WHEN to actually start studying MCATs?

[californiamed]

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I've looked on various sites, and found different answers. I want to apply to med school on the NORMAL cycle (once senior year is done, off to grad school). And I know that I might have to take it more than once.

So plainly: When should is the best time to study? Summer following sophomore year? Junior year?


THANKS!

 

[Omni]

The way it worked for me, is summer after sophomore year. I plan on taking and finishing my MCAT by the end of this summer. The latest you should take your MCAT is May of your junior year. FInd the best date to take it and just prepare accordingly for it.

 

[lrkoehle]

I don't know if this applies to you, but I would suggest you start studying for the MCAT from day one. By that I mean learn everything you can in all of your "premed courses." As for actual MCAT preparation, I think earlier is typically better. I started in the summer for an August 5th MCAT date about 10 months before applying. I did not take any summer classes, so I could focus on studying when I wanted to. I think I did pretty well.

You should take a look at the 30+ MCAT thread in the MCAT discussions section.

 

[premedicine555]

THANKS! so I shouldn't take it the fall of my senior year? that's too late?

 

[lrkoehle]

THANKS! so I shouldn't take it the fall of my senior year? that's too late?

If you want to start medical school immediately after you senior year, I would say definitely do not take it your senior year. That will make you very late. You will want to take it in your Junior year, so you have your score ready to go by around June before your senior year to apply early.

 

[premedicine555]

good thread!

 

[brianmed]

I've looked on various sites, and found different answers. I want to apply to med school on the NORMAL cycle (once senior year is done, off to grad school). And I know that I might have to take it more than once.

So plainly: When should is the best time to study? Summer following sophomore year? Junior year?


THANKS!

get a book and start NOW!!!!!!

 

[LizzyM]

Until recently, the MCAT was administered twice each year: April and August.

Typical applicants tended to take the exam in April of junior year. Retakes generally occurred in August before the start of senior year.

There are now more options and you could stretch to May or even June and still be on track to apply & be interviewed in fall of your senior year.

It is never too early to become familiar with the format of the MCAT and to review sections that correspond to the coursework you have most recently completed.

Reading complex essays in newspapers or magazines (New York Times, The Economist, Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker) is a good prep for the verbal section. All of these publications tend to have frequent pieces on healthcare policy, biomedical advances, and other interesting material. Read something challenging every day.

 

[chemolupusMD]

I would say either summer of sophmore year, or take an easy load of classes and take at the end of fall semester of Junior year. Make sure u learn everything from the clases that you are taking right now. It is better if u learn it and then review it than trying to learn the whole thing all over again 🙁 .

 

[WashMe]

Try to take it in January of your Junior year so you have time for an April retake without holding up your application. If you are willing to hit it hard, you'll be fine if you start studying 1-2 months out (some people only do 2-3 wks, some do several months; I think more than 2 months is unnecessary).

 

[STXGregor]

Take an easy load spring of junior year then take it in april or may, and study that whole semester, amping it up as time goes on. This gives u 3 weeks (if u do late may) of summer to study uninterrup

 

[Meat]

I took my test May 22nd. Having done pretty well, I would advise you to do a few things:

1. Start getting information on the MCAT now. Learn about the test, the subjects covered and the structure.
2. Do well in your chemistry biology and physics classes. This will form a foundation for your MCAT prep and prepare you for the information covered.
3. Set a date 3-4 months before your MCAT, make some time and start studying then. I can say from personal experience that any more time and I would have been burnt out.
4. Take as many practice tests as possible in a fashion similar to what you'll be seeing on test day. Do the whole test in its entirety (no cheating 😀) in stressful situations as well as at your home (i.e. library).

I used the Kaplan course and really enjoyed their materials, but any comprehensive course or set of books should work. Its just important that you put the time in, practice the tests, and don't get burnt out!

On a side note, I thought audio osmosis was a lot of fun, and would suggest it for walking around to classes, when driving, etc.

Good luck! You can do it!

 

[CyclistOK]

I honestly didn't study for it, apart from taking a free practice test at my University. If you had a pretty easy time in your pre-reqs, you might not need to study much.

 

[WashMe]

I honestly didn't study for it, apart from taking a free practice test at my University. If you had a pretty easy time in your pre-reqs, you might not need to study much.

Don't listen to this guy/gal, unless (s)he means to put in 3wks when (s)he says you might not need to study much. I put in about 70hrs studying, not counting 4 practice tests I took. Don't think you can just walk in and take it.

If CyclistOK really got a 35S without studying, then (s)he made a huge mistake by not studying. Anyone who can get a 35 cold definitely has potential to score ~40 or more.

 

[Seraph 84]

About 3-4 months before your target test date.