GREs and MCAT Question

[168135]

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Bare with me... I don't even really know what the GRE and MCAT are... I just know that I need it to apply to vet school. I'm going into my third year... I'm not planning on applying until my fourth. Can I write it this year or do I have to wait until the year I apply?

And how difficult are they? Are their study guides available? I really don't know what to expect... what is the format?

Thanks... and sorry for being so clueless.

 

[aspiringDVM]

GRE stands for "graduate record exam." It's similar to the SAT (verbal, quantitative, and writing sections), but for grad school. I think it's the most commonly accepted standardized test for vet school. There are also GRE subject tests, and some schools require the biology subject exam. I have yet to actually take the GRE so I can't comment on the difficulty, but I am studying my tail off. You can take it at pretty much any point (I actually really wish I'd taken it last summer rather than waiting til this summer, when I'm trying to complete applications as well).
MCAT is the "medical college admissions test." I believe most schools accept it in place of the GRE, but I'm not sure if any actually require it. My impression is that it is much more intense and science-based than the GRE, with physics, biology, general/organic/biochemistry in addition to verbal and math. Again, I haven't actually taken it, but it's reputed to be pretty brutal.
Oh, and there are more test prep guides and materials out there than you can shake a stick at 😀.

 

[bunnity]

The OP is from Canada, and I believe Canadian schools do require the MCAT. Not sure if they need the GRE as well.

For the GRE I used Barron's GRE book which was great. It helped me a lot.

Once you make sure that you do need to take the MCAT, check out the Pre-Med forum on this site (since they all have to take the MCAT). They have whole sections dedicated to the MCAT and I'm sure you can get some good info and book recommendations there.

 

[168135]

Thanks guys.

Uh... I won't be taking biochem until next year though... I don't even know if I can fit it in during the school year... I might have to take it after I graduate. Will that be an issue?

AVC requires the GRE... the Caribbean schools require either or.

Once school starts, I'll try to find out when the dates are. How early should I start preparing?

 

[Angelo84]

You don't need biochem for the GRE. The GRE tests high school math and has more random verbal section. I think the best time to take it would be senior year of high school. As I had to relearn all the algebra and trig and geometry!

 

[168135]

You don't need biochem for the GRE. The GRE tests high school math and has more random verbal section. I think the best time to take it would be senior year of high school. As I had to relearn all the algebra and trig and geometry!

Geesh... thanks for the warning.