Limited MCAT study time

[EdLongshanks]

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As non-trads, many of us are working full-time to support our family while taking classes, shadowing, and studying for the MCAT. Because of my advanced age, I'm not willing to put off applying for another year. So I've got to fit the MCAT study into the next 4 months. Meanwhile I am taking Physics 2, Chem 2, and Humanities 2.

I just took a practice MCAT and got a 13 VR, and 9,9 for the sciences. So my plan is to ignore the Verbal until after the end of the semester. I'll either get a 12, 13, or (if I'm lucky) a 14 on that section. The 9 on the physical science should improve as a result of the Chem2 and Physics 2 class. Again, I'll just wait and start taking practice tests in May. I should be able to get an 11 there.

My worst problem on the Biological Sciences is the Organic Chem. I'm only missing a few here outside of the Organic Chem questions. I missed all of those questions and still made a 9. So I figure that if I learn enough to get 1/2 or 2/3 of them right, I can improve to a 11. This would give me a final MCAT of between 31-35

The problem is that I only have 6 hours a week for this purpose. I've got the Exam Krackers book, as well as a bunch of old Kaplan stuff and I know how to look things up on Wikipedia.

With my limited time, should I have a different plan?

 

[beckhunter116]

I mean if you only have 6hrs a week you only have that amount. The problem with orgo is that there are so many topics they could choose from and it is usually only a few problems on the actually test. Or hell on your test day there could be more than typically.
-I would say try to take as many practice tests under test conditions as possible.
- Make sure you have the formulas memorized for physics.
- Last try to study creatively. I did this by always having a few note cards with me where I went and study during those moments. Like the time in between classes, in line at stores, during coffee/lunch breaks at work. Those few minutes of a few months can really add up.
-Last repetition is key (or at least for me). Try to skim everything in the EK books quickly and then go over it again paying particular attention to what you are confused on or forgetting.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

 

[murfettie]

what? how do you get 9's with only uhm... like, half of the class??

 

[7starmantis]

I dont know that I would "ignore" the verbal, keep doing some journal reading etc to keep it up. I know where your at I studied for MCAT while taking 15 hours including Physics 2, O chem 2, Exercise phys w/lab, working full time, blah blah blah. It tough man, just stick with it. Look into the audio MCAT study material, that might give you an extra bit of time you could listen while doing something else, or in the car, etc.

I agree with above, use those practice tests from AAMC even though they are a bit expensive. Don't just rely on the physics and chem class to bring up your score there, you need to really keep that stuff fresh in your mind and at least use some flashcards, etc. Good luck, you can do it.

 

[EdLongshanks]

....
- Make sure you have the formulas memorized for physics.
- Last try to study creatively. I did this by always having a few note cards with me where I went and study during those moments. Like the time in between classes, in line at stores, during coffee/lunch breaks at work. Those few minutes of a few months can really add up.
-Last repetition is key (or at least for me). Try to skim everything in the EK books quickly and then go over it again paying particular attention to what you are confused on or forgetting!

Good idea on the note-cards. I have found a way to make note cards on the computer real quickly and have started creating a note-card library. I'll start carrying a few with me.

 

[Emerald84]

There is some good advice on here. If your time is limited, load the Exam Krackers Audio Osmosis on your IPOD!

I agree that when you do have the time, make sure it is really focused and you are doing timed practice. There is lots of help on the forums, but you are scoring 9s, so you are close, just focus on the concepts you are missing on your practice tests. See if there are any other places in your schedule ( sadly maybe it is 45 min at 6am😴, but it is time that you could use to study).

 

[Emerald84]

Don't ignore the verbal!!! Get the 101 verbal passages from EK and do 2-3 every other day! That way it isn't a huge time commitment, but you are still practicing. Don't underestimate verbal. I learned that the hard way.

I dont know that I would "ignore" the verbal, keep doing some journal reading etc to keep it up. I know where your at I studied for MCAT while taking 15 hours including Physics 2, O chem 2, Exercise phys w/lab, working full time, blah blah blah. It tough man, just stick with it. Look into the audio MCAT study material, that might give you an extra bit of time you could listen while doing something else, or in the car, etc.

I agree with above, use those practice tests from AAMC even though they are a bit expensive. Don't just rely on the physics and chem class to bring up your score there, you need to really keep that stuff fresh in your mind and at least use some flashcards, etc. Good luck, you can do it.

 

[kia ora]

was that an actual AAMC exam that you took? if it was, that's quite good for a first attempt. if not (if it was a Kaplan or some other practice exam), those exams are scored much more forgivingly than the real thing and I wouldn't consider the score a very reliable indication of how you're doing so far. the old AAMC exams will give you a good indication of how you're doing, the Kaplan/PR/Examkrackers ones, not so much

nice golden retriever, by the way!

 

[7starmantis]

Speaking of notecards, there is a website where you can go create notecards and choose to share them with others. Then you can share their notecards, etc. I never used it in undergrad but had friends who did. Its got lots of MCAT and even USMLE stuff on it as well.

Sadly, my old brain can't remember the website, I'm sure someone here will know it though.

The audio idea is great, wish I had known about it when I was studying for MCAT. Also, just bear down and realize this is the "season of MCAT" and make it your life for a bit. IF you can put up with it for a couple months, you can get a great score and be done with it forever. I'm a big triathlon guy and I used to think of MCAT study as a training regiment. Before big runs you just have to make it your life and then you get your results and go out for huge beers!

Good Luck, sounds like your going to do great on it.

Edit: Um...man it took some searching to find these 🙄 I'm stupid.

http://www.flashcardexchange.com/

http://www.flashcardmachine.com/

 

[EdLongshanks]

was that an actual AAMC exam that you took? if it was, that's quite good for a first attempt. if not (if it was a Kaplan or some other practice exam), those exams are scored much more forgivingly than the real thing and I wouldn't consider the score a very reliable indication of how you're doing so far. the old AAMC exams will give you a good indication of how you're doing, the Kaplan/PR/Examkrackers ones, not so much

nice golden retriever, by the way!

I took two AAMC exams and got the same score on both.

I've worked through all of the exam krackers 101 passages and got the same score on the first and last test in it. I think that there is a practical limit at the 13 range where more practice will not significantly improve the score. Getting a 14 or perfect 15 on test day would be a matter of luck.

 

[LingoLaine]

I'll either get a 12, 13, or (if I'm lucky) a 14 on that section. The 9 on the physical science should improve as a result of the Chem2 and Physics 2 class. Again, I'll just wait and start taking practice tests in May. I should be able to get an 11 there.

I don't really have any study tips for your limited time but just want to caution you about making assumptions. I believe each MCAT test varies quite a bit and I wouldn't assume that a 13 on the verbal section twice now necessarily means you'll get at least a 12 on the actual test, nor that a 9 on the PS now means you'll be able to get an 11 in May. Hopefully you will, I think I would continue taking more practice tests throughout the spring just to make sure your trend continues.

 

[mooshika]

As non-trads, many of us are working full-time to support our family while taking classes, shadowing, and studying for the MCAT. Because of my advanced age, I'm not willing to put off applying for another year. So I've got to fit the MCAT study into the next 4 months. Meanwhile I am taking Physics 2, Chem 2, and Humanities 2.

I just took a practice MCAT and got a 13 VR, and 9,9 for the sciences. So my plan is to ignore the Verbal until after the end of the semester. I'll either get a 12, 13, or (if I'm lucky) a 14 on that section. The 9 on the physical science should improve as a result of the Chem2 and Physics 2 class. Again, I'll just wait and start taking practice tests in May. I should be able to get an 11 there.

My worst problem on the Biological Sciences is the Organic Chem. I'm only missing a few here outside of the Organic Chem questions. I missed all of those questions and still made a 9. So I figure that if I learn enough to get 1/2 or 2/3 of them right, I can improve to a 11. This would give me a final MCAT of between 31-35

The problem is that I only have 6 hours a week for this purpose. I've got the Exam Krackers book, as well as a bunch of old Kaplan stuff and I know how to look things up on Wikipedia.

With my limited time, should I have a different plan?

Honestly, I think it will be hard. I tried to do what you describe (Im an non-trad applicant who was in an accelerated nursing program when I took the MCAT) and did not fair well - I did not do POORLY, but I am pretty smart, and brains only have so much stamina when you overload them and exhaust them. I had to wait another year before applying again, retook the MCAT after studying for three months a taking a prep course and raised my score by 7 points, closer to what I estimated I was able to do initially. It has made ALL the difference. Before, I only got interviews at my state med school, now I am competitive at top tier schools. I have no interest or the money to go to a DO school either.

 

[Emerald84]

Honestly, I think it will be hard. I tried to do what you describe (Im an non-trad applicant who was in an accelerated nursing program when I took the MCAT) and did not fair well - I did not do POORLY, but I am pretty smart, and brains only have so much stamina when you overload them and exhaust them. I had to wait another year before applying again, retook the MCAT after studying for three months a taking a prep course and raised my score by 7 points, closer to what I estimated I was able to do initially. It has made ALL the difference. Before, I only got interviews at my state med school, now I am competitive at top tier schools. I have no interest or the money to go to a DO school either.

If you got interviews at your state school, why did you retake? And if you are looking to Ivy's I see no relevance to your comment about DO schools, it comes across as a little bit arrogant.

 

[NTF]

I can only speak from my own experience, but sometimes I think people overstudy for the MCAT. If you've got a good grasp of the material and you're good at standardized tests I don't think most people need the kind of marathon preparation regiments I've heard about on SDN.

If you're really crunched for time I'd suggest saving up some vacation time and using it for some concentrated preparation near exam time. I took 2 weeks off. Spent 1 week and went through an entire Kaplan review book. I took a TIMED MCAT from eMCAT every day of the next week and based on the results of that test did targeted review and question banks on subjects that gave me trouble.

That's all it took. 2 weeks. Not 1 month. Not 3 months. Not 6 months. And I hadn't taken the pre-reqs in over 10 years. Like I said, it may not be everyone's cup of tea but in my opinion the MCAT is about understanding the structure of the MCAT questions, time-management, and high-yield rapid recall of specific subject topics (any good review book - Kaplan, Examkrackers, Princeton - will tell you what they are). It's about taking enough exam questions so you understand how to cut through to what they want and what info you need to answer it QUICKLY. There is always an easy intuitive way you can arrive at an MCAT answer that doesn't require super detailed knowledge. It's just a matter of developing facility with the question formats.

One thing I find very helpful in the beginning to develop that facility is after your content review to just take one exam untimed and methodically go through question by question. For each question go through why the correct answer is correct and also WHY EACH WRONG ANSWER IS WRONG. Also evaluate in each question the quickest path you could have taken to the correct answer. Start to recognize what parts of the intro of each question are just useless filler. For instance, with mechanism questions you could often arrive at the correct answer w/o recalling the actual mechanism but just a general understanding what the product and reactant characteristics are supposed to be like. There are many times where just looking at the answers you can easily eliminate all the wrong answers w/o even knowing or spending time ironing out what the mechanism actually does. It may take you a whole day to go through one MCAT this methodically, but it'll give a great understanding of how the exam is structured.

I started out the beginning of the week scoring in the high 20s and was consistently scoring in the mid - high 30s by the end of the week. Got a balanced 34.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[yollom]

I'm a partisan of the long term study method, not for any particular reason than it is what I thought would work out best for me. As long as you log enough practice tests to be comfortable with the format, I don't think it matters how you structure your study. I hadn't taken physics or gen chem for about 8 years, so I spent extra time studying those subjects using the examkrackers book and some Kaplan. Bio and Ochem were fresh in my mind so I didn't spend a lot of time on those subjects, and I was consistently getting 12-14 on VR so I just worked to maintain that level.

I took every AAMC test over a period of 2 to 3 months, on Saturday mornings. I would then review the test in depth at some point on monday and do practice passages throughout the week.

I got a balanced 31 on the test, but only ended up scoring a 10 on VR - much to my disappointment. Honestly, based on my practice tests I expected to do better overall, but felt that I got myself to a level where anything less than a 30 was highly improbable.

Looking at a spreadsheet I kept with my scores, I had a 34.8 average with a high of 38 and a low of 30 (my first practice test - AAMC 3).