Can I take the MCAT before physics?

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HappEness

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I hear physics is only 10% of the MCAT....Would it be possible to self-study? I'm going to be a junior and want to take the MCAT in the fall. But I haven't taken physics yet...(planning to do so in fall/spring of junior semester)

Any advice? Should/can I start studying for physics over this summer? Thanks so much!
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I have the same question. Our school just stopped letting us take Phys 2 before Phys 1, so I can't take the January test like I'd hoped. If I take it right after (or before, I suppose), finals in mid-May, will the score come out in time for an early submission? Will I be too tired from finals to do well? Would taking it in the middle of the semester so it's not right by finals be a mistake?
 
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I took physics I in spring 2016 and physics II in fall 2016, took MCAT in April 2017, got score back may 23, and have already submitted primary
 
gonnif said:
You have one of the most important exams of your life, an exam that will set the course of your professional career and you want to find short cuts because of a self-imposed schedule of when to take it? Taking the MCAT before you do everything possible to increase your chances is poor strategy
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Wait, I have a similar question:
I plan on doing the same thing, but I took AP Physics B ( Physics I and II combined). So, would self studying in my case be okay ( I earned a "B" in the class, and got a 3 on the exam) in my case because I have the background, I just need a refresher?
 
gonnif said:
You have one of the most important exams of your life, an exam that will set the course of your professional career and you want to find short cuts because of a self-imposed schedule of when to take it? Taking the MCAT before you do everything possible to increase your chances is poor strategy
Click to expand...

Not trying to cut corners, and I gave up on the January test when I heard I'd still have one class to take, but I always try and schedule standardized tests to avoid schools tests, which is why I had thought about a test in the middle of the semester. In your opinion, it's not worth it so I don't miss any of physics? I can do that!
 
Take the test late May, June so you have time for dedicated, but also have all the classes necessary.
 
And then, I imagine, I submit one application as a throwaway and the rest upon receiving my scores? That's the best schedule for people who aren't immediately going for a gap year?

raiderette said:
Take the test late May, June so you have time for dedicated, but also have all the classes necessary.
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Tbh, the best way to know if you'll be fine with self studying physics is to do it and then try the physics qpack and see how many of them you're getting wrong/correct. Then you'll know if it worked out for you or not.
 
Would it be possible to take Physics I officially in fall semester and audit Physics II in the same semester? And then take the January MCAT?
 
gonnif said:
Self study, Khan Academy, MCAT prep class, but you dont like you did that well in AP all the way back in HS
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Huh...?
I may be a little loopy b/c I'm up late studying ( So I can study for my summer class when I'm not fasting), but what does the bolded mean?
 
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@gonnif I have more time to study for the MCAT during the summer, so that's why I want to take it early
 
I wouldn't advise it. I also thought about doing this and was advised against it. The physics I saw on the MCAT was very physics II heavy. Lots of PhysII topics like light energy, photons, elementary charges, etc etc. If you are good at math, I think physics questions are a great place to make up some points. With the questions they seem to lean towards now, there are a lot of constants and tiny numbers that are tedious and difficult to estimate. I think the relatively high percentage of math questions really benefited me on C/P*. It is where I make up for my CARS score.
 
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HappEness said:
I hear physics is only 10% of the MCAT....Would it be possible to self-study? I'm going to be a junior and want to take the MCAT in the fall. But I haven't taken physics yet...(planning to do so in fall/spring of junior semester)

Any advice? Should/can I start studying for physics over this summer? Thanks so much!
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Can you? Yes.
Should you? Only if you don't want to be a doctor.
 
Then when should I start studying? Summer or beginning of Spring semester (i.e. January 2018)? From many posts I've read, I heard you don't remember MCAT material past 5 months...
 
Except for not having taken physics, the January mcat is so much better imo than the April or may one. You can self study whatever you need to in july/August. Do content prep over the semester and tons of practice full time over winter break. On the other hand, the April and may exams force you to do pretty much all your studying over the semester and then you have your mcat either during the third wave of midterm exams or around finals time.

Just my opinion though.
 
Dox4lyfe said:
Except for not having taken physics, the January mcat is so much better imo than the April or may one. You can self study whatever you need to in july/August. Do content prep over the semester and tons of practice full time over winter break. On the other hand, the April and may exams force you to do pretty much all your studying over the semester and then you have your mcat either during the third wave of midterm exams or around finals time.

Just my opinion though.
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That's what I was thinking when I was hoping for a January or mid-semester test, but gonnif and Goro have spoken. I guess I can use January to prep for everything else and be super prepared! I'm not a fan of not leaving room for a retake, but I know I should only take it once and well.
 
There's a lot of doom and gloom in this thread. No, it's not the best idea. But it can be done. There are so many factors that may warrant taking the mcat without physics. People self-study certain subjects frequently with success. Only you will know if it's feasible, so don't listen to someone who has never met you tell you what to do.
 
Goro said:
Can you? Yes.
Should you? Only if you don't want to be a doctor.
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Ehhh this is the only time I may disagree with @Goro. Depending on how you learn you can 100% teach yourself physics, and do well on that section in the mcat. If you need lectures to learn then maybe this option isn't for you, but if you're like me and can just pick up a physics book and teach it to yourself then it is definitely doable. I'm self teaching myself physics just like I've pretty much self taught myself in every class. I only showed up to biochem, organic 1&2, and A&P for tests never for lectures. I learn much better if I sit down with the textbook and just read it and take notes.
 
I wouldnt, but I sucked at physics and it frustrated me to no end on the MCAT. I agree with a suggestion above, start working through the material and see how you do with it and then make a decision.
 
Personally bro I'd suggest taking physics 1 at least and self studying 2. If not it's not too bad. What I suggest is to find the list of physics topics and learn only those on the actual MCAT. A lot of what u learn in those classes isn't even covered in the exam. Once u have the list u can buy a textbook/review book and self study 1-2hr a day and you'll know everything u need in 1-2month max. Don't listen to people who say you're screwed work hard ull get the results GL


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Plus textbook chapters are in depth and only ~30pg long u can easily knock out for example fluids in 4hr including practice


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