Can you help with my study time line?

[browneyes124]

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Hey guys
So I plan on taking the MCAT early May. This coming semester I will be taking organic 1, physics 1 and biochemistry of macromolecules . In the spring I'll be taking organic 2, physics 2, and biochemistry of metabolism. I had talked with a bio professor of mine like a year ago because she's also on the admissions board to the med school connected to my college. I asked about MCAT and stuff and she said to study at least 6 months before... I know a lot of people say this is to much time and unnecessary but she seemed to think that if you wanted a really high score Then this was mandatory.

I already have prep books. I have the whole Kaplan set. Should I start looking over stuff during Christmas break since I'll have over a month of no school of is it pointless to start 5 months early? I was thinking maybe I could start taking like diagnostic test then to see where I am then maybe in like February or march start to really study. What do you guys think?

So my questions are how far in advanced should I study?
What do you guys think is the best method of studying? Like prep books, prep courses, etc..
Also I downloaded the outline of the MCAT, it's like 20 pages or so. Is it a waste of time to do that because the prep books will have most of what I need or should I go ahead and fill it out? It's just topics for sections that will be on the MCAT and must know stuff

 

[MDtb02]

I took the online Kaplan course and thought it was great. It's important to practice a lot of passage based questions and take several practice exams. Knowing the content alone isn't enough to get the best score possible. You would be surprised how much more you will learn when questions are asked that actually make you apply what you know. You'll realize you don't know some things as well as you thought you did.

The sooner you start studying the better because you can space out your learning better. I studied for 4 months and was fortunate to not have work or anything else to distract me. I would also suggest making monthly and weekly goals so you stay on target.

 

[sjcha]

It's important to practice a lot of passage based questions and take several practice exams. Knowing the content alone isn't enough to get the best score possible. You would be surprised how much more you will learn when questions are asked that actually make you apply what you know. You'll realize you don't know some things as well as you thought you did.

Agree with this. Also, what works for person A will not always work for person B. What I mean by this is that person A may only need 4 weeks to study to get a very high score, while person B might need 4+ months. On the other hand, some people that study for 4+ months may get an average score. Don't fall into that "6+ months of studying is mandatory to get a high score" BS. It all depends on you (other commitments, focus, background on topics, etc). Do what you think will work best. If you have free time in December, then why not study? You can start light and then work your way into it. You know yourself the best.

You can make a study schedule to your liking, but there are also great study schedules posted here and also on the MCAT reddit that you can model/use. Make sure you follow a schedule; it's important if you want to stay on schedule. The MCAT outline is great to use, but you basically need to know everything (sucks, I know). You probably don't need to fill it out, just have it open or printed and next to you while you study. Each book set won't have EVERYTHING that you will need to know, so supplement one with the other(s). Use KA or AK vids too if you are a visual/audio learner. Most important thing is to PRACTICE.

 

[browneyes124]

Agree with this. Also, what works for person A will not always work for person B. What I mean by this is that person A may only need 4 weeks to study to get a very high score, while person B might need 4+ months. On the other hand, some people that study for 4+ months may get an average score. Don't fall into that "6+ months of studying is mandatory to get a high score" BS. It all depends on you (other commitments, focus, background on topics, etc). Do what you think will work best. If you have free time in December, then why not study? You can start light and then work your way into it. You know yourself the best.

You can make a study schedule to your liking, but there are also great study schedules posted here and also on the MCAT reddit that you can model/use. Make sure you follow a schedule; it's important if you want to stay on schedule. The MCAT outline is great to use, but you basically need to know everything (sucks, I know). You probably don't need to fill it out, just have it open or printed and next to you while you study. Each book set won't have EVERYTHING that you will need to know, so supplement one with the other(s). Use KA or AK vids too if you are a visual/audio learner. Most important thing is to PRACTICE.

I know for me I do better under pressure. So that's why even for an exam I cant study earlier than a week before or i just get really unmotivated so do you think starting in December is a bad idea?

 

[browneyes124]

Can I start studying this semester and possibly take the MCAT in March even though I will not have had organic 2 and physics 2 by the time I start studying? I heard they werent on the test very much and it was more organic 1 and physics 2.

 

[sjcha]

I know for me I do better under pressure. So that's why even for an exam I cant study earlier than a week before or i just get really unmotivated so do you think starting in December is a bad idea?

That is me as well. I was supposed to take the exam this past May, but I postponed to June. Now we're in July and I haven't taken it. I told myself that "oh, 2 months is plenty of time." So, I waited a month and then I kept getting rattled and frustrated. I have a lot of other commitments, so for me, I need more time to study because I can't get to it everyday. Don't be like me lol.

Make a schedule. STICK TO IT. Reward yourself for achieving progress goals. Say you did well one week, then treat yourself to something. Idk what will motivate you, but break out of the habit of procrastinating. You absolutely cannot procrastinate for this exam. It's not a regurgitation exam, it's very conceptual. It takes time. Start slowly to avoid burnout and to get your feet wet.

Can I start studying this semester and possibly take the MCAT in March even though I will not have had organic 2 and physics 2 by the time I start studying? I heard they werent on the test very much and it was more organic 1 and physics 2.

It is wise to have most, if not all, of the prereqs completed by the time you study for the MCAT. Although it is not impossible to self-study, if you are about to take them, then wait. The MCAT is unpredictable now, so it's hard to say whether Orgo II and Physics II material won't be represented on your exam. Better to be prepared for it all then to gamble. However, if you feel like you have a good grasp on the material, then by all means go for it.

 

[browneyes124]

That is me as well. I was supposed to take the exam this past May, but I postponed to June. Now we're in July and I haven't taken it. I told myself that "oh, 2 months is plenty of time." So, I waited a month and then I kept getting rattled and frustrated. I have a lot of other commitments, so for me, I need more time to study because I can't get to it everyday. Don't be like me lol.

Make a schedule. STICK TO IT. Reward yourself for achieving progress goals. Say you did well one week, then treat yourself to something. Idk what will motivate you, but break out of the habit of procrastinating. You absolutely cannot procrastinate for this exam. It's not a regurgitation exam, it's very conceptual. It takes time. Start slowly to avoid burnout and to get your feet wet.



It is wise to have most, if not all, of the prereqs completed by the time you study for the MCAT. Although it is not impossible to self-study, if you are about to take them, then wait. The MCAT is unpredictable now, so it's hard to say whether Orgo II and Physics II material won't be represented on your exam. Better to be prepared for it all then to gamble. However, if you feel like you have a good grasp on the material, then by all means go for it.

I wasnt saying I was going to procrastinate I was just saying that I dont think a very long timeline would benefit me much. Have you set a new date for the MCAT?

 

[sjcha]

It's up to you. Just don't underestimate this exam please.

Yeah, I'm looking at Jan 2018. I have a lot of stuff going on this summer/fall, so I figured it'd be best to wait until the next cycle!