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I would honestly prefer to self administer electoconvulsive therapy or undergo unanesthetized surgery for testicular torsion than take the MCAT again. It was a very painful experience, but I learned some important things from it that I should pass on.
First, get plenty of sleep the night before. If you are like me and you can't sleep well the night before anything exciting (vacation, interview, new job, Christmas), then head to your doc and get a one dose script for Sonata. It will put you to sleep and allow you to awake without feeling hungover (like Benadry or Tylenol PM will)
Second, bring gum to chew! Why? Because you cannot wear ear plugs in the exam!! I have always worn styrofoam ear plugs in every major exam, and was panicked when they said I couldn't. The gum chewing will allow you to hear only repetitive jaw movement and like me, you won't be so obsessed about the guy's pencil noise next to you (filling in those damn circles makes a lot of noise!).
Third, do not take the verbal sectio lightly, and make sure you are prepared time-wise! I was on number 20 when they said we were halfway to the finish. Keep moving!!
Fourth, do not eat many carbs at lunch. I was not hungry, but knew I needed to eat. And since I was not hungry, the only thing I could make myself eat was the desert in the lunch my wife packed me. By the time we were starting the last section, I was falling asleep!!
Fifth, do not guage how you did based on anything that others say during the break, and realize that there are different versions! When you leave, think about what you think you made, and you can likely add 4 points overall to that score.
Find a comfortable chair, or even take a small towel or pillow for you butt if you end up getting stuch in one of those plastic or wooden school desks like I did!!
Good luck.
First, get plenty of sleep the night before. If you are like me and you can't sleep well the night before anything exciting (vacation, interview, new job, Christmas), then head to your doc and get a one dose script for Sonata. It will put you to sleep and allow you to awake without feeling hungover (like Benadry or Tylenol PM will)
Second, bring gum to chew! Why? Because you cannot wear ear plugs in the exam!! I have always worn styrofoam ear plugs in every major exam, and was panicked when they said I couldn't. The gum chewing will allow you to hear only repetitive jaw movement and like me, you won't be so obsessed about the guy's pencil noise next to you (filling in those damn circles makes a lot of noise!).
Third, do not take the verbal sectio lightly, and make sure you are prepared time-wise! I was on number 20 when they said we were halfway to the finish. Keep moving!!
Fourth, do not eat many carbs at lunch. I was not hungry, but knew I needed to eat. And since I was not hungry, the only thing I could make myself eat was the desert in the lunch my wife packed me. By the time we were starting the last section, I was falling asleep!!
Fifth, do not guage how you did based on anything that others say during the break, and realize that there are different versions! When you leave, think about what you think you made, and you can likely add 4 points overall to that score.
Find a comfortable chair, or even take a small towel or pillow for you butt if you end up getting stuch in one of those plastic or wooden school desks like I did!!
Good luck.
