MCAT Retake Study Tactics

[CardiacArrest]

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I just received my score back (27), and I'll definitely have to retake the MCAT. For those who retook the MCAT, what study tactics did you use to significantly increase your score?
I plan on taking the MCAT in June, after my semester is over. I'll have roughly 5 weeks after finals to study hardcore.
Also, I've already taken most of the AAMC practice exams, should I retake them as practice, even though I'll probably remember a few things?

 

[BuckFMP]

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm in a similar situation and plan to retake in June also. I got a 30 the first time doing self-prep and four practice exams. That was two years ago though, so I will need new scores for a number of schools next year. Right now, I'm thinking about a Kaplan course just to add some extra structure, motivation, access to passages, etc. Any and all thoughts are appreciated. Also, below is advice I just got from a friend. My plan differs, but again, I want more structure.

"If I had to do it all over again, buy the examkrackers set and don't spend a lot of time on content. Read the chapter, then do practice problems. I'd start by doing every 3rd problem in the workbooks (separate from content review) after you read the content chapter. After you finish all the content go back and do all the 2nd problems... if you need more work in physics per say, go back and finish all the physics problems. Its A LOT of problems, but it pays off. UNDERSTAND why you got it wrong. There is a forum where they answer questions that you can sign up for ($30 a year) Once every 3 weeks you should take a practice exam, and about a month before the test you should be taking a practice test each week. There is also an audio for examkrackers that is helpful ($100ish bucks but you can get pirated). Also, get all the AMCAS tests and MCAT-Prep.com tests... do the examkrackers practice tests first, then the mcat-prep.com tests, then the AMCAS tests keeping in mind that the older tests are easier. Do test 3-9 AMCAS in that order. The AMCAS tests you can probably get pirated, but not mcat-prep.com. Take all the tests in a library in a "test like setting". I was amazed how much my score went up, and I'm sure if I had following this regime, it would have went up even farther. I did ALL the examkrackers verbal passages and my score went up... so I was amazed cause my score was pretty good already and that's the hardest part to bring up."


"I took Kaplan, Princeton Review and it was a good review, and nice to have someone.. but my biggest test score improvement was with Examkrackers."

 

[maanya88]

"I took Kaplan, Princeton Review and it was a good review, and nice to have someone.. but my biggest test score improvement was with Examkrackers."

do you mind if I ask what your second score was (after improvement)?

 

[BuckFMP]

do you mind if I ask what your second score was (after improvement)?

Sorry. That was quoted from a recommendation from a friend. I have yet to take it a second time, but am strongly leaning towards classroom, primarily for structure purposes.

 

[CardiacArrest]

I believe my nerves got to me in the end. I scored below my average score.
Thanks for the tips though! Content review with lots of practice problems sounds good to me.
What about retaking the AAMC practice exams? I've run out of FLs to take. What should I look at next?

Also any other tips for retaking will be awesome!

 

[DrSmooth]

I believe my nerves got to me in the end. I scored below my average score.
Thanks for the tips though! Content review with lots of practice problems sounds good to me.
What about retaking the AAMC practice exams? I've run out of FLs to take. What should I look at next?

Also any other tips for retaking will be awesome!

I recommend not just shoring up weaknesses, but also fine-tuning your strengths. If you can get each section up over the 10 range, then spend a good deal of time really mastering your strongest section. I found that I got more return out of my time when I did this, because once you get up over 11 or 12, every question really counts. And I could spend all week banging my head up against the PS wall, and see 0 improvement in my score.

From what I've heard, I would recommend buying the online KAPLAN tests, and using the official MCAT practice guide for more practice. Save your remaining AAMC tests (if you have any) until 2-3 weeks before your real test. Definitely, use EK 101 verbal if you haven't already. And try to figure out what went wrong with your prep, because there is no use doing the same things all over again since they didn't work the first time. Make a list of each thing that went wrong, each weak area, etc, then come up with a plan to address every gap.

And don't wait until that last 5 weeks to start studying hardcore. Start now, as if your test were in May. "Plateau" in May, then use that last 5 weeks to really kick it up a notch and "peak" on June 17.

 

[murfettie]

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