Do you ever feel ready?

[DPTinthemaking15]

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My test date is on May 24th and I take my first FL this Sunday *dun dun dunnnn* I know I have a little less than a month, but how did you guys feel when you took your first FL? Because I am sitting here on a break from content review, and it feels like I don't know jack. Yet, I can go through the Kaplan Quicksheets and understand most of the information on it.

 

[mk04447]

Practice tests, lots of them. They are really the only way to predict what will happen on test day. From memory, most people I know took between 8-12.

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

5/5 and you’re never ready

 

[etp123]

Also 5/24. Also believe you'll never feel ready. I felt unprepared and unsure of whether I should even be using my FL attempts when I feel as unsure as I do. I still feel that way every time I attempt a FL, q-pack, etc. There's just so much content and when you try to balance other things in your life you feel like you can't ever get enough in (at least for me, I know there's crazy amazing people out there who can do everything...)

I moved my exam back twice from January to April and now to May. I don't think I can move it back any further now without being detrimental to the timing of my application so finally gotta suck it up and tune out the nervous scared voice in the back of my head...

 

[Zenabi90]

1. You'll never feel ready.
2. When you finish your actual MCAT, you will want to void. Don't (unless there's something obvious like not finishing half of a section, etc.)

 

[Wahed]

I took my first FL before I even started studying. My thought was "**** it, lets see what I know". Now that my test is way closer (May 19th) I've been pretty nervous going into my most recent FLs.

My test is May 19th and I don't feel nearly "ready". I don't think I'm gonna feel ready. There's just so much to know... but I think you can objectively say that you are "ready" when you consistently see FL scores that would get you into medical school, or are at the average matriculant score of 510. (someone correct me if that number is wrong, I read that somewhere).

Best of luck on your FL. You probably know way more than you think you do (that's been my experience). If you don't get a score you like, remember that it will likely improve with each FL you take, as you build up stamina and testing skills.

EDIT: oh, this post is like a week old

 

[Knight in shining armor]

I never feel prepared for any big exam like that even if I put in the proper work. if you feel prepared, the exam is not challenging enough. But it is worth it. The exam isn’t as scary as people say. Take full length practice tests and just relax. If you studied properly and efficiently, you’ll be alright.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

I took my first FL before I even started studying. My thought was "**** it, lets see what I know". Now that my test is way closer (May 19th) I've been pretty nervous going into my most recent FLs.

My test is May 19th and I don't feel nearly "ready". I don't think I'm gonna feel ready. There's just so much to know... but I think you can objectively say that you are "ready" when you consistently see FL scores that would get you into medical school, or are at the average matriculant score of 510. (someone correct me if that number is wrong, I read that somewhere).

Best of luck on your FL. You probably know way more than you think you do (that's been my experience). If you don't get a score you like, remember that it will likely improve with each FL you take, as you build up stamina and testing skills.

EDIT: oh, this post is like a week old

From the current MSAR it says the average MCAT for accepted applicants is a 511

 

[Deleted member 737595]

2. When you finish your actual MCAT, you will want to void. Don't (unless there's something obvious like not finishing half of a section, etc.)

Why is this? Is it psychological, something having to do with adrenaline or stress or something?

 

[Wahed]

From the current MSAR it says the average MCAT for accepted applicants is a 511

This AAMC source says the average MCAT score for matriculants was 510.4 for 2017-2018.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321494/data/factstablea16.pdf

Why is this? Is it psychological, something having to do with adrenaline or stress or something?

I think people just naturally focus on the negative, especially under high stress situations like the MCAT, so you leave thinking about everything that went wrong, not about all the easy questions that took like 5 seconds of thought.

 

[Zenabi90]

I think people just naturally focus on the negative, especially under high stress situations like the MCAT, so you leave thinking about everything that went wrong, not about all the easy questions that took like 5 seconds of thought.

This right here. I know that personally, all I could think about were those questions that I was unsure about, didn't spend enough time on, had a hard time with, etc. Like, what is the worst possible score I could have gotten here, etc. I remember specifically rushing through the Bio section because I had a very full, urgently contracting bladder.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

You guys are flippin' awesome! Sorry for the late response. I have been knee deep in MCAT studying, and I am slowly but surely getting close to my goal score. I have realized my one and only issue is not reading, so I am trying to figure out a way to tackle that problem. Thank you all so much!

 

[Deleted member 737595]

You guys are flippin' awesome! Sorry for the late response. I have been knee deep in MCAT studying, and I am slowly but surely getting close to my goal score. I have realized my one and only issue is not reading, so I am trying to figure out a way to tackle that problem. Thank you all so much!

One tip; the closer you get to your exam date, stop checking SDN and reddit or social media. You'll start psyching yourself out.

I plan on cutting my internet connection on the day before the test and completely forgetting about it.

 

[DPTinthemaking15]

One tip; the closer you get to your exam date, stop checking SDN and reddit or social media. You'll start psyching yourself out.

I plan on cutting my internet connection on the day before the test and completely forgetting about it.

This is really great advice. I scrolled through the MCAT reaction on Reddit yesterday, and I had to quickly close the browser. Social media brings out the worst in me.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

This is really great advice. I scrolled through the MCAT reaction on Reddit yesterday, and I had to quickly close the browser. Social media brings out the worst in me.

Yup. I almost went into depression after reading a post on reddit or here (I can't remember) about this excellent candidate who had waaayyy better stats than I will ever have and got rejected or waitlisted everywhere. I almost considered cancelling my MCAT, and giving up.

You need to be careful with social media, it can really eff you up if you're not careful.

 

[Zenabi90]

Yup. I almost went into depression after reading a post on reddit or here (I can't remember) about this excellent candidate who had waaayyy better stats than I will ever have and got rejected or waitlisted everywhere. I almost considered cancelling my MCAT, and giving up.

You need to be careful with social media, it can really eff you up if you're not careful.

I always tell people that stats and ECs aren't everything. There's a reason why med schools still require personal statements and interviews.

 

[Deleted member 737595]

I always tell people that stats and ECs aren't everything. There's a reason why med schools still require personal statements and interviews.

Exactly. Its about selling yourself. Show, don't tell.