Help with decisions

[gunner1]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So I'm going to take the mcat next year. But thing is I'm done my semester in late april and I want to spend atleast a month and a half on preparing for the test with the princeton review. The course would officially start in early may end on june 18.

I was wondering if I should write the test on june 20 or july 2nd?

 

[Sophocles]

We were always encouraged to wait a few weeks after our course to take the exam and I personally wish I would've done that.

 

[Swartzlehman]

X

 

[gunner1]

it is a bit accelerated no doubt....but i was thinking of starting preparing for the VR during the school semester before the course starts.....

the only reason id want to do this in such accelerated manner is so I dont end up applying too late this cycle. But Id think the later test date would be much more preferable since I can do the practice full length tests as well

 

[deleted127837]

If you're applying next year, the earlier one. If you're applying the following year, the later one.

 

[Swartzlehman]

X

 

[ComfortCreature]

Honestly, where you see most of your improvements in score is by taking a butt load of practice tests and completely reviewing those practice tests to understand why you were wrong/right. Even if you start studying verbal prior to you course you aren't likely going to have enough time to do the additional practice tests.

👍

 

[Sophocles]

If you're applying next year, the earlier one. If you're applying the following year, the later one.

I disagree. Rushing it just to apply semi-early is not worth it. The MCAT factors pretty big in interview decisions and it is always best to put your best foot forward. Plus, early August is not late. You can have everything pretty much done, then when the scores arrive the schools will start reviewing your file. Early August is not late, and the extra time to do things right is worth it in my opinion. Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

 

[hunterjumper14]

That's a pretty accelerated course. You won't have much time to take as many practice MCATs as you need to. Take the later date for extra practice.

While I agree that it's good to take more time to study and prep for the MCAT, it is possible. I did a 1 year postbacc that didn't wrap up until June 1. My MCAT course was mid-June to Aug 7th or 8th or something and I took the Aug. 4th MCAT and applied this cycle. I worked with my instructor and began taking practice tests a bit sooner than everyone else and I comfortably finished Kaplan 1-5 and the last two AAMC tests on my expedited schedule. I was studying full time, though. Not ideal, but impossible? No. You can always push the test date back if you need to. But if you can, it's best to take more time I'd say.

Good luck!🙂

 

[CallistaisFraud]

I disagree. Rushing it just to apply semi-early is not worth it.

x2. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Don't rush.