Mcat in 3 weeks... help! Please.

[1babyt]

I am taking my mcat on August 5th for the first time ever. I am applying to medical school in November. The school I am applying to does not require a lot of the pre-requisites like physics or chemistry or biochemistry..etc. Honestly I have only taken psychology and biology. I have tried studying but I get burned out quickly. I have a huge mcat book from Princeton Review and all the practice tests from the AAMC also an account with Khan Academy. I took a practice test already and got a 479.
I really need help, is three weeks enough time to study and get a good score? Is there even a chance for me or should I try to put all my effort into the last test of the year on September 10th? Lastly should I consider taking a year off to study for the test? How long is enough time for the mcat and how much is too much? What techniques or how did everyone study for the test?
I have no job or school or anything right now so I can devote time to the mcat studying.
I'm not use to studying I pick up on things quickly and do great in school but I never study. Any help is appreciated.

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[MekM]

I am taking my mcat on August 5th for the first time ever. I am applying to medical school in November. The school I am applying to does not require a lot of the pre-requisites like physics or chemistry or biochemistry..etc. Honestly I have only taken psychology and biology. I have tried studying but I get burned out quickly. I have a huge mcat book from Princeton Review and all the practice tests from the AAMC also an account with Khan Academy. I took a practice test already and got a 479.
I really need help, is three weeks enough time to study and get a good score? Is there even a chance for me or should I try to put all my effort into the last test of the year on September 10th? Lastly should I consider taking a year off to study for the test? How long is enough time for the mcat and how much is too much? What techniques or how did everyone study for the test?
I have no job or school or anything right now so I can devote time to the mcat studying.
I'm not use to studying I pick up on things quickly and do great in school but I never study. Any help is appreciated.

Being I have not taken the test yet I don't want to sound experienced but a 479 shows a huge lack of content. One thing is to get enough content in by reviewing all material and then hitting the practice material. 3 weeks may not be enough time in most scenarios probably a good 2 months of content review then practicing would do the trick. Best of luck

 

[sprinter16]

I am taking my mcat on August 5th for the first time ever. I am applying to medical school in November. The school I am applying to does not require a lot of the pre-requisites like physics or chemistry or biochemistry..etc. Honestly I have only taken psychology and biology. I have tried studying but I get burned out quickly. I have a huge mcat book from Princeton Review and all the practice tests from the AAMC also an account with Khan Academy. I took a practice test already and got a 479.
I really need help, is three weeks enough time to study and get a good score? Is there even a chance for me or should I try to put all my effort into the last test of the year on September 10th? Lastly should I consider taking a year off to study for the test? How long is enough time for the mcat and how much is too much? What techniques or how did everyone study for the test?
I have no job or school or anything right now so I can devote time to the mcat studying.
I'm not use to studying I pick up on things quickly and do great in school but I never study. Any help is appreciated.

Like Goro always says, take the mcat when you're ready. DO NOT RUSH THIS. If you're not scoring where you want/need to then you need to postpone the test and apply next year. It's not worth rushing to take the test and end up getting a bad score. The mcat is a beast and you need to make sure you thoroughly review all the content and consistently score high on practice tests.

 

[premedkid1994]

I am taking my mcat on August 5th for the first time ever. I am applying to medical school in November. The school I am applying to does not require a lot of the pre-requisites like physics or chemistry or biochemistry..etc. Honestly I have only taken psychology and biology. I have tried studying but I get burned out quickly. I have a huge mcat book from Princeton Review and all the practice tests from the AAMC also an account with Khan Academy. I took a practice test already and got a 479.
I really need help, is three weeks enough time to study and get a good score? Is there even a chance for me or should I try to put all my effort into the last test of the year on September 10th? Lastly should I consider taking a year off to study for the test? How long is enough time for the mcat and how much is too much? What techniques or how did everyone study for the test?
I have no job or school or anything right now so I can devote time to the mcat studying.
I'm not use to studying I pick up on things quickly and do great in school but I never study. Any help is appreciated.

I don't think you have been studying if you got a 479 on your practice test. 3 weeks is not enough time to raise that to 500+
It's not a race, it's a marathon. Reschedule your test date and treat this exam as a full time job for 4 months and you'll be good to go.

 

[Chromium Surfer]

Just so you know you need to apply by about mid July at the latest. Any later and your application becomes seriously harmed and chances of acceptance become very low. Also you need to be scoring at least 508 to be competitve for MD schools.

 

[1babyt]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am going to study my book more and take more practice tests like crazy and study them. I am going to try for the test and like some of you mentioned if I don't do good then I will take a year and study for it with nothing else. Thank you everyone again.

 

[wizzed101]

Don't. Take it when you are most ready. Just take it once!

I forgot the timeline but if you can't get any refund for cancelling this close, just take the test and void.

 

[GrayArea]

I agree with the rest of the group here. Do NOT take the MCAT if you are not ready. Scoring a 479 is telling you that you need more time to study. I would suggest taking the extra year to figure out a study technique that works for you and dedicating at least 4-6 months of focused studying. At three weeks away from the test date, I do not think you can get a refund. While it sucks to lose that money, just go in and take the most expensive practice test ever and void it after. At least you will get an idea of how it is to take and sit through the real thing, which is WAY different than taking a practice exam at home/library. I was in a similar situation to yours. While it was not ideal, I think it is more wise to void the exam and thoroughly prepare for the MCAT. You will never really be "ready" for the MCAT, but you should at the very least feel confident and comfortable taking it.
Also, November is quite late to apply. Another perk of waiting until next year would be that you could aim at having everything done and ready by the first day applications open. Hope this comment helped. Good Luck!!!

 

[1babyt]

I agree with the rest of the group here. Do NOT take the MCAT if you are not ready. Scoring a 479 is telling you that you need more time to study. I would suggest taking the extra year to figure out a study technique that works for you and dedicating at least 4-6 months of focused studying. At three weeks away from the test date, I do not think you can get a refund. While it sucks to lose that money, just go in and take the most expensive practice test ever and void it after. At least you will get an idea of how it is to take and sit through the real thing, which is WAY different than taking a practice exam at home/library. I was in a similar situation to yours. While it was not ideal, I think it is more wise to void the exam and thoroughly prepare for the MCAT. You will never really be "ready" for the MCAT, but you should at the very least feel confident and comfortable taking it.
Also, November is quite late to apply. Another perk of waiting until next year would be that you could aim at having everything done and ready by the first day applications open. Hope this comment helped. Good Luck!!!

It really did thank you. I appreciate all of the advice and help. I agree I think I should take a year and focus on the mcat and feel comfortable going in.