For those that improved...

[CoffeeCat]

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Okay, so I was thinking that as a boost to those that didn't do as well as they had hoped and for ideas for those needing to take it again, that those who improved should start a thread telling how they did it.

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?

 

[doubtflyer]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?
april '05: 11V, 8P, 8B, P : 27P
august '05: 13V, 9P, 8B, P : 30P

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
26 - 30 (only got a 30 once, and it was on one of the aamc tests that was particularly easy (i think maybe aamc 5?) so it was kind of a fluke)
3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?
april: studied on my own
august: took a tpr course

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?
april: kaplan 45, tpr comprehensive review, examcrackers workbooks, and aamc tests
august: giant pile of tpr course books

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?
for august, i took a tpr course, and i feel like the disciplined structure and all that practice really helped. proctored practice exams every other week under testing conditions were useful. in addition, having mcat instructors offer advice on where to focus my studying and teaching some key strategies made a difference i think.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?
april: january-april (took a full course load)
august: june-august (worked full-time, but i think i would've gone crazy just studying all day and all night for an entire summer!)

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?
i think just becoming more disciplined in studying. i know a 30 isn't a big deal for most people here, but i really didn't think i would be able to get that score, so i'm quite happy. as you can see, i didn't improve in bio and writing, but i didn't go down in any section either, which i'm relieved about. i recommend really evaluating how you've been studying, and try out alternative strategies. some of the tpr strategies were really useful, but some i didn't use because they actually made my score go down on practice exams. that's key, actually: take lots of practice exams! i think each time i took one this summer i did things slightly differently, until i worked out an approach that worked for me. it really made a difference having time and room to adjust. best wishes everyone!

 

[patho]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?
April 05- 7V, 11P, 9B, L-W... Aug 05- 8V, 9P, 10B, M-W..
27 both times.. but an improvement in my opinion since i have 8 or better in every section now.

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
26-30

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?
April 05- read Kaplan books, did some subject and topical tests from Kaplan, 4 practice tests.
Aug 05- Read Kaplan books.. lazily did 3 practice tests. Finished the EK 101 Verbal Reasoning book

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?
Kaplan for April 05.. Kaplan and EK for Aug 05

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?
Took the class for the April test

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?
Studied maybe 5 hrs a week for the April test for about 10 weeks.
Studied about 8-10 hrs a day for 3 wks for the August test.

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?
EK Verbal helped a LOT... it doesnt really show by my score, but thats because I panicked and didnt finish 2 sections.. had I finished I probably would have earned a 10 or 11.. so use the book if you can.

Just practice MCAT style problems like theres no tomorrow .. and you will do well.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Okay, so I was thinking that as a boost to those that didn't do as well as they had hoped and for ideas for those needing to take it again, that those who improved should start a thread telling how they did it.

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?

1) 10VR, 5PS, 7BS/22
11VR, 6PS, 8BS/25

2) 27-30

3) Just read a lot from EK and solve problems.

4) EK

5) No

6) Probably 20 hours each test

7) Having taken the test once already. I was more motivated to improve and wasn't really that worried about screwing up again. My goal was 12, 7, 8, which I missed by 2 points.

 

[jebus]

I'm not going to abide by your guidelines because I don't like them.

August 2002: 32 total 10 VR 11 PS 11 BS
August 2005: 36 total 12 12 12

I haven't done anything academic for years so that was a real concern for me. Even though I haven't taken a test in years - let alone stepped foot inside a school - I was much more relaxed this time. I was unconcerned with anything around me. The guy with the bad gas in the row ahead of me? It didn't even register. (I'm sure it bothered him more than it bothered me.)
Comfort and patience. Seriously. Maybe the term is "maturity". Maybe the term is "luck". Either way, if you don't see the answer right away relax. It's not the end of the world. Also, I would suggest studying content. A lot of people don't agree and that's fine. But I emphasized content during my studies. A lot of repetition, a lot of sources: kaplan books, TPR books, old school notes, old school text books. If you need text books search used bookstores and the internet for old texts. Content doesn't really change - except biology, but you're not tested on anything more recent than 5 years, anyway.
The AAMC has a list of test topics on their website. Find that and study those topics! Get comfortable with the material.
If you have more questions ask.

 

[db1]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

August 2001 9 V, 10 PS, 12 BS 31
August 2005 11 V, 12 PS, 13 BS 36

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

Don't remember in '01. 33-34 in '05

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

'01 used Kaplan books but did not take class
'05 used examkrackers, did not take a class

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

'01 3 months
'05 1.5 months

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?[/QUOTE]

I am a non-trad applicant. I took the MCAT in '01 while in grad school, but did not end up applying until last year. Most schools would not accept my score because it was 3 years old, got waitlisted at one that would, but did not get a spot. By the time I realized I probably wasn't going to get a spot it was the beginning of July. So pressure was the key. I'm 32 and don't want to wait around another year. I really liked the Examkrackers books, they boil down the subjects to what you really need to know.

Most of the easy background info that I had forgotten years ago was not covered in the reviews, but I found that doing the 1001 questions really helped. They aren't MCAT style, but hammer home the basic (and complex) concepts you need to know.

I studied at least 3-5 hours nearly everyday for 1.5 months. I am a postdoc, I work 50+ hours a week and have 2 kids. You can find the time, don't make excuses to goof off. I also did all of the available MCATs from AAMC. That is probably one of the most important things. Take all the full length tests you can and time yourself exactly as if you were taking the real thing. The next day go over the answers and understand why you missed the questions you did.

I think attitude is another major key. Most people go in saying I want to get a 30. I did that the first time, and that is pretty much what I got. I was happy with my score because it was what I expected. This time I expected more from myself, I was aiming for a 34, and did even better. Why aim for a score that will probably get you interviews, when you can aim for a score that will most likely get you in? Even if you come up a little short you'll still be in great shape.

So basically study like your life depends on it (it DOES!), and don't be content when you get 10's on the practice tests, keep pushing yourself. I'm not brilliant, I believe it was hard work and attitude that paid off.

 

[aung]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

april 05 - 8/6/9/M - total 23M
august 05 - 11/8/10/P - total 29P

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

For the second test, I was getting in the 28-32 range.

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

I reviewed the sciences at least 3 times for all material so that I could get it all in my head. For verbal, I started using a different technique in outlining passages and saw that it made good improvements. Even though I thought I royally messed up in verbal when I took it the second time, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

Took Kaplan in preparation for the first. Studied Kaplan material and used TPR and Kaplan full lengths to study for the second. I also studied the Examkrackers organic chemistry book, which I found VERY useful (and quick read at that).

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

I only took Kaplan classes for the first time. It helped but served mainly as a review course for all the things that I already learned in the past.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

The first time, I was cramming study time between classes because I was taking a good amount of difficult science classes. I must've gotten about 15 hours a week studying for mcats during that time but the stress was getting to me and it showed with my score. For the second time, I studied about 5 hours a week, 5 days a week and I had quit my job so that I could focus only on mcats in the summer.

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?

When I took the test the first time, everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. I was easily distracted, very nervous and couldn't concentrate. I think I went into the test the second time more calm and composed and even though I did get nervous at some point because I was running out of time in a section, I still maintained my composure so that I can finish the other sections of the test the best that I can. I also decided to read the kaplan and tpr verbal reasoning strategy books and saw improvements.

 

[musiclink213]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?
April 05: 23P; 7 PS, 7 VR, 9 BS
August 05: 29O; 7 PS, 11 VR, 11 BS

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
In April, it was around 27-29, maybe around the same in August, although I broke 30 a couple times

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?
April: Kaplan class, only I couldn't keep up with all the work since I had other classes sucking the life out of me.
August: The day after the score came out in June, I went to Israel for a month. During that time, I had what I call an epiphany. I decided I didn't want to take a year off, and that I was meant to be a doctor, but if it didn't pan out, than it was supposed to happen that way, and I'd move on. I came back mid Julyish, and used the EK books at work to study for about 6 hours a day. Then, I went on a cruise with my family a week before the exam, took my books, and studied on the balcony. It was incredibly relaxing experience.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?
April: Kaplan
August: EK, AAMC full lengths, and some Kaplan full lengths

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?
Kaplan for April, and I don't think it helped at all. What helped more was my attitude change from April to August. That, and my parents met me for lunch and took me to Wendy's. And I took the test in August in a "lucky" area for me.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?
For April, I started January, August, I started in July. But I had already done a lot of studying for April, and I knew the content, it was more of figuring out how to read the questions properly.

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?
Attitude change, using EK, but especially the attitude change. Life's too short to make it all about one exam. Also, keep calm, if you don't know something, move on and don't dwell on it.

 

[CoffeeCat]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

2002: 26Q PS-8 V-10 B-8 Writing-Q
2005: 31Q PS-9 V-10 B-12 Writing-Q

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

2002: Don't remember, but probably low to mid 20s
2005: 23-30

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

2002: Lots of books, self-study
2005: Princeton Review class, Examkrackers books

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

2002: a lot of materials, not very focused study
2005: TPR, EK, AAMC

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

2002: no class
2005: TPR class. Definitely helped to be around others taking the test and realize what I need to put in to studying to get a good score. The classes were sometimes great - the teachers would point out what needed to be focused on and give their mnemonics - but they were also useless sometimes. The biggest thing I got out of them was a central focus.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

mid-June to August both times, though I spent more time in 2005

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?

Really taking it seriously and knowing how much it meant to me to do well. Taking the class helped show me how much time I should be spending and what I should be doing for each topic. I had the unfortunate habit of spending more time on topics I like, less on those I didn't. Also, just knowing how the test worked and what is commonly tested helped me a LOT in what I should look for when I study.

One thing I would suggest also is that I made condensed notes with things that I commonly forgot or needed to remind myself frequently of and studied those every day (well, most days).

Also, i had a huge freakout about two weeks before the test. I let myself have some time off from studying and freedom to lose it and though I lost about a week's worth of study time, by the time the test came around I was calm which was more important. A week's worth of freak out before is much better than freaking out for any length of time on the actual test.

 

[ChestRockwell]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

April 2004- 24M VR-9 P-7 Bio-8
Aug. 2005- 31M VR-8 P-10 Bio-13

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
2004- Never took a practice test.
2005- (29-31)

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

2004- Paid for a kaplan class but only went ~50% of the time. Never did any of the practice tests (stupid!!). I was taking a full course load at the time and the the combination was brutal. Or maybe it was b/c it was spring of my senior year and I was much more interested in partying, drinking, etc. Point being, I was immature and totally underestimated the test.

2005- Read old kaplan books 2X over, AAMC practice tests 3-8, EK 1001 general chem questions (definately my weakest subject). Didn't study for verbal at all, so I guess I should have been reading more New Yorker type magazines or whatever you're supposed to read for verbal.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

Took kaplan class the first time and it definately would have helped if I invested more time into it. Class also has tons of online resources that come with it, or at least thats what I heard.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

2004- Went to kaplan class infrequently. Only started doing work for the test outside of class about 2 weeks before the test (Its embarrassing how much I underestimated the test).

2005- From mid-June to mid-August I studied about 30hrs/wk. A little less at first and more towards the test date.

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?

Practice tests!!!!! Take as many as you can and take them under the most realistic conditions that you can create. After the test check what you missed and start to study that area like crazy. Don't waste time studying what you know. If you can, start taking tests about 1.5 months before the test so you can give yourself enough time to study whatever you are having trouble with. Practice tests build confidence and endurance.

 

[cosmo]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?


April 05 8PS, 4VR, 7BS, P WS (19)
August 05 10PS, 9VR, 8BS, O WS (27)

In April, I misbubbled verbal, and wasn't fully prepared for bio as I'm not a bio person. I felt like I studied enough (Feb-Apr), however, I only used EK and didn't have a solid enough background for EK. They're pretty advanced.

For August, I started studying the day after the April scores came out. I signed up for Kaplan online, which I highly recommend. It was useful, and I'm not motivated to go to class to listen to someone read to me, so it worked for me. Kaplan was much better suited TO ME than EK. Others may find the opposite is true. I studied on vacation to the Bahamas, studied at work, sat at home all day and read and did practice problems. I got a rough bio section (AG anyone?) and was not and probably would never have been prepared for it. Lots of bacteria garbage, over and over. I didn't study that, and Kaplan didn't really cover it. Oh well. I'm content with all of my scores, however, I'm amazed at my PS score. Physics has always been rough for me.

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
24-28 Kaplan


7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?
My misbubble nightmare in April made me realize how important it is to relax, but stay alert. For some reason I was really tired that day, even though I had lots of sleep. Also, for August I took lots of tests, whereas for April I only took one. Not being in school also helped.

Good Luck to everyone. I realized that I was probably never going to get a thirty, but still worked to do the best I could. It is probably a mediocre score (60th percentile) but I figure that percentile is up against some brilliant people so I am satisfied. I did my best, and probably if I were to retake, which hasn't crossed my mind, I would probably only go up a point or two.

 

[mintendo]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

April 2004: B-10 V-10 P-9 W-N 29N
August 2005: B-13 V-9 P-11 W-Q 33Q

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

Kaplan 24-28 AAMC 26-31

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

First time I took it, I studied the material from used Kaplan books and took practice tests and problems.
Second time, I enrolled in Princeton Review course (I have heard that TPR is much better than Kaplan) and became a full time "MCAT" student for two months.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

TPR (AAMC tests included).
I also used EK books. I HIGHLY recommend the EK Orgo, Physics, and General Chem books. Orgo helped me a LOT. Physics and General Chem helped a lot too, but some of their questions were way beyond what is tested on the actual MCAT.
I also bought the EK bio book, but I didn't find it very helpful because 1) I was a bio major in college so I was pretty comfortable with the biology stuff 2) I found most of their passages and questions very different from actual MCAT bio questions (i.e. tone of the narrative, content, etc).

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

Took TPR. Definitely helped.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

First time I studied on and off for about two months. Second time I studied for 2 month straight (5+ hours a day).

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?[/QUOTE]

It definitely helps if you can get your hands on a set of Kaplan or TPR books.
1) Review every little thing in those books.
2) Keep in mind that what you learn from those books is only half the battle. A huge X factor is what passages you get and how well you understand those passages. For example, when I took this recent MCAT I knew every physics equation in both the Kaplan and TPR book. I think I probably used 3 or 4 of them on the test.

 

[LaDoctorFutura]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?
Apr05: 24Q: 7PS 7V 10BS
Aug05: 29Q: 10PS 9V 10BS

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
Apr05: Kaplan 23-29, AAMC 27ish
Aug05: AAMC 3R-8 28-30

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?
Apr05: mostly Kaplan (classes and coursework) and the last couple weeks, I tried to cram EK (which I highly advise against)
Aug05: nothing but EK, both the text books and the question books. They were a great help.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?
In April, I used Kaplan. In August, I used ExamKrackers

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?
I took classes for April MCAT, ummm...it helped with strategies a bit and exposure, but their approach to content starts too high end. Using EK was so much better. It didn't bog you down with needless info that only applied to very few instances. EK was great!

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?
For April, I started in February. For August, I started in June.

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?
EXAMKRACKERS, EXAMKRACKERS, EXAMKRACKERS!! and make sure you eat breakfast the day of the test!

 

[SensesFail]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

August 2004: 25Q: 8P, 6V, Q, 11B
August 2005: 33P: 12P, 8V, P, 13B

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

August 2004: 24-30 (However, 15 on my very very first diagnostic)
August 2005: 27-36 (Averaged about 32)

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

August 2004: Self-study from Princeton Review Books. Did AAMC tests 3R-6
August 2005: Kaplan Classroom Course. Did ~20 Practice Tests (Including Kaplan FLs 1-9, AAMC 3R-8, and TPR A-D)

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

August 2004: TPR Review Books from 2001, EK101 Verbal

August 2005: Kaplan Classroom Books, EK 1001 Organic Chem, Chemistry and Physics (Didn't complete these EK1001 books though), EK101 Verbal, TPR Verbal Workbook, TPR Science Workbook (completed end-to-end)

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

I took the Kaplan class the 2nd time around this past summer. Class itself wasn't too useful, but Kaplan materials+Practice Tests were invaluable. I would do the Online course if I were to do it again. Their materials are so good.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

August 2004: 4 months
August 2005: 3 months (Volunteered abroad for a month in May)

So yes, that's right, I studied less the 2nd time, and managed to increase 8 points 😱

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement?

Practice Tests.

I took sooo many tests in so many conditions (with a cold I somehow caught in the summer, in a quiet library, in my room, took section tests on long bus rides, etc...). Basically, I lived and breathed MCAT for 3 months and it paid off bigtime. Some of my friends who were also writing it in August were out clubbing or partying more often than they probably should've been. All of them aren't satisfied with their scores now (all in mid to high 20s) and I scored higher than all of them. Work hard and you will get a break. Also, focus on your weaknesses. I was already good in Bio (scored an 11 the first time around) so I didn't focus too much on that section this summer.

It feels soooo good to know how far I've come. I started in March 2004 with a 15 (4P, 4V, 7B) on a free Princeton Review Diagnostic MCAT test administered at my university. And now, about 1.5 years later, I've more than doubled my score with a 33 which should hopefully get my foot in the door at a few Canadian med schools.

 

[strawberryfield]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?
April 2004- 25Q P-7/V-9/B-9
August 2005- 29Q P-9/V-9/B-11

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
April 2004- 19-29 (19 was very first TPR diag)
August 2005- 22-31

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?
April 2004- Worked hard to study when I could, but was taking 16 credit hrs and working 30+ hrs/week. Didn't put in enough time.
August 2005- Studied my ass off all summer. Did every single practice problem I could find, seriously reviewed the problems I got wrong and why, no class, working 40 hr/week.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?
TPR both times, AAMC tests 7 & 8

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?
TPR class helps-- if anything else, even for a disciplined person, studying 2 hrs per day at least, then adding on 3 hrs of class a day can't hurt-- keeps things fresh and wittles down what's really key among the mess of muck.
Taking MCAT a second time didn't change my verbal or writing scores, but science took some giant leaps with their techniques, and my confidence.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?
Both times-- 4 months, August 2005 I studied at least 4 hrs/day, usually more. April 2004 was more sporadic, but I was still dedicated.

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?
Commit to a time frame for studying and DO IT. no matter how much you want to sleep/go out/do nothing... just DO IT, and if you're going to take a class GO TO CLASS. Why bother spending the cash if you're not going to go? Keeping up on the material rather than cramming and understanding my mistakes really helped a lot.

 

[happydays]

For me, I made a huge 5 pt increase on the VB just from resting well the night before and eating breakfast.

that was all I did. I didn't do more studying.

I find that for me, I do much better if I just rest well.

 

[QofQuimica]

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?

Apr 1996: 34P:11P, 11V, 12B, P
Aug 2004: 43S:14P, 14V, 15B, S

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?

Apr. 1996: I don't think I took any FL practice tests.
Aug. 2004: 37-41 (Kaplan tests)

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?

Apr. 1996: I reviewed science, esp. biochem, because I wasn't done with organic II yet. Primarily self-study, and not enough MCAT practice.
Aug. 2004: Taught and completed the Kaplan MCAT course. I did not complete all of the assignments b/c I did not need any work in organic, but I did everything (Foundation Reviews, subject tests, etc.) for physics, which I hadn't taken in 11 years.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?

Apr. 1996: I went through the Flowers book.
Aug. 2004: Kaplan course.

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?

Apr. 1996: Just science review. Not really.
Aug. 2004: Kaplan course. Definitely.

6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?

Apr. 1996: Three months
Aug. 2004: Three months, but I put a lot more time and my whole heart into it.

7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?

I like what a previous poster said about attitude. When I took the MCAT the first time, I wasn't really sure about med school anyway, and I felt much more confident compared to the second time. Last year, I hadn't seen physics in over a decade, and I was scared b/c I really wanted to do well, so I studied my butt off. I took half a dozen proctored practice tests. I taught MCAT and DAT classes four to five days per week, all summer. I basically had no life outside of the lab and Kaplan for three solid months. That summer ranks among the most miserable times of my life, but it paid off beyond my wildest dreams.

I know that my situation is kind of unique, because most people can't teach the Kaplan MCAT course while they're studying for the MCAT. 😛 But, you can still get into study groups and teach each other. If you can teach someone else something, then you know that you know it well. And if you are taking a prep course, then make the most out of the resources available to you. Take your test prep seriously. Do the assignments, show up for the classes, take all of the tests, and really give it your all. Study for an hour every day. If you're really busy, wake up half an hour early each morning and go to bed half an hour later each night, but get in the hour. Review your practice tests and try to find patterns in your errors. We all have certain mistakes that we are prone to making, so figure out what yours are, and work on improving in those areas. Make the MCAT your priority (along with work or school or your family, but not second to them), and be willing to sacrifice having fun now so that you have laurels to rest on later. And finally, decide in your heart as well as your mind that you are going to succeed, and don't let anyone or anything get in your way. Best of luck to you current studiers.

 

[nassir]

I took the Aug MCAT and will be retaking it in April b/c I didn't get my target score. I want to hear REAL stories of improvement from those of you who retook the test a second or third time so I know it is possible to improve 5 pts or more with hard work.

Please share the following info:

1) Your initial score
2) Your retake score
3) What you did to improve your score
4) What it felt like taking it a second time (ie. did you feel more confident? Do you think this helped?)
5) Any additional words of comfort.

Thanks!

 

[Miss155]

1) Your initial score
2) Your retake score
3) What you did to improve your score
4) What it felt like taking it a second time (ie. did you feel more confident? Do you think this helped?)
5) Any additional words of comfort.

1. 22Q
2. 29Q
3. Improve my timing greatly. I didn't finish the first time. Work on hundreds of practice problems, like the PR practice workbook.
4. I placed my faith in God.
5. Pray

 

[CIA]

1) Your initial score
2) Your retake score
3) What you did to improve your score
4) What it felt like taking it a second time (ie. did you feel more confident? Do you think this helped?)
5) Any additional words of comfort.

1. 25N
2. 33O
3. Examkrackers complete study package and Audio Osmosis. I listened to AO over and over on my mp3 player while running; it was invaluable. spent a couple hours almost every night for 3 months going through the complete study package. diligence and repetition is key.
4. It was less intimidating the second time, but I still had no idea how I was doing, I really didn't know if I had done any better...
5. It IS possible to improve your score with some serious effort. Good Luck!

 

[big_smiles]

1. 27M
2. 31O
3. Took a Kaplan MCAT prep course
4. Besides an annoying fire drill in the middle of the test. . .it went better. Still hard. Still frustrating, but at least I finished! I took the test with a friend who was very helpful in staying motivated.
5. It's possible, not easy, but totally possible. Don't lose hope! Another pirece of advice, take an easier spring semester if you are still in school!

 

[gujuDoc]

Might want to look at CoffeeCat's thread on this. I'll see if I can find it and post it.

Its pretty insightful.

 

[gujuDoc]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=233290

Check this thread out. It will be quite helpful in answering these questions.

Assess your weak points, whether it is material, a given section, timing, strategy, or getting over nervousness.

Do what you can to be fully confident.

Then create your plan of action from there.

 

[SensesFail]

The thread Guju posted already has a lot of great tips from people who improved. But I'll go ahead and keep this alive since I can't sleep 😀


1) Your initial score
25Q (8P, 6V, Q, 11B)

2) Your retake score
33P (12P, 8V, P, 13B)

3) What you did to improve your score
Kaplan Classroom Course + Took lots of practice tests (~20) under "real" conditions.

4) What it felt like taking it a second time (ie. did you feel more confident? Do you think this helped?)

Honestly, I felt sooo prepared going in this time and was expecting to destroy it. But when I actually got in there and started writing, it was still damn hard and I was scrambling and ended up guessing on a lot of questions. But try to just focus on what you've learnt and your knowledge will carry you through. No matter how prepared you are, they WILL throw some crazy passages/questions in there to throw you off. If I hadn't gotten derailed by some of these, I think I might've been able to score even higher. But if you've worked hard and you know your stuff, your knowledge and reasoning will carry you no matter how nervous or panicky you get.

5) Any additional words of comfort.

Don't talk to other people on test day! I know, it sounds anti-social and slightly creepy, but I made a mistake of blabbing with other random people about questions on the Physical Sciences section during the 10-minute break between Physical and Verbal. I started doubting myself and I think that partly contributed to my weak Verbal score (another factor that contributed includes the fact that I suck at that section 😛 ). Stay away and stay focused!

 

[RubberDuckie7]

I took the Aug MCAT and will be retaking it in April b/c I didn't get my target score. I want to hear REAL stories of improvemenfrom those of you who retook the test a second or third time so I know it is possible to improve 5 pts or more with hard work.

.

 

[Arsenic]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=233290

Check this thread out. It will be quite helpful in answering these questions.

Assess your weak points, whether it is material, a given section, timing, strategy, or getting over nervousness.

Do what you can to be fully confident.

Then create your plan of action from there.

thanks guju 👍

i'm gonna go ahead and merge these 2 threads into one

 

[Jeesing]

1) Your initial score: 29N(aug2004), 28M (apr2005)
2) Your retake score: 35Q
3) What you did to improve your score: changed my attitude toward studying and reading the passages. Tried to understand the point the author was trying to convey in the passages. Studied a bunch, EK 101 VR passages was excellent
4) What it felt like taking it a second time: I stayed a lot more calm and relaxed and let my mind flow. But i thought i did really bad. PS and BS was harder than most ive done, but was able to deduce a lot of the answers, and barely finished on time (on practice test i usually finished with about 15-20 minutes to spare so this freaked me out). VR i thought i completely bombed, i was praying for an 8 or 9 (had about 21 minutes to do 4 passages, just guessed the last 4 questions) but it turned out to be much better than i thought, 10.
5) Any additional words of comfort. Keep on trying and relax during the test, if you run into something difficult, other ppl will probably find it difficult too, just try to logically deduce the answers and dont let yourself get hung up on the difficulty. And of course GL retaking the MCAt 😀

 

[theunderdog]

Okay, so I was thinking that as a boost to those that didn't do as well as they had hoped and for ideas for those needing to take it again, that those who improved should start a thread telling how they did it.

1) What was your score each time - individual/composite?
8/04: 7P,6V,6B O
5/05: 8P,9V,10B Q
8/05: 10P, 8V, 9B N
27 the last two things.... but better than my initial 19 score

2) What was your practice test range before the tests?
30-32 (honestly)

3) What study methods/techniques did you follow each time?
kaplan screwed me for that first mcat. i switched over the examkrackers. i went up 8 points. imagine what someone with a starting score of 28 could do.

4) What materials did you use each time (Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)?
AAMC all tests, Examkrackers 101 passages in verbal, EK complete set 5th edition

5) Did you take a class one time/both times? Do you think it helped?
Only Kaplan for my initial MCAT. i think that class made me dumber and screwed me with their strategies.


6) How long did you study for the MCAT each time?
3 months each. studied the most for the August 05 MCAT. i studied 10 hours a day straight for 7 days a week for 2.5 months.


7) What do you think helped you make the biggest improvement? Any tips?
Making the RIGHT choices.
If I had to repeat all of this, I would have just used Examkrackers. I would have taken the MCAT maybe only once. Don't take Kaplan. Trust me on that one. Dont take TPR either. They're worse than Kaplan.

I mean, with my 27 score and non-URM status, interviews are pouring in. So you figure out what's important.....