MCAT burnout or neurosis?

[khrisskhoras]

I've been studying since september 2012 for my test on may 18th (I originally had march 23rd as my date, but pushed it back since I enrolled in a course). I've taken a couple of AAMCs (3,4,5) and averaged ~31 on them. However, each time I panicked and when I tried to do AAMC 7 I freaked out and quit the test. I end up overthinking easy questions, misreading passages and just plain not focusing.

This has happened almost every time now and I don't know if im just burned out or being too stressed. I cant seem to consistently study because I am working on my thesis project, volunteering at a hospital and working as a TA. Im thinking of just taking time off, but with my test coming up so soon idk what to do! If anyone has any suggestions, please tell me. I might just take the test and void the score and take 2 months off of anything MCAT. Im really exhausted...🙁

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[TheShaker]

I don't remember the term for this but could it be that thing where otherwise good athletes have something bad happen to them and suddenly they psyche themselves out and just can't seem to stop screwing up? It could be that.

Really though, the tests are designed to make you feel pressured and hopeless. Just wire it into your brain, the score tends to come out the same way, no matter how you feel. As long as you do your best and push through, you will likely get around your average.

 

[Snowdon48]

Relax. Your practice tests are a good indicator that you will do well. Even if you psyched yourself out on one. Keep studying, take a week or two off before the real thing to refuel and then just take it. Don't void the score unless something drastic happens like you don't finish a third of a section. You will find countless stories of people who almost voided and ended up doing quite well. Good luck!

 

[angldrps]

I've been studying since september 2012 for my test on may 18th (I originally had march 23rd as my date, but pushed it back since I enrolled in a course). I've taken a couple of AAMCs (3,4,5) and averaged ~31 on them. However, each time I panicked and when I tried to do AAMC 7 I freaked out and quit the test. I end up overthinking easy questions, misreading passages and just plain not focusing.

This has happened almost every time now and I don't know if im just burned out or being too stressed. I cant seem to consistently study because I am working on my thesis project, volunteering at a hospital and working as a TA. Im thinking of just taking time off, but with my test coming up so soon idk what to do! If anyone has any suggestions, please tell me. I might just take the test and void the score and take 2 months off of anything MCAT. Im really exhausted...🙁

When I was studying for my retake, this happened to me several times. There was just so much pressure on me to do well that whenever I would started taking a FL exam, especially the AAMCs, I would end up panicking (heart racing, over think everything, frantically look at timer frequently). The only thing that helped me was to expose myself to as much practice material as possible. In the beginning, I would even pause in the middle of a section on the FL exam to control my emotions/give myself a pep talk and then I would resume taking the exam when my nerves had calm down. With repeated exposure to FL exams and scoring in my desired range, I was no longer panicking which allowed me to take the remaining FL exams without needing to pause.
You said you panicked while taking AAMC 3,4,5 but you still managed to average >30, which I would take as a positive sign. If you are freaking out badly enough then maybe try taking the next FL exam untimed to take away the pressure. Hopefully, you will score in your desired range and can use this as a confirmation that you are on track to do well hence there is no need to freak out. I would even suggest putting a hold on volunteering until you are done with the stress of MCAT. In my opinion, out of all the AAMCs, only the last two are the best representation of the real deal. Take AAMC 10, 11 while simulating test day conditions as closely as possible and if you score within your desired range, then go take the MCAT feeling confident that you can do well. Good Luck!

 

[angldrps]

Dude I dont wanna freak you out, but take AAMC 11, it is the only test that represents how the mcat is today. 3,4,5 are too easy! I had an average score of 27 on those three test before I took my last MCAT and ended up scoring a 19 on the real thing.

😱 While I agree that AAMC 3,4,5 are way too easy, scoring a 19 while your average was 27 means you either had really bad luck on test day or you just took the test way before you were fully prepared.

 

[Snowdon48]

Dude I dont wanna freak you out, but take AAMC 11, it is the only test that represents how the mcat is today. 3,4,5 are too easy! I had an average score of 27 on those three test before I took my last MCAT and ended up scoring a 19 on the real thing.

Ouch. Don't let this freak you out OP. This kind of difference is unusual

 

[plee]

Try taking a rest day where you have nothing to do with MCAT. Remind yourself that you need this break, and don't think about MCAT at all. If you feel guilty for taking the day off, you aren't truly resting and still have the stress lurking around. Just take that day of break, and then go hard for the last few weeks. Just think that you worked too damn hard to give up now.
Remember that there is no ideal time or a perfect opportunity to say "Ok, this is the time". Just do it.

 

[sinombre]

For what it's worth, I didn't notice a significant difference in difficulty between any of the AAMC practice tests. I thought the real thing was actually easier, but ended up scoring around my average.

 

[coffeesnob]

Definitely a burnout. Manage stress and take the MCAT when you are ready.