Looking back what would you do differently for preparing for the MCAT

[PreMedStudent55555]

---

Members do not see this ad.

With the new year coming in and as many of us begin preparing for our MCATs, I think it'd be a good idea to write this thread. Recently, I've heard a friend tell me that they regretted not taking all of their pre-reqs before taking the MCAT and if they could do it again they would've taken the MCAT later after taking all of their pre-reqs rather than try to self-learn the pre-reqs. Therefore, I'm posting this topic because I think it will be a good idea for future MCAT takers to possibly learn from the mistakes that past MCAT takers wish they avoided if they could've or lessons that past MCAT takers learned and would be willing to share with us future MCAT takers. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Note: I posted this thread in the MCAT Discussions Forum two weeks ago but got no responses so I'm going to repost here for more luck.

 

[roaringunicorn]

study with someone smarter than yourself

 

[greenturtle22]

Do more full-length practice tests! And focus on the AAMC's practice materials.

 

[Papa Oso]

Personally, I wished I did more practice exams. I focused wayyyy to much on content review. Also personally, having done all of my pre reqs before hand didn't really help me. More so, the fact that I studied it after graduating and cutting back on work over 6 months was one of the major reasons why I felt I did as well as I had (only a 504 but barely enough for what my goals are). W.e you do, don't take the MCAT when you are busy with school and life and thus be unable to put the necessary attention to the exam. If you can, great, but this is the most common pitfall I see premeds usually do. People usually do this with the notion that you have to go to med school straight after graduation. News flash: you don't. As a matter of fact, just taking the time to do a gap year in itself strengthens your application.

 

[bananafish94]

they regretted not taking all of their pre-reqs before taking the MCAT and if they could do it again they would've taken the MCAT later after taking all of their pre-reqs rather than try to self-learn the pre-reqs.

This x1000.

I've told this story before...I took the MCAT during Physics II. The only thing I felt weak on were those convex/concave lens and mirror problems where you have to trace the beam all over the place. I told myself that as long as there wasn't a seven-question passage on that I would be fine.

That was the first passage on the exam.

 

[Papa Oso]

This x1000.

I've told this story before...I took the MCAT during Physics II. The only thing I felt weak on were those convex/concave lens and mirror problems where you have to trace the beam all over the place. I told myself that as long as there wasn't a seven-question passage on that I would be fine.

That was the first passage on the exam.

Murphy's Law is strong with this one.

 

[greenturtle22]

This x1000.

I've told this story before...I took the MCAT during Physics II. The only thing I felt weak on were those convex/concave lens and mirror problems where you have to trace the beam all over the place. I told myself that as long as there wasn't a seven-question passage on that I would be fine.

That was the first passage on the exam.

This story gave me horrifying MCAT flashbacks lol... for me it was fluid dynamics

 

[bananafish94]

Murphy's Law is strong with this one.

I distinctly remember walking into the bathroom after the physical sciences test and looking at my defeated face in the mirror, just thinking, "Well, we had a good run."

 

[tessellations]

This x1000.

I've told this story before...I took the MCAT during Physics II. The only thing I felt weak on were those convex/concave lens and mirror problems where you have to trace the beam all over the place. I told myself that as long as there wasn't a seven-question passage on that I would be fine.

That was the first passage on the exam.

This actually sounds like my worst nightmare. Of all the concepts I've learned in my prereq classes, that topic was the one I understood the least. I'd be so pissed if I got this passage, hahaha.

 

[Papa Oso]

I distinctly remember walking into the bathroom after the physical sciences test and looking at my defeated face in the mirror, just thinking, "Well, we had a good run."

You have a hell of a lot of resilience my friend! More than most! It's remembering moments like these that are gonna get us through Med school when the going gets rough (and it will lol).

 

[bananafish94]

You have a hell of a lot of resilience my friend! More than most! It's remembering moments like these that are gonna get us through Med school when the going gets rough (and it will lol).

Haha I'm in medical school now. It does indeed get rough. Much like puberty, I'm sure it will get a lot worse before it gets better.

 

[SwordOfTheMorning]

I wished I would have originally took it when I was really ready, not rushed and not have ignored my low practice scores. Getting low scores on full lengths and then getting an oddball 30 when you've been averaging several points lower doesn't mean you're ready!

Nothing is worse than taking the MCAT twice -- unless you take it three or more times, then yeah that's worse lol. So don't let that happen to you.

 

[Frogger27]

I'd try to understand my mistakes on practice problems better/spend more time going over tests. I used the quantity > quality approach with practice problems and I think I could have had a better balance

 

[ciestar]

More FLs. I really feel like I didn't do enough of them. But more importantly, more practice passages for VR. I had two books (EK and TPRH) and maybe got through a quarter of the passages, and go figure, VR was my worst section. (I took the old MCAT)

 

[zurc2014]

I distinctly remember walking into the bathroom after the physical sciences test and looking at my defeated face in the mirror, just thinking, "Well, we had a good run."

lol Yes sir. During my exam (CARS section), I was midway thru that long ass passage when the woman taps me on the shoulder and says "we need to take your fingerprint again, it didn't register." I was pissed lol. We cant pause that damn test. After leaving to fingerprint and photo again, I ran back to my seat sweating and flustered. I read so fast I skipped full sentences. During my break I did the same thing in the restroom..."Welp, you did your best but you surely burned on that section." Seriously started thinking about the newest DO schools and Caribbean schools during that break...

 

[ciestar]

lol Yes sir. During my exam (CARS section), I was midway thru that long ass passage when the woman taps me on the shoulder and says "we need to take your fingerprint again, it didn't register." I was pissed lol. We cant pause that damn test. After leaving to fingerprint and photo again, I ran back to my seat sweating and flustered. I read so fast I skipped full sentences. During my break I did the same thing in the restroom..."Welp, you did your best but you surely burned on that section." Seriously started thinking about the newest DO schools and Caribbean schools during that break...

OMG. I'd be fuming.

 

[libertyyne]

I would study more for the physics/ chem section.

 

[bananafish94]

lol Yes sir. During my exam (CARS section), I was midway thru that long ass passage when the woman taps me on the shoulder and says "we need to take your fingerprint again, it didn't register." I was pissed lol. We cant pause that damn test. After leaving to fingerprint and photo again, I ran back to my seat sweating and flustered. I read so fast I skipped full sentences. During my break I did the same thing in the restroom..."Welp, you did your best but you surely burned on that section." Seriously started thinking about the newest DO schools and Caribbean schools during that break...

I'm no expert, but that sounds like something that you might consider reporting to the good folks at the AAMC...of course, if you did well then it doesn't matter!

 

[Lucca]

More practice tests.

 

[stickgirl390]

I'd spend more time reviewing full lengths. I would take a practice test, see the score, and just file that information and move on to the next test. I now realize how fundamentally terrible that mentality is! Scored 505 on my first MCAT, preparing for a potential retake this spring.

 

[Papa Oso]

Don't neglect preparing for CARS

THIS +1000! I barely prepared for this part. Focusing way too much into PS (because I thought I didn't have to, got a literal perfect reading score on my ACT back in high school) and my CARS score ended up being my lowest subsection.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I would have actually done more content review, on top of the practice tests I did. I ended up doing fairly well but there are some questions that I still remember and know that I missed simply because I didn't study that topic enough. I could have added a few points to my score if I would have spent even 10 more hours on content review.

Just to note, don't neglect to study for any section. If you slack on a section then that stuff will surely come back to bite you. I have multiple friends who didn't study for CARS and their scores got wrecked.

 

[zurc2014]

I'm no expert, but that sounds like something that you might consider reporting to the good folks at the AAMC...of course, if you did well then it doesn't matter!

Thought about it but at the end of the day, I figured I would be applying no matter what. They screwed me out of a point or two but luckily it all worked out 🙂

 

[Funny_Current]

I wish I would not have re-done my verbal reasoning practice exams (even though my attempts were months apart). Ended up with an infalted average and didn't do nearly as well on the actual exam.

 

[freak7]

Going against the grain here:

I wish I didn't stress as much towards the end. I never really thought I was adequately prepared due to my UG's difficulty/grading system torching my self-confidence but I was.

Best advice I could give my past self: be literal and correctly answer the question that is asked.

 

[Danny L]

A lot of people are saying do more FLs, but where do you get them (especially ones that are similar to the actual test)? I know AAMC has 2 you have to pay for, Kaplan has a free diagnostic. I'm not 100% sure about these but EK/TPR has some in their book? Anything else?

 

[stickgirl390]

A lot of people are saying do more FLs, but where do you get them (especially ones that are similar to the actual test)? I know AAMC has 2 you have to pay for, Kaplan has a free diagnostic. I'm not 100% sure about these but EK/TPR has some in their book? Anything else?

I used Next Step Prep. My practice scores were all within 2 points of what I ended up getting.

 

[TRPMinus]

After I got my score, I immediately wished I would have studied less haha.

 

[Pablo94]

Practice exams!

 

[pseud0]

I would not cram as many practice exams as i did into the last 3 weeks. My last 3 weeks before the mcat were absolute hell because I was procrastinating for months instead of just doing it...and it had a definitive negative impact on my score.

 

[787593]

study with someone smarter than yourself

Not always a good idea. The other person may tend to focus on his/her weak spots instead of those of the study partner.

 

[787593]

Do more full-length practice tests! And focus on the AAMC's practice materials.

I agree!

 

[787593]

With the new year coming in and as many of us begin preparing for our MCATs, I think it'd be a good idea to write this thread. Recently, I've heard a friend tell me that they regretted not taking all of their pre-reqs before taking the MCAT and if they could do it again they would've taken the MCAT later after taking all of their pre-reqs rather than try to self-learn the pre-reqs. Therefore, I'm posting this topic because I think it will be a good idea for future MCAT takers to possibly learn from the mistakes that past MCAT takers wish they avoided if they could've or lessons that past MCAT takers learned and would be willing to share with us future MCAT takers. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Note: I posted this thread in the MCAT Discussions Forum two weeks ago but got no responses so I'm going to repost here for more luck.

Take 20 practice exams

Study/practice CARS and strategy (my lowest section)

Study more chem/phys (don't assume you know it, do practice problems)

 

[Danny L]

I agree!

What's an ideal target number to hit? Also what do people mean by AAMC's practice materials? Like their FLs or is there something else?

 

[freak7]

What's an ideal target number to hit?

(This is arbitrary and totally just my opinion) but I feel like 510+ is a good target.

 

[787593]

What's an ideal target number to hit? Also what do people mean by AAMC's practice materials? Like their FLs or is there something else?

AAMC has practice question packs and practice full length exams. Do them all as they will more closely predict your mcat readiness.

 

[BombsAway]

following

 

[MareNostrummm]

Get a tutor for CARS if you can't score well on it during practice tests.

 

[Danny L]

(This is arbitrary and totally just my opinion) but I feel like 510+ is a good target.

Sorry I meant number of practice exams (in response to people wishing they did more practice exams)

AAMC has practice question packs and practice full length exams. Do them all as they will more closely predict your mcat readiness.

oh ok thanks! Would you recommend getting the whole package or just the question packs+2FL+ what looks to be another FL they call a sample exam?

Also do you know if you can share the exams? Ie if you buy it and take the practice exam can you take it again or does it save your answers/only let you take it once?

 

[ciestar]

What's an ideal target number to hit? Also what do people mean by AAMC's practice materials? Like their FLs or is there something else?

I was referring to FLs. I took the old MCAT so I don't know what they offer now but I could access them after taking them. As far as ideal number, probably as many as possible? Especially AAMC FLs, I only got through a few of them before I took it but my major shortcomings were in verbal.

 

[787593]

oh ok thanks! Would you recommend getting the whole package or just the question packs+2FL+ what looks to be another FL they call a sample exam?

Also do you know if you can share the exams? Ie if you buy it and take the practice exam can you take it again or does it save your answers/only let you take it once?

Get as many practice problems as you can.
I am not aware of any way to share exams, sorry :/

 

[ChrisMack390]

I would have done less pure content studying and a lot more practice passages and tests.

 

[ChrisMack390]

Also do you know if you can share the exams? Ie if you buy it and take the practice exam can you take it again or does it save your answers/only let you take it once?

Get as many practice problems as you can.
I am not aware of any way to share exams, sorry :/

You can take the Kaplan ones repeatedly, though I think thats a waste of time.

 

[Domepiece]

More practice problems than content review. Target content review via deficits identified on practice tests and don't spend time on stuff you already know just to make yourself feel good.

Adhere strictly to taking practice tests in testing conditions. It is incredibly easy to google that one answer that you "pretty much know" while self-administering tests. It's also easy to choose the non-time limited option. Replicating test taking conditions from the first test would be something I would emphasize.

On top of everything, I would 1) always use the process of elimination, as it is easier to determine what answers cannot be right according to the test style (ex. strike the 'always' and 'never' options 99% of the time) and 2) walk into the test confident that your performance will reflect your capabilities, as that is the mentality that will keep you going when you encounter esoteric passages that you know you just have to guess on. Make that guess and keep moving forward, don't get flustered and let one question/passage derail your months of preparation.

Also, I followed this Word template of the AAMC MCAT Outline which kept me on track and allowed me to identify gaps in my knowledge. Would recommend.

 

[787593]

More practice problems than content review. Target content review via deficits identified on practice tests and don't spend time on stuff you already know just to make yourself feel good.

Adhere strictly to taking practice tests in testing conditions. It is incredibly easy to google that one answer that you "pretty much know" while self-administering tests. It's also easy to choose the non-time limited option. Replicating test taking conditions from the first test would be something I would emphasize.

On top of everything, I would 1) always use the process of elimination, as it is easier to determine what answers cannot be right according to the test style (ex. strike the 'always' and 'never' options 99% of the time) and 2) walk into the test confident that your performance will reflect your capabilities, as that is the mentality that will keep you going when you encounter esoteric passages that you know you just have to guess on. Make that guess and keep moving forward, don't get flustered and let one question/passage derail your months of preparation.

Also, I followed this Word template of the AAMC MCAT Outline which kept me on track and allowed me to identify gaps in my knowledge. Would recommend.

Absolutely agree. It's hardly worth taking an exam if you don't practice timing and strategy.

 

[hubbsbubbs]

More practice, less content review