When to start studying for the MCAT?

[Southern Gentleman]

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...and no I don't mean the one that's coming up this saturday!

Really though I'm finishing up my sophomore year and thought starting over the summer (reviewing and what not) would be good! I mean....the sooner the better right? What do you guys/gals think (If things go smoothly I'll be taking it in one year)!!?

 

[mr.annoying]

It wouldn't hurt to review everything you've learned, especially O-Chem since you probably just took it. I wouldn't get too crazy with it though, since starting in January or so for the April MCAT should be plenty of time. You'll probably forget everything anyways if you study the summer before. I only studied 3.5 weeks for the MCAT, but then again I didn't do extremely well either.

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Some people may tell you to relax and not start just yet, but not me! If you really want to start reviewing, buy the Princeton Review book(s). I heard they are the most comprehensive. Kaplan offers stretch courses that begin around November. If you don't want to be stresed out from starting in Feb, it may make life easier to do that type of course. Kaplan is good b/c they give you LOTS of practice material, which is the most important thing to have when studying for the mcat.

Good Luck! Be sure to do something cool and unique over the summer as well. Don't just hang around studying for the mcat, ya know?

p.s. If you have finished all of your pre-reqs, why not take the August mcat? That way you will have time to retake if need be. 🙂

 

[Forensic Chick]

Freshman year -- of high school! I started studying 6 months ago, and I still haven't covered everything... Don't waste mucho $$ on the Kaplan/Princeton courses -- just go to Amazon.com, buy some of the used MCAT books - and start reading.

Good luck.

 

[Legend]

damn... believe or not
I plan to take the one this Saturday, but I am still thinking when I should start studying.... 😳

I hate waitlists.

 

[lola]

I started studying a few days ago. I start a Kaplan course May 4 and plan to read the Biological Sciences/Organic book before the class starts. It has been 7-9 years since I took my pre-med requirements, and I will be working full time this summer. ARGH 😛

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Thanks for the help guys and gals! 😎

 

[DarksideAllstar]

Let me give you some advice: Practice taking the damn tests now, and don't worry so much about the material at this point. If you take it in April, start actually studying and reviewing the material when your winter break comes around. Learning how to take the test is 75% of the battle. the other 25% comes from knowing material. Good luck. 🙂

 

[lola]

how about people who haven't taken the classes recently? they need to study the material, right? there is no way i'm going to recall this stuff without reviewing it! i plan to start taking practice tests in june.

 

[missbonnie]

Hi Everyone-

I 'm taking the mcat in 2 days (gulp). I took the examkrackers course, I swear by them. I took kaplan a few years ago (didnt take the mcat though) and it was very hit or miss depending on the instructor. Unfortunately, EK is only in the NYC area. All their simulated full lengths are the real AAMC practice tests - u get aamc 2,3,4,5,6 and the pratice items, and their price is comparable to kaplan/PR (and they do not give u the aamc tests). Ppl are prolly sick of me going on about EK, but my score went from a 25 (aamc 3- 9,7,9) to a 36 on aamc 5,6 (12,12,12). It takes hard work, good books & teachers, and YOUR commitment to working hard!

Good luck everyone.

 

[WonderBoy]

Miss Bonnie I just sent you a private message please read it.

 

[missbonnie]

Lola-

I've been out of school for 3 yrs, took bio in 95, orgo in 97, etc. Although I was a biochem major. I studied 10 weeks for the mcat and feel well-prepared. It comes back to you.

 

[EUROdocMOM]

lola & other non-trads-
I was over 8 years out of undergrad, and I started studying for the MCAT (2001), in early December. I used a Flowers & Silver study guide, ordered practice tests from AAMC, reviewed old organic & biochem notes, and went through a practice test book. I studied every morning 1hr & night 2-3 hours (except most weekends). I made a plan and stuck to it on how many sections per week I would accomplish. I also worked 35 hrs/week and I have 2 kids. I did all of this in Europe, by the way, which makes getting materials and books a little harder. So, get a plan and stick to it you will do fine!
I got into my first choice and even got the scholarship I applied for, so when you have your nose in books night after night, just keep your eye on the goal!!!!
The only thing I wish I would have done differently was take Genetics class or study more about it(I am taking it now, and see how much better on Bio section I could've done), and do more TIMED practice tests. What I mean is to simulate an entire day as if you were taking the test.
Good luck! There are some good sites for MCAT advice,too.

 

[lola]

Miss Bonnie and EUROdocMOM,
Thanks for your words of encouragement! Sometimes I am fine when I think about taking it little by little. When I think about relearning EVERYTHING, it can become overwhelming. My Biology background is not the greatest, and I have some concerns about that. I have never had a basic Biology class -- only a topics in Biology (random useless information), a cell Biology, and two Physiology classes. I will definitely be studying about Genetics on my own, since I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about it! Mendel? Who was he? :wink: As for the Chemistry, Physics, and Organic -- I should be fine (hopefully) since I was a Chemistry major.