How to prevent forgetting material already studied??

[cfx]

---

Members don't see this ad.

For those who have already or are currently studying for the MCAT: how did you approach studying so that you didn't lose everything your learned/studied at the beginning? Obviously, if studying over the course of several months, there's a good chance you won't remember everything you learned the first month by the time you end the second.

On a realted note, is it a better idea to study chunks of each subject area concurrently, or to finish studying one whole subject (physics, ochem, etc.), then move on to the next science? I'm curious which works best for retention and is a generally more effective study method.

 

[ACE28]

I think the best way retain information is to write down in your own words/meaning what you learn while reading content either in a notebook or note cards.

Then, you must periodically review what you have written. This may seem time consuming, but goes a long way in retaining information.

I am using these methods right now and finding myself retaining a lot of info.

However, browsing through SDN, I can conclude that retaining info will only get you so far, you must be able to apply it. The best way to do that is to do practice problems.

As per studying subjects. I like to flipflop. As it helps me shift gears so I am not studying one subject all day or continuously. It's just more fun that way. I also feel like I learn more because I am not bored and my attention is maintained.

 

[orrghead16]

For those who have already or are currently studying for the MCAT: how did you approach studying so that you didn't lose everything your learned/studied at the beginning? Obviously, if studying over the course of several months, there's a good chance you won't remember everything you learned the first month by the time you end the second.

On a realted note, is it a better idea to study chunks of each subject area concurrently, or to finish studying one whole subject (physics, ochem, etc.), then move on to the next science? I'm curious which works best for retention and is a generally more effective study method.

Taking practices tests, no better way.

I think the best way to prepare for the MCAT is do a light speed content review. Seriously, just a quick run through. No amount of studying will make something that is not sticking actually stick until you fail in it. Missing questions on the AAMCs is a great way to do this.

I way over studied on content review. I should have spent less than a month, probably 2-3 weeks. Got me no where.

 

[Want My Score]

Taking practices tests, no better way.

I think the best way to prepare for the MCAT is do a light speed content review. Seriously, just a quick run through. No amount of studying will make something that is not sticking actually stick until you fail in it. Missing questions on the AAMCs is a great way to do this.

I way over studied on content review. I should have spent less than a month, probably 2-3 weeks. Got me no where.

Smart man!! I agree with you 100%. I kind of did the same thing because I'm good at memorizing things. Too bad 95% of the advanced cell biology and physiology did not do a thing for me in terms of content.

The MCAT is all about knowing the basics very well and knowing how to apply the basics. Of course, taking advanced classes really helps because the advanced classes in college are like MCAT passages in some ways. They present really advanced material and force you to apply your basic knowledge efficiently to learn the material. The MCAT is very much a thinking test, so practicing will improve your thinking!

Man but all this thinking about the MCAT really makes me want to see my score. OMG!!! Only 6 more days. I can't believe that the year of my life I finally devoted to the MCAT is comming to an end!!!

 

[phEight]

I think what will probably help me out are the TBR passages in their books. There are a bare minimum of 10 passages per section, and there's a total of 10 sections for gen chem and 10 sections for physics. I do a couple passages directly after reading the material, then a week or so later to see if I remember much, and then I will go back after my content review to knock out the last couple left for each section.

If you don't have TBR stuff, then I think the best way way would just to do passages. Maybe get your hands on the Kaplan topical tests or something like that. And of course, doing post game analysis on ALL passages is always a good idea. That's where the bulk of my hand written notes come from, is reviewing each question, whether I got it right or wrong. The paragraph answers in TBR really help in this respect, because the answers tell you exactly how you should approach the problem, and what equations are necessary etc.

 

[vargant]

When I was studying for the MCAT, I studied with ExamKrackers. The first week, I went through chapter one for all of their books (bio, o-chem, chemistry, physics, and verbal). Week 2, was chapter two. Each day was a different section. For example, Monday was biology. Tuesday was O-chem and Biology practice questions. Wed. was chemistry, and O-chem. questions. And etc. Once I completed half of the chapters, it was then time for a review. I went over all of the material again, and questions that I either missed, was uncertain about, or was correct by chance alone. I then went through the second half of the books followed by a review 4 or 5 weeks later. Once I completed two reviews (first half of the book and second half of the book), I went through all of the material again for a third and final review.

Keep in mind, when reviewing, it doesn't take as long the second, or third time around. When I learned all of the material, that's when I took my practice tests. The whole process was the standard 3 - 3 1/2 months of studying.

Just keep chipping away at it.