I need a 24 for MSA school. Help!

[barronsleader]

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Hi Everyone!

I am applying to an MSA school this year. For those of you that are unfamiliar, MSA stands for Master of Anesthesia. I want to become an Anesthesiologist Assistant. I've shadowed many times and I really love the field and they make darn good money (even more than some doctors). Almost all of the MSA schools in the US require the GRE. However, the school that is located in my city requires the MCAT. Just my luck, right?

I had never ever planned on becoming a doctor so I never researched or thought about the MCAT. Now, I am very nervous because I have not taken a science course in 7 years. I'm sure some of it will come back to me when I start studying. My major concern is the organic chemistry and the physics. Even though I managed a B in those courses in college, it was only because I had very easy teachers that gave a crapload of extra credit at the end of the semester.

I registered for the latest possible date that would allow me to submit my application on time, which is September 6. My friend who took the MCAT a month ago gave me all of her books from TPR, Berkley Review, Kaplan, and Examkrackers. She even gave me her login info to her Kaplan online materials since she still has two months left on it. Can someone please give me some insight? If I study for about 10-11 hours a day, can I pull out at least a 24 by Sept 6??? Or do I need to put in more hours a day?

 

[GolfUSA]

You should definitely be able to do that as long as your verbal score is decent! I'd warn you that while you plan on 10-11 hours a day you will burn out on that commitment pretty quickly if you are doing things efficiently. The MCAT requires endurance, but not that much (yet). You should not worry a whole lot about organic if you are shooting for that score because lately it has been 1/7 passages on the biology section. Definitely focus on relearning acid base ect from gen chem and translational and periodic motion from physics as these are high yield topics for almost every exam. I'd say focus on learning how to take the test more than trying to know every little detail. A lot of the test can be completed with minimal background knowledge if you can interpret the passages very well. Good luck!

 

[doc4lax]

First off, take a DEEP breath, you'll be okay 😉.
Second, I would make a study plan(there are many samples on sdn) and look at the AAMC outlines for each section to determine what you know/dont know.
Third, take another breath!
Fourth,o-chem and physics is definitely doable. Just learn the basics and practice, practice, practice. A 24 is well within reach.
and finally, 10-11 hours seems excessive, be aware of burn out. I studied for two months at about 3-4 hours a day and I felt prepared.
Good luck!

 

[CCrown]

Not having done science classes for 7 years will be a challenge. That being said, a 24 is DEFINITELY within reach. The national average is around a 24/25, and with about 7 weeks to study, you should be able to make it. I studied 6-8 hours a day, which were very long days. I wouldn't recommend going more than 8 hours. Try 3-4 hours in the morning, with a long lunch break, then 3-4 hours in the afternoon if your schedule allows for it.

As said above, definitely make a study schedule. Kaplan's online material has a good syllabus outline. Compare that with some of the schedules here on SDN such as SN2ed and then plan out your topics to study for each day. Also, don't forget to do full length practice tests and review them the next day. Kaplan has a good system for reviewing each question of your practice tests.

If I were you, I'd aim high for something like a 30 (10 on each section). If you can learn the material well enough for a 30, you KNOW you'll be prepared come test day.