My Unofficial 5-month study schedule

[SIRBIG]

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.How does this schedule look? I'm planning to start it Sep 1. Is it doable? Considering that I go to a school on the quarter system, we don't start until late September. As a result, it's a little heavier early on before school starts, as well as over winter break and until the test. Considering I'll be taking a fairly heavy course load (2 serious Bio classes) and working a work-study job (not more than 10 hrs/week), I've tried to keep the schedule fairly light on a day by day basis. I've also left 10-12 "leeway" days. These are mainly for days missed due to finals/midterms/laziness.

My materials:
- Kaplan 2009-2010 premier book
- Examkrackers Verbal reasoning and Mathematical techniques
- Examkrackers 101 passages in verbal reasoning
- Examkrackers 1001 series (haven't bought yet ---- is there a better option for practice question material?)
- AAMC practice tests

---ANY feedback would be greatly appreciated as I need to design a schedule that will allow me to kill the MCAT (my current 3.15 GPA won't cut it...even at a top 15 school).

My schedule:.
Day
Book
Subject
Chapter

1​

Kaplan
Strategy
1, 2,3, 4,5,6

2​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Bio, bio 1001

1​

3​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Gen Chem, chem 1001

1​

4​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Orgo, orgo 1001

1​

5​

BREAK

6​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Phys, Phys 1001

1​

7​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Bio, Bio 1001

2​

8​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Gen Chem, chem 1001

2​

9​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Orgo, Orgo 1001

2​

10​

Kaplan, Exam Kracker
Phys, phys 1001

2​

11​

ExamKrack
Verb + Math
1, In-class 1

12​

BREAK

13​

Kaplan
Bio

3​

14​

ExamKrack
Bio 1001

15​

Kaplan
Orgo

3​

16​

ExamKrack
Orgo 1001

17​

Kaplan
Phys

3​

18​

REVIEW ALL

19​

BREAK

20​

ExamKrack
Phys 1001

21​

ExamKrack
Verb + Math
2, In-class2

22​

Kaplan
Bio

4​

23​

ExamKrack
Bio 1001

24​

Kaplan
Gen Chem

3​

25​

ExamKrack
Chem 1001

26​

BREAK

27​

Kaplan
Orgo

4​

28​

ExamKrack
Orgo 1001

29​

Kaplan
Bio

5​

30​

ExamKrack
Bio 1001

31​

Kaplan
Orgo

5​

32​

ExamKrack
Orgo 1001

33​

BREAK

34​

Kaplan
Phys

4​

35​

ExamKrack
Phys 1001

36​

Kaplan
Gen Chem

4​

37​

ExamKrack
Chem 1001

38​

ExamKrack
Verb + Math
3, In-class 3

39​

REVIEW ALL

40​

BREAK

41​

Kaplan
Bio

6​

42​

ExamKrack
Bio 1001

43​

Kaplan
Phys

5​

44​

ExamKrack
Phys 1001

45​

ExamKrack
101 Verb
Warmup/Test 1

46​

Kaplan
Orgo

6​

47​

ExamKrack
Orgo 1001

48​

BREAK

49​

Kaplan
Gen Chem

5​

50​

ExamKrack
Chem 1001

51​

Kaplan
Bio

7​

52​

ExamKrack
Bio 1001

53​

ExamKrack
101 Verb
Test 2,3

54​

Kaplan
Orgo

7​

55​

Kaplan
Orgo 1001

56​

BREAK

57​

Kaplan
Phys

6​

58​

ExamKrack
Phys 1001

59​

ExamKrack
101 Verb
Test 4,5

60​

Kaplan
Gen Chem

6​

61​

ExamKrack
Chem 1001

62​

REVIEW ALL

63​

BREAK

64​

Kaplan
Bio

8​

65​

ExamKrack
Bio 1001

66​

Kaplan
Orgo

8​

67​

ExamKrack
Orgo 1001

68​

Kaplan
Phys

7​

69​

ExamKrack
Phys 1001

70​

BREAK

71​

Kaplan
Gen Chem

7​

72​

ExamKrack
Chem 1001

73​

Kaplan
Bio

9​

74​

ExamKrack
Bio 1001

75​

Kaplan
Orgo

9​

76​

ExamKrack
Orgo 1001

77​

BREAK

78​

ExamKrack
101 Verb
Test 5,6

79​

Kap
Phys

8​

80​

ExamKrack
Phys 1001

81​

Kap
Gen Chem

8​

82​

ExamKrack
Chem 1001

83​

REVIEW ALL

84​

BREAK

85​

Kaplan
Bio

10​

86​

ExamKrack
bio 1001

87​

Kap
Orgo

10​

88​

ExamKrack
Orgo 1001

89​

Kap
Bio

11​

90​

ExamKrack
bio 1001

91​

Break

92​

ExamKrack
101 Verb
Test 7,8

93​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Orgo, orgo 1001

11​

94​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Phys, phys 1001

9​

95​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Bio, bio 1001

12​

96​

ExamKrack
101 Verb
Test 9,10

97​

REVIEW ALL 2ND HALF

98​

BREAK

99​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Gen Chem, Chem 1001

9​

100​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Orgo, Orgo 1001

12​

101​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Bio, 1001

13​

102​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Phys, 1001

10​

103​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Orgo, 1001

13​

104​

BREAK

105​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Gen Chem, Chem 1001

10​

106​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Bio, Bio 1001

14​

107​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Phys, Phys 1001

11​

108​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Orgo, Orgo 1001

14​

109​

BREAK

110​

ExamKrack
101 Verb
Test 11,12

111​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Bio, Bio 1001

15​

112​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Gen Chem, Chem 1001

11​

113​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Phys, Phys 1001

12​

114​

Kap, Exam Kracker
Orgo, Orgo 1001

15​

115​

REVIEW ALL

116​

BREAK

117​

ExamKrack
101 VERB
Test 13, 14

118​

REVIEW ALL

119​

AAMC #3

120​

REVIEW

121​

AAMC #4

122​

REVIEW

123​

BREAK

124​

AAMC #5

125​

REVIEW

126​

AAMC #6

127​

REVIEW

128​

REVIEW ALL

129​

BREAK

130​

AAMC #7

131​

REVIEW

132​

AAMC #8

133​

REVIEW

134​

BREAK

135​

AAMC #9

136​

REVIEW

137​

AAMC #10

138​

REVIEW

139​

REVIEW ALL

140​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

141​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

142​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

143​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

144​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

145​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

146​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

147​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

148​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

149​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

150​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

151​

LEEWAY/REVIEW

152​

TEST

 

[SIRBIG]

Wow, that did not turn out how I thought...let me try that again...

 

[SIRBIG]

Alright, I've attached the excel document. Couldn't figure out an easy way to post it without messing it up....

 

[mishaS]

If you can handle it, and that's the kind of thing that works for you, I'm sure you'll be fine. Schedules don't work for me, I made one and pretty much knew that I wasted an hour of my time because I'd never follow it 🙂.

 

[JJMrK]

The excel document didn't open for me, but I'd be careful of doing too much this early. If you're not taking your test until next Spring, you probably want to do most of your studying next semester. That's not to say you can't start now, but I didn't remember most of the studying I did in September-November when I really started cracking the books in January/February. Definitely don't waste any practice tests this early, unless you have a bunch of extra Kaplan/Gold Standard tests.

 

[SIRBIG]

I'm planning to try to take the test in January. I originally planned to shoot for this January since I just finished physics this summer and thought that I'd be able to focus slightly less on physics since it's fairly fresh in my mind....

I also have 2 major classes that I need to take in the Winter (I didn't know what exactly I wanted to major in until late), so I'm not sure if there's much of an advantage in waiting until Spring. I will be a Senior this year and, although I won't be going to Med school directly out of college, I'd like to try to go after 1 year.

This current schedule has the January 30 date as the target (giving me a few weeks before school and winter break to solely focus on MCAT).

And no, I won't be taking any full-length practice tests until the few weeks leading up to the test.....Until then, it's only Examkrackers 1001 series questions essentially

 

[SIRBIG]

And actually, misha, I'm sort of with you on schedules.... However, I figured that unless I made a schedule, I wouldn't be able to keep even close to the pace needed for the MCAT and would end up way behind come the last few weeks...

 

[JJMrK]

I'm planning to try to take the test in January. I originally planned to shoot for this January since I just finished physics this summer and thought that I'd be able to focus slightly less on physics since it's fairly fresh in my mind....

I also have 2 major classes that I need to take in the Winter (I didn't know what exactly I wanted to major in until late), so I'm not sure if there's much of an advantage in waiting until Spring. I will be a Senior this year and, although I won't be going to Med school directly out of college, I'd like to try to go after 1 year.

This current schedule has the January 30 date as the target (giving me a few weeks before school and winter break to solely focus on MCAT).

And no, I won't be taking any full-length practice tests until the few weeks leading up to the test.....Until then, it's only Examkrackers 1001 series questions essentially

Sorry, I guess I should have looked at your post more closely. If you're aiming for a January test date (which is a good idea IMO, that way you have a few months to retake if necessary) then I think starting now is a good idea.

 

[IndianVercetti]

I also can't get the excel file to open, but nonetheless, I'm also going to be kicking it hard for the January MCAT, good luck man!

 

[SIRBIG]

Alright, I've linked the excel version saved in the 97-2003 version, let me know if this works better....... Also, are the material I will use sufficient to rock this test? I'm probably weakest in Orgo and Verbal is thats any help...

 

[Isoprop]

Your schedule makes me want to shoot myself. Good luck.

 

[SIRBIG]

Yes, it makes me want to as well...lol..... However, I honestly don't expect to follow this completely...I figure if I make it more tough, leave a few leeway days, that it will keep me more on track than if I make it less tough and than fall behind..... I do really need to kill this thing if I want to even have a chance.....

 

[IndianVercetti]

Hey, I saw your reply to my post in the other thread. I finally got your schedule to open up, and it looks pretty good to me. I'm basically trying a stretched out version of SN2ed's schedule. I know he recommends against it, but I figured I'd give it a go at least for the content review portion. I'm using TBR and EK.

We can do this!

 

[BennieBlanco]

I'm waiting for the official version.

 

[BennieBlanco]

I'm planning to try to take the test in January. I originally planned to shoot for this January since I just finished physics this summer and thought that I'd be able to focus slightly less on physics since it's fairly fresh in my mind....

I also have 2 major classes that I need to take in the Winter (I didn't know what exactly I wanted to major in until late), so I'm not sure if there's much of an advantage in waiting until Spring. I will be a Senior this year and, although I won't be going to Med school directly out of college, I'd like to try to go after 1 year.

This current schedule has the January 30 date as the target (giving me a few weeks before school and winter break to solely focus on MCAT).

And no, I won't be taking any full-length practice tests until the few weeks leading up to the test.....Until then, it's only Examkrackers 1001 series questions essentially

ouch

MCAT PLAN: 5 months of studying...

80% of time on not taking MCAT practice tests
20% of the time spent on taking MCAT practice tests

Outcome: Score high on an MCAT test (Not outcome: Become master of 1001 series)

Hmmmm. Need to rethink strategy.

 

[BennieBlanco]

A big flaw is spending too much time in content review. Some people on the 30+ thread with high 30s (37+), actually reviewed Biological Sciences... in one day.

Yes, one day. Unfortunately you need to have learned it well the first time to do this. But remember that it is possible to cover ALL physical or all biological sciences in a long day.

I would take more practice tests if I were you. 2 weeks allows how many? You have to post game the tests, that takes as long as a test.

 

[SIRBIG]

If current schedule holds true, there will be nearly a month of doing AAMC tests and review (as shown in excel document). As of now, ALL of the AAMC practice exams will be taken during the last month. That's only the 8 AAMC practice exams and review in the last month.

The content review is stretched out over a longer period since I'll be taking both Biochemistry and Cell Bio in my first quarter, as well as a work-study job. As a result, I'm trying to do only a couple hours at most each day.... Any other concerns with the schedule?

 

[IndianVercetti]

If current schedule holds true, there will be nearly a month of doing AAMC tests and review (as shown in excel document). As of now, ALL of the AAMC practice exams will be taken during the last month. That's only the 8 AAMC practice exams and review in the last month.

The content review is stretched out over a longer period since I'll be taking both Biochemistry and Cell Bio in my first quarter, as well as a work-study job. As a result, I'm trying to do only a couple hours at most each day.... Any other concerns with the schedule?

Yeah, I wouldn't sweat it too much if I were you. The content review will probably take slightly longer in your case since you are taking two tough science classes. But I do think Bennie Blanco's point is valid - a lot of people make the case that practice tests are far more vital than intense content review. But at the end of the day, you will be the one taking the test, not anyone else on here, so you should do what you feel is best.

 

[BennieBlanco]

Yeah, I wouldn't sweat it too much if I were you. The content review will probably take slightly longer in your case since you are taking two tough science classes. But I do think Bennie Blanco's point is valid - a lot of people make the case that practice tests are far more vital than intense content review. But at the end of the day, you will be the one taking the test, not anyone else on here, so you should do what you feel is best.

I guess the point is to practice what you want to do well.

If you want to do well at the MCAT, I would suggest to make sure most time is spent taking MCATs. I think Vishidas had a good guide and his ideal split was 50/50.

I guess you do what fits your schedule, but I wouldn't force it early if you aren't getting enough time for practice tests. 6 weeks usually is best for practice exams.