Does anyone "warm up" before taking the MCAT / verbal?

[tdod]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So, I've been thinking that it might be a good idea to warm up my mind by reading a magazine article before the test.

has anyone tried this or something similar? How did it work?

 

[goft20]

Yeah I like to shoot some jump shots and do some stretches before I start.






Lol but really, I think that is an excellent idea because I always miss more on my first passage. I also plan on doing a few passages the morning of my mcat to get into that mindset..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lunasly]

I always try and do verbal passages earlier in the day when my focus is highest. I also tend yo review my verbal passages from the previous day prior to starting new passages as a warmup.

 

[Leah4sci]

I assume you mean academic warm-up and not physical?

There are pros and cons to this method. As a tutor I have students who get really nervous reviewing their material before an exam. Me personally I always studied before the exam for last minute cramming and refresher.
That being said, with verbal it's different. It's not like bio or chem where a last-minute review will give you a formula or term to remember. It's just reading.
So, I would think it can be confusing reading something unrelated before the exam and having that stuck in your head. Again, just my opinion.

With something like verbal you're better off building a long-term strategy. Read every day, do practice every day, and get your brain thinking the right way in the long term.

As for actual warming up. Yes exercise and stretching has been proven (don't remember where) to increase test-taking ability

 

[Gauss44]

It depends on you. Here's how to find out if you should warm up: Keep a list or your scores and mark your first verbal reasoning passage of the day. If that first score is worse than most of your other scores, warm up! If not, probably no need.

 

[JMMTB]

A physical warmup would actually be beneficial according to Dr. John Ratey's book Spark. Apparently aerobic exercise before taking an exam will help an individual perform better. Also exercising briefly before studying will optimize the brain to learn more efficiently.

 

[Czarcasm]

So, I've been thinking that it might be a good idea to warm up my mind by reading a magazine article before the test.

has anyone tried this or something similar? How did it work?

Be careful. A proctor wrote me up for pulling out a magazine during my break and told me it wasn't allowed. I told her it was my break period and the rule book says nothing about it. She still insisted it wasn't allowed and that she would have to report it to AAMC. Totally messed over my mindset for Verbal. It's all I thought about and it's the sole reason why I have to retake this damn test. Unfortunately, I waited so long to re-take it, so I have to re-teach myself the sciences.

If you do a warm-up, make sure it's actually before the test and not during a break period.

 

[AspiringERMD]

I ate Chipotle and reviewed flashcards.

Turns out there was a flashcard with a more complex equation (that I wouldn't think would have been tested explicitly) that I had kind of neglected to really solidly memorize, but I finally remembered it this time. Against all odds, it showed up on the exam and I was able to answer it for no other reason than it randomly ingraining itself into my memory an hour before the test over by delicious steak burrito bowl. Score.

ETA: If you mean verbal, then no. I didn't warm up for that right before the test.

 

[Uafl112]

I read some articles from newyorker.com on my phone right before my mcat at home. I thought it helped but I wont know for sure until I get my results back. Something you can try out