Retesting and need advice

[dermdill]

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Hi everyone!
I recently tested and got under a 495. I think for me, a real issue was simply not knowing the content and high yield simple concepts. I haven't truly retained any information from undergrad or the expensive blueprint course I did in prep for my test back in June.
I am definitely wanting to rethink the study materials I use. Obviously, when I get towards the end of my studying, I will use AAMC official qbanks and whatnot but I am wondering what cheaper study methods I could use beforehand to help with my content issue.
I am aiming to retake the test sometime in January and I figured I would start studying mid-September.
Thanks in advance 🙂
(for context: I studied for 6 months, first 3-4 months were mostly the blueprint course, then the last two months I did a lot of anki and AAMC qbanks)

 

[deleted1177773]

For content, khan academy is great and is free. However, you have to be motivated to take notes and do some practice questions to review the content. They use videos to explain everything. I also think even getting the kaplan books could be beneficial to you. I got mine for like $150 on amazon and they come with books for each topics and more practice tests. This time around you should 100% not do any practice questions until you spend at least 1-2 months on content. You need to have a good foundation to do well and understand practice questions. I am good proof of this. I did BAD on my first time MCAT then retook it and improved 11 points bc I grinded on the content first than did like 8 more full lengths. It helps you learn the strategies.

 

[Dr.S at Princeton Review]

Test prep company books are a great way to effectively and efficiently learn all the necessary foundational content tested on the MCAT. While you may able to find them on amazon, I would also check local bookstores or facebook marketplace as you might be able to acquire a copy for even cheaper than msrp. Khan academy is also a great resource as mentioned but some students prefer learning through books/materials they can hold/annotate/write on rather than watching or listening to videos. There also many anki decks out there as you know that previous students have made and are another great free resource.

 

[stew_md]

Hey, I never had to do a retake, however, when I was not getting the practice test scores I wanted I decided to postpone and re-evaluate my study methods. In general, a 495 indicates a lack of content knowledge, which it seems you have some insight into. When I postponed, I used Khan Academy almost exclusively for more content review. I found the videos to be much more engaging than reading a textbook, which was huge for me. Additionally, I learned how to use anki *correctly*. Initially, I was not using Anki correctly and cramming flashcards at different times of the week. I watched The Anking's anki-101 playlist on YouTube and it changed my life. I would do a premade Anki deck alongside my content review, make sure you do all of your review cards EVERY DAY. Some people swear by Anki, others don't like it but I would try it to see if you can stick with it.

I would consider buying UWORLD if you can. The thing that gave me the biggest boost in score was DEEPLY reviewing all of my practice questions, whether I got them right or wrong. Review all answer choices to make sure you understand why the correct answer choice is correct, and why all of the incorrect answer choices are incorrect. If I got a question wrong, I would go back and review the topics or re-watch Khan Academy videos if the concept wasn't sticking. Find your gaps and fill them, leaving no stone unturned. This is where you will make the most gains in score.

I made my own Anki deck while going through practice questions to help fill the content gaps for discrete questions, definitions I didn't know, etc. to help things stick more.

When it comes to test-taking strategy, my best advice is when you are doing practice questions, SLOW DOWN at first. Think about which information from the passage you are using to answer the question, read the question thoroughly so that you understand what it is asking, and take your time. Even if it takes you 5+ minutes to answer a question at first, take that time and focus on speed later. In my opinion, this will help you engrain the proper "procedure" for answering different question types and eventually, it will become instinctual. Break your study sessions into multiple 15-20 question blocks covering a variety of topics so that you stay engaged. For CARS do a passage every day during content review and ramp up during your practice question phase. Utilize the Jack Westin daily passage so that you are getting used to timing well in advance.

Feel free to dm me with any questions.

Good Luck!