Kind of a mess, need some advice.

[LuciusVorenus]

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I'll try to keep it from becoming a TL;DR.

I was registered for the 9/10 MCAT and have been studying since late September for it. My practice scores are as follows:

3: 11, 10, 11 (32)
4: 9, 13, 11 (33)
5: 12, 11, 11 (34)
7: 12, 14, 12 (38)
8: 12, 10, 13 (35)
9: 11, 12, 13 (36)

I was planning on taking 10 and 11 this week. However, personal issues came up and there's no way I'm going to be able to sit for the 9/10 MCAT. I won't even be able to go to the testing site for an "expensive practice test." At this point, all I can do is just re-register for a December MCAT and take the $200 hit.

My question is how to go about keeping my scores where they've been. I plan on doing practice passages every now and again during the weekends and reviewing my notes throughout the next quarter. During winter break I'll take the remaining two practice tests (I've also heard FL 12 is coming out this winter maybe, is that right?), do more practice passages, and re-review my notes.

Is there really anything else I can do?

 

[muhali3]

I don't know what kind of personal issues you're having. I was having some issues during my MCAT prep as well but just plowed through regardless. Life is just that way sometimes. You try to make a plan but something will always come up and try to knock you off of it.

But if you really feel like you are unable to take the MCAT, you should postpone. The material does come back pretty quickly if you've already reviewed/practiced once. I know this because I postponed my MCAT twice.

 

[XOT]

Just to warn you- I don't think there is a December MCAT date available. I think the 9/10 is the last one for this year. Late January would be your next chance.

I think you have very strong scores already, and if the obstacle to taking the 9/10 test is being unable to take AAMC 10 and 11, I would think twice about that.

 

[ManBroDude]

Looking at 2011's dates, Jan 28/29th are the earliest one offered, then the next one is March 26th. Again, don't know what sort of personal issues you may face, but I'm sorry to hear about them. Depending on your GPA, getting your MCAT scores back in late February all but kills your chances at getting in this cycle.

For you, this just turned into: how badly do you really want it?

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Sorry, I meant late January. My winter break ends January 6th so it shouldn't be all too bad.

Just so everyone knows, I am not applying this cycle. I'm applying during the 2012 cycle, so timing isn't really a problem. The only problem is just getting back up to speed before I take the test.

I really wish I could take the test right now, but there's no way I can. I can barely focus on anything right now. It's just not worth the risk.

 

[XOT]

The best thing to do in your case to keep the material fresh is to review the sections in a rotation (1 week physics, 1 week G.CHM, 1 week O.CHM, 1 week BIO and repeat as much as possible). But do not study one section for longer than a week or so without rotating. Also, I would not think taking the rest of AAMC tests now is a good idea- keep them until you are closer to the test date (maybe Christmas break).

 

[muhali3]

Sorry, I meant late January. My winter break ends January 6th so it shouldn't be all too bad.

Just so everyone knows, I am not applying this cycle. I'm applying during the 2012 cycle, so timing isn't really a problem. The only problem is just getting back up to speed before I take the test.

I really wish I could take the test right now, but there's no way I can. I can barely focus on anything right now. It's just not worth the risk.

Yeah, that's how I felt the first time I scheduled my MCAT. My mind was just somewhere else. I was unable to dedicate all my cognitive resources towards the MCAT. Had some emotional 5hit on my mind. So I actually rescheduled my MCAT twice, taking it 7 months after the day I had originally scheduled it.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Yeah, that's how I felt the first time I scheduled my MCAT. My mind was just somewhere else. I was unable to dedicate all my cognitive resources towards the MCAT. Had some emotional 5hit on my mind. So I actually rescheduled my MCAT twice, taking it 7 months after the day I had originally scheduled it.

Yeah, I know how that feels haha.

May I ask how you maintained your score? Just basic review like everyone else has suggested? My only real concern is that I used up so many of the practice tests.

 

[muhali3]

Yeah, practice tests aren't a huge problem. You still have two AAMCs left. You can also use practice tests from Kaplan and TPR. I find that for the PS and BS, once you've learned how to tackle it, it is hard to unlearn. It's like riding a bike. So I don't think you'll be at a huge disadvantage from your lack of practice material on those sections.

The verbal section is the section that shows the most variability (for me) and is the section that is most affected by mental/psychological stress. Verbal requires that you be in a state of trance with the passage. Any lack of focus will completely zap your score. I recommend reading NYT, WSJ for the verbal. Always keep your reading speed high while maintaining understanding of what you read.

MCAT is mostly a critical thinking test. I just read an article in Scientific American that said stress hormones basically hijack your mind into fight/flight mode and all your other higher-cognitive functions go on auto-pilot. So...I think what I best advise is to find someway to fix whatever personal issue you're having. I don't think content issues or lack of practice materials will really affect your score greatly. Just make sure to review your notes every once in a while.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

Yeah, practice tests aren't a huge problem. You still have two AAMCs left. You can also use practice tests from Kaplan and TPR. I find that for the PS and BS, once you've learned how to tackle it, it is hard to unlearn. It's like riding a bike. So I don't think you'll be at a huge disadvantage from your lack of practice material on those sections.

The verbal section is the section that shows the most variability (for me) and is the section that is most affected by mental/psychological stress. Verbal requires that you be in a state of trance with the passage. Any lack of focus will completely zap your score. I recommend reading NYT, WSJ for the verbal. Always keep your reading speed high while maintaining understanding of what you read.

MCAT is mostly a critical thinking test. I just read an article in Scientific American that said stress hormones basically hijack your mind into fight/flight mode and all your other higher-cognitive functions go on auto-pilot. So...I think what I best advise is to find someway to fix whatever personal issue you're having. I don't think content issues or lack of practice materials will really affect your score greatly. Just make sure to review your notes every once in a while.

That's wonderful advice. Thank you!

 

[Chrome19]

I think you'll be fine. Save AAMC 10 and 11 for the future. Clear your personal problems, but keep reading to keep your brain active. Practice LSAT material, read research articles, just keep on reviewing MCAT science, etc. The key is to keep your brain active until the new test date.

From your practice scores, I think you are set if you maintain regular intellectual exercise.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

However, personal issues came up and there's no way I'm going to be able to sit for the 9/10 MCAT. I won't even be able to go to the testing site for an "expensive practice test." At this point, all I can do is just re-register for a December MCAT and take the $200 hit.

There's not much to add after the great response Muhali offered up. Getting your head in the right place and walking in confident, focused, and well rested make a huge difference. Your choice to postpone the exam is a wise one.

The only part I don't get is why you can't sit for an expensive practice exam. Just the exposure to the room and environment will be of value. Seeing what the real exam is like and knowing its layout can only help you get ready for January. If you are going to void anyway, then why not sit for the experience?

Unless your personal problem happens to also be taking the exam in that same room, it seems like you should be at the center Saturday.

 

[LuciusVorenus]

There's not much to add after the great response Muhali offered up. Getting your head in the right place and walking in confident, focused, and well rested make a huge difference. Your choice to postpone the exam is a wise one.

The only part I don't get is why you can't sit for an expensive practice exam. Just the exposure to the room and environment will be of value. Seeing what the real exam is like and knowing its layout can only help you get ready for January. If you are going to void anyway, then why not sit for the experience?

Unless your personal problem happens to also be taking the exam in that same room, it seems like you should be at the center Saturday.

I'm definitely going to try my best to make it, that's for sure. I'm just not sure I'll be available that day anymore. It's kind of hard to explain :/

Thank you everyone for the advice 🙂

 

[gettheleadout]

Unless your personal problem happens to also be taking the exam in that same room, it seems like you should be at the center Saturday.

I was thinking more along the lines of Lucius may not be able to physically go there and take the test. Illness? "Personal issues" can mean a lot of different things.

 

[MD Odyssey]

I was supposed to take the MCAT today (Sept 10). I have absolutely no regrets about postponing the exam until next year. It will most likely add another year to my application, but the consequences of a bad performance on the exam are pretty severe, so I'm fine with an extra year to prepare. I'm taking physiology and a year-long biochemistry sequence between now and then.

 

[ridethecliche]

I'm definitely going to try my best to make it, that's for sure. I'm just not sure I'll be available that day anymore. It's kind of hard to explain :/

Thank you everyone for the advice 🙂

Good luck with whatever it is.

Honest.