MCAT test date/study hours??

[confused2019]

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So I am currently in pharmacy school and switching out next semester to finish out a Biochemistry degree, but I am needing to take the MCAT next semester in late March or early April so that I can interview for my pre-med committee and get my letter in time to apply when the cycles open. I am thinking I can get around 450 hours of study time in for the MCAT over winter break and next semester, but can fit nothing in this semester. Also, none of my classes this semester will really apply towards MCAT topics, but I'm in 19 hours and just can't fit MCAT time in if I want to keep my GPA up.

Would it be better to apply later In the cycle and spend the summer studying more for the MCAT, getting up to almost 800 hours, or should I stick with this and try early? Applying later in the semester would also mean I could get more shadowing and volunteer hours in, but I am just really wanting to get it in early.. I am usually a pretty good standardized test taker (with the ACT and PCAT) but I know the MCAT is a whole different animal. I also will have to teach myself physics, and any genetics or advanced biology that is on the exam, along with some psychology/sociology, although I am taking an advanced Psych class next semester that will hopefully help. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[I'mJustCurious]

Only take it early if you are completely ready (which can be evaluated based on your practice scores). On the off chance that you need to take it in the summer, make sure you have your LORS, personal statement, and even a few secondaries ready to submit.

 

[Cornfed101]

Take a diagnostic test to see what your starting point is. Expect to study ~40 hours per point you want to increase. I agree with @I'mJustCurious that you shouldn't take the test until you are ready. Either plan is doable. Honestly, I would be more inclined to split the difference. I studied for 650 hours and that worked out for me (improved by 16 points).

 

[Shotapp]

Take a diagnostic test to see what your starting point is. Expect to study ~40 hours per point you want to increase. I agree with @I'mJustCurious that you shouldn't take the test until you are ready. Either plan is doable. Honestly, I would be more inclined to split the difference. I studied for 650 hours and that worked out for me (improved by 16 points).

In the the beginning of your mcat prep, you took a FL exam before any studying to see where you were at? You improved by 16 points so that is 640 hrs.

 

[Cornfed101]

In the the beginning of your mcat prep, you took a FL exam before any studying to see where you were at? You improved by 16 points so that is 640 hrs.

I took a half length diagnostic to start with, which is a decent gauge to start with. I was definitely able to see what my weaknesses were.

I said about 40 hours per point. I studied until I felt ready/ran out of time, but I’ve seen that be enough for many other people (here on SDN and people I’ve helped in person)

 

[Shotapp]

I took a half length diagnostic to start with, which is a decent gauge to start with. I was definitely able to see what my weaknesses were.

I said about 40 hours per point. I studied until I felt ready/ran out of time, but I’ve seen that be enough for many other people (here on SDN and people I’ve helped in person)

Do you think a diagnostic is good enough to see where I'm at or a FL will be more accurate?

 

[Cornfed101]

Do you think a diagnostic is good enough to see where I'm at or a FL will be more accurate?

before doing any studying? A diagnostic is fine. A FL would be more accurate, but not by a huge amount. Just realize that diagnostics are usually inflated (your actual score would be a few points higher). Next Step has a free half length diagnostic so I just used that to start out.

 

[Blueprint Med School]

You can always sign up to take the MCAT in late May and switch your date later on if you don't feel ready. You'll gauge your readiness through your scores on the AAMC full-length exams. While this might suck, your only risk is the $315 (this might have changed since I took it) registration fee, which in the grand scheme of things, will be a drop in the ocean. If you don't feel ready to take it in late May, you can push it back to take the exam in August. I'd say September is probably on the later side, and wouldn't go any later than August.

You should submit your primary as soon as you can to get it verified ASAP. Since you should wait for your MCAT score to decide what schools to apply to, submit your primary to a few schools you know you will apply to no matter what your MCAT score is, just so AMCAS can get your application verified. That way, once you get your MCAT score, you can submit your primary to them and immediately get secondaries (many schools will send you their secondary as soon as they receive your verified primary application).

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors