pushing back MCAT - advice please

[ttt92]

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Hey all,

So I planned on taking the MCAT in September and have been using the SN2ed schedule this whole summer. My summer was a little weird, as I hadn't taken physics I yet, so I spent June studying, July taking physics (spent most of the time on physics, less on MCAT), and now August studying. My goal was to really aim for September, but I took my first practice exam and I'm not scoring well (below 30s). I know a first practice exam is not indicative of much, but I understand my weaknesses -- they are definitely content-based.

I studied extremely hard the whole summer and never took a day for granted. I actually skipped a lot of break days, and this has led me to burnout on many occasions. When physics started (on top of doing part-time independent research), I started skipping the review days on SN2ed as well as the EK1001 books. I focused solely on TBR and by focus, I spent a lot of time watching Youtube videos on content, reading the chapters, and then doing 4 passages at the end. I remembered nothing from Gen Chem from freshman year and basically relearned things from scratch. Honestly, I felt like I spent most of the summer learning stuff and not really reviewing -- my SN2 days would last almost 8 hours (excluding breaks, no exaggerations).

Then when August came and I got ready to tackle the last month of SN2ed, I began to realize how intense the last month was. At this point, I'm just completely burnt. I haven't even finished the TBR practice passages, so when I started doing the practice exam, I definitely knew that I hadn't mastered a lot of concepts. I started going back to EK1001 to make sure I have mastered the basic concepts first.

So here is my question: Does this sound like I just need more practice/time or should I stick it out the next two weeks and take it in September? I just don't know if 4 months would help -- or hurt. I don't have many alternatives if I move it back - I have to take it in January. The downside of that is that I do have a full course load, although I will try to lighten as much as I can. I am nervous that 4 months may dilute all that I've built up so far, but I know myself and think I can stay motivated to consistently study. I also have already done the content review, so the second time around will be oriented around practice problems. I wouldn't spend so much time learning, but moreso on mastering - if that makes sense. If it helps to gauge, I have a 3.9 gpa overall/3.85 science at an ivy. I am aiming for a 32-34, in that range.

Quite honestly, I am disappointed that I didn't meet my goal, but I know where to focus now. I am tired of the MCAT, and it's getting weary - I know I'm not alone here. Do you all think it's a good idea to push it to January and consistently study until then? Thank you everyone, I appreciate it.

 

[Lya]

Asking in the MCAT forum might be better. From reading your post, it sounds like you need to postpone certainly.


However, some people would say taking in January might not be good since you will probably forget many details you learned this sunmer. Besides, you will have to study for finals and other exams too, so I would try to take it before your fall quarter/semester gets too busy.

Or you can take it in January, but try to make really nice, condensed notes for your contents at this stage, so that you review this note sometime this fall and it will be easier to re-learn the details. And save the practice problems for December.


Either way, it depends on your schedules and time management. If I were in your situation, I would probably choose to take it in January, especially when there are courses this fall that might be useful for MCAT. And then review contents on weekends until November or so, so that I can do FLs during winter breaks right away.

 

[jk1006]

take a couple more practice tests, the AAMC ones if you can.
mimic real conditions and all that.
one practice test isnt a good gauge
but if you take a couple and they're not turning out what you want it to be, then definitely wait

you sound like the content is whats shaking you up the most and time will help in that category with review. Also learn to pace yourself, burning out during the summer is a warning that you need to be able to pace yourself or else you wont be able to do it during the year.

finally january is still early, you will have time to retake in spring or even early summer if the need arises and still apply early next cycle. so you have backups on backups which is good
(oh and a tip for january, find a date near the end of your winter break, so you can use all of break to do practice tests)

too many people take one mcat right before they apply and are screwed when it comes out lower than expected

 

[kyamh]

I am not 100% typical, but I couldn't do the whole study hard for a long time thing that many people can will themselves to do. Even if I gave myself more time to study, the bulk of my studying was done in the 6 weeks before the test. Specifically, I spent the last two weeks taking a practice test every other day. That left one day to take and recharge, and one day to go over all my mistakes and read up on the science I was missing or think about better strategies. This was especially true during the school year - I think it is much easier to study 8 hours a day during the summer 🙂

Then again, this kind of approach doesn't work for everyone, you know better than we do whether you can put your nose to the grindstone for the short time you have.

Another question, how is your verbal score? That's the hardest one to work on....if that score is okay, then maybe you can think about studying up