stupidity, ignorance or just plain dont know how?

[acromonkey]

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So I do realize that this sounds like something ridiculous to ask, as I have graduated undergrad and am currently working on my masters, I have always had this problem...how do you study??? I am trying to study for my MCATs and everyone I talk to (or read from on this site) says "study 6-8 hours a day" etc. I have been following the EK schedule (reading the books, taking notes, answering some questions) but that does not take 6-8 hours a day. So what do I do the rest of the time? HOW do you actually study? My study skills are terrible because I have always gotten by with not much studying and doing very well and I need help for this test. If anyone has advice I would really appreciate it!!

 

[mvenus929]

I never studied for more than a couple hours a day before med school, even when studying for the MCAT. Of course, I took a whole semester to study for the MCAT.

Basically, I went through 1-2 EK chapters in each block of time I had (which was an hour and a half between classes, twice a day roughly), annotating to understand concepts as I went along. On weekends, I'd take a full length exam (which I think can take up to 5 hours), and reviewed it extensively the next day.

So, I generally studied 3-4 hours a day, with 5 hours on the weekend, for the MCAT. I also listened to audio osmosis when I was getting closer to exam time and wanted a refresher as I was walking to class.

Moral of the story, though, is to not do what other people do. Find out what works for you, and stick with that. I'm rubbish trying to study in the middle of the day, so I generally take a siesta (not napping, but an extended break) before I get back to work with my second wind. The place I'm studying also makes a difference... I'm much more efficient studying at school than I am studying at home.

 

[acromonkey]

I never studied for more than a couple hours a day before med school, even when studying for the MCAT. Of course, I took a whole semester to study for the MCAT.

Basically, I went through 1-2 EK chapters in each block of time I had (which was an hour and a half between classes, twice a day roughly), annotating to understand concepts as I went along. On weekends, I'd take a full length exam (which I think can take up to 5 hours), and reviewed it extensively the next day.

So, I generally studied 3-4 hours a day, with 5 hours on the weekend, for the MCAT. I also listened to audio osmosis when I was getting closer to exam time and wanted a refresher as I was walking to class.

Moral of the story, though, is to not do what other people do. Find out what works for you, and stick with that. I'm rubbish trying to study in the middle of the day, so I generally take a siesta (not napping, but an extended break) before I get back to work with my second wind. The place I'm studying also makes a difference... I'm much more efficient studying at school than I am studying at home.

thank you for the advice...I know it's not what works for everyone else, that it should be what works for me, but even so, I don't have very good study skills as far as WHAT to do during any period of studying.

 

[Mattchiavelli]

try to take some kind of pre-test to see where you're weaker and focus your studying there.

If you've taken the prerequisite courses and actually retained the material you might not need to study that much. It is difficult for some people to grasp but some student actually study to learn and not regurgitate and end up just needing to refresh. I didn't study that much for MCATs and...I'm starting residency in june.

 

[rhcarolina]

I don't have very good study skills as far as WHAT to do during any period of studying.

Read a section of an MCAT book, take notes, answer problems based on what you read and took notes.
Repeat.

 

[rafflecopter]

I agree with the above poster who said to focus on your worst areas first. I knew my physics background was pretty weak, so I started there. For each review book, I read each book quickly to get an overview of the material (eg 15-20 mins per chapter). I then would follow up by reading the book slowly, taking notes, and answering the end of the chapter questions.

About once a week or twice a week I would take a full-length practice MCAT to get in the groove of learning testing strategy/familiarizing myself with the types of passages I would see on the real deal. After every practice MCAT I would review ALL of the questions, not just the ones I got wrong, and figure out whether my thinking on each question was what it should have been. The questions I got wrong I made a table of and constantly reviewed the relevant topics on there.

I also kept a log of how many actual hours I spent studying as a motivational tool. I had a goal of 400 hrs and I hit it, and the prime reason was because I was honest with myself of the hours I spent studying. If I set out a block of time to study, say from 12-8, and I took a 1 hr lunch and 4 15 minute breaks and went on fb for 30 mins, I would report the study time as 5.5 instead of 8 hrs. That helped keep me motivated to improve my study habits/skills, and by the end I was completing long study sessions without a ton of distractions.

With that said, I think its essential to take breaks. For me, after an hour or two of looking at material my brain starts to glaze over and I need a breather, so I always take 15 min breaks every hour or two. I found that by doing this I retained WAY more information with a rested brain than if I had gone the whole time without stopping, where my brain honestly wasn't operating at its full potential.

Good luck, you'll get it!

 

[mvenus929]

thank you for the advice...I know it's not what works for everyone else, that it should be what works for me, but even so, I don't have very good study skills as far as WHAT to do during any period of studying.

Okay, let's see if I can help.

1) Understand the material. Don't just read through it again and again. Actually understand why things happen. If something doesn't intuitively make sense to you, and you don't think it was explained well, see if you can contact one of your pre-req instructors or a learning center or something.

2) Do questions. Lots and lots of questions. At first, work through them without a time limit, trying to get to the correct answer. Do 5, 10 questions in a row, then stop and go over the answers. Figure out why you picked a certain answer. One of the keys to being able to use practice exams (multiple choice ones, anyway) is that if you're studying properly, you should be able to not only explain why a certain answer is right, but why all the other answers are wrong.

For instance:

An increased intracellular concentration of which ion will result in an action potential.
A) Na+
B) K+
C) Cl-
D) H+

The correct answer is sodium, because sodium depolarizes the cell (makes the membrane potential less negative). Letting both K+ and Cl- into the cell will result in hyperpolarization, and thus will prevent an action potential. H+ has some effect that I can't remember off the top of my head, but by itself will not trigger an action potential either.

And yes, there's a lot more to it than that, but you get the idea.

3) For the questions that you missed, go back and review the material, even if you understand why you got wrong after you review the answers. It will help make connections for you.

4) If you get frustrated, walk away. Come back 20 minutes later ready to start and look at the material with a fresh mind. Take a day off per week and do something unrelated to MCAT studying. You'll thank me later.

 

[acromonkey]

I agree with the above poster who said to focus on your worst areas first. I knew my physics background was pretty weak, so I started there. For each review book, I read each book quickly to get an overview of the material (eg 15-20 mins per chapter). I then would follow up by reading the book slowly, taking notes, and answering the end of the chapter questions.

About once a week or twice a week I would take a full-length practice MCAT to get in the groove of learning testing strategy/familiarizing myself with the types of passages I would see on the real deal. After every practice MCAT I would review ALL of the questions, not just the ones I got wrong, and figure out whether my thinking on each question was what it should have been. The questions I got wrong I made a table of and constantly reviewed the relevant topics on there.

I also kept a log of how many actual hours I spent studying as a motivational tool. I had a goal of 400 hrs and I hit it, and the prime reason was because I was honest with myself of the hours I spent studying. If I set out a block of time to study, say from 12-8, and I took a 1 hr lunch and 4 15 minute breaks and went on fb for 30 mins, I would report the study time as 5.5 instead of 8 hrs. That helped keep me motivated to improve my study habits/skills, and by the end I was completing long study sessions without a ton of distractions.

With that said, I think its essential to take breaks. For me, after an hour or two of looking at material my brain starts to glaze over and I need a breather, so I always take 15 min breaks every hour or two. I found that by doing this I retained WAY more information with a rested brain than if I had gone the whole time without stopping, where my brain honestly wasn't operating at its full potential.

Good luck, you'll get it!

Thanks everyone!

rafflecopter, thanks for the advice... I should have started the hours list awhile ago. I'm taking my test in late may, so idk if I will hit 400 hours by then...or maybe I should be! Where did you get that many practice tests...all from AAMC?

 

[acromonkey]

Okay, let's see if I can help.

1) Understand the material. Don't just read through it again and again. Actually understand why things happen. If something doesn't intuitively make sense to you, and you don't think it was explained well, see if you can contact one of your pre-req instructors or a learning center or something.

2) Do questions. Lots and lots of questions. At first, work through them without a time limit, trying to get to the correct answer. Do 5, 10 questions in a row, then stop and go over the answers. Figure out why you picked a certain answer. One of the keys to being able to use practice exams (multiple choice ones, anyway) is that if you're studying properly, you should be able to not only explain why a certain answer is right, but why all the other answers are wrong.

For instance:

An increased intracellular concentration of which ion will result in an action potential.
A) Na+
B) K+
C) Cl-
D) H+

The correct answer is sodium, because sodium depolarizes the cell (makes the membrane potential less negative). Letting both K+ and Cl- into the cell will result in hyperpolarization, and thus will prevent an action potential. H+ has some effect that I can't remember off the top of my head, but by itself will not trigger an action potential either.

And yes, there's a lot more to it than that, but you get the idea.

3) For the questions that you missed, go back and review the material, even if you understand why you got wrong after you review the answers. It will help make connections for you.

4) If you get frustrated, walk away. Come back 20 minutes later ready to start and look at the material with a fresh mind. Take a day off per week and do something unrelated to MCAT studying. You'll thank me later.

mvenus...thanks for the advice...which practice questions did you find most useful?

 

[mvenus929]

mvenus...thanks for the advice...which practice questions did you find most useful?

Any you can get your hands on. I took the test 4 years ago, and I used the gold standard exams, in addition to the questions in the EK books, and the free tests available online (I think Princeton and Kaplan each have a shortened version available for free). The GS tests were okay, but they increased in difficulty (though I didn't realize it), so I kept getting the same score that was lower than what I needed, which caused me a lot of stress. I ended up getting 9 points higher on my actual exam, though.

 

[SenseOfHumerus]

.

 

[CaptainSSO]

The correct answer is sodium, because sodium depolarizes the cell (makes the membrane potential less negative). Letting both K+ and Cl- into the cell will result in hyperpolarization, and thus will prevent an action potential. H+ has some effect that I can't remember off the top of my head, but by itself will not trigger an action potential either.

Actually, letting potassium in wouldn't hyperpolarize the cell--that happens when you let potassium out. If the interior voltage of the cell becomes less negative relative to the exterior, it results in depolarization. The voltage-gated sodium channels allow Na+ to flow in, though, and the voltage-gated potassium channels let K+ out.

(Yea, I'm a nerd...)

 

[CougarMD]

Moving to MCAT forum. Good luck.

 

[docjack]

Everyone is different obviously, but for me practice tests were most important.

I took a single baseline test. Then I did all the EK material over two weeks. Then I did practice test after practice test. Obviously, time and score yourself, and go over the ones you get wrong.

FYI here is an analysis on type of practice test and predictor of actual score (correlation-wise). http://www.studentdoc.com/practice-mcat.html

The verbal is a bit tougher to improve as it is something that you have been developing over time. I basically did not move in the verbal from my first baseline attempt (I scored the same actually).

 

[SenseOfHumerus]

FYI here is an analysis on type of practice test and predictor of actual score (correlation-wise). http://www.studentdoc.com/practice-mcat.html

Yeah I highly recommend taking the AAMC practice tests; I took one Kaplan practice test and one AAMC practice test. I think my Kaplan score was a 30, but my official MCAT score ended up being a 35 (10PS/12BS/13VR).

 

[acromonkey]

Everyone has posted great advice so far. I just studied with a beastly Kaplan book; I didn’t study for the verbal section and just reviewed any weak science areas during lunch breaks at work, evenings, and some weekends. I studied far less than 6-8 hours a day and was fine.

1. Focus your studying on the concepts that you are unfamiliar with; if you already know the circulatory system by heart, don’t beat the topic to death. Skim or skip the chapter and move on. *Pun intended. 😀

2. In my opinion, practice tests shouldn't be the primary method of studying. Take practice tests in order to familiarize yourself with the test format and practice your pacing, but don’t waste time taking an excessive number of them unless you really feel that you have to. The week of the actual exam I took two practice tests and that was sufficient.

3. I usually use repetition and visual images to learn complex concepts. I read a section thoroughly more than once, and then repeatedly make very quick diagrams/flowcharts/summaries/equations/mechanisms on scrap paper. For example, when I was taking an anatomy class I would look at a picture of the arm's vasculature, then cover it up and quickly sketch and label it from memory a few times on blank paper. After drawing different sections of the body separately, I’d start to combine areas of the body in my sketches.

4. A relaxed, optimistic confident attitude on test day is important; think Office Space. A girl to my right was crying when I took the MCAT. Never let that be you.

Good luck! Remember to relax on test day and you’ll be fine 🙂

haha, this is funny that you said a girl was crying. I took the MCAT three years ago (without knowing how difficult it would be and not taking it seriously) and I was shaking so much the lady couldn't even get my fingerprint to scan on the scanner! haha

 

[ridethecliche]

Everyone has posted great advice so far. I just studied with a beastly Kaplan book; I didn’t study for the verbal section and just reviewed any weak science areas during lunch breaks at work, evenings, and some weekends. I studied far less than 6-8 hours a day and was fine.

1. Focus your studying on the concepts that you are unfamiliar with; if you already know the circulatory system by heart, don’t beat the topic to death. Skim or skip the chapter and move on. *Pun intended. 😀

2. In my opinion, practice tests shouldn't be the primary method of studying. Take practice tests in order to familiarize yourself with the test format and practice your pacing, but don’t waste time taking an excessive number of them unless you really feel that you have to. The week of the actual exam I took two practice tests and that was sufficient.

3. I usually use repetition and visual images to learn complex concepts. I read a section thoroughly more than once, and then repeatedly make very quick diagrams/flowcharts/summaries/equations/mechanisms on scrap paper. For example, when I was taking an anatomy class I would look at a picture of the arm's vasculature, then cover it up and quickly sketch and label it from memory a few times on blank paper. After drawing different sections of the body separately, I’d start to combine areas of the body in my sketches.

4. A relaxed, optimistic confident attitude on test day is important; think Office Space. A girl to my right was crying when I took the MCAT. Never let that be you.

Good luck! Remember to relax on test day and you’ll be fine 🙂

I'm glad that this worked for you, but most need more than 2 practice exams.

The rest of the advice is gold. As I'm redoing content review, I'm moving from trying to memorize to trying to draw things out. Working out well so far!

 

[pinkzebra]

i havent taken the MCAT yet (test date is june 16th), but this is what i am doing!

i am taking a PR prep course and contrary to opinions on what a waste of $ they are, i really enjoy it. BUT...i haven't taken some of my pre-reqs since 07/08/09 AND i love classroom based learning. i totally realize they're not for everyone.

regardless, i really love their syllabus and am following it.

they will tell you which chapter to read, ie Chapter 3 in Biology: Genes. then you are assigned 10-50 (varies by chapt) practice questions and 5-10 (varies by chapter) practice passages in the PR science workbook to complete after you've read the chapter.

while i read each chapter i take notes and make flash cards for formulas of important information that is straight memorization.

i think doing practice problems and passages in between chapters REALLY solidifies content. the PR science workbook is amazing.

my goal is to be finished with content review on may 1st (although it will realistically be may 5th). i will then spend from then until my test date just doing EK 1001 questions, practice passages, and full lengths. i have taken two full lengths so far (PR #1 and AAMC #10) but it is a little tough to do without having completed content review all the way. it is good to get familiar with the timing/format, though, and see how much you really remember.

 

[QueenTut]

i havent taken the MCAT yet (test date is june 16th), but this is what i am doing!

i am taking a PR prep course and contrary to opinions on what a waste of $ they are, i really enjoy it. BUT...i haven't taken some of my pre-reqs since 07/08/09 AND i love classroom based learning. i totally realize they're not for everyone.

regardless, i really love their syllabus and am following it.

they will tell you which chapter to read, ie Chapter 3 in Biology: Genes. then you are assigned 10-50 (varies by chapt) practice questions and 5-10 (varies by chapter) practice passages in the PR science workbook to complete after you've read the chapter.

while i read each chapter i take notes and make flash cards for formulas of important information that is straight memorization.

i think doing practice problems and passages in between chapters REALLY solidifies content. the PR science workbook is amazing.

my goal is to be finished with content review on may 1st (although it will realistically be may 5th). i will then spend from then until my test date just doing EK 1001 questions, practice passages, and full lengths. i have taken two full lengths so far (PR #1 and AAMC #10) but it is a little tough to do without having completed content review all the way. it is good to get familiar with the timing/format, though, and see how much you really remember.

I took the course too for similar reasons. One piece of advice that we learned up front was to make flashcards for the more common hormones and just memorize them: general structure (peptide or steroid), function, where they are produced, etc. I still have the books, OP, so I can send you a list of the hormones you need to know if you like. I think there were 26.

My method was to write detailed summary sheets on each of the chapters in the PR science books. I would dedicate no more than 2 sheets of paper, front and back for each chapter, some chapters required less than a half a sheet. Then I did practice questions and practice tests (only 3 full length, about 5 more practice individual sections). I made a spreadsheet to track those areas where I consistently had trouble so I wouldn't waste time studying what I already knew.

In the last week and a half prior to my exam, i only studied from the summary sheets and flash cards. I didn't study at all the day before.

 

[pinkzebra]

I took the course too for similar reasons. One piece of advice that we learned up front was to make flashcards for the more common hormones and just memorize them: general structure (peptide or steroid), function, where they are produced, etc. I still have the books, OP, so I can send you a list of the hormones you need to know if you like. I think there were 26.

My method was to write detailed summary sheets on each of the chapters in the PR science books. I would dedicate no more than 2 sheets of paper, front and back for each chapter, some chapters required less than a half a sheet. Then I did practice questions and practice tests (only 3 full length, about 5 more practice individual sections). I made a spreadsheet to track those areas where I consistently had trouble so I wouldn't waste time studying what I already knew.

In the last week and a half prior to my exam, i only studied from the summary sheets and flash cards. I didn't study at all the day before.

thank you for sharing this! i didnt think to condense my notes into detailed summary sheets.

quick question - do the summary sheets also work for bio? or did you find you needed to write more? i feel like it's much more detail oriented than the others? my classroom notes are ~5-6 pages double sided per class.

 

[QueenTut]

thank you for sharing this! i didnt think to condense my notes into detailed summary sheets.

quick question - do the summary sheets also work for bio? or did you find you needed to write more? i feel like it's much more detail oriented than the others? my classroom notes are ~5-6 pages double sided per class.

It definitely worked for me but it did require a bit of effort to keep it condensed. For bio, I did a lot of drawing and labeling and that really helped. I also went over the classroom notes and then I'd put the info that the instructor really stressed on my summary sheets.

 

[ridethecliche]

I think the big thing that many don't do enough of (myself included) is doing practice passages while doing content review.