Mcat/gre?

[minitwinkie]

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I'm planning on applying to a number of Post-Bacc, SMP, regular Masters, ANYTHING that has the words "enhance credentials" or "demonstrate ability" in them.

Sooo, some only take the MCAT, some only take the GRE, so I'll probably take both... [should I shoot myself right now?]

but I haven't been able to prepare for either yet. I've been busybusybusy. I plan on starting to prepare this august when I get the Kaplan MCAT book for my birthday (LOL.. isn't that sad?)

SO... when should I take the MCAT? I'm thinking if I really rush through it or if I take an online course through Kaplan, I could be prepared by January. I'm pretty sure I haven't forgotten stuff, I just need to revive it from the back of my head. Mostly I'm worried about math and physics because those never made much sense to me.

Thoughts? Thanks!!! 🙂

 

[bds03]

I would only take the GRE if you will not have the MCAT taken in time to apply (April would probably be the latest) - not that the GRE is very tough, but it seems unnecessary to do both. The types of programs you are going to be looking at to enhance your credentials will most likely be classified into two types: 1) Only accept the MCAT or 2) accept the GRE in lieu of the MCAT.

In my personal experience, I didn't have any problem using the GRE instead of the MCAT so I wouldn't rush yourself to take the MCAT if you think it is going to affect your MCAT score. There is no sense in having a low MCAT score on your score report if you can avoid it, in my opinion. It does limit you from the MCAT-only programs though and I feel as though some schools prefer the MCAT so if you can take the MCAT then I would do that. Also, if you do well on the MCAT, then that will be one less thing to worry about while you are taking classes in your program! Good luck!

 

[RoadRunner17]

GRE is not difficult. You can prepare for the math component in a matter of days. While the verbal component is somewhat hard to prepare for due to the vocabulary-building you need to do, you can make your own flashcards to learn the high-level words that the GRE might test you on. You can get a rather comprehensive list of words from Barrons' GRE book. It took me two weeks of studying and I got a 800M, 760V and 5.5W. It depends strongly on how good a test-taker you are, though so review Kaplan's strategies (I think they are better, compared to Princeton Review's). Give yourself a little more time than I did.

I wouldn't take the MCAT right away just to be able to apply to these programs. You should take the MCAT on your own time table with regards to applications. That's what I think anyway. I know some programs require the MCAT but no one post-bac/SMP program is worth rushing to take the MCAT early IMO.

I'd call them and ask if they accept GRE scores. If they still want the MCAT score, then by all means take it as long as you aren't rushing to take it.

 

[yogreen]

I agree, don't rush to take the MCATs in January if you don't feel adequately prepared, I took the MCAT late April and received my score late May so I was worried that I wouldn't get into the postbacs applying so late, but to my surprise, I had no trouble with acceptances....if I were you, I wouldn't waste time studying for GREs and postponing the MCATs, focus your time and energy into studying for the MCATs so you don't have to later 🙂