Improve my MCAT FLs average 503 (501-505); Should I reschedule? Looking for intense study tips/schedules

[anemonegreek]

Hi!

I'm studying for the MCAT and have under a month until my scheduled date. I'm a full-time student, but with a much lighter schedule than I'm used to and have been aiming to devote ~5 hours a day and 30 hours a week to studying. I've been studying consistently for about 2.5 months. I'm not seeing much improvement in my FLs even though I have noticed improvements in my UWorld % accuracy. I consistently do Anki - the MileDown's MCAT deck. I recently started using the AAMC practice questions and plan to take another full length on Saturday. My section scores are pretty similar and fluctuate between FLs.

I'm a very good student and have always been able to manage my time well. I wouldn't consider myself someone who is a "bad-test-taker", but I feel like I'm missing something in my studying to have a breakthrough. I'm also considering rescheduling (goal score: 515+), but rescheduling would mean delaying my schedule and leaving less time for applications. I don't want to reschedule because I think I can do it, just looking for guidance.

Has anyone been in this position and what helped you? If anyone could share intense study schedules for about a month before their exam that would be really helpful too!

Thanks!

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[morak]

If your score is at a hard plateau, that means your test taking skills need to be improved. If it had been a content issue, then taking more tests would have exposed you to more content, which would have led to an eventual increase in your scores. However, since I assume you've taken many FLs and you said you've tried Anki, I would say you just need to focus more on question banks and practice as opposed to pure content review. Especially try to understand the logic of why the right answer is correct and, importantly, why the wrong answers are incorrect. I would recommend holding off an an FL for a little bit until you can dedicate some time to finishing (eg taking and understanding fully, including why the wrong answers were incorrect) at least 300-500 questions from a good Qbank (JW or UWorld). You should see a score improvement once you double down on practice!

 

[The OTC]

Which FLs are you using? Third-parties can be more difficult and do not compare to the gold standard of what the AAMC puts out.

Are you simulating testing conditions going through UWorld (i.e. testing 20/30 questions in one sitting)? It is essential to simulate testing conditions when doing FLs or practice questions. During full lengths and the real deal, your brain will fatigue from the focus and energy of taking the test. Like working out, you need to get reps in so that your brain is accustomed come test day.

Going through practice questions and full lengths, you should start to see patterns of what content they really hammer in each section. Try to be purposeful in recognizing these patterns and getting quicker at these questions so you have more time for curveballs. Additionally, be purposeful in reviewing incorrect answers. Is this a type of question you are getting wrong often? Are you missing keywords that redirect you from the incorrect one they want you to choose to the actual correct one? Once you have a solid foundation on the content, then you have to shift focus to learning how to play the AAMC's game.

Additionally, I found it beneficial to play around with my full-length nutrition. Trying different energy drinks and snacks. I also bought the same ear plugs they offer at the testing center. My first exam I put the plugs too far in my ear and I freaked out not being able to take them out during breaks. Had to wait until the end to fish it out with a pen.

I would recommend rescheduling your test if you decide you don't feel ready. Give yourself the best shot at getting a good score, especially if you have a high MCAT score in mind. 515+ opens a lot of doors for MD, while 501-505 risks you being screened out by a good majority of MD schools.

 

[Hollow Knight]

I would make your own Anki cards. The MCAT decks for the MCAT aren't that good, it isn't like medical school.

Plus, remember that a lot of the test is math and whatnot (physics, chemistry). You can't flashcard your way through that stuff, you need to do lots of practice problems.

How do you review your full lengths? If there is a piece of informaiton you did not know, learn that whole topic before you take another test.