When to start studying MCAT?

[redrosesfi]

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I have a question concerning when to start studying for the MCAT. Is it advised to start studying for the MCAT only after all prereqs are completed, or is it possible to start studying at the same time as completing the prereqs (ie start studying in the same semester as finishing up organic2 and physics2)? I am curious because I would think that it would be best to start studying after all the prereqs have been completed, but am wondering if people have done otherwise. Thanks.

 

[Charles Darwin]

I have a question concerning when to start studying for the MCAT. Is it advised to start studying for the MCAT only after all prereqs are completed, or is it possible to start studying at the same time as completing the prereqs (ie start studying in the same semester as finishing up organic2 and physics2)? I am curious because I would think that it would be best to start studying after all the prereqs have been completed, but am wondering if people have done otherwise. Thanks.

Ideally, you should have some prior exposure to the topics presented on the MCAT before you actually sit down to study them further.

 

[Renaissance Man]

I have a question concerning when to start studying for the MCAT. Is it advised to start studying for the MCAT only after all prereqs are completed, or is it possible to start studying at the same time as completing the prereqs (ie start studying in the same semester as finishing up organic2 and physics2)? I am curious because I would think that it would be best to start studying after all the prereqs have been completed, but am wondering if people have done otherwise. Thanks.

You could get away with it for Organic 2, IMO. However, it would be harder for Physics 2, at least at my undergrad. Thats where electricity, magnetism, and optics came up, and those were featured throughout PS quite a bit.

 

[TheShaker]

Finish up your prereqs first, it'll make your life much easier.

 

[metaphase]

I studied for the MCAT while taking Physics I/II, having taken no physics since high school, took the test 1.5 weeks after the end of the year, and got 11 in PS. I took a kaplan course that ended in march plus lots of solo study/practice tests before my May 26 date, and found that taking the course at the same time meant that the topics were fresh in my mind. I barely had to review physics at all, since I needed to do all the same problems in even greater depth for my class.

There is minimal organic chemistry on the MCAT, so I doubt you'll be studying much that you haven't covered yet in your class.

I'd also recommend starting to review the older stuff (Bio, Gen Chem) further in advance, just so you don't get too busy trying to resurrect old subject matter at the same time as acing your courses and learning your new material.

 

[fabriciusj89]

I started studying while I was finishing orgo 2 and physics 2, but I focused on bio and gen chem at the beginning and by the time I reached orgo 2 and physics 2 in studying I had pretty much finished the classes. It helped having everything so fresh when I was studying, but I don't think I would have been able to study them before taking the classes. Just make sure you have enough time after the classes are over to really master the MCAT version of the material (which is not exactly what you'll be learning in class).

 

[mariamonte]

i studied for my mcat for 3 months and before taking physics 2... although it's not to hard to learn the material by yourself, looking back i should have maybe waited until after taking it and save myself from a lot of self-learning during that time. but it's "do-able", i got a 13 in PS so 😀

 

[redrosesfi]

Would this be possible you think?- I decided pretty late on doing premed but I wanted to know if this was feasible.

Finishing up prereqs:
Summer session 1 do Physics 2 + lab
Summer session 2 do Orgo 2 + lab
Study for MCAT during summer sessions and take MCAT sometime after SSII ends

 

[kpcrew]

Finish prereqs, choose a date and start studying 3 months before that.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

My advice would be :

1) First complete your pre-reqs and DONT take too much time between pre-reqs. Im not saying take them all in one semester but dont take physics 1 your freshman year and physics 2 your junior year.

2) when taking your pre-reqs spend the extra time to understand EVERYTHING. Don't just do the bare minimum for a good grade. This will save you a LOT of time later on. Don't memorize understand the concepts

3) As soon as youre done with pre-reqs take the MCAT and get it out of the way !!

 

[Mosa]

For real, start studying...tonight. You have all you need in terms of content knowledge to study for the verbal, the section most people claim is the toughest. The only Pre req you need for that is the ability to read, which I assume you have. Just a passage or two a night with associated questions from an MCAT practice book extended over a few months as soon as you can get started would do a good deal for you.

 

[Irish Football]

It really depends on how well you have learned/plan on learning the pre-reqs. If you learn the pre-reqs really well, assuming your college is a reasonably good and respected institution, then there is not much as far as the science sections go that you usually need to learn in addtion to prepare well for the MCAT. A 3-5 month review of the material should be more than sufficient.
If however, you did not or will not learn the pre-reqs well, then you may need to supplement your learning them with additional MCAT prep on the side if you are only going to leave a few months afterwards for MCAT study. Does that make sense?

 

[neekzg]

I was wondering the same as well. Should I start studying for MCATs the summer going into my third year if I'm not currently planning on taking a gap year? I was originally planning on studying abroad this next summer and study for MCATs going into my fourth year but I guess would mean I have to take a gap year. (Which I'm very open to anyway)

 

[fabriciusj89]

This is basically what I did- but make sure there is enough time after S2 to really devote to only studying. As long as you are disciplined and good with time management it shouldn't be a problem but you have to know yourself to decide if its a good plan for you.