How you guys find time to study for MCAT

[deleted421268]

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how you guys find time to study for mcat since it's basically like a 9-5 job almost everyday say during summer while also fitting in volunteer work and extracurriculars?

 

[Wolfpack93]

The MCAT is not a 9-5. If you're studying for 8 hours a day you're gonna burn out. I worked full time but luckily my schedule was flexible so I ended up working mostly morning shifts (4/6 AM) and was able to study for 4-6 hours a night afterwards. Also I was fortunate to be able to take the last week off before the MCAT, but I'm not really sure how much of a difference that made.

 

[MaxPlancker]

Ya don't find it, ya make it.

 

[kiwifriend]

I studied about ~3 hours a night Mon-Thu, and about 8 hours total on the weekend (more when I started taking practice tests every Saturday). I studied for 3 months, and I was done with content review around 1.5 months before my test date. I was working full time so I didn't really do much during the day, although I would sometimes bring flashcards to review during lunch. Any more studying and I probably would have burned out. I also took off the whole week before my test, but that was mostly to fit in one last full length and to relax. I highly recommend not studying AT ALL for the last 2 days before the test.

 

[deleted421268]

It seems like basically people study 3-8 hours a day depending on how much other stuff they have going on! How many hours a day you guys think is necessary to prepare for MCAT test?

 

[mimelim]

It seems like basically people study 3-8 hours a day depending on how much other stuff they have going on! How many hours a day you guys think is necessary to prepare for MCAT test?

Everything depends on how solid your foundation is from undergrad and how sharp your test taking skills are. I know plenty of people who spent 2-3 hours/day studying and did exceptionally well (37+). I know plenty of people who spent 5+ hours/day studying and did poorly (<30). For someone who has a good foundation and the will power to focus and study, I would expect them to study 2-3 hours/day and do just fine. Any holes in that and the time will increase significantly.

Also, if I can study an hour/day for my in-service exam while working as a clinical surgical resident, you can study 3+ hours/day as a pre-med for the MCAT.

 

[dougy]

It stinks, I never had the luxury of not working to study. For 8 weeks got up at 5 am every day studied till 8:30 went to work. Studied at lunch hour. Got Home at 5 and studied until 8 and ate and went to bed. studied every weekend.......in hindsight wish I just took the time off, my parents would have supported me for 8 weeks.

 

[Astra]

time turner

 

[deleted421268]

How many hours you guys recommend for someone in summer whose starting say with zero foundation looking to get ready for mcat? Taking into consideration burnout and extracurriculars.

 

[aldol16]

If you have a solid foundation, 4-6 hours a day doing content review for 1.5-2 weeks and 2-3 hours a day averaged over the rest of your study time should be sufficient. The key is having the solid foundation.

 

[ChrisMack390]

I studied 5-8 hours per day for 4 months. Took Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon-evenings off.

 

[DingoPingo]

how you guys find time to study for mcat since it's basically like a 9-5 job almost everyday say during summer while also fitting in volunteer work and extracurriculars?

if you don't have time for ECs on top of mcat, just study the mcat and do the ECs later, the mcat is more important than most ECs

do fun stuff with your extra time

 

[mimelim]

How many hours you guys recommend for someone in summer whose starting say with zero foundation looking to get ready for mcat? Taking into consideration burnout and extracurriculars.

Why is someone with zero foundation trying to take the MCAT? That makes zero sense.

 

[Lucca]

You just have to make a plan that works with your schedule and stick to it. Willpower is what is in short supply when studying for the MCAT.

Unless you don't remember anything from the requisite classes. Then knowledge is in short supply and you need to just work to cover all of the content on the MCAT.

 

[Goro]

Get thee to your school's education or learning center to learn about time mgt skills, stat!

Successful medical school applicants are expected to walk and chew gum at the same time (ie, go to school and study for MCAT and do ECs).

how you guys find time to study for mcat since it's basically like a 9-5 job almost everyday say during summer while also fitting in volunteer work and extracurriculars?