Wait or write?

[kc99]

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I am a Biology major going into my 3rd year of my degree. I am scheduled to write the MCAT on August 9th and I have been studying since the beginning of June. I have the EK books (not the 1001 books) and I have a Barron's book (which I haven't really touched because I heard it was garbage). I am about 1/2 finished of reading all of the books with taking notes. When I read the chapters, I feel like I have a good understanding of the material but my test results have been lower than I would like.
I have taken Genetics, Systematics, Microbiology, Physics, General Chem and Organic Chem.
Do you think I would be better off waiting to write the MCAT next year after taking more courses such as Physiology and Cell Biology? Or should I keep working hard and see what I can do this summer?

 

[WinterLights]

I am a Biology major going into my 3rd year of my degree. I am scheduled to write the MCAT on August 9th and I have been studying since the beginning of June. I have the EK books (not the 1001 books) and I have a Barron's book (which I haven't really touched because I heard it was garbage). I am about 1/2 finished of reading all of the books with taking notes. When I read the chapters, I feel like I have a good understanding of the material but my test results have been lower than I would like.
I have taken Genetics, Systematics, Microbiology, Physics, General Chem and Organic Chem.
Do you think I would be better off waiting to write the MCAT next year after taking more courses such as Physiology and Cell Biology? Or should I keep working hard and see what I can do this summer?

Most people take the MCAT at the end of their junior year.

 

[LikeClockWork]

I am a Biology major going into my 3rd year of my degree. I am scheduled to write the MCAT on August 9th and I have been studying since the beginning of June. I have the EK books (not the 1001 books) and I have a Barron's book (which I haven't really touched because I heard it was garbage). I am about 1/2 finished of reading all of the books with taking notes. When I read the chapters, I feel like I have a good understanding of the material but my test results have been lower than I would like.
I have taken Genetics, Systematics, Microbiology, Physics, General Chem and Organic Chem.
Do you think I would be better off waiting to write the MCAT next year after taking more courses such as Physiology and Cell Biology? Or should I keep working hard and see what I can do this summer?

Physiology helps tackle some complex stuff like the heart, kidneys, lungs and whatnot. If you feel like you can grasp the information from just the review books then that can be fine. Your real guage should be the full-length practice tests. If you're not scoring in a range greater than or equal to your target score, then you probably shouldn't write the MCAT.

 

[SN2ed]

It doesn't sound like you're lacking in the content review area. I think you're problem might be lack of practice problems. Definitely pick some up and I bet you'll see some gains in your practice test score. Remember to save most of your FLs until the month before your test. You don't want to go through too many, too early. Also remember to review your practice problems and ALWAYS take them under timed conditions.

For some practice problems, you should probably check out the EK 1001 series and EK 101 VR. If you can and it's not horrendously expensive (which it may very well be), try getting a hold of Kaplan's Q-bank. Maybe browse around the bookstore to see if Kaplan or TPR or whoever has some more practice problem heavy books.

Yeah, you're right about the Barron's. It's not good.

About your specific question, I think it's a little early to think about delaying. Keep studying and if you aren't ready 3 weeks before your test, don't take it.

 

[bazaar]

Physiology helps tackle some complex stuff like the heart, kidneys, lungs and whatnot. If you feel like you can grasp the information from just the review books then that can be fine. Your real guage should be the full-length practice tests. If you're not scoring in a range greater than or equal to your target score, then you probably shouldn't write the MCAT.

Take practice tests and make sure you are consistently scoring as well as you would like to before you write the exam since it seems like you have the luxury of pushing it back a bit if needed. Sounds like you are in a good place. 🙂

 

[J ROD]

I did not think there was a test on Aug 9th?

I think you just need to do more practice and get better with the passages.

It seems you have a decent content base and maybe just need to brush up on a few weak areas.

You can always take and void it to get a look at the real one too! 😀

 

[kc99]

Thank you for the advice, everyone. I am Canadian so maybe that is why my test is on the 9th. I'll continue to keep on studying!!