I have 11 months basically...

[Imsofly]

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Hey guys long story short I was supposed to take my mcat this friday but I won't be ready for it. Since I won't get any money back I have decided to go, sit through the test and do it for the experience and void it at the end.

My main question is, what now? I've decided to take the test July 14th and plan on getting 40+ on it. I've taken a few practice tests and scored in the low 20's but I'm confident that I'll stick to w.e. study plan that I have and kick this MCAT in the butt.

But I need help with a plan. Should I keep going over content review until like 2 months before my test then take all the AAMC practice tests? I still have all of them and didn't buy a single one.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

(I posted this on the MCAT forum as well but I then realized that that forum is more for specifics of the mcat studying if I'm not mistaken. I'm pretty new here so forgive me for any wrong doings. Just need an overall study plan or tips or advice from you MCAT Gods and Goddesses in the next 10 months since I will be taking it July [or earlier?])

 

[SN12357]

Hey guys long story short I was supposed to take my mcat this friday but I won't be ready for it. Since I won't get any money back I have decided to go, sit through the test and do it for the experience and void it at the end.

My main question is, what now? I've decided to take the test July 14th and plan on getting 40+ on it. I've taken a few practice tests and scored in the low 20's but I'm confident that I'll stick to w.e. study plan that I have and kick this MCAT in the butt.

But I need help with a plan. Should I keep going over content review until like 2 months before my test then take all the AAMC practice tests? I still have all of them and didn't buy a single one.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

(I posted this on the MCAT forum as well but I then realized that that forum is more for specifics of the mcat studying if I'm not mistaken. I'm pretty new here so forgive me for any wrong doings. Just need an overall study plan or tips or advice from you MCAT Gods and Goddesses in the next 10 months since I will be taking it July [or earlier?])

You should take 8 months to do something, anything more valuable and important to the world than studying for the MCAT, then buckle down and study for the last 3 months.

 

[Radon XP]

Hey guys long story short I was supposed to take my mcat this friday but I won't be ready for it. Since I won't get any money back I have decided to go, sit through the test and do it for the experience and void it at the end.

My main question is, what now? I've decided to take the test July 14th and plan on getting 40+ on it. I've taken a few practice tests and scored in the low 20's but I'm confident that I'll stick to w.e. study plan that I have and kick this MCAT in the butt.

But I need help with a plan. Should I keep going over content review until like 2 months before my test then take all the AAMC practice tests? I still have all of them and didn't buy a single one.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

(I posted this on the MCAT forum as well but I then realized that that forum is more for specifics of the mcat studying if I'm not mistaken. I'm pretty new here so forgive me for any wrong doings. Just need an overall study plan or tips or advice from you MCAT Gods and Goddesses in the next 10 months since I will be taking it July [or earlier?])

Follow Sn2ed's plan. Just do a search and you should find the thread. You can do it for 3-4 months before your test.

And I don't mean to be a downer, but you can't "plan" to get a 40+.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Hey guys long story short I was supposed to take my mcat this friday but I won't be ready for it. Since I won't get any money back I have decided to go, sit through the test and do it for the experience and void it at the end.

My main question is, what now? I've decided to take the test July 14th and plan on getting 40+ on it. I've taken a few practice tests and scored in the low 20's but I'm confident that I'll stick to w.e. study plan that I have and kick this MCAT in the butt.

But I need help with a plan. Should I keep going over content review until like 2 months before my test then take all the AAMC practice tests? I still have all of them and didn't buy a single one.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

(I posted this on the MCAT forum as well but I then realized that that forum is more for specifics of the mcat studying if I'm not mistaken. I'm pretty new here so forgive me for any wrong doings. Just need an overall study plan or tips or advice from you MCAT Gods and Goddesses in the next 10 months since I will be taking it July [or earlier?])

Why are you not ready for your MCAT? What went wrong in your prep?

Also, I mean this in a polite way, but you need to aim lower. 40+ MCAT is simply not going to happen. A better goal is at least a 10 in each section, especially since you're scoring in the low 20s.

 

[deleted550985]

Hey guys long story short I was supposed to take my mcat this friday but I won't be ready for it. Since I won't get any money back I have decided to go, sit through the test and do it for the experience and void it at the end.

My main question is, what now? I've decided to take the test July 14th and plan on getting 40+ on it. I've taken a few practice tests and scored in the low 20's but I'm confident that I'll stick to w.e. study plan that I have and kick this MCAT in the butt.

But I need help with a plan. Should I keep going over content review until like 2 months before my test then take all the AAMC practice tests? I still have all of them and didn't buy a single one.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

(I posted this on the MCAT forum as well but I then realized that that forum is more for specifics of the mcat studying if I'm not mistaken. I'm pretty new here so forgive me for any wrong doings. Just need an overall study plan or tips or advice from you MCAT Gods and Goddesses in the next 10 months since I will be taking it July [or earlier?])

Can't speak to how you should prepare, but I do know that planning on getting a 40 is unrealistic. Only 0.5% of people who take the test get a 40 or above, and think of who you're up against. It's nearly impossible (but not entirely).

I'm not saying you should try for it, but you definitely shouldn't PLAN on it.

 

[TheBossDoctor]

I've decided to take the test July 14th and plan on getting 40+ on it. I've taken a few practice tests and scored in the low 20's

Right...I'm sure that you can simply double your score and get 40+. It is like 99.9 percentile, so let me know when you get that 40 -_-

With the way you're scoring now, try and aim to break 30, and if you can make it that high on practice tests, then start aiming for 33-36. But anything more than 36 is pure luck IMO.

 

[Imsofly]

I now understand guys. I probably said that as a way to fire me up haha. So from a 20, I just want to get as high a grade as possible and I have 10 months to do it. That's where I need the help. I looked up Sn2's method and that looks great I'll give it a shot.

I guess until then I'll just be reviewing on content. I know verbal is going to be the death of me so anything I can do from now to improve on that? Read the economist perhaps?

 

[IncognitoGuy]

SN2ed's plan. 8 months is way too stretched out - you'll likely peak somewhere 3 months in and find yourself unable to maintain that all the way up to test day.

Also, please be realistic. If you're scoring in the low 20's as it is, go for a 30 before you even consider 40+.

 

[ghboyd25]

I wouldn't take any of the AAMC practice tests until at least 3 months before the actual test. There are plenty of other question banks and semi-realistic practice tests from EK, Kaplan, PR etc. that can keep you on your toes. The AAMC ones are the most realistic so save those for the end.

Additionally, I really only think this extra time will help you with verbal. If you know it's your weakness and work on it over the next year, you definitely have a shot at significant improvement. Your BS and PS sections won't see the same kind of steady improvement over the course of a year that a verbal score could.

Long story short I'd do something more worthwhile over the next 6-7 months to strengthen your app while also working on verbal. Then you can really get into MCAT studying next spring again, just leave enough time for yourself to really get the material down. Good luck!

 

[Imsofly]

^wow a helpful reply thank you!

What do you suggest I do to improve my verbal other than the "read economist and New Yorker etc."

And when you say something "worthwhile'', I already have hospital emergency room volunteering and shadowing down. What else should I do guys (other than research since I am not that "into" it, but I will do it if I must)

 

[StephanieZ]

I've decided to take the test July 14th and plan on getting 40+ on it. I've taken a few practice tests and scored in the low 20's but I'm confident that I'll stick to w.e. study plan that I have and kick this MCAT in the butt.

lol wut?

 

[ghboyd25]

From personal experience the EK 101 verbal passages is the best way to prepare for the verbal section. The EK passages are as close to the actual MCAT ones as you can get with a test prep company (most people will agree with me). EK also has a book for verbal strategies which is pretty good as well. I'd start off by really getting the strategy for verbal down (you can try other prep company strategies too) then consistently doing passages over a long period of time.

One of the most important things you can do is read through the explanations for the correct answers so you really start to get a feel for what good and bad answers look like for the exam. Just make sure to spread out your studying so you don't blaze through every passage available to you in the first few months.

 

[Imsofly]

i'll definitely do that! thanks!



And Yeah I realized 40+ is asking for a bit too much so I meant 35+

 

[Spitphire]

i'll definitely do that! thanks!



And Yeah I realized 40+ is asking for a bit too much so I meant 35+

Even 35 is pushing it. 10-15 point increase will be difficult to do. It is possible though! I hope you can get the score you want 😀

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Why do you think your prep went wrong? If it was bad study habits, poor materials, or not enough time then 35+ isn't necessarily unrealistic even if you are sitting at around 20 right now, assuming you fix whatever issue you had. If, however, you've been studying your ass off, had plenty of good materials, and had plenty of time (3+ months), then you should really be more concerned about simply getting 30 first. Also, because it has to be said, 20 to 35 is an even bigger challenge than the 15 point difference would make it seem. You're going from below 23rd percentile to 95th percentile. That's the difference between someone who barely knows their science (no offense) to someone who has all of that stuff come naturally.

Anyway, tell us what you think what went wrong and we can give you more pointers. As others have said though, SN2ed's schedule is an excellent place to start. My only criticism of his plan is that he wants you to use TBR Bio for practice passages. I don't think TBR Bio is any good for bio practice and would recommend using TPRH science workbook instead.

 

[Imsofly]

Why do you think your prep went wrong? If it was bad study habits, poor materials, or not enough time then 35+ isn't necessarily unrealistic even if you are sitting at around 20 right now, assuming you fix whatever issue you had. If, however, you've been studying your ass off, had plenty of good materials, and had plenty of time (3+ months), then you should really be more concerned about simply getting 30 first. Also, because it has to be said, 20 to 35 is an even bigger challenge than the 15 point difference would make it seem. You're going from below 23rd percentile to 95th percentile. That's the difference between someone who barely knows their science (no offense) to someone who has all of that stuff come naturally.

Anyway, tell us what you think what went wrong and we can give you more pointers. As others have said though, SN2ed's schedule is an excellent place to start. My only criticism of his plan is that he wants you to use TBR Bio for practice passages. I don't think TBR Bio is any good for bio practice and would recommend using TPRH science workbook instead.

thank you for responding.

I actually had poor study habits and I did not take the exam seriously therefore I was scoring in the high teens. Didn't take practice tests at all and barely know the content. I don't know why I registered to take the mcat this friday but all I know is that one practice test that I took was a wake up call for me so I came here for advice on where to start etc. I scored a 19 with poor content knowledge and pure laziness but that is all going to change now.

Thank you for any future pointers!

 

[TheBossDoctor]

Even if you're practically taking a test cold, I don't know if you can necessarily raise your score 16+ points. In my particular situation, I took a practice test cold and scored a 28, and after several months of serious studying, I was only able to raise it to 33 by the time test day came around (total increase of 5 points). Obviously, n=1 here and I'm sure people do raise their score by more, but just aim for a 30 first, and if you seem to be breaking that score in practice tests, then raise your goal. You're only setting yourself up for disappointment if you plan for a 35+.

 

[Imsofly]

you're right I'll get my sights set on that 30 mark. when you said you studied seriously for several months, what exactly do you mean? how often and for how long did you study?

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

I would take it earlier. July is getting pretty late, and if you bomb it you're likely SOL for another year. I would say take it in April or May. That way you're ready for an early submission or a retake if necessary. You don't need 11 months to prep.

 

[TheBossDoctor]

you're right I'll get my sights set on that 30 mark. when you said you studied seriously for several months, what exactly do you mean? how often and for how long did you study?

Well I did about 2 months of content review through Berkeley Review. Basically read a chapter per day (split some of the longer chapters over 2 days). Gave myself a couple off days during that process (1 day off/week). Usually took me 2 hours to read a chapter but it varies depending on how familiar you are with that topic from the pre-req classes.

Then the next 2 months, I basically did all practice questions. IMO, this is more important since just knowing the content often isn't enough (but you do still need to know the content). I did BR, EK, Princeton Review, and Kaplan 45 practice questions and passages. Took one AAMC full-length practice exam each weekend. Again, I gave myself some off days as well (1 day off/week). Overall, I'd say 2-3 hours per day of practice (which was a lot considering I was also taking classes at the time).

Although I only raised my score by 5 points, you should be able to raise it by more since it's easier to raise a score when you're in the high teens/lower 20s. It starts to get a lot harder to get more points once you hit the lower-mid 30s. Just study 3-4 hours per day over 4-5 months. IMO, anything more than that is setting yourself up to burn out before the test date.

 

[LiamNeesons]

Do as many months of content review as you want/need, but make sure you get in a solid three months with 10-15+ full length practice exams + ample time for review. You need to learn the content, learn the tricks, and build endurance.

 

[kmp0410]

I would take it earlier. July is getting pretty late, and if you bomb it you're likely SOL for another year. I would say take it in April or May. That way you're ready for an early submission or a retake if necessary. You don't need 11 months to prep.

This

I would take it earlier

Also, being lazy and not taking it seriously is not exactly a switch you can simply flip. What is making you all of a sudden so serious? Easier said than done.

 

[ES2]

If OP plans to study 8 hours a day (and I mean really study), 5 days a week for 8 months, a 40+ is certainly feasible. Anything is possible with enough practice. Most people can't handle the subject material that intensely though. 3 hours a day of honest-goodness studying was enough for me to land a low 30 score. If I had the discipline, it could have been higher.

 

[CarlosDanger]

I just wouldn't devote 8hrs/day for 8 months to MCAT studying, thats kind of insane. You don't need a 40+ to get into med school, you don't even need a 35. Hell, some people don't even need a 30. If you feel like you need to score in the 99.5th percentile, would be better off taking more courses to raise your GPA or investing in some volunteer activity your passionate about. Of course, you should shoot for the best score possible, and don't sell yourself short--but be realistic. Probably the best advice from other people is to take it by the end of April at the latest-have the test done before its time to start working on your personal statement

 

[SN12357]

If OP plans to study 8 hours a day (and I mean really study), 5 days a week for 8 months, a 40+ is certainly feasible. Anything is possible with enough practice. Most people can't handle the subject material that intensely though. 3 hours a day of honest-goodness studying was enough for me to land a low 30 score. If I had the discipline, it could have been higher.

Getting a 40+ requires an intuitive comfort with the testing format that the OP almost certainly doesn't have if they're still in the low 20s after some review.

Plus, even if it were theoretically possible, the tremendous waste of time represented by spending 11 months full time for the MCAT speaks poorly of the priorities and abilities of someone who would do that, regardless.

 

[TheBossDoctor]

Even if OP does that 8 hr/day, 5 days/week schedule for 8 months, a 40 isn't a guarantee. All it takes is like 3-4 tough questions in each section to bring your score down to around a 36. That's a very small room for error. IMO, getting above a 12 in any section is pure luck...you just have to hope that you're lucky enough to be able to solve the "tough" questions you get on that particular test.

No matter how much you study, there will certainly be types of questions that you've never seen before. Out of 144 questions, there are bound to at least be 7-8 questions that you won't be able to answer because they're completely different from what you're used to practicing (unless you get very lucky), and that alone will probably put you below a 40.

 

[Oldenuff2nobetr]

I would take it earlier. July is getting pretty late, and if you bomb it you're likely SOL for another year. I would say take it in April or May. That way you're ready for an early submission or a retake if necessary. You don't need 11 months to prep.

Yup, register early in case you need a retake. If you have to work or if you strengthen your app with research, EMT, etc. you can stretch Sn2ed into 6 months ( I had 3 jobs at one point). I started off with 4 practice tests in the low/mid 20s. Stopped taking tests and re did content conceptually ( made sure I understood each concept inside out, even down to units). Wiki pre med helped with Physics videos ( my weakest subject) and audio osmosis supplemented the TBR passwage books. You also have to come up with a plan of how to attack the test that works for you. For me I did a 3 pass system and skipped passages and did the easiest and discretes first. Did medium passages second, and saved the wtf passages for last ( was prob going to miss those question anyway so running out of time on them didn't bother me).
Resumed testing and started scoring 34-35 avgerages. Just took the real deal and felt it wasn't that bad (lil easer than AAMC 11). Bought all 10 TBR CBTs, they were tough and good training. Maybe take 1 more practice test and use those 2 to start dissecting the style and writing of the MCAT.

Good luck!

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

If OP plans to study 8 hours a day (and I mean really study), 5 days a week for 8 months, a 40+ is certainly feasible. Anything is possible with enough practice.

No it's not.

 

[sliceofbread136]

8 months for content review is overkill. Use more of that time for practice problems. Get as many practice passages/tests as you can get (there are alot out there) and do a big chunk everyday. Spend time identifying where you are making mistakes each time and make sure you are always improving.

 

[Imsofly]

I plan on giving it my all on these MCATs. with a Science gpa of 3.0, a high mcat is my only chance of getting into american medical school. Plus this semester i'll be taking like 1 or 2 upper level sciences to increase my gpa to about a 3.1 maybe even a 3.2 (since this is not my overall gpa and it may go up by a lot if I get an A)

 

[thisandthat]

I would use the Sn2ed study plan. Also, if you want to keep material fresh in your mind until you really start reviewing, listen to Audio Osmosis. I usually listened to it in the car, while cleaning the house and while running. Really helped me!