MCAT - how much did you study for it?

[On_The_Way_Up]

---

Members do not see this ad.

How many months did you study for the MCAT?

How many hours a week did you study?

What study materials did you use?

Did you enroll in a class?

How long did it take for you to get your score back after you took it?

I will be taking it spring of 2018. So if I take it in April of that year would it be ok if I take Biochemistry, Microbiology, or molecular cell biology that semester right before I take it?

 

[efle]

You should check out this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/509-mcat-study-habits.1143569/

And/or the older version:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/30-mcat-study-habits-the-cbt-version.503250/

You can check exactly how long the score delays are online on the AAMC site

Yes, it's actually beneficial to take something like Biochem leading right up to the exam, rather than forgetting a bunch of it. My opinion however is that the best approach is to study in summer instead of during a packed semester.

 

[beammeupscotty]

you have 2 years before taking it, calm down and do not be too stressed. By then, you might even find medicine isn't what you want to do. To answer your questions: takes a month to get scores back, I took a class to keep me in check to actually study, biochem/ physiology/ microbio/ some lab procedure knowledge is certainly helpful, I overdid it and studied almost eight hours a day reading and doing practice problems - the course was three months. Find what works for you. Take lots of practice questions to ascertain your strength and weakness within the four sections.

 

[Dagrimsta1]

The MCAT is less a science aptitude test than a critical thinking exam. I studied for 2 months the first time alongside taking histology and biochem. I got a 497. I retook it this year and got a 507. I studied for 2 months again w.o interruptions or classes. I recommend using all of AAMCs materials. I used all of them as well as six next step exams. For content review I used exam crackers, Princeton for psych, Kaplan for biochem, and I supplemented with khan Academy. CARS was is my weakest section with a 124. 126 im psych, 128 in chem/phys, 129 in B/Bc

 

[kb1900]

You study until you can take the AAMC practice tests and score within 2-3 points of your target range.

Taken it under any other circumstances means shooting yourself in the foot considering the stakes of the exam and the fact that medical schools aren't disappearing
-----
For me this was 2 weeks of content review (I found this pointless since I did well in my prereq classes) and doing 12+ practice tests over the course of a month.

Last two practice tests I took were the AAMC ones and I got within my ideal score range. That was the only time I really thought I was ready and had studied enough

 

[beammeupscotty]

You study until you can take the AAMC practice tests and score within 2-3 points of your target range.

Taken it under any other circumstances means shooting yourself in the foot considering the stakes of the exam and the fact that medical schools aren't disappearing
-----
For me this was 2 weeks of content review (I found this pointless since I did well in my prereq classes) and doing 12+ practice tests over the course of a month.

Last two practice tests I took were the AAMC ones and I got within my ideal score range. That was the only time I really thought I was ready and had studied enough

The first time I took it, i just did content review with TPR and their practice exams. I scored over 500 but was not satisfied. I retook it and basically followed this approach during the winter break: reviewed all TPR notes for 2 weeks and used only AAMC practice exams. I saved the newer graded AAMC practice exam for last to get a pretty good measurement of where I was at and by golly was it accurate.

 

[libertyyne]

1) Go to the mcat forum.
2) Become obsessed with MCAT.
3)Follow guides written for this purpose in step 1.
4) Do a quick once over for material using a prep book.
5) Take practice exam under timed conditions.
6) Review practice exam study mistakes made and content pertinent.
7) Repeat steps 5 - 7 with new practice exams until exam date or score consistently in the 515+ range.

 

[libertyyne]

Also remain organized.

 

[medic0114]

1. I would suggest studying between 8-12 weeks (i did 10)
2. use a prep program that reviews content and has practice problems. I studied about 3-5 hours a day for 5-6 days a week x 10 weeks
3. take 1 full-length MCAT every week for approx 8-10 weeks, and review the problems you got wrong and more importantly review the thought process that caused you to choose the wrong answer

 

[Dagrimsta1]

Also remain organized.View attachment 209579

word

 

[libertyyne]

word

I will say it was quite satisfying moving a post it note after completing it.But I didn't get to incorporate drugs so you have that going.

 

[Dagrimsta1]

I will say it was quite satisfying moving a post it note after completing it.But I didn't get to incorporate drugs so you have that going.

LOL highly recommended post exam.

 

[lllooo]

The MCAT Steps:

Step 1: gather materials

Step 2: Buy new lock for bedroom door

Step 3: Have mom/brother/friend lock you in bedroom

Step 4: Study

Step 5: Cry

Step 6: Take MCAT