Taking the MCAT as a sophomore. Is that a good idea?

[Ellabelle]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I just finished my sophomore year and I've successfully completed the Bio and Chem requirements. I will be taking Physics and Biochem next year. I wanted to know if it is a good idea for me to take the MCAT in September, which means before taking Physics and Biochem. I'm taking an MCAT course this summer and doing research. I will be away from home for 3 months and just studying. The only reason I'm asking this is because I'm studying abroad from September until the end of December.
Should I take it in September or wait until I'm back?
Thank you.

 

[ccfman1991]

i didn't find biochem that helpful. it'll maybe help with 1 or 2 direct questions (if that), but i think it's mostly there to help supplement your concept of cell bio (organelles, etc). Physics is definitely important though, but only to the level that you learned in high school--maybe a little college level (if you took AP or IB). No electricity or magnetism. Genchem and orgo are essential, but if you've taken those, you're golden. the bio is also from AP level. if you're taking an mcat course, it should go over all the necessary material. if you're ready for it as a sophomore, I guess you could take it. it is unusual though, from what i know.

 

[Suncrusher]

Did you take AP physics AB+BC in high school? Do you feel confident in your ability to teach yourself and master a year's worth of Physics just from an MCAT course and from your own studying? If not, I would wait to take the MCAT if it were me. It seems easier to refresh your knowledge of gen chem, o chem, and bio than to take the MCAT before learning physics well.

Your MCAT score is permanent...you can retake it, but you can't hide a terrible first score and it will affect your application to one degree or another at most MD schools. Play it safe.

 

[Ismet]

OP, unless you took AP Physics in high school and retained the basic concepts in the recesses of your mind (which can be refreshed and expanded upon with the MCAT course), you should not be taking the MCAT without physics. In that case, you probably shouldn't even be taking the MCAT course this summer because the physics review will be a waste (you'll be learning it for the first time instead of reviewing it like everyone else).

i didn't find biochem that helpful.

Depends on the test. My MCAT had a passage on the Krebs cycle as well as a few discretes from biochem topics. I definitely agree that biochem is not a necessity for the MCAT, but it will be nice to have if OP waits a year.

 

[ccfman1991]

Depends on the test. My MCAT had a passage on the Krebs cycle as well as a few discretes from biochem topics. I definitely agree that biochem is not a necessity for the MCAT, but it will be nice to have if OP waits a year.

Agreed. My MCAT didn't have anything specific about biochem, but that isn't to say that yours won't, either. you could have 1 section on krebs cycle, and then the other on aerobic glucose metabolism or something like that.

if you can put it off for a year...why not? you'll learn more science stuff and become better prepared. what's the benefit to rushing it?

 

[deleted103644]

It's been awhile, but I found biochem more helpful than orgo for my MCAT - that section was mainly molecular biology with very few straight organic chemistry questions.

Definitely wait until after taking all core classes before taking the test - no benefit to getting it out of the way early.

 

[deleted393595]

Did you take AP physics AB+BC in high school?

It's just AP Physics B, C Mechanics and C Electricity

 

[Smokemont]

i didn't find biochem that helpful. it'll maybe help with 1 or 2 direct questions (if that), but i think it's mostly there to help supplement your concept of cell bio (organelles, etc). Physics is definitely important though, but only to the level that you learned in high school--maybe a little college level (if you took AP or IB). No electricity or magnetism. Genchem and orgo are essential, but if you've taken those, you're golden. the bio is also from AP level. if you're taking an mcat course, it should go over all the necessary material. if you're ready for it as a sophomore, I guess you could take it. it is unusual though, from what i know.

This is false. The physics on the MCAT is above the high school level and there definitely is electricity and magnetism on it. There is also some introductory biochem, which you may or may not get from biology and/or ochem.

You should wait to take your MCAT. Why hurry? Like someone else said, this score is permanent and it is a very difficult test.

 

[235788]

I would if I could... It would be great to have 2 good final years of college without the mcat hovering over your head.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

No one is mentioning the three-year rule. What happens if you believe your score is competitive, but you don't get in on your first try? That's one less year you have to beef up your application before the deadline hits and you're stuck with an expired score.

 

[kpcrew]

i didn't find biochem that helpful. it'll maybe help with 1 or 2 direct questions (if that), but i think it's mostly there to help supplement your concept of cell bio (organelles, etc). Physics is definitely important though, but only to the level that you learned in high school--maybe a little college level (if you took AP or IB). No electricity or magnetism. Genchem and orgo are essential, but if you've taken those, you're golden. the bio is also from AP level. if you're taking an mcat course, it should go over all the necessary material. if you're ready for it as a sophomore, I guess you could take it. it is unusual though, from what i know.

 

[CodeRedDew]

I would if I could... It would be great to have 2 good final years of college without the mcat hovering over your head.

Then runs the risk of his/her score expiring if he/she doesn't get in the first time.

OP, if I were you, I would wait to take the exam. I took the MCAT before taking Physics II and it was stressful as hell teaching myself a semester's worth of physics within a month. I didn't take physics in high school so it was LITERALLY teaching myself all of the concepts of physics II in a months time. It was dreadful and was the part that I hated the most about studying for the MCAT. Unless you have a solid background in physics from high school, I advise you to take it after you finish your physics series.

 

[musclemilk619]

No. Mixing mcat studying and school is really hard especially with a difficult course load. Also, scores are only good for a few years so take that into consideration. You have plenty of time, wait and take it at the end of junior year.

 

[ligand]

-

 

[Ismet]

Would it still be a bad idea to take it sophomore year if you had physics, genetics/molecular bio, cell/developmental bio, and anat/phys under your belt? I'm thinking of taking it May sophomore year.

As long as you also have gen chem, orgo, and gen bio, then yes, you can take it. Just remember that the MCAT is only good for 3 years, so you should be planning to apply during your junior year. If you don't have other plans for that summer, why not take it in July or August? That way you have a few summer months without classes to study and take practice tests.

 

[SnowyRox]

Would it still be a bad idea to take it sophomore year if you had physics, genetics/molecular bio, cell/developmental bio, and anat/phys under your belt? I'm thinking of taking it May sophomore year.

What does your pro/con list look like?

I can't see a huge advantage to taking it early unless you're planning to submit your application junior year.

Tons of cons, not many pros.

 

[trackstr22]

I took the MCAT as a sophomore and got a 32 but I finished all of my pre reqs.I didn't take biochemistry though. If you are able to teach yourself physics then I say go for it, especially if you plan on taking a prep course. Just make sure that you apply during the summer after your junior year because the test only lasts for three years.

 

[SpecterGT260]

No one is mentioning the three-year rule. What happens if you believe your score is competitive, but you don't get in on your first try? That's one less year you have to beef up your application before the deadline hits and you're stuck with an expired score.

I was hoping it would show up somewhere

This is really the only response of value.

Why do you want to take it early? I see no advantage.

 

[Ismet]

Why do you want to take it early? I see no advantage.

I wouldn't say it's without advantage. If you take it right after finishing the required pre-reqs, all that information is fresh in your mind instead of 1-2+ years old.

 

[Ismet]

I'm studying for the MCAT two years after taking the last related pre-requisite. It's really not a disadvantage. I find I'm no longer suffering from the burn out I experienced while preparing in college and am able to fully commit myself to the task. So far this has yielded significantly better results on practice tests than my initial MCAT performance.

This is why people who take it after sophomore year usually study over the summer and take it in August or September. I personally wouldn't recommend that someone take it directly after finishing pre-reqs because I advocate that biochem is pretty helpful for the MCAT. I was just saying that there is some advantage to taking it then, not that it's a disadvantage to take it later.

 

[ligand]

-

 

[Jax4ECU]

I personally think it's a great idea to take it after sophomore year, but only if all pre-reqs have been completed. Whether AP or college doesn't matter as long as you learned the material well enough that it doesn't need to be re-learned. I took AP physics as a junior in high school, albeit with probably the best teacher I have ever had, and felt fine taking the MCAT after sophomore year, the summer gave me more time to study without the pressure of classwork. I realize my score will "expire" sooner than others, however the extra time studying paid off in the end and hopefully it will not be the case that I will have to re-apply. I do know that I don't feel the need to re-take the mcat (at-least for the next 2 years).

 

[deleted103644]

No. Mixing mcat studying and school is really hard especially with a difficult course load. Also, scores are only good for a few years so take that into consideration. You have plenty of time, wait and take it at the end of junior year.

Most schools have a three year window. If you decide to do research post grad to boost your resume, the minimum most PIs require is 2 years.

You would need to retake the test.

 

[tenndoc]

No one is mentioning the three-year rule. What happens if you believe your score is competitive, but you don't get in on your first try? That's one less year you have to beef up your application before the deadline hits and you're stuck with an expired score.

you need to finish the prereqs first. if you don't, you are just wasting $$$ and setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

I had taken all the classes as a sophomore and then took it that summer. From my experience, I'd wait a year.

 

[SpecterGT260]

I wouldn't say it's without advantage. If you take it right after finishing the required pre-reqs, all that information is fresh in your mind instead of 1-2+ years old.

looking back I think the MCAT is more about ability to synthesize information rather than what you "know". Id say having the background and having been through the harder upper level courses is better than having just recently had the basics for the test. The concepts covered in the MCAT are not overly complex

 

[theWUbear]

Many highly successful students at my undergrad took the MCAT after their sophomore year. They had completed physics, or taken it that summer before a late summer MCAT date, however. Do not overlook physics

 

[deleted103644]

Many highly successful students at my undergrad took the MCAT after their sophomore year. They had completed physics, or taken it that summer before a late summer MCAT date, however. Do not overlook physics

There is no advantage to doing that, so whether or not people have done that in the past is irrelevant.

There's no upside, and plenty of potential downside.

 

[Aerus]

This is false. The physics on the MCAT is above the high school level and there definitely is electricity and magnetism on it. There is also some introductory biochem, which you may or may not get from biology and/or ochem.

You should wait to take your MCAT. Why hurry? Like someone else said, this score is permanent and it is a very difficult test.

No, the physics is basically AP level. I will disagree with the person you quoted and say that there IS some E and M on it, but again, it's a high school AP level (AP Physics B should definitely suffice, given that you remember it)

AP Physics C is already overkill.

 

[SpecterGT260]

There is no advantage to doing that, so whether or not people have done that in the past is irrelevant.

There's no upside, and plenty of potential downside.

I seriously dislike agreeing with.... with... a lannister :sly:

 

[deleted103644]

No, the physics is basically AP level. I will disagree with the person you quoted and say that there IS some E and M on it, but again, it's a high school AP level (AP Physics B should definitely suffice, given that you remember it)

AP Physics C is already overkill.

Physics C might be insufficient actually. It covers less material than Physics B and has an easier AP exam if you can stomach the math (from someone with a 5 on both).

 

[theWUbear]

There is no advantage to doing that, so whether or not people have done that in the past is irrelevant.

There's no upside, and plenty of potential downside.

Upside to taking the MCAT right after finishing the prereqs, off the top of my head: it's fresh in your mind, and you leave later summers (after you've taken more advanced coursework) to research and more advanced pursuits. There's clear downside, I don't disagree. Like I said, these were highly successful students at WUSTL - the three I recall went straight to yale, hopkins, and jefferson med

 

[KnightofBaldMt]

Some medical schools average your MCAT scores when you apply. You could run the risk of getting a low score and significantly offsetting your final MCAT average after you finish prereqs.

 

[Big N Tasty]

OP I'm in the exact same situation as you. I had college physics in high school and after a quick content review I feel extremely comfortable and have been scoring extremely well on practice mcats.

Point is, nobody will know how you will do besides you. Take the test when you are ready. That being said, I haven't taken the real deal, just practice exams, so hopefully that doesn't invalidate my opinion lol

 

[SpecterGT260]

Upside to taking the MCAT right after finishing the prereqs, off the top of my head: it's fresh in your mind, and you leave later summers (after you've taken more advanced coursework) to research and more advanced pursuits. There's clear downside, I don't disagree. Like I said, these were highly successful students at WUSTL - the three I recall went straight to yale, hopkins, and jefferson med

Your statement almost seems to imply that their decision to take it early added to their success.... What about a situation where the high level of success of the student is what allowed them to take early and reduce/minimize the negative impact? Null hypothesis 👍

 

[deleted103644]

Upside to taking the MCAT right after finishing the prereqs, off the top of my head: it's fresh in your mind, and you leave later summers (after you've taken more advanced coursework) to research and more advanced pursuits. There's clear downside, I don't disagree. Like I said, these were highly successful students at WUSTL - the three I recall went straight to yale, hopkins, and jefferson med

The material is basic - it's better to make sure you have a firm understanding of core concepts than to remember minutiae. This can be reinforced with higher level courses. For the few minutiae you need, just review for a month or two.

Do your research that summer instead of taking your MCAT. If you want to get published, you'll need a fair amount of time if you want to get through the peer review process prior to submitting your application.