Can 1 extra week make a difference???

[moca83]

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I'm giving serious thought to pushing my MCAT back a week to May 26. Will an extra week of cramming make a difference (if done properly)? I've been hitting mid 20s and have shifted gears to serious post CBT review with targeted studying. Maybe an extra week will be beneficial? Please advise. I really don't wanna waste another $60 that I don't have. 🙁

 

[Pons Asinorum]

No.

 

[moca83]

No.

You are wise beyond your years Mr Pons. How about four extra weeks?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

You are wise beyond your years Mr Pons. How about four extra weeks?

Yes. 😉

 

[HatWobble]

No.

I think it depends. I think you can cram some more memorization in that week... stuff like hormones and physics equations. I took two weeks off of my job to study for the MCAT full-time before the test, and I think it at least helped me feel more confident about some things. Realistically I think you could effect 1-2 points for the pure memorization problems (i.e. "which of these does the pancreas excrete?")

For verbal passages, probably not.

Also, I wouldn't suggest doing it if this one week is all the MCAT studying you would have done up to this point.

 

[moca83]

Yes. 😉

What exactly would you do in those last four weeks? Crazy as it sounds, I'm considering taking a complete stranger's advice.

 

[moca83]

Also, would itbe stupid to take the May 20th exam and take the June 16th exam w/out getting a score back so I can have all my stuff in for an earlier review this app cycle? I would take two mcats in hopes that'd ewe one would be higher obviously. Thanks for your advice! 🙂

 

[Pons Asinorum]

It would be helpful to have more info. What study plan and materials are you using? What FL practice exams have you taken, and what did you score in each section? Do YOU think your content review was complete and you need to brush up on test-taking skills, or are you still deficient wrt content? If you need to "cram" because you need content review, I can see 4-weeks being beneficial if done right. That "done right" part is the difficult bit, of course. Need more info from you to really give much more than one-word answers right now.

 

[moca83]

.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

In a nutshell, my materials are all EK1001, BRphysics and Bio, and EK VR. Ive gone through AAMC CBT: 3(7/10/7), 4(7/6/7), 5(9/8/7), 6(9/9/9), 7(7/10/8), and 8(8/8/7). To be honest, I guess on 99% of Orgo because I hate it and don't have time to completely review. My content review for the other sections is good with the exception of about 2 weak topic areas in chem and physics (electrochem, soln chem, electricity, light and optics).

My plan was to just continue working problems in weak areas identified by my CBTs, take the (R) versions of the AAMC exams, memorize all formulas and important topics via flashcards, and take the remaining three CBTs. Thoughts??? Thanks! 🙂

I think you could bring up your scores a few points in 4 weeks. If you are aiming for 30+, you need to reevaluate. You have a lot of content that you admit to not know. You are sacrificing 2-5 points on BS right out of the gate due to orgo. Tough call, man.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

No.

ehhh maybe, I think a week is plenty of time to refresh physics/chem concepts if you were SOMEWHAT familiar with them, case by case basis I guess

 

[Sharpies]

I'm giving serious thought to pushing my MCAT back a week to May 26. Will an extra week of cramming make a difference (if done properly)? I've been hitting mid 20s and have shifted gears to serious post CBT review with targeted studying. Maybe an extra week will be beneficial? Please advise. I really don't wanna waste another $60 that I don't have. 🙁

It depends on the type of person you are-- are you used to cramming things in or just preparing last minute for everything in life? I know I am that sort of a person, so 1 week can make all the difference. I ended up doing all 7 AAMC practice tests in 10 days leading up to my test.

It also depends on how far along in the review process you are and what your total timeline is. If you have been study for months already and are already done with content review, it probably won't help. But if you have been cramming for 2-3 weeks, adding that extra time increases your study time by 33-50%!

 

[flodhi1]

I'm giving serious thought to pushing my MCAT back a week to May 26. Will an extra week of cramming make a difference (if done properly)? I've been hitting mid 20s and have shifted gears to serious post CBT review with targeted studying. Maybe an extra week will be beneficial? Please advise. I really don't wanna waste another $60 that I don't have. 🙁

One week is obviously a waste of time dude need at least 4-6 weeks

 

[HDaddyDollarz]

dude, with what your scoring on BS and PS, you need more content review, if your scoring <10 in BS/PS it means you need content review. Push it back

 

[moca83]

.

 

[ridethecliche]

I believe you are correct. I'm going to reschedule for June 16...gotta drive from Kansas City to Dallas. 🙁

Ultimately, the most important component of my app is the mcat and it should at least be a few pts above average to be semi-competitive.

I'm just worrying about a late app since my score will not be released until July 19th.

Repeat after me.

If I rush this process, I will only hurt myself and waste time and money.

Seriously, you're better off hitting this stuff prepared like a boss. You really don't want to have to take the MCAT twice let alone apply twice. I know I don't.