Mcat preparation

[cmurillo22]

I’m about to start studying for my MCAT and I want to know how can I take a diagnostic exam? Is it just one practice test ? Or is it a specific one I have to purchase ? Is it an 8 hour exam ? Also once I start content review how can I test my knowledge for every subject? because the question after every chapter don’t seen to be a lot.

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[vrazzles]

NextStep offers a free half-length diagnostic on their website.

I would caution against using official AAMC tests as diagnostics. Those are your best predictors of test day performance and using one before you've even begun studying is only going to leave you with two tests to predict your final performance on test day.

If I were you, I would use 3rd party resources and AAMC question banks first. As your scheduled test day nears, I would begin taking the AAMC full lengths to get a good idea of your performance.

P.S: 3rd party resources almost always deflate your score.

 

[Cornfed101]

only going to leave you with two tests to predict your final performance on test day.

Just FYI, there are now 4 AAMC FLs. I agree with everything else you said though. OP still don't burn an AAMC FL to start.

 

[cmurillo22]

NextStep offers a free half-length diagnostic on their website.

I would caution against using official AAMC tests as diagnostics. Those are your best predictors of test day performance and using one before you've even begun studying is only going to leave you with two tests to predict your final performance on test day.

If I were you, I would use 3rd party resources and AAMC question banks first. As your scheduled test day nears, I would begin taking the AAMC full lengths to get a good idea of your performance.

P.S: 3rd party resources almost always deflate your score.

I have Kaplan books and I believe they have 2 full length. Do you recommend full length or half length

 

[Cornfed101]

A half length diagnostic is sufficient. As you get closer to the test you should be taking 5-10+ FLs. Make sure you take all of the FLs offered by the AAMC and you can supplement with a few other FLs. Kaplan is fine. NextStep is better (and they have a free FL).

 

[vrazzles]

Altius > NextStep >>>>>> Kaplan, Examkrackers, Princeton

 

[PlsLetMeIn21]

Altius > NextStep >>>>>> Kaplan, Examkrackers, Princeton

I found EK = TBR > > Altius > TPR = NS > > Kaplan

 

[Blueprint Med School]

NextStep offers a free half-length diagnostic on their website.

I would caution against using official AAMC tests as diagnostics. Those are your best predictors of test day performance and using one before you've even begun studying is only going to leave you with two tests to predict your final performance on test day.

If I were you, I would use 3rd party resources and AAMC question banks first. As your scheduled test day nears, I would begin taking the AAMC full lengths to get a good idea of your performance.

P.S: 3rd party resources almost always deflate your score.

Wanna second nearly everything here. Most companies write wicked hard free exams. How else do you get people in the door? Scare the bejeezus out of them and promise they will do better after taking your course which is pretty much certain because the last one in the course is typically easier. That being said, they are free and great for use in early study plans. Keep the most predictive exams (usually the AAMC ones) for the end because you want to walk into your exam having a well-defined range in your mind.

Otherwise, just google 'free MCAT practice exams' and you will find a bunch. Others here have done a good job picking out many.

David D, MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[anniekat2025]

Also once I start content review how can I test my knowledge for every subject? because the question after every chapter don’t seen to be a lot.

I highly recommend purchasing UWorld question banks. UWorld allows you to specify the subjects you want to study (e.g. you can study just fluids in the physics section.) I also recommend doing plenty of practice tests. After working my way through the EK books, I did one practice test a week. The MCAT doesn't test regurgitation of content, it tests critical thinking, logic, and reading comprehension.

 

[PlsLetMeIn21]

I highly recommend purchasing UWorld question banks. UWorld allows you to specify the subjects you want to study (e.g. you can study just fluids in the physics section.) I also recommend doing plenty of practice tests. After working my way through the EK books, I did one practice test a week. The MCAT doesn't test regurgitation of content, it tests critical thinking, logic, and reading comprehension.

You make a great point about using materials with targeted review as a possibility. This is super helpful. We differ on our opinion of UWorld, as I honestly found them to be unrealistic for my test, but if you can zero in on one subject that helps with study efficiency. This is what I love about printed books. You turn to a specific chapter and voila, there it is.

I'd highly recommend purchasing TBR science books instead. You get five times as many questions for about the same price, you can sell them when you're done, and their explanations are the best you'll find. I will say that UWorld has good explanations too, but I found TBR's to be more helpful for mastering how to approach the exam.

Either way, it's all about doing questions and learning how to think the way the exam requires.

 

[hungrydoc710]

Vote for Exam Krackers.
Use AAMC towards the end of your studying to really eval your score.