Taking MCATs with no recent pre-reqs

[rneree]

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Taking MCATs with no recent pre-reqs

Hi gang, been a bi-stander for a bit and finally ready to join the team of non-traditionals. I am the mother of triplet 1year olds, and after seeing their medical miracle story first hand I have decided that medicine may indeed be my calling.

HUGE QUESTION: Can you do well on MCATS with dvd lectures (mcat-prep), review books on subjects, and aamc practice materials if you haven't been in these classes for 8+ years? It would be pushing it to sign up for two classes now, since the semester starts in about a week, so I was hoping I could learn on my own and it would all "come back to me". I really want to get my feet wet with a Spring MCAt, leaving me enought time to take one in the summer if I don't do well.

I REALLY need you guys/ and girls help on this one? Is this a good or bad idea? Why or why not? Any tips? Also, I'm hoping some of the Physics, Org. Chem professors will help me during their office hours since I will be taking all of this next semester....

ONE LAST QUESTION: Can I take Physics I & II AND ORG I & II during the summer term together, or is that just insane??

Thank you and good luck. You ALL sound like amazing individuals who will make those unique doctors that we all remember ...

Godbless and goodluck.

R. Neree 😳

 

[MyInitialsAreJC]

i would get the most recent edition of the Examkrackers books.

what i like most about them is that they make clear what is testable material and what is extra. each book begins with "this book contains all the <subject> that you need to know for the MCAT"

and while that's not true in a few instances, the confidence you get from that more than makes up for it.

go through that - do the 10 week schedule but stretch it out to ~15 to allow time to go through some of the stuff slower to digest it... and have a week or two at the end for review.

get the practice tests from aamc and take those - comb through them afterward.

im pretty sure by doing all that you could do well on the mcat w/o having ever taken the prereq classes.

 

[rneree]

i would get the most recent edition of the Examkrackers books.

what i like most about them is that they make clear what is testable material and what is extra. each book begins with "this book contains all the <subject> that you need to know for the MCAT"

and while that's not true in a few instances, the confidence you get from that more than makes up for it.

go through that - do the 10 week schedule but stretch it out to ~15 to allow time to go through some of the stuff slower to digest it... and have a week or two at the end for review.

get the practice tests from aamc and take those - comb through them afterward.

im pretty sure by doing all that you could do well on the mcat w/o having ever taken the prereq classes.

Thank you JC for the vote of encouragement and honesty. Did you already take the exam? Do you know what school you're going to yet? Did you get the 1001 books too are those a waste since I have the AAMC test?
Goodluck future M.D or D.O
R.Neree

 

[supafield]

A few Canadian med schools dropped pre reqs
so I figured I'd try the MCAT without having taken Physics I or II, Chem, or any Orgo....

I took them in high school 3-4 years ago....
I'm usually pretty good with science....

and my practice scores are up to 33 or so....
However I did take a prep course and have had quite a bit of time to devote to studying where maybe someone with Triplets would have less time on her hands doing real life things lol...

I do think if the determination is there that no one can count you out... it'll just be tough....
I also have to add the practice test scores are nice but I still have to pull it off on the real thing....

 

[cerulean]

If you use Examkrackers, I would recommend getting Audio Osmosis as well. It's not that helpful for everything, but I liked it for learning physiology (and the hormones). It's great in that you can listen to it while doing other things (which may be very useful for you) and thus can get some studying done when you don't have time to sit and read.

 

[crewboy]

You can do anything if you put your mind to it .mcat material seems to be less in depth as the actual material you would learn in a class room. So if you can master the key concepts you should be able to rationalize your way through the test. Just do alot of problems , i suggest the EK 1001 series for chem, orgo, and physics, not a big fan of the bio one. i say go for it!!

 

[MyInitialsAreJC]

no im taking it for the first (and assuming last) time in a week. im fairly confident about how im gonna do. i dont know what school im goin to yet. not even really sure when im gonna graduate. 😳 but im gonna own the mcat. 🙂

i havent done any of the 1001 questions. i bought the physics and chem books as late night stressed out impulse buys.... youre up late thinking "man im not gonna do well on physical sciences and im running out of time!" followed by ebay purchases. but yeah... havent touched them since they arrived.

i did use the "16 mini-mcats" book from examkrackers, in schedule w/ the 70 day schedule. i think that was worthwhile, since it presents passaged based questions.

whatever happens - work past your discouragments... the race can be frustrating... but dont let the frustration keep you from finishing.

the EK texts and the mini-mcats should be enough questions to prepare you for the aamc practice tests - but you could use the 1001s if you need help in a certain area.

 

[rneree]

You guys are awesome! 😀

I wish we lived nearby and we could quiz each other to death! I guess we can save that til boards. 🙂

You will do super on the mcats with the positive energy you all have. I have a super supportive husband, so in all reality I could study 6-8 hrs/day if I had too. I just want to be sure I'm not setting myself up for failure here.

Thanks for the study tips! I have A.O. and it is super so far, Have to double check for all the error on their website, but I prefer this style to boring books. I have a mcat-prep.com videos too and all practice exams. I guess sometimes you just need to hear someone who's been there done that say, It can be done!

Sending 😍 and your way! Kick some MCAT Butt! 😉

R.Neree
Mom of three angel pies 😛 , my reason to study. 😉