MCAT timing with Prep course

[jaw93]

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Hi everyone,

I'm heading into my junior year and obviously the MCAT is on my mind with my prereqs taken care of. My original plan was to take a Kaplan prep course throughout the entire semester. Then I would take all of December break and dedicate 3-4 weeks just to studying and take the test in January. This was all well and good until a doctor recently suggested that I alter this plan. He believes that I will be the most prepared after the prep course finishes. So would you suggest:
1) I take the test sometime late in the semester after the review course finishes
2) Study on my own during the semester than take a month long intensive review course and take the test in Jan
3) continue my original plan and hope that the tips and training I get from the course won't be dulled by a month of self studying

Thanks in advance and I appreciate all feedback and suggestions!

 

[jk1006]

depends on how hard you work at the class, i took a kaplan course and since youll be taking it with school and the course it might get a bit rough. in order to really take advantage of it you need to stay on top of the course work so youre actually learning.

personally i didnt take too much away from the class, but the online resources were nice, especially since they compile all the aamc and kaplan mcat tests for you.

your original plan sounds fine really, by the end of your course you should have all the material (and if you slacked a little youll have time to review) and then youll have a couple weeks or so at least to just take practice tests which is the best thing to be doing

plus with your january plan in case the score is not what you wanted you can retake again later in the spring and it wont hurt your application cycle timing

 

[bigdogrob4284]

I actually think your original plan is good. I took a course, and I had 3-4 weeks after it was over to just do practice passages and practice tests. The course is really just content review, so having extra time before the actual test is helpful.