What is the BEST way to improve MCAT scores by April?

[EReze]

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I took the August 2003 MCATS and needless to say, I must retake them. The MCAT is the ONLY thing keeping me out of medical school. I took the Kaplan course twice (the first time I didn't take it seriously and avoided the MCAT-- and this summer I took the couse again, studied hard, and took advantage of all it offered). Now they are saying if I wanted to re-take the course, it's $1400-- If i took it twice and still did poorly, why bother?

I quit my job so that i can put my all into this test. What could I do in the next 3 months to make my score go up. I only need 4-5 more points. Please Help!!!! 😱

 

[Chrisobean]

practice practice practice practice practice
study the material, then practice questions
i dont think there is a better way, seriously. you have plenty of time to kick ass!

 

[DoubleImage]

I think first off you should decipher if it is lack of knowledge of the (specific) material or rather test-taking problems- I assume you have probably already done this. If it is lack of knowledge of material- that is just pure studying or possibly retaking a weak core subject. if it difficulty answering the type of questions asked on the MCAT, there are books to help better develop critical thinking skills at any bookstore- I have probably not offered any type of help- but I don't think there isn't a clear cut answer.

 

[kaplanm79]

Do you need to improve in all three area's (bio, physics, and verbal reasoning), or is it just one or two areas you have problems with? Also do you find you run out of time in any of the sections and that is causing you to get questions wrong or are you answering all the questions and getting a bunch wrong? I think you need to figure out what your weaknesses are and focus on them for two months or so and then focus on the whole test about a month before you take it.

 

[EReze]

verbal is my strong point. I thought i would bomb physical and kick A$$ on the bio, but bio ended up being my weakest subject even thought it was my major. I think its due to organic, which i did well in during undergrad but forgot most of what i learned since 2001.

 

[taylor92107]

Are you taking all of Kaplan's practice MCAT's? I took Kaplan and took all the practice MCAT's and practice section tests. I ended up scoring 10 points higher than my initial Kaplan evaluation exam. I also (maybe this may not be the best advise...but it worked for me) drilled myself on the stuff I did know. I hate physics and I honestly don't think I'll ever get it so I just learned the basics and focused more on the stuff i knew I had a chance with.Good luck and don't give up...you'll do better!! 👍

 

[moniagrl]

i took the Princton review course instead of the kaplan one

but...........i heard from many a student that the kaplan tests are easier than the real MCAT and that the princton review ones are harder

not sure if that is true but then again i slacked off on my studying and went into the exam with 2 hours of sleep, only knowing a third of the material and only having done one practice test

may i suggest that you DO NOT do what i did😀

in retrospect, i would study more on my own - the review courses depend sooooooooo much on how good our teachers are that it probably isint worth another $1400

make sure you know the info and do many many practice tests

i am sure u will do fine 🙂

plan learning objectives and take time off before the exam

 

[BrianGa]

It all depends on what you're willing to do to raise your score.

If you're going to pay for a course, then I'd take Princeton Review. First, I took it and my score went up 12 points from my first evaluation test. Second, if you already took Kaplan and it didn't work for you the way you wanted, you shouldn't go back to them. Third, and most importantly, the quality of the practice MCATs given by Princeton Review is superior - they get actual MCAT tests for some of their practices and they make the tests harder for you, so you have an accurate idea of where you stand (I actually went up 2 points from my last practice test to the real one).

If you don't want to pay for a course, then I recommend you get a book or two on the test and follow their instructions as well as you can. They are usually written by people who know the test really well (not just the material, which is another benefit I've seen in P.R. over Kap-lan), so trust what they say about your performance.

Good luck

 

[MHC]

Try the examkracker books and cds. A lot cheaper than those classes and they are quite good. I used these almost exclusively to study for the MCAT and did well on the test.

Good luck!

 

[Pooh Chong]

The examkrackers audio osmosis CD on verbal reasoning was excellent. I took Princeton Review and on the night before the MCAT listened to the VR portion of the audio osmosis CD and changed my entire strategy.

Otherwise....if you feel like you have all the knowledge somewhere in your head then practice as much as you possibly can.

If you feel like you just don't know the material then re-read your study guides and take the time to understand the principles of the material.

ONE SUGGESTION: Talk to Kaplan and after stating your case if they still won't let you take it over for free....then I suggest you request the practice exams. I know at PR you take 5 exams, but I've been told they actually have a tank of 10 exams and you can request the other 5.

AND DO NOT STRESS OUT - while it may be an incredibly important test...stressing out about it probably won't increase your score or make your life happy. What will happen will happen...stay relaxed.

 

[DD214_DOC]

www.e-mcat.com

 

[JJF]

Absolutely take the Examkracker intensive course. Abd get the CD's (audio osmosis).

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Is it just me or do 3 CAPITAL LETTER usernames tend to have under 20 posts and push Exam Krackers products and not list their location ... ???

hmmm...

 

[Pooh Chong]

Well I have no idea who JJF is but I can say with complete truth that the Examkrackers Audio Omosis CDs are fantastic. In fact, the CDs retain their value so after you buy yours you can sell it with a minimal loss...or just buy a used CD set. They don't lose value because they do not come out with a new version for every year (it would seem redundant as information is information).

 

[jmarra03]

My expereince with the MCATS was that I took a kaplan course then took the MCATS but didn't do as well as I had hoped. I retook the MCATS in April and looked over the books from my course and didn't stress and went up in almost all of my areas. I think there is something to say for not stressing out too much and trying to know the stuff you know well. I honestly don't know if the course helped me that much.

 

[Amy B]

Originally posted by EReze
verbal is my strong point. I thought i would bomb physical and kick A$$ on the bio, but bio ended up being my weakest subject even thought it was my major. I think its due to organic, which i did well in during undergrad but forgot most of what i learned since 2001.

Sometimes you can do worse in the area of your major, because you over think the questions because you try to use all the knowledge you have gained in your biology classes.

I would strongly suggest lots and lots and lots of practice questions between now and then. Have you purchased the actual MCAT exams offered by the people that write up the MCAT. I found it a great way to get practice. http://services.aamc.org/AAMC_STORE/catalog.cfm

The full membership gives you access to all the test they offer for $80 which is the best option.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DrDad]

examkrackers is the way to go if you are time limited... and Princeton is Very good

my two cents

DrDad

 

[LovelyRita]

One week before the MCAT I hid from society; I checked into a hotel room so I could be alone and study. I did full 8 -hour practice tests (I had taken Kaplan). I studied my weak spots.

Best of luck to you.
M.

 

[DrDad]

the audio learn program is fantastic, you can just wear a walkman and do audio osmosis

 

[XT777]

study until one eye moves independently from the other and practice until you piss blood

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Originally posted by XT777
study until one eye moves independently from the other and practice until you piss blood