Originally posted by deepsouthmedic
Greggth WOW 41! Congrats!!! So you recommend the Kaplan course and Examkrackers??? I am only taking physics II in the spring (plus working full time at night) and I am planning to start studying for the MCAT in January. Any advice???
First of all, I have heard that some people can get a good score without much effort. My advice is based on what worked for me.
Here is my advice.
1. Take all the AAMC practice exams.
Take them repeatedly. Analyze each question until you understand it completely. When you come across a difficult question, take the opportunity to look at all your books, including college textbooks, and read everything they have to say that relates to that question.
2. The verbal section is frustrating. Be patient with it.
3. Read the MCAT section of the StudentDoctorNet message boards.
4. Take a classroom course from one of the major companies (Kaplan, Princeton, EK). A classroom course with real live people helps to motivate you.
The Kaplan simulated exams are good (mock exams where you sit down in a testing environment with other students like the real MCATs).
5. Get ALL the Examkrackers books (except their Verbal 101, which I didn't find helpful), and if you can afford it, get book(s) from one other company, like Kaplan, as well. This allows you to get two different perspectives on what is important.
6. Get Examkrackers Audio Osmosis.
7. Get the AAMC study guide, located at
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/studentmanual/start.htm
Buried in this document is a complete outline of all the topics and subtopics tested on the MCAT, which is extremely helpful.
8. Start studying now.
9. All this studying is going to take a lot of time. Make it your top priority. Take time off from your job to study, if you can.
10. Figure out what to eat for breakfast and lunch and how much caffeine you need, in order to be alert during the entire exam. Be sure to eat enough.