAT before taking it. Also the best time to take the MCAT April of the year that you are applying. You are at a major disadvantage taking it in August of the year in which you are applying. Students will be interviewing before the school even look at your application. If you are having trouble studying for school exams and the April MCAT then take it in August and apply the following year..even if you have to take time away from school. The most important thing is that your MCAT's are good and that your applications are in early for the year in which you are applying. Best of Luck

 

[Jillianrae]

April is definately the best time. Ideally, you would have finished all prereqs, but I know lots of people who were still taking either Ochem or Physics when they took it, and they did pretty well. At the very least, you will have some experience with the test and know what to focus on if you have to retake it in August.

 

[Nutmeg]

Just to agree with what most everyone else says, take it in April anyways. You're probably more at risk of forgetting what you once knew by the time you take the MCAT thean you are of not having covered the requisite material. Besides, it'll help motivate you to do well in O chem if you know that you'll need it for the MCAT also--my grades actually improved by taking the MACT in the middle of the semster.

 

[bella_dottoressa]

Slickness:
That is exactly what I'm doing and I'm geared up for it; prereqs will all be done with a few tiny exceptions, plus will have had upper div physiology, microbiology, biochem and genetics. Did you do this? My only two concerns with the plan are:
A) I've been hearing different stories on when scores expire. Is this an issue?
B) MCAT graded on a curve and taking it for the first time as a soph pits me against mostly retakers...is that significant?
If anyone can respond to those that'd be great. Thanks so much as usual.

 

[bella_dottoressa]

Thanks Slickness, thanks so much! That's exactly what I wanted to hear. 🙂

 

[UCLAstudent]

I agree with everyone who said to take it in April of your junior year. It is certainly possible to study for the MCAT while taking o-chem. As long as all of your other pre-reqs have been completed, you'll be fine.

 

[PianoGirl04]

If you have the time and motivation to (a) get your pre-reqs in by the end of soph year, and (b) study for the MCAT over the summer, I would def recommend taking it in August after your sophomore year. I have a friend or 2 that did just that. I took it in April of my junior year, which would be my next recommendation. If you don't take a crazy course load in the spring, it's not too difficult, although you may turn into a psycho hermit for a few months. Just try to keep your schedule balanced, and budget enough time (at least 5 hours/week) for MCAT studying. But whatever you do, try to avoid taking it in August of the year you apply...it really delays your application.

 

[rjmst]

yo crystal18mc, is that your real picture? I would totally do you.

 

[jenni4476]

I'm also planning to take it in August of soph year. I'll have all prereqs and genetics done by then and studying will be so much easier over the summer when I have nothing else to do. I'm taking biochem spring of junior year so I figure if I don't do well I can retake in April with that additional reinforcement.

 

[thackl]

Take it when you have time to study for it and do well. End of story. Don't try to take it during a busy semester.

I like this idea of taking it in the summer after sophomore yr. As for prereq's, there is science, then there is MCAT science. You can learn everything you need for the MCAT on your own with review books. Knowing all the technical material guarantees you about a 25. Practicing and learning how to defeat the psychology of the test goes a long way. I think bio majors get overconfident with all the related classes they take. This is the only reason I can come up with for bio students, on average, performing worse than liberal arts, engineering and math majors on this test.

 

[bella_dottoressa]

Jenni, does that mean next August like me?

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words about the Aug after soph year plan. It really motivates me and makes me sure that this is a good choice for me. 🙂

Rjmst, yup that's me. Thanks for the compliment.

 

[PrincetonRocks]

August of your sophomore year I think would be the best because O-Chem and Physics are still fresh on your mind. However, in your case, you should take it in April of your Jr. year becuase the August one would delay your AMCAS/application. I took the April one during my Jr. year and i did fine. Good luck!

 

[MichiMO]

I am going to disagree with everyone, but I think April of Junior year is a BAD idea...especially if you are taking one of the prereqs during that semester. So much of doing well on that test is controlling nerves and you would most likely be extremely stressed out writing it in the middle of the semester.

Obviously if you could take it the summer before your junior year, that would be ideal. But, if you are left with April or August of your junior year, I would do the August. Yes, you may be at a disadvantage timing wise, but I really think people exagerate that disadvantage (I was an August taker myself), and your scores are simply too important. Better to take it in August and do well than take it in April, do poorly, and have to retake it and risk having your applications thrown out before schools see your new, hopefully better, August scores.

On another note: take a review course...worth every dime! It will save you so much time and stress with studying and you will go into the test completely calm and ready.