MCAT in 33 days--Not done with content review?!?

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follehan000

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Help!

I take the MCAT on January 19th. I have been studying since October using TPR book set and supplementing with Khan Academy. This issue is all of the content. Obviously I need a good grasp on it all, but I work quite a bit which makes studying difficult at times. I have decreased my hours so that I can study more, but well wishes don't pay my bills so quitting my job or reducing my hours even more is not an option.The best I was able to do was to use 2/3 of my vacation time next year to have off the whole week leading up to the exam (1/11 - 1/19). To make things even more difficult, I don't want to cancel or reschedule simply because I don't have the money to do that. I already had to borrow money to register the first time.
I have been using the 100 day study schedule, and as of now, I am about half through the content. This means I am about 3 weeks behind. What should I do? Skim sections and slow down for content I know I am weak on? Ditch TPR and go straight to AAMC practice material and bridge my gaps in from there?

In addition, I took a practice exam today to see where I stand. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it still is not where I want it. I'm aiming for 510+

12-17-18
AAMC FL #1:
505
C/P 124
CARS 128
B/B 127
P/S 126


In June (6-3-18) I also took a TPR FL:
493
C/P 119
CARS 123
B/B 124
P/S 127


I am pretty lost with my situation right now so your constructive criticism, tips, advice, etc. is greatly appreciated.

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I would be very careful on taking the MCAT before you are ready and attaining the scores that you desire. Don’t take it until you are ready. Delaying the MCAT can be a 1000$ mistake, taking it before you’re ready can impede your applications and potentially cost you a lot more.
 
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MCATKINGS said:
Try a 2 chapter a day quick glance (no videos, take too long) at this point, you can bridge your gaps with practicing questions --> learning from them. Spread out your practice tests/questions with the days you have left yet.

Do not feel helpless in your situation. Financially the MCAT can be VERY tough so don't let that get to you. You already have a high CARS/BB/PS score - so just work on your strengths, and try to fill in your weaknesses even more with practice. With your current FL score + your goal - it would be safe to move on to your practice stage and curb a bit of the content review if necessary.

Good call on reducing your hours - but not quitting based on your financial situation. Totally need to pay your bills - and there are many more that come in the premed/medical school application journey after the MCAT!

Hope this helps.
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I have 2 TPR FL tests and 1 AAMC FL left. What do you think about using the free Next Step FLs? I hear the scores are inflated a bit, but I was thinking of using them to practice questions and format of the test as well as stamina.
 
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I would sign up for uworld free trial and do all of their problems with explanations in parallel to taking practice tests. Going through their explanations serves as content review.

See where you stand.
 
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ChiDr said:
I would sign up for uworld free trial and do all of their problems with explanations in parallel to taking practice tests. Going through their explanations serves as content review.

See where you stand.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I will use this as I get closer to the exam though when I have more time away from work. It's only 15 days free and I want to be able to use as much of it as I can rather than 1.5-2 hours a day.
 
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TheRealCookieMonster said:
I would take the next AAMC FL in the first week of Jan and if you're not near 510, DON'T take the test. In the mean time like ChiDr said, just do practice Q's and tests.

Content review is a waste of time!
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Everyone who wants to do well on the MCAT needs to read this. Skim through the content review books quickly just so you can at least see everything once. Then just hammer practice questions and tests.
 
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Kawi347 said:
Everyone who wants to do well on the MCAT needs to read this. Skim through the content review books quickly just so you can at least see everything once. Then just hammer practice questions and tests.
Click to expand...
Do y'all think mcat-review.org is a pretty good resource for cut and dry, explanation free content review?
 
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samualjhatfield said:
Do y'all think mcat-review.org is a pretty good resource for cut and dry, explanation free content review?
Click to expand...

You have to understand, you can’t just memorize.

But it goes over the most common topics in a very high level overview.
 
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OP, only you know if you are "ready" when the time comes for your test date. Personally, I would recommend pushing the date later that way you can have an extended time to study.

Just looking at your test scores and section scores, I would recommend looking at the 300 page P/S document. I raised my subsection score from 124 on FL1 at 1 month before my test date to 129 on the actual test just by actively reading that document. For the C/P section just memorize all the equations and their units..it was really just dimensional analysis IMO (scored 130 by doing that). Good luck studying!
 
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samualjhatfield said:
I am confused as to how content review will lower MCAT score?
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Well I'm assuming you have limited time to spend on your MCAT right?
There is a formula for this...

A Rate of questions answered&reviewed * total study time = number of Qs answered&reviewed ∝ MCAT score

B Rate of questions answered&reviewed * (total study time - time for dedicated content review) = number of Qs answered&reviewed ∝ MCAT score

MCAT score A > B
 
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fruitloops24 said:
OP, only you know if you are "ready" when the time comes for your test date. Personally, I would recommend pushing the date later that way you can have an extended time to study.

Just looking at your test scores and section scores, I would recommend looking at the 300 page P/S document. I raised my subsection score from 124 on FL1 at 1 month before my test date to 129 on the actual test just by actively reading that document. For the C/P section just memorize all the equations and their units..it was really just dimensional analysis IMO (scored 130 by doing that). Good luck studying!
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Where can I find this 300 page P/S document?

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If you are taking the test in a few weeks, doing questions and reviewing material on the questions you miss may be more valuable than doing only content review. I think that was the point the other member was getting at.

People see greater increases after they do questions.

You are in a tough position, you have limited time because of work and amount of time left, you are not scoring near your target, and you want to maximize your time and value.

You may be better suited to reschedule and take a couple extra months. You have the time.

However, like a member stated, only you know if you feel comfortable to take it. It is your choice. You shouldn’t take it just to take it. You should feel prepared and confident going into the test.

Good luck.
 
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ChiDr said:
If you are taking the test in a few weeks, doing questions and reviewing material on the questions you miss may be more valuable than doing only content review. I think that was the point the other member was getting at.

People see greater increases after they do questions.

You are in a tough position, you have limited time because of work and amount of time left, you are not scoring near your target, and you want to maximize your time and value.

You may be better suited to reschedule and take a couple extra months. You have the time.

However, like a member stated, only you know if you feel comfortable to take it. It is your choice. You shouldn’t take it just to take it. You should feel prepared and confident going into the test.

Good luck.
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I was trying to take the MCAT in January here so that I could apply to SMPs for fall. I just feel like I should do everything I can to make myself a better candidate for med schools, but obviously the MCAT is a good way to do that too. It comes down to a toss-up now it seems. I wanted to do the SMP to improve GPA and prove that I can handle the stress of med school. To apply to a SMP, you need an MCAT score. If I do well enough on the MCAT, do I even need a SMP? The answer can never be clear-cut, can it? :drowning:
 
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follehan000 said:
I was trying to take the MCAT in January here so that I could apply to SMPs for fall. I just feel like I should do everything I can to make myself a better candidate for med schools, but obviously the MCAT is a good way to do that too. It comes down to a toss-up now it seems. I wanted to do the SMP to improve GPA and prove that I can handle the stress of med school. To apply to a SMP, you need an MCAT score. If I do well enough on the MCAT, do I even need a SMP? The answer can never be clear-cut, can it? :drowning:
Click to expand...

You should post your stats in the main forum section under “what are my chances”. You should outline all activities, GPAs as calculated by the sheet that is on this site, however it’s sort of pointless if you don’t have an MCAT score yet.

Medical school apps consist of MCAT, GPA, Extra curr, clinical exposure, shadowing, volunteer/community work, professional exp (if any), etc. you should do some quick research on all of this before you apply.

You need to do well on the MCAT to get into a SMP and even better to get into medical school.

Align yourself to do well on the first test you take. It’s a beast and no one wants to take it twice.

I don’t know much about SMPs tho. However, you should take the test when you feel prepared and confident that you could get your realistic target score.
 
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ChiDr said:
You should post your stats in the main forum section under “what are my chances”. You should outline all activities, GPAs as calculated by the sheet that is on this site, however it’s sort of pointless if you don’t have an MCAT score yet.

Medical school apps consist of MCAT, GPA, Extra curr, clinical exposure, shadowing, volunteer/community work, professional exp (if any), etc. you should do some quick research on all of this before you apply.

You need to do well on the MCAT to get into a SMP and even better to get into medical school.

Align yourself to do well on the first test you take. It’s a beast and no one wants to take it twice.

I don’t know much about SMPs tho. However, you should take the test when you feel prepared and confident that you could get your realistic target score.
Click to expand...


Well, here is my WAMC post.
MD & DO - What are my chances? *Feeling hopeless/overwhelmed*
 
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