MCAT Advice

[yeehaw10]

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Hello,

I am a senior studying for the MCAT since September. So far, I have taken about six tests: 2 AAMC and the rest Jack Westin, Blueprint, etc. My scores have been increasing, but I have not passed a 500. My test is on January 9th, and my UWorld prescription ends on December 5th. I have a plan of buying AAMC material, the question banks, and exams, so I can try to reach a 510 by the time the MCAT comes around. My GPA right now isn't outstanding; it's 3.645, and I am not confident it will reach 3.7 by the time I graduate. I want to get into an MD program. I wouldn't like to reschedule my test in January and try to knock it out in one go. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can study? Should I continue studying UWorld until test day, or should I focus only on AAMC? I am also feeling a little nervous and hopeless.

 

[ByEmi]

Hi,
Chase a score and not a test date. I'd advise you not to take the real exam if you are not breaking a 500 at least 3 to 4 times. You have roughly a month to take the exam. You don't have to take it if you are not ready. You can apply for FAP to get the AAMC complete materials and start from the start to finish. JW has 6 FL, do all 6. Kaplan has 1 free, Blueprint has 1 free, Princeton has 1 free. Do all these tests before you start the Golden Fish (AAMC). Complete all AAMC sessions. Don't stop reviewing. For each full length, you are spending double the time (first 7.5 hours for the exam and the other 7.5 hours for review). Make sure to review all questions, including the ones you got right. Your GPA is good. You can continue doing UWorld as well till the end date. If by December 30, you are not scoring 500+, please reschedule and give yourself more time.



Good luck, you got this!!

 

[yeehaw10]

Thank you so much for the advice! I have a few more questions. When's the latest I should start my AAMC material to see the biggest jump in my score? Should I renew my UWorld subscription and keep doing UWorld until my test date?

 

[doc_J61]

Thank you so much for the advice! I have a few more questions. When's the latest I should start my AAMC material to see the biggest jump in my score? Should I renew my UWorld subscription and keep doing UWorld until my test date?

You don't want to overdo it. Since you've already been studying for ~3 months, plan on another month or so and start doing AAMC exams NOW.

Yes, keep doing practice questions. Kaplan tends to have a better QBank, but that's just been my experience. YMMV.
Since the new MCAT is scaled in such a strict way, 500 vs. 510 will make a big difference--you're right. So go over your study skills, schedule study time somehow (a planner works), and if you're still struggling, seek guidance at college. Your school should have an academic skills center or something with pre-med advising. Pre-med advisors can be hit or miss, but it's still better than nothing.

Wish you the best of luck with this. <3