Taking the MCAT after a long study break?

[TrynaGetIntoMedSkool]

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I semi-casually (25-30hrs/wk tops) studied for the MCAT over 2.5 months while working part-time between Janurary - March.

During that time I went through all the EK books and did half of the related TPR passages. I ended that with taking the AAMC 1st F/L and scored a 516 (128/129/130/129) with a /lot/ of time left at the end of each section.

Due to unforeseen circumstances I wasn't able to continue studying and sit the exam. I now need to take the MCAT on August 11th. I also have to work 9-5 between now and then, with me having the week of the test off. I took the AAMC Section Banks and got ~85% on all of them except Psych/Soc where I got a 77%. I also took both CARS Q-Banks and did 80%+ on one and ~90+ on another. I feel confident I can still take this exam on August 11th and reach my goal score of a 515 (I want to get into a local state school that have median MCAT scores in the 511-512 range according to MSAR).

Any advice on how I should use the time I have to prepare for the exam? Should I do a full-length every weekend, and break up a full-length over the week (doing 1 section after work each day and use Friday for review?). Which full-lengths should I focus on taking? I plan for the AAMC FL 2 to be my last one.

Thank you

PS: Any high-yield content I should also review, especially for C/P? Any cheat sheets that would be nice to have to look over on my lunch breaks?

 

[workaholic181]

I semi-casually (25-30hrs/wk tops) studied for the MCAT over 2.5 months while working part-time between Janurary - March.

During that time I went through all the EK books and did half of the related TPR passages. I ended that with taking the AAMC 1st F/L and scored a 516 (128/129/130/129) with a /lot/ of time left at the end of each section.

Due to unforeseen circumstances I wasn't able to continue studying and sit the exam. I now need to take the MCAT on August 11th. I also have to work 9-5 between now and then, with me having the week of the test off. I took the AAMC Section Banks and got ~85% on all of them except Psych/Soc where I got a 77%. I also took both CARS Q-Banks and did 80%+ on one and ~90+ on another. I feel confident I can still take this exam on August 11th and reach my goal score of a 515 (I want to get into a local state school that have median MCAT scores in the 511-512 range according to MSAR).

Any advice on how I should use the time I have to prepare for the exam? Should I do a full-length every weekend, and break up a full-length over the week (doing 1 section after work each day and use Friday for review?). Which full-lengths should I focus on taking? I plan for the AAMC FL 2 to be my last one.

Thank you

PS: Any high-yield content I should also review, especially for C/P? Any cheat sheets that would be nice to have to look over on my lunch breaks?

Just took June 30 MCAT but was in a somewhat similar situation in terms of prep time. I took a FL every Sunday. Each weekday I would do 2-3 hours of content review in a single subject area. A week before test day I focused solely on topics from each subject tested that I felt iffy about.

Each test is obviously different but I would focus on biochem amino acids, enzyme kinetic equations and the different lab techniques like SDS page. For psych/soc seems like the developmental theories are often test on (piagets, freud etc). Definitely know orgo spectroscopy and basic reduction/oxidation. Krebs cycle/glycolysis are high yield also. Physics seems to be all over the place but both FLs and the real deal seemed to have a lot on E=hf and other photon type questions.

The biggest thing I would say is be cool and confident. You're in a really good place now. Over studying is real. Take it easy and good luck.

 

[TrynaGetIntoMedSkool]

It's funny. I would remember the most obscure fact, but then completely forget E=hf when doing a practice test baha. Definitely something engrained in my head now, thanks for the tips!

I run so many gels at work I don't think I'll ever need to study SDS-Page 😛