DaveinDallas said:
I'm taking the MCAT in August and haven't had physics in 20 years.
.....old dudes who are starting in the applications process in their mid-40s.....
I feel your pain. Physics in '86 - '87 for me. Major refresher required. I used Kaplan for last August test and did not score as well as expected. For this April, I used ExamKrackers study set, Audio Osmosis, EK 10 Week Home Study Plan, and AAMC tests 3R-6R online (subscription is for 2 test periods after you purchased it and I used it both times).
I was much better prepared this time. I studied 2-3 months each time, 20-30 hrs/wk.
Be prepared and do your best the first time around as some schools will average your test scores. All schools will want to see your testing history. I think a triple-double will get you in somewhere (10+ each section).
For us non-trads, ugrad grades can really drag you down compared to people who know they want medicine and maintain 3.6++ GPA. I was just damn glad to get out of engineering school with my paltry 3.2. Above a 3.5 was about 3% of MEs, that kind of GPA was really uncommon.
Some schools will adjust your GPA with minor compensation for institution or degree level of difficulty. Most I ever heard of was 0.25 bump.
Grades do matter, do your best. Fortunately, I had a 3.75 in engr grad school and 3.8 postbacc. That still didn't improve my lifetime cum though, just too many ugrad credits.
DaveinDallas, PM me if you are looking for some study materials at a discount.
Good luck to all those studying!