Entering the world of mcat

[Nikhita]

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Hi Everyone,
I am an undergraduate in my first year. I recently took the MCAT diagnostic this week, and got a disgusting score of 20. I am feeling very discouraged, and wanted to know from all the experienced people on this website, if I should have expected this score. Also, will I be able to raise my score to near or above 35 or no.
I also want to know if you have any advice for those who are just starting to step into realm of MCAT.

PLEASE HELP
THANK YOU🙂

 

[BilalL]

Hi Everyone,
I am an undergraduate in my first year. I recently took the MCAT diagnostic this week, and got a disgusting score of 20. I am feeling very discouraged, and wanted to know from all the experienced people on this website, if I should have expected this score. Also, will I be able to raise my score to near or above 35 or no.
I also want to know if you have any advice for those who are just starting to step into realm of MCAT.

PLEASE HELP
THANK YOU🙂

Its your first year in undergrad. Forget about the MCAT for now and just focus on classes especially your prereqs. Build your background knowledge, take humanities courses etc.

 

[Nikhita]

I know what you are saying, but I am in the Honors college, and we are required to finish undergraduate in 2 1/2 years. That being said, I will be done with almost all my requirements, except physics, by the end of this year. I have already taken general chem and orgo along with bio courses during the summer.

This is why I was concerned, since I have to take MCAT in the upcoming summer

 

[notbobtrustme]

Why are you rushing into this?

The MCAT isn't a content test. Just knowing the content will only get you so far. The MCAT is a test that tests concepts using content taught. It's entirely different from most undergraduate programs which are regurgitations of the material.

If you are really serious about taking the MCAT next year, you need 2-3 months to solidify all the content on the MCAT. Then just grind out every full length AAMC practice test you can get your hands on.

 

[MShopes]

diagnostic of 20 in your first year of college? I think that's a good score for real. I probably wouldn't have gotten that my first year.

 

[Nikhita]

Why are you rushing into this?

The MCAT isn't a content test. Just knowing the content will only get you so far. The MCAT is a test that tests concepts using content taught. It's entirely different from most undergraduate programs which are regurgitations of the material.

If you are really serious about taking the MCAT next year, you need 2-3 months to solidify all the content on the MCAT. Then just grind out every full length AAMC practice test you can get your hands on.

I am not rushing into the MCAT by my choice. I am required to take this exam during the coming summer and based on the grade, we are admitted to the university's medical college. Its a program for undergraduates of Honors college in Stony Brook University

I was only looking to get some insight on how I should start studying for it.

 

[KoalaLou]

I am not rushing into the MCAT by my choice. I am required to take this exam during the coming summer and based on the grade, we are admitted to the university's medical college. Its a program for undergraduates of Honors college in Stony Brook University

I was only looking to get some insight on how I should start studying for it.

Start studying early. I feel I didn't start early enough- nor did I have a set schedule that I stuck with so I ended up where I am now.

My tips:
1. Start Early- find what works for you. Whether it is watching videos and reading after, etc.
2. DO PRACTICE (another mistake, esp in bio.)
3. Make a schedule and stick with it. Give one week in between so if you fall behind you atleast have a week to catch up.

Good Luck. I may not be the best person for advice (as I am asking it myself.) But I did score an 11 in the physical sciences so I did SOMETHING right. Just gotta make sure to fix the rest 🙂

 

[Morsetlis]

diagnostic of 20 in your first year of college? I think that's a good score for real. I probably wouldn't have gotten that my first year.

The only thing you wouldn't know would be Ochem..

 

[MShopes]

The only thing you wouldn't know would be Ochem..

I mean, it depends on the person. But I didn't take high school seriously enough and I still graduated in 3 years. So I didn't take any AP classes and therefore my background in all sciences was pretty weak. I know some others though who probably would do well in most parts of the MCAT right after high school except for the organic chemistry part which only contributes a small amount.

 

[vin5cent0]

I started off with a 21 and scored a 30 on the real thing - 2ish weeks of solid studying, preceded by about 2ish months of reading and not absorbing anything while I pretended I was studying.

 

[iceman132]

I also want to know if you have any advice for those who are just starting to step into realm of MCAT.

Make sure to bring a banana and a toothbrush.

 

[Nikhita]

Make sure to bring a banana and a toothbrush.

this might be a crazy question, but why do you recommend these two things.

 

[iceman132]

this might be a crazy question, but why do you recommend these two things.

For the potassium and fluoride

 

[Nikhita]

for the potassium and fluoride

thank you

 

[m0biusace]

thank you

I just looked up the program you are in. The score you need is simply the national average of all test takers that year (25 in 2010), with no subsection lower than an 8.

Study for a month. You'll be fine...

 

[Nikhita]

I started off with a 21 and scored a 30 on the real thing - 2ish weeks of solid studying, preceded by about 2ish months of reading and not absorbing anything while I pretended I was studying.

WOW that is really good!!🙂

 

[xroc]

WOW that is really good!!🙂

people usually tend to see at least a 10 point increase in their scores as long as they dedicate themselves (truly dedicate) to studying the material for a good 2-3 months. I've known people score 25's on first diags and end up with 40's on the real thing. The initial diag predicts nothing about the score you will end up with. It just tells you how unprepared you are for the MCAT and how much time and effort you need to put in to bring your score up to whatever you want it to be.

 

[poopsicle]

I got a 17 on my diagnostic >_>. Ended up with a 32 on the real test