MCAT January 2015

[Grad_2011]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm taking the MCAT in early January 2015. I've been studying since August, and went part time (3 8-hour days a week) in September to be able to focus on it better. I've already taken it twice, and didn't score very well. However, I believe my first test was in 2011, so I think that score should drop by next year? I plan to take my first practice test next week, and I'm currently trying to get through O chem and Gen chem by the end of the month. Haven't started reviewing for VR yet. I really want to get into a DO school. Any suggestions for the remainder of my study time? On my days off, I have been studying an average of 6 hours per day. I plan to be in freak out mode the last month. Oh, and I live with my fiancé, who sometimes helps me review.

 

[AwayFromReality]

I personally don't like taking a full-length before all the content review is done. As you probably already know full lengths are pretty valuable since you have to pay for them and once you do them then re doing them is not really that helpful. So if you do one before doing full content review, your score might not be accurate because you could have missed questions simply because you never practiced that concept. Therefore finish all your content review first and then do all the full length. My schedule has the month before my mcat fully dedicated to doing full length, reviewing the full length and then going over some of the high yield concepts for a second time. So I would suggest finish your Ochem and Gen Chem review by the end of november (or at least a month before your test date). Then do a full length every two days (reviewing the full length and going over old concepts for a second time within those two days).

As for verbal, there really isn't any concept you can review. The only way to prepare for verbal is to do as many passages as you can before the exam and then carefully review every answer. Make sure you review both correct and wrong answers so you know if you got a question right for the right reasons. Try to do 3 verbal passages a day, even on full length and review days

Also I assume you are not studying on the days you work your 8 hour shift. In that case 6 hours of studying on your day off is probably not enough. So I would suggest, if you can, spend a little more than 8 hours studying on your off day to make up for the 3 times a week you are not able to study. I would also recommend to take the month before your exam off from your employer. Like you said, the month before you really have to buckle down and focus so having those extra 3 days a week will be a tremendous help. This option might not be realistic though since a lot of employers probably don't want to lose an employee for a whole month. No harm in asking your boss though.

 

[Grad_2011]

I personally don't like taking a full-length before all the content review is done. As you probably already know full lengths are pretty valuable since you have to pay for them and once you do them then re doing them is not really that helpful. So if you do one before doing full content review, your score might not be accurate because you could have missed questions simply because you never practiced that concept. Therefore finish all your content review first and then do all the full length. My schedule has the month before my mcat fully dedicated to doing full length, reviewing the full length and then going over some of the high yield concepts for a second time. So I would suggest finish your Ochem and Gen Chem review by the end of november (or at least a month before your test date). Then do a full length every two days (reviewing the full length and going over old concepts for a second time within those two days).

As for verbal, there really isn't any concept you can review. The only way to prepare for verbal is to do as many passages as you can before the exam and then carefully review every answer. Make sure you review both correct and wrong answers so you know if you got a question right for the right reasons. Try to do 3 verbal passages a day, even on full length and review days

Also I assume you are not studying on the days you work your 8 hour shift. In that case 6 hours of studying on your day off is probably not enough. So I would suggest, if you can, spend a little more than 8 hours studying on your off day to make up for the 3 times a week you are not able to study. I would also recommend to take the month before your exam off from your employer. Like you said, the month before you really have to buckle down and focus so having those extra 3 days a week will be a tremendous help. This option might not be realistic though since a lot of employers probably don't want to lose an employee for a whole month. No harm in asking your boss though.

Thanks for the response. I actually just ordered some verbal reasoning passages from Exam Krackers today, so I'll likely use those sometime next month. I think it's too late to take time off of work (I work in the lab at a hospital), and they don't like for people to take off work during the holiday season. Sucks to be me haha.

Verbal reasoning is my worst, and I'll likely try to review some content areas on the days I do work next month.

I take the test January 8.

 

[TheRhymenocerous]

Have you taken the self assessments? I just took them after a not-very-in-depth content review and it's really helping me figure out what to focus on going forward!

 

[Grad_2011]

Have you taken the self assessments? I just took them after a not-very-in-depth content review and it's really helping me figure out what to focus on going forward!

Is that what is offered by AAMC? If so, I haven't taken them. I may try that too.

 

[AwayFromReality]

Thanks for the response. I actually just ordered some verbal reasoning passages from Exam Krackers today, so I'll likely use those sometime next month. I think it's too late to take time off of work (I work in the lab at a hospital), and they don't like for people to take off work during the holiday season. Sucks to be me haha.

Verbal reasoning is my worst, and I'll likely try to review some content areas on the days I do work next month.

I take the test January 8.

If you're talking about the EK 101 passages, then great choice. I used those and Princeton review hyperlearning together and they are a great resource. EK really goes in a lot of detail about each answer choices so they are well worth the money.

Good luck man, try to get all content review done by dec 8, if possible, so you can dedicate a full month to full length practice test

PS: I also worked at a hospital lab until June of this year, so I totally understand why they won't let you take a month off.

 

[Grad_2011]

Is that what is offered by AAMC? If so, I haven't taken them. I may try that too.

If you're talking about the EK 101 passages, then great choice. I used those and Princeton review hyperlearning together and they are a great resource. EK really goes in a lot of detail about each answer choices so they are well worth the money.

Good luck man, try to get all content review done by dec 8, if possible, so you can dedicate a full month to full length practice test

PS: I also worked at a hospital lab until June of this year, so I totally understand why they won't let you take a month off.

Yeah, unfortunately I still need my job, or else I would consider quitting.

Great news on the verbal reasoning then! Unfortunately, I could get the book anywhere from December 1-16. Hopefully it comes early. I will be studying on the evenings that I work, as well.