Take MCAT during Biochem/Physics 2 or after?

[UncreativeGenius]

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Hey guys!

So I’m a non-trad veteran that is finishing all my pre-reqs in a two year-accelerated format and applying immediately after. This Spring (2019) I’ll be finishing a semester of Biochem along with Physics 2 and then applying over the summer. My original plan was: finish Spring semester (with MCAT studying during and after the semester), submit application for verification in June with one throwaway school on the list, take MCAT mid-June, get app verified, and then once I get my MCAT score back in July add the rest of my schools in accordance with whatever I score on the MCAT.

I went to my school’s premed advisor and she recommended that I take the MCAT during the Spring semester, before I finish Biochem and Physics 2, so I have my score when I apply in June. My concern is that I won’t have a strong enough background in Biochem and Physics since I’ll still be taking those classes. Also, it will be a lot harder to fit in most of my MCAT studying during the semester as opposed to about a month of studying after the semester ends (in my original plan).


Anyone have any advice on which is the best option? Has anyone taken the MCAT before they’ve finished Physics 2 and Biochem and done well? It just seems like it’s rushing my already rushed plan.

TLDR: Take MCAT before finishing those two classes or after when applications have opened?

DISCLAIMER: I know my plan is accelerated and many people will recommend I take a gap year. I completely understand that, but for the purpose of this thread let’s just assume this is the path I’m taking.

 

[Forever Geebs]

Don't take MCAT until you've completed biochem.

 

[Magus5454]

Don't take MCAT until you've completed biochem.

This. You're just making a difficult test more difficult. Just make sure your app is ready to go when you get your score.

 

[daw05]

June is not too late for the MCAT, wait until you are ready. It's going to take some time for them to verify your primary application anyway.

I will say you're a lot smarter than I am about the school choices. I put in 13 schools in my primary, only about half of which I actually will end up submitting secondaries for.

 

[UncreativeGenius]

Thank you so much for the replies. Honestly, I'm not sure what exactly my advisor had on her mind when she told me to do that. She's an MD herself and she's usually very helpful but I think she was having a bad day or something. I definitely agree I should finish BC and Phys 2 before taking the MCAT!

 

[esob]

Definitely finish BC first.

 

[M&L]

Hey guys!

So I’m a non-trad veteran that is finishing all my pre-reqs in a two year-accelerated format and applying immediately after. This Spring (2019) I’ll be finishing a semester of Biochem along with Physics 2 and then applying over the summer. My original plan was: finish Spring semester (with MCAT studying during and after the semester), submit application for verification in June with one throwaway school on the list, take MCAT mid-June, get app verified, and then once I get my MCAT score back in July add the rest of my schools in accordance with whatever I score on the MCAT.

I went to my school’s premed advisor and she recommended that I take the MCAT during the Spring semester, before I finish Biochem and Physics 2, so I have my score when I apply in June. My concern is that I won’t have a strong enough background in Biochem and Physics since I’ll still be taking those classes. Also, it will be a lot harder to fit in most of my MCAT studying during the semester as opposed to about a month of studying after the semester ends (in my original plan).


Anyone have any advice on which is the best option? Has anyone taken the MCAT before they’ve finished Physics 2 and Biochem and done well? It just seems like it’s rushing my already rushed plan.

TLDR: Take MCAT before finishing those two classes or after when applications have opened?

DISCLAIMER: I know my plan is accelerated and many people will recommend I take a gap year. I completely understand that, but for the purpose of this thread let’s just assume this is the path I’m taking.

hey, I am also a non-trad. applicant (army veteran). MY EXPERIENCE: I made a mistake of taking MCAT half into biochemistry semester and got 498. Finished the semester, prepped for two months during the winter break (while working full time, did not use any tutors, or anything else, just good old self-studying). I simply reviewed the class materials. Took MCAT on January 25th, got 511. TRUST ME!!!! WAIT TILL SEMESTER FINISHES. Do not be like me 🙂))

 

[Shigaliketoxin]

I took the (current/new) MCAT in the spring semester while concurrently taking Phys 2 and Organic 2 and without biochem.... and I made it just fine. You know yourself and your ability to learn things on your own and juggle all the studying -- think about that when making the decision.

(my MCAT was in April, 2 or 3 weeks before the end of the semester)

 

[M&L]

Thank you so much for the replies. Honestly, I'm not sure what exactly my advisor had on her mind when she told me to do that. She's an MD herself and she's usually very helpful but I think she was having a bad day or something. I definitely agree I should finish BC and Phys 2 before taking the MCAT!

If she is an MD already she might just honestly not realize how much biochemistry is in the test now

 

[NoSleeptilBKLN]

I'll be taking the mcat next month and during my time of studying I've noticed the writers have found ways to include biochemistry topics into every section of the test other than cars. Biochemistry is mandatory to help get you past all the sections, so it would probably be best that you wait until you have a firm understanding of the subject. I understand you wanna get this over with, but don't forget that you're posting in the "non-trad" thread. Most of us are old enough to realize that we won't be an under 30 doc. It's best to take your time and do it right the first time. Good luck

 

[hotrodsduo]

Adding another for "take it in June," I would also add that it is a good idea to prewrite secondaries for your schools so when your secondaries come in you can be as prepared as possible to respond very quickly.

 

[daw05]

I'll be taking the mcat next month and during my time of studying I've noticed the writers have found ways to include biochemistry topics into every section of the test other than cars. Biochemistry is mandatory to help get you past all the sections, so it would probably be best that you wait until you have a firm understanding of the subject. I understand you wanna get this over with, but don't forget that you're posting in the "non-trad" thread. Most of us are old enough to realize that we won't be an under 30 doc. It's best to take your time and do it right the first time. Good luck

I'd have to disagree that it is mandatory. I never took biochem and did just fine on the MCAT (1JUN) test date. That said, the passages did have a lot of biochem topics. I was able to slog through them to figure out what they were asking, but more knowledge would have been helpful.

Essentially: a biochem class certainly not mandatory, as long as you have studied it during your prep, but it also would make the test a lot easier.

 

[UncreativeGenius]

Thank you for all of the replies guys! You all have been super helpful. I'm definitely just going to take it in June so that I have extra time to study after finishing BC, and I'll prewrite my secondaries while I'm waiting for my score.

hey, I am also a non-trad. applicant (army veteran). MY EXPERIENCE: I made a mistake of taking MCAT half into biochemistry semester and got 498. Finished the semester, prepped for two months during the winter break (while working full time, did not use any tutors, or anything else, just good old self-studying). I simply reviewed the class materials. Took MCAT on January 25th, got 511. TRUST ME!!!! WAIT TILL SEMESTER FINISHES. Do not be like me 🙂))

Congrats on the score bump!!

 

[M&L]

Thank you for all of the replies guys! You all have been super helpful. I'm definitely just going to take it in June so that I have extra time to study after finishing BC, and I'll prewrite my secondaries while I'm waiting for my score.



Congrats on the score bump!!

Thanks !! And good luck to you !

 

[UncreativeGenius]

Thanks !! And good luck to you !

Did you use any prep resources at all or legitimately just studied materials from your classes? AAMC prep, FL exams, Khan Academy, etc? Best of luck in the rest of the Cycle!

 

[M&L]

Did you use any prep resources at all or legitimately just studied materials from your classes? AAMC prep, FL exams, Khan Academy, etc? Best of luck in the rest of the Cycle!

I took FL exams (two ) to see where I was at . I watched khan academy NOTORIOUSLY. I bought AAMC flash cards and banks of questions . Found them very helpful . To review biochemistry specifically I found the best thing to be just class materials, plus I just took the final , so it was all fresh

 

[theKingLT]

Hey guys!

So I’m a non-trad veteran that is finishing all my pre-reqs in a two year-accelerated format and applying immediately after. This Spring (2019) I’ll be finishing a semester of Biochem along with Physics 2 and then applying over the summer. My original plan was: finish Spring semester (with MCAT studying during and after the semester), submit application for verification in June with one throwaway school on the list, take MCAT mid-June, get app verified, and then once I get my MCAT score back in July add the rest of my schools in accordance with whatever I score on the MCAT.

I went to my school’s premed advisor and she recommended that I take the MCAT during the Spring semester, before I finish Biochem and Physics 2, so I have my score when I apply in June. My concern is that I won’t have a strong enough background in Biochem and Physics since I’ll still be taking those classes. Also, it will be a lot harder to fit in most of my MCAT studying during the semester as opposed to about a month of studying after the semester ends (in my original plan).


Anyone have any advice on which is the best option? Has anyone taken the MCAT before they’ve finished Physics 2 and Biochem and done well? It just seems like it’s rushing my already rushed plan.

TLDR: Take MCAT before finishing those two classes or after when applications have opened?

DISCLAIMER: I know my plan is accelerated and many people will recommend I take a gap year. I completely understand that, but for the purpose of this thread let’s just assume this is the path I’m taking.

My school's advisor says the same BS and so the standard at my school is an April mcat because "that way you have time to retake it if need be". It's just not smart. Do the June date. Get it right the first time. You won't be late on applying

 

[UncreativeGenius]

My school's advisor says the same BS and so the standard at my school is an April mcat because "that way you have time to retake it if need be". It's just not smart. Do the June date. Get it right the first time. You won't be late on applying

Plus it seems like it wouldn't even put me at a disadvantage in the app process. Either way I'll be waiting for a month to get verified...in this case I'm just also waiting for an MCAT score at the same time.

 

[daw05]

Did you use any prep resources at all or legitimately just studied materials from your classes? AAMC prep, FL exams, Khan Academy, etc? Best of luck in the rest of the Cycle!

I used Princeton Review, which was great for content; it was only like $120 on Amazon for all 7 of their books. Their tests are overly hard and won't be representative of the real thing, but they do prepare you well. I would also make use of the free stuff on Next Step and Khan, only to get a different view of the content and perhaps cover the few topics or phrases that aren't in TPR.