bracing for the worst

[The Sultan]

I know its normal, but i am pretty anxious about this MCAT score coming out, and not because i think its the end of the world, but just because i worked awfully hard. I guess my biggest fear is how i will ever get the same motivation that i had this summer if i dont do well this time. So, my question is: for those of you who took the test twice and worked hard the first time around, how did you get yourself back to the same level of dedication for this test? Did it just sort of come back once you got over the dejection of a bad score? Did you just bite the bullet? Get pissed? did nothing?
Just hunting for ideas so any feedback would be appreciated.

Peace

 

[s42brown]

RELAX!!!!! I just took it for the first time too so I'm in the same boat however I'm not going to abandon ship until I see the hole. we still have a week or two so sit back and enjoy the ride. Hope for the best. You busted your ass have some faith in yourself.

 

[Toejam]

What's difficult for me is that I THINK that I'm a reasonably bright person with a certain knack for science, but the MCAT is beginning to disabuse me of these serene thoughts.

I first took it in 1993 and got a 24S. Nobody except the podiatry schools wanted to even interview me. I was sick of waiting to get in so I opted for podiatry. Now, I'm a podiatrist going through all of this again. I took it for the 2nd time last April and got a 23S!! I was beginning to wonder if I could get anything close to even a 25! So, I sucked it up, started to study differently and took it for a 3rd time last August. If I score low to average yet again, I'm going to have a seriously hard time thinking about doing it YET AGAIN! At that point, I'll really wonder if the MCAT will be forever elusive.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

I feel bad for you, ToeJam. I can see how badly you want Med School and I so want it for you. Please keep me updated with your results, you are in my thoughts.

Be well,
Tweetie

 

[franklinthedog]

I agree with the above. Brief history....I took it in Aug 94 and Aug 95, studied little-none both times (was a spoiled brat I guess). I got 26 each time. After pursuing a grad degree and many jobs, here I am facing the MCAT again. I studied TONS this summer. I started studying FT April the 8th, with a minimum of an uninterrupted 25-30 hrs/wk even back in April. And the hours only grew once June and Kaplan started. So, I better have done better, or I will be upset to say the least. Let's all have confidence that putting in the work will pay off, after all, some of the test is just gen knowledge and practice. And when we study and practice for college tests; we improve, so why can't that happen with the MCAT? It wil!! Everyone hang in there, and drink up on Oct 3!

 

[full of hope]

Sultan, I bet you studied pretty damn hard for the MCAT, and in that case, you've gotta believe in yourself and have some confidence. If you worked hard studying all summer, then in some way or the other, it will have paid off. So what, if you don't get the desired score this time around, then if you truly want to be a doctor, you'll work hard until you achieve your dreams. It just takes some dedication and hard work, both of which I am sure you have. You made it through the August MCAT, which is an accomplishment all in itself, because that test is no joke. So, should you not do as well as you hoped to have done, just remember why you're taking the test in the first place. Achieving great things is never easy, but once you get there, it's all the more fruitful when you can look back and be proud of how hard you worked to get there. However, as far as the August MCAT goes, it's over - - you can't control your score anymore, so sit back and relax, and see what happens. Who knows, maybe you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Just believe in yourself. Anyways, good luck, and I wish you all the best.

 

[ocean11]

Hey guys, for those of you who have been trying tierlessly throughout the years to beat the MCAT and get into meds... I salute you... nothin' but respect...

 

[isidella]

Toejam, you inspire me. "

And you must be a damn good writer to get two scores of "S."
:clap

 

[woolie]

I've been tthinking just these same thoughts and also: how/what to do differently. This summer I just sat down and started cranking thru the PReview class books and my old textbooks and worked all day from 8:00 when Library opened until about 7:00 when I thought I was going to scream. My score almost doubled, ok so it wasn't so high to begin with, but I DID improve alot. I was really overwhlemed at the kinds of stuff on the exams tho, and feel that even 2 months of 70 hours a week wasn't enough or the right kind of studying.

I think that a longer build up and more time to absorb the stuff is better. I wasn't going to take it but alot of people said, look you're almost there (there being that magical 30). The truth is, I might only really get a 15 or whatever.

But I plan on starting in Oct/Nove and working lots of problems and review and practice tests and really take more time to absorb the enormity of the (*&^% test so that by April I feel about as prepared as I can be.

Ok, plus I am getting the EKrackers stuff. It seems strange to me that you can be a great person, great grades, etc. and struggle with this awful test and that's it. Conversely, I've met ALOT of Drs who said: I was an iffy student but I rocked the MCAT. That doesn't seem fair to me at all.

 

[The Sultan]

Originally posted by woolie
Ok, plus I am getting the EKrackers stuff. It seems strange to me that you can be a great person, great grades, etc. and struggle with this awful test and that's it. Conversely, I've met ALOT of Drs who said: I was an iffy student but I rocked the MCAT. That doesn't seem fair to me at all.

I agree with you. I dont think this test is necessarily a great indicator of a person's aptitude for science or their skill as a future doctor. Just like the SAT had very little to do with how I did in college, i think the MCAT ,too, is no guarantee that one will succeed in Medical School.
However to be fair, i also cannot imagine any kind of a objective test that could reasonably test such things. The only way i can legitimize this test is tell myself that it is just another obstacle, another hoop that every pre-med must jump through. And even though it may not be a direct indicator of my ability to become a competent doctor, it indirectly does test certain skills like the ability to work while fatigued, and devoting large amounts of time studying something that may not be the most exhilirating(sp?) material one has read. This test more than anything else has given me a lesson in perseverence and dedication. Although its still to be determined if i need a longer lesson.
As for those who breeze through this test without putting in the work: more power to them. God has gifted them something that i must work very hard to aquire. So keep the hope alive.

Peace