Do I start studying for the MCAT now?

[WarfarinTwoEight]

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So I am a sophomore and I am wondering if I should take the MCAT at the end of the summer. I want to do this because I don't want to take the MCAT during the school year or take a gap year(s). I was thinking about starting June 1st and taking the exam early September. I have will have taken all my prereqs except physics 2. However, I am really rusty on pysch/soc and I was never taught the physiology/anatomy parts in my bio class that show up on the mcat ie endocrine system, cardiovascular system etc. Despite this, I am taking Biochem and Physics 1 now so I feel like this info would be fresh.

So, do you guys think it would be wise to take the MCAT at the end of the summer. How much of detriment is not having taken Physics 2 or not have been exposed to the Bio physiology/anatomy portions? What are the best prep books for my situation? Thanks

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Hi @WarfarinTwoEight -

Definitely a lot to think about. A major consideration is the timing re: how long schools will accept an MCAT score. It sounds like you've thought about this already, but the timeline you mention doesn't leave a lot of room for error in terms of unexpected life events.

People have quite varying experiences in terms of the physics that they encounter on the MCAT, but physics 2 is absolutely core content, and I often warn students strongly against getting so caught up in rehashing kinematics/torque/etc. from physics 1 that they neglect physics 2. Honestly, if you had to pick one semester of physics to know well (although of course the goal should be to cover both), I'd probably pick physics 2. That said, MCAT physics does tend to be tested a bit differently than how physics classes teach/test the material -- the MCAT has no calculus, a focus on shorter and more succinct problem setups, and is more likely to blend physics with bio/chem content.

Being rusty on psych/soc is probably OK. The way that psych/soc is tested on the MCAT is specific enough that you will need to use MCAT-focused materials anyway, and it will probably come back pretty quickly. Physio is important content, but you're not alone in not having learned it in your prereq bio courses. So, it's an area to focus on for sure, but there are tons of good resources out there and many students self-study physio to the level needed for the MCAT.

To summarize, my major concerns about your plan would be (1) timing re: future applications and (2) physics. Psych/soc and physio fall more into the category of real but doable challenges that many students face successfully.

Hope this is helpful & best of luck!!

 

[WarfarinTwoEight]

@NextStepTutor_1

Thanks! Do you think it would be a better option to study this summer and the in the fall (I would take Physics 2 at this time) so I can take the MCAT in January after winter break? I guess my only concern with this option is that I am pretty busy during the school year with ECs, research, and classes.

 

[PlsLetMeIn21]

I'm in your same shoes here, except that I will have completed all of physics by the end of next quarter. I plan to take the MCAT this September so I don't have to worry about it during my impacted junior year. I have talked at length with my advisor and members of our premed honor society about this plan and no one has ever mentioned anything about a application timing issue, even for people who ended up taking a gap year. As far as I can see, there is no issue at all with taking a September, 2018 MCAT and applying in either June, 2019 or June, 2020.

I'm stressed about trying to balance picking up material I didn't cover in school with waiting too long and forgetting material I know well now from classes. I figure I can pick up some of the physiology and anatomy in my review being that I won't have to review physics, organic chem, genetics, or biochemistry as hard. I have read thousands of posts on how to study for this test and after considering everything, I am certain this is the best plan.

As far as prep books go, from what I've read here and at Reddit, the formula is TBR books for all of the sciences, EK for quick biology review, TPR for psychology, the 100-page document for psychology terms, and EK and TPR for CARS. After that it's AAMC for exams. I figure I'll drop about $600 on review materials and then another $250 for the AAMC section banks, Q packs, and exams.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

@NextStepTutor_1

Thanks! Do you think it would be a better option to study this summer and the in the fall (I would take Physics 2 at this time) so I can take the MCAT in January after winter break? I guess my only concern with this option is that I am pretty busy during the school year with ECs, research, and classes.

That's a tough choice and it probably depends on exactly what your EC/research/class load looks like, as well as what your Physics 2 class is likely to be like. Depending on how it goes (professor quality, difficulty level, etc.) the class itself may be more or less helpful, so it would probably be a good idea to learn what you can about the class at your school. It may make the most sense to study in the summer when you can really focus on it, but if so, just be sure to focus some extra attention on those Physics 2 concepts 🙂.