What is the secret to MCAT success?

[Symmetry11]

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I will start taking my first prereqs at the start of summer and will carry that on to my post bacc during which I will complete all my basic prereqs and upper level science classes in a 2-3 year time period. I plan on studying for the MCAT concurrently with my classes during this period to give myself more time to study, consolidate, and learn the information. I've read that anyone can will themselves to the grade they want on the MCAT with enough time and practice. I believe this is mostly true.

So does anyone have any anecdotal evidence or suggestions as to whether this is the right course of action? If this isn't it then what is the secret to MCAT success?

 

[mikil100]

Do the best you can in your prereqs. Anything you retain is gravy. The secret to MCAT success is practicing taking the MCAT and doing MCAT style questions, reevaluating what you got wrong/what you struggled with, and then taking more MCAT style questions. Rinse and repeat
Obviously the background knowledge is necessary to get started

 

[DesitnationMD]

Do the best you can in your prereqs. Anything you retain is gravy. The secret to MCAT success is practicing taking the MCAT and doing MCAT style questions, reevaluating what you got wrong/what you struggled with, and then taking more MCAT style questions.

QFT. There is no secret. Find the best way for you to study science (we all have different learning methods) during your program and build a solid foundation. Once that's done, ~3-4 months of MCAT -focused studying and practice will literally teach you to think like the MCAT (the more AAMC like the passages/Qs, the better).

Since you have time, wait on buying books until it shakes out which companies will update and change to reflect the new MCAT as info comes out this year.
Good luck!

 

[Blueprint MCAT Tutor]

If this isn't it then what is the secret to MCAT success?

Read.

Think.

Read and think.

Read some more.

Read science, read humanities, read social science, read philosophy, read crappy sci-fi novels, read magazines. Read a Harry Potter novel then read a Malcolm Gladwell book then read King Lear then read the most recent issue of Foreign Affairs then read David Hume then read 50 Shades of Grey then read the original Kinsey Report then read On the Origin of Species then read Plato then read the Mind of a Mnemonist. Read.

Read.

If you're not the kind of person who reads as a hobby - who reads at least a couple of books a month just for fun, then force yourself to become that person for the time leading up to the MCAT.

Then read more.

The MCAT is not a science test. It is a reading test masquerading as a science test.

Yes of course you must memorize the content. But memorizing boring crap is the easy part. It's a dull long boring grind but you can get that done. The hard part is building up those critical reading muscles that so few college classes or professors ever really push us to develop.

Good luck! 🙂

b.

 

[Symmetry11]

Read.

Think.

Read and think.

Read some more.

Read science, read humanities, read social science, read philosophy, read crappy sci-fi novels, read magazines. Read a Harry Potter novel then read a Malcolm Gladwell book then read King Lear then read the most recent issue of Foreign Affairs then read David Hume then read 50 Shades of Grey then read the original Kinsey Report then read On the Origin of Species then read Plato then read the Mind of a Mnemonist. Read.

Read.

If you're not the kind of person who reads as a hobby - who reads at least a couple of books a month just for fun, then force yourself to become that person for the time leading up to the MCAT.

Then read more.

The MCAT is not a science test. It is a reading test masquerading as a science test.

Yes of course you must memorize the content. But memorizing boring crap is the easy part. It's a dull long boring grind but you can get that done. The hard part is building up those critical reading muscles that so few college classes or professors ever really push us to develop.

Good luck! 🙂

b.

What is the best way to read? I typically read science with corresponding images in my mind of the material, Is this the most efficient way to read?

 

[Dreamstoo]

Staying calm while preparing for it.

 

[texan2414]

Be realistic with your expectations!!!
Be honest to yourself - if you took a break for like an hour that turned into 2 hr/3 hr break, make sure you acknowledge it and plan accordingly.

Have a schedule that works for you! SOOOOO many people think that SN2 schedule would easily work for them but for majority of em that's not the case - you know how you study best so utilize that.