Studying the MCAT before taking the prerequisites

[Cold Penguin]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am a career-changer looking into doing one-year formal post-bac program. I know this sounds kind of crazy, but one of my plans is that I spend this year applying for a formal structured program and self-study the MCAT while gaining some hospital experience. Then, do one-year formal post-bac (that will also provide some MCAT prep sessions) and hopefully get into a linkage program. In this way, I can save my glide year and get onto med school right away.

I am looking for a concise self-explanatory MCAT prep book to teach myself prior to taking the prerequisites. Are there good MCAT prep books that may be useful in my case?

I think the verbal and writing sections are safe to prepare without any science prerequisite. As far as the other two "CORE" sections of the MCAT, I definitely need a more serious approach. Some one-year formal post-bac programs do prepare students for MCAT during the program, but I am convinced that no matter how good their prep materials may be, I may not have enough time to study the MCAT effectively while taking three science courses with a lab for each.

I am trying very hard to avoid having a glide year. I very much prefer doing a linkage program. Any advice?

 

[stinkycheese]

I think it's a really dumb idea to take the MCAT before taking pre-requisites. Preparation manuals do not teach WHY very well; they review. Better to take it after your pre-reqs than take it April and bomb, for the sake of "saving" one year... you might be putting yourself back by several.

 

[911Med]

Uh...Marquis de WTF!
A fellow old career changer here as well.
I guess going over the verbal sections if you like to casually read wouldn't be too bad, BUT doing BS and PS before you've taken the course doesn't make any sense.
Relax, nail the classes, practice up on verbal if you want, but don't set yourself up for burn out.
My two cents.