The Official 4/27/13 MCAT Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

brood910

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
1,507
Reaction score
318
This might be considered a bit early, but full-time college students need to prepare ahead of time, especially when they are doing a research and volunteering, which requires them to spend at least 30-40 hours per week...

Let's share plans, strategies, schedules, and so on to help each other to crack this exam.
 
I just ordered books.. Do you think I'm a bit late as I haven't started anything yet. I'm deciding whether I should take prep course or follow Sn2ed schedule. What about you? Have you registered already?
 
I was going to take it in January, but I changed my mind as I barely have time to study for MCAT. I am doing fine on the science sections, but my score on the verbal section is just....... ****. So, I am focusing more on the verbal..

You are not late. If you are a full-time student like me, then I think you should start doing content review first, not doing practices yet. At least, that's what I am doing.
 
I agree that you're not too late. The SN2ed schedule is for a packed 3 months or a 4-month version; I've heard good comments about it.

I don't have a good solution for verbal other than 'practice, practice, practice'. It's my weakest section for sure. I was supposed to take the exam last July but long story short, it got cancelled, and I'm rescheduled for April (blessing in disguise).
 
So far i have all TBR books, TPRH Verbal workbook. I still need to adjust my schedule so i can effectively study all the material till then. I wont be done with physics though, physics ends 5/16/13. BUt i think i can learn about 2-3 weeks worth of material from TBR.

BTW, my plan, is everyday, re-inforce concepts. I feel like there are many practical difficult MCAT exams out there (NOT official) so i would use those as practice tests, even though they may not be similar, but the point is to get you thinking and apply what you have learned. I have devoted 2 hours everyday, and 4 hours each weekend day including friday. That is until the MCAT.
 
I'm signed up for April 27! Ready to tackle this thing and get it over and done with. Do y'all think the new test will be to our advantage or disadvantage?
 
I think the test is getting harder and harder every year, and its pattern changes too, as long as what I have heard is true (i.g. more/less orgo passages).

I am currently doing content review only for bio + practicing for verbal + reading The Economist articles.
 
I'm signed up for April 27! Ready to tackle this thing and get it over and done with. Do y'all think the new test will be to our advantage or disadvantage?

I assume you're talking about the elimination of the writing sample. It depends, some say that the writing was a nice break before BS. I kinda think that having 1 less hour of sitting in that chair staring at a computer screen before BS will be a bit more advantageous. I think I'm a pretty good writer, but since it doesn't matter now thats just one less thing to worry about on game day
 
I assume you're talking about the elimination of the writing sample. It depends, some say that the writing was a nice break before BS. I kinda think that having 1 less hour of sitting in that chair staring at a computer screen before BS will be a bit more advantageous. I think I'm a pretty good writer, but since it doesn't matter now thats just one less thing to worry about on game day

We can opt to do the new section. I will do it to rest a bit 😛
 
We can opt to do the new section. I will do it to rest a bit 😛

The experimental section is post-test. Once you've completed the actual exam, you choose whether or not you want your exam scored, if you score it, you have the option of taking the experimental portion, otherwise you cannot take it. They have more details on their website.
 
I just signed up for April 27th! Anyone here working full-time? I work M-F and usually don't get back until 7:30pm on weekdays. By the time I'm home, I'm so tired that I have a really hard time even reading properly. I can't seem to absorb anything I read. What are your strategies and study schedules like?
 
I just signed up for April 27th! Anyone here working full-time? I work M-F and usually don't get back until 7:30pm on weekdays. By the time I'm home, I'm so tired that I have a really hard time even reading properly. I can't seem to absorb anything I read. What are your strategies and study schedules like?

I'm a full-time grad student in a combined dietetic internship program with a graduate assistantship and a part-time job. Essentially I work 60 hours/wk minimum with 40 non-paid, but I enjoy that portion of it. My graduate assistantship is working in an animal research lab and publishing some of the data, which I also really enjoy. Overall, it's pretty hectic but manageable as long as I stay organized and don't take on too much extra on any given week. Keep in mind, I graduate in December so some of this will curb before I really hit the books hard for the MCAT. Then again, I will ideally be working full-time as a dietitian at that time.

It sounds like you need to put in a lot of your time during the weekends. Previously I would wake up by 4 or 5 in the morning to study for ~2 hours each day. I still get up most days at that time, but I don't think it's sustainable if you do that and stay up late. I always found if I stayed up too late I would finish reading something and have no idea what I just read, much like trying to read a book to fall asleep. I always try and handwrite notes even if it's something simple because I seem to retain it better and can always look back to see what concepts I just read.

Hope some of that helps.
 
I'm a full-time grad student in a combined dietetic internship program with a graduate assistantship and a part-time job. Essentially I work 60 hours/wk minimum with 40 non-paid, but I enjoy that portion of it. My graduate assistantship is working in an animal research lab and publishing some of the data, which I also really enjoy. Overall, it's pretty hectic but manageable as long as I stay organized and don't take on too much extra on any given week. Keep in mind, I graduate in December so some of this will curb before I really hit the books hard for the MCAT. Then again, I will ideally be working full-time as a dietitian at that time.

It sounds like you need to put in a lot of your time during the weekends. Previously I would wake up by 4 or 5 in the morning to study for ~2 hours each day. I still get up most days at that time, but I don't think it's sustainable if you do that and stay up late. I always found if I stayed up too late I would finish reading something and have no idea what I just read, much like trying to read a book to fall asleep. I always try and handwrite notes even if it's something simple because I seem to retain it better and can always look back to see what concepts I just read.

Hope some of that helps.
Wow.....working 40~60 hrs per week and studying. I am embarassed. Serioulsy. I work 40 hr per week and that work load drains me completely. I haven't picked up my books yet. Tomorrow is the day! I will do so tommorow for sure, even if it is for 30 mins. I am also trying to find a part time job so I can leave this 40 hr/wk corporate job which btw has nothing to do with health care and is a distraction. I see that you are based in Memphis, TN from your profile. Is that true? I too am based in Memphis, TN. Perhaps I may have seen you in the Prometric Exam center and not know you. Would be nice to know a fellow student from the same city. Let me know if you wish to connect. I would be happy to.
 
Wow.....working 40~60 hrs per week and studying. I am embarassed. Serioulsy. I work 40 hr per week and that work load drains me completely. I haven't picked up my books yet. Tomorrow is the day! I will do so tommorow for sure, even if it is for 30 mins. I am also trying to find a part time job so I can leave this 40 hr/wk corporate job which btw has nothing to do with health care and is a distraction. I see that you are based in Memphis, TN from your profile. Is that true? I too am based in Memphis, TN. Perhaps I may have seen you in the Prometric Exam center and not know you. Would be nice to know a fellow student from the same city. Let me know if you wish to connect. I would be happy to.

No need to be embarrassed, everyone has their own priorities to accomplish with their own challenges. I can honestly say it's quite tolerable for me since I enjoy >75% of it.

I've lived in Memphis for 1.5 years now and was very recently offered a full-time clinical dietitian position. I graduate from my master's/internship program in almost just 2 weeks, so I thank my lucky stars I finally found a full-time job.

I'll send you a PM.
 
Success! Today, I graduate with my Masters in Clinical Nutrition, and 1200 dietetic internship hours needed for the RD exam. I look forward to starting my MCAT studying (again) next week; I already have all my materials staring at me as I type this.
 
I'm also 4/27! I am doing the SN2ed 4mo. plan. I am also using the PR Hyperlearning Verbal, BK for everything, and EK 1001 and EK verbal. Good luck everyone! 😳

Oh, and I also purchased all the practice MCAT's! All the cost quiet a bit but I'm glad I was able to find it all.
 
Damn, this started early.

I'll be signing up for the 4/27 date soon. I'm hoping I'll get FAP this time.

Started restudying this morning. Sat for an 8/4 test but voided.

Doing 3 weeks of EK brush up (~2 chapters/day) until my Kaplan course starts on Jan 9th.

Goal is a 34+
 
Success! Today, I graduate with my Masters in Clinical Nutrition, and 1200 dietetic internship hours needed for the RD exam. I look forward to starting my MCAT studying (again) next week; I already have all my materials staring at me as I type this.

Congratulations! For all you people studying with a full time job, good luck.
 
Success! Today, I graduate with my Masters in Clinical Nutrition, and 1200 dietetic internship hours needed for the RD exam. I look forward to starting my MCAT studying (again) next week; I already have all my materials staring at me as I type this.
Congrats on your masters! Thanks for the advice. I'm finally going to get a week off from work for the holidays so I'm gonna try to start studying again. Unfortunately, I stopped studying completely, but I'm hoping to change that now. What are all your study schedules like? I'm studying solely with TBR books for everything and it takes SO long to read and take notes on 1 topic, not to mention finishing the questions at the end of each topic.

Btw, if anyone is in the NYC area and wants to study, let me know
 
hey! I plan to do the 4 month sn2ed plan for the april 27th mcat? Did you start before january 27th? Im worried that ill need a few extra days in case i miss a day or something
 
hey! I plan to do the 4 month sn2ed plan for the april 27th mcat? Did you start before january 27th? Im worried that ill need a few extra days in case i miss a day or something

I started just a couple days ago, so I could give myself a little cushion if needed. I work full-time etc, so it will likely benefit me. I have not seen any issues over the first few days, but I know I'll just have to work on it mostly mornings before work.
 
Just registered for the MCAT!! WOO! well...ive been studying using SN2 and it sucks..like really..but im doing it! Anyone else studying on Christmas Eve?
 
I've had all my books for a few weeks, now. Set up my 4-month study schedule using the SN2 method today and I'll start studying beginning Thursday.

I'm taking Orgo II, Cell Bio, Biochem, and Physics 2 Lab this semester, so I'm hoping that studying for the MCAT while taking these classes ends up increasing my performance for both, instead of hurting it.
 
21524002.jpg


Planning for a 4/27 exam. I started lightly reviewing over the summer with wikipremed and EK, but I stopped reviewing once fall semester began; I covered most of the material - except electricity and magnetism - while doing research, volunteering, TA'ing, and tutoring. It was an exhausting summer!

I've got all the EK books, TPR, and BR. I'm pretty much finished with EK. It was a nice review of the concepts I learned awhile ago but I retain more information with more detailed books (TPR/BR). I really began reviewing two days ago and have been averaging ~1.5 chapters a day out of TPR. Once spring semester begins, I'll have to pick up the studying so I can finish my content review by 4/1 (that's the goal!). The last couple of weeks before the exam I'll spend doing practice exams (BR, AAMC, EK mini-MCATs) and verbal review.

Along with studying for the MCAT next semester, I'll also be volunteering a few hours per week at a local hospital, shadowing, and taking 13 relatively easy credits (3 tough science, 10 easy gen ed).

Shooting for 33+ 🙂 Good luck everyone!
 
Hey guys I just made my version of SN2's schedule for the next four months and I'm actually really excited to start but I'm also a little nervous bc I'm working full time and I don't have any study buddies :/ I just graduated from Rutgers in New Brunswick and talking about the material with my friends was how I got through every exam in my general science courses. I'm sure support from everyone in this group will help, but if anyone lives around north jersey (the gw bridge is not even 10 min from my house) and you want to meet up at Starbucks or something to go over things together I would feel so much more at ease! And if you're not from my area I would also be down to have Skype study sessions once a week or something. Just reply on here I'll be checking frequently as I procrastinate 🙂 Good luck studying everyone !

Michelle
 
I'm on for April 27 as well! My goal is a 33+ and am taking a TPR course that starts Jan. 28. Until then I'm basically using EK and Kaplan to review concepts. I realize 33 is 90th %ile but I feel like 10's,11's, and 12's are definitely attainable with 4 months of rigorous study. Does anyone else agree? I'm scoring 8-9's on each section now without dedicating 20-30 hours/week to it like I plan to (with the exception of verbal which ranges from 6-10 depending on the passages). If anyone has any tips or wants to study let me know!
 
Hello fellow 4/27/12 MCAT takers!

I will be following the 3 month schedule created by the infamous SN2ed. I hope it doesn't kick my butt too badly... I'll be starting this upcoming Monday.

While studying for the MCAT I will be finishing up the last of my prereqs, OChem II. I will also be working part-time as a transport EMT. My job, so far, has been a good eight hour period for studying. We roughly get one to two calls a shift.

Good luck and keep posted.
 
Hey guys I just made my version of SN2's schedule for the next four months and I'm actually really excited to start but I'm also a little nervous bc I'm working full time and I don't have any study buddies :/ I just graduated from Rutgers in New Brunswick and talking about the material with my friends was how I got through every exam in my general science courses. I'm sure support from everyone in this group will help, but if anyone lives around north jersey (the gw bridge is not even 10 min from my house) and you want to meet up at Starbucks or something to go over things together I would feel so much more at ease! And if you're not from my area I would also be down to have Skype study sessions once a week or something. Just reply on here I'll be checking frequently as I procrastinate 🙂 Good luck studying everyone !

Michelle

Seems like there are a lot of Rutgers students here. Im a senior right now 🙂
 
Here's the 3 month SN2 schedule with dates shifted for our 4/27/13 test date:
http://speedy.sh/zTsDp/april-27-mcat.ics

Counting the four buffer days the latest you want to start is 1/17.

Thanks for the post! I'm thinking about throwing my hat in the ring for this date (or April 26) but still pretty unsure, so helpful for a reminder of the 3 month study period.

I scored a 32 (10-10-12) back in July. Good score and likely not holding me back but I was doing much better on practice tests (36 avg, high of 40). If I do decide to retake, I won't actually sit for the exam unless my practice scores are 35+.

Ugh.. decisions. Going to sleep on it for (another) night or two..
 
Signed up for April 26th. I've started about 2 weeks ago. Im a retaker so im just reading my notes that I took from last time. Trying to do as much practice problems as I can
 
Signed up for April 26th. I've started about 2 weeks ago. Im a retaker so im just reading my notes that I took from last time. Trying to do as much practice problems as I can

If you don't mind sharing, how'd you do on the first go around?

I am also focusing on practice problems rather than content. I felt last time I had a very good grasp of the content but ended up seeing multiple passages asking questions I hadn't seen before (on content I knew), which really hurt me. This time, I'm going to drill and drill and drill with much less a focus on content and much more of a focus on practice passages.
 
If you don't mind sharing, how'd you do on the first go around?

I am also focusing on practice problems rather than content. I felt last time I had a very good grasp of the content but ended up seeing multiple passages asking questions I hadn't seen before (on content I knew), which really hurt me. This time, I'm going to drill and drill and drill with much less a focus on content and much more of a focus on practice passages.

I got a 30Q on 9/1 (12ps, 8v, 10bs). I am retaking mainly for the verbal but I know I can definitely up my BS score now that I've seen what types of experimental bio questions the MCAT like to throw at you. Also, I believe I can increase my PS score since I know I missed 3 questions that I definitely should have gotten correct. Hoping for around a 36 something like a 14ps, 10v, 12bs

I'm actually almost done content review (still 2 more physics chps and all of orgo left) but this time around, i'm definitely just drilling in as many passages as I can. I didn't mark any of my TBR passages or TPRHL workbooks last time so I'm gonna redo these and then I signed up for a kaplan online class so I'm gonna do all their online practice.
 
Count me in for the 27th. I am beginning the sn2ed schedule on the 14th. I haven't looked at biology in five years, and I am not taking orgo 2 until after the MCAT. Pretty nervous!
 
Stopped studying for a while due to classes/research/volunteering.
Planning to resume studying tomorrow..!
 
Started studying mid December, then stopped.

Starting again tonight, I think. Just added a research project to my spring schedule, which might squeeze a little bit of time away from my mcat prep. I've got some important decisions to make.
 
Just signed up! I will be canceling if I happen to get into med school 🙂 I applied this cycle and have had one interview which went okay, but I need to retake my 11/7/11 in case I don't get in this cycle. I am fully confident in the sciences, so I will be putting 80 percent of my efforts on verbal. Just got the TPRH verbal workbook and look forward to starting it today or tomorrow. Good luck guys, lets kill it!
 
Top