Working full-time and studying for MCAT?

[_NM_]

Hey! I just wanted to know if anyone else is or will be studying for the MCAT and working full time? I'm having trouble deciding how many months will be sufficient.

I started studying for CARS this summer (the first time I took the MCAT, verbal did not go so well), but have yet to start content review. I took the old MCAT, and I remember that after 3 months of studying 6-8 hrs a day, I barely felt prepared to take that one, so I can imagine that I'd need a lot longer to study for the new one--especially since I've never taken biochem

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[aromatic substitution]

I'll be working full time and taking the mcat next summer. I plan to study for 4-5 months with the plan of a late august/September test date. I've never taken the mcat, but I don't think it is wise to take it without having taken biochem.

 

[_NM_]

I'll be working full time and taking the mcat next summer. I plan to study for 4-5 months with the plan of a late august/September test date. I've never taken the mcat, but I don't think it is wise to take it without having taken biochem.

Yeah, I'm hoping to take it in January/February, but I'm not sure if that's too soon. Yeah I'm thinking of taking one of those edX courses or something for biochem. Since I already graduated, there's not much else I can do :/

 

[aromatic substitution]

Yeah, I'm hoping to take it in January/February, but I'm not sure if that's too soon. Yeah I'm thinking of taking one of those edX courses or something for biochem. Since I already graduated, there's not much else I can do :/

January/February should be fine if you can get biochem down before that. If not I would enroll in a biochem course at a university or cc before studying for the mcat. If you're able to enroll in a course before your intended date I think you'll be fine.

 

[Roayer]

Hey! I just wanted to know if anyone else is or will be studying for the MCAT and working full time? I'm having trouble deciding how many months will be sufficient.

I started studying for CARS this summer (the first time I took the MCAT, verbal did not go so well), but have yet to start content review. I took the old MCAT, and I remember that after 3 months of studying 6-8 hrs a day, I barely felt prepared to take that one, so I can imagine that I'd need a lot longer to study for the new one--especially since I've never taken biochem

I did it for my retake and retook because of CARS as well. I had 5 weeks to study for my retake where 4 of those weeks I had research from 830-5. It was hard as hell but by studying from 6-8 A.M and then from 6-10 pm I managed. Just be prepared to give up any free time in your life except the little slice at the end of the day. It sucked and I don't recommend it. I did manage to improve though so it is possible.

 

[gattaa]

I'm currently working full time and plan to take the exam in January. I've scheduled about 3-4 hours a day to study and I find that I study much more on the weekends than I plan too, but so far I feel very confident that I will cover all of the material listed in the AAMC outline (possibly a bit too soon, but I plan to just take extra FL practice exams in that case). Honestly, you can do it if you really want to.

 

[_NM_]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I feel a lot more confident about my choice to work full time haha. And thanks for the heads up, I will definitely take biochem before January.

I did it for my retake and retook because of CARS as well. I had 5 weeks to study for my retake where 4 of those weeks I had research from 830-5. It was hard as hell but by studying from 6-8 A.M and then from 6-10 pm I managed. Just be prepared to give up any free time in your life except the little slice at the end of the day. It sucked and I don't recommend it. I did manage to improve though so it is possible.

Woah!! You are so dedicated haha. How much had you studied for the first test you took?

 

[WhittyPsyche]

Hey! I just wanted to know if anyone else is or will be studying for the MCAT and working full time? I'm having trouble deciding how many months will be sufficient.

I started studying for CARS this summer (the first time I took the MCAT, verbal did not go so well), but have yet to start content review. I took the old MCAT, and I remember that after 3 months of studying 6-8 hrs a day, I barely felt prepared to take that one, so I can imagine that I'd need a lot longer to study for the new one--especially since I've never taken biochem

I studied for less than 6 weeks while working full-time. My practice scores right before the test were 96-98th percentile (haven't received official score yet). It's definitely doable, just need to be committed to your schedule.


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[Shotapp]

I studied for less than 6 weeks while working full-time. My practice scores right before the test were 96-98th percentile (haven't received official score yet). It's definitely doable, just need to be committed to your schedule.
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No need to brag man...

@_NM_ Good luck on your test. Is your job M-F?

 

[lexswift]

No need to brag man...

@_NM_ Good luck on your test. Is your job M-F?

I don't really see how that was bragging. She was simply showing doable it is.

 

[lexswift]

I studied for less than 6 weeks while working full-time. My practice scores right before the test were 96-98th percentile (haven't received official score yet). It's definitely doable, just need to be committed to your schedule.

What materials did you use and how did you study? How many hours a day did you study? What practice tests did you use and what were your scores on them?

 

[WhittyPsyche]

No need to brag man...

@_NM_ Good luck on your test. Is your job M-F?

... Wasn't bragging. You can't say "I only studied for two weeks but failed" and expect it to be valuable advice. Was giving reference to performance. Don't be so insecure man.


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[WhittyPsyche]

What materials did you use and how did you study? How many hours a day did you study? What practice tests did you use and what were your scores on them?

I used TPR complete set. Also had Kaplan and EK from the old tests from a friend but never got to them and felt TPR was enough.

I studied between 8-13 hours a day. Woke up at 5am daily worked out then studied until midday. Worked from midday to late evening. Did a couple hours studying at night and went to bed between 10pm and 12pm depending on the day. I functioned well on 3-5 hours of sleep throughout college so getting 5-7 daily during tidying was a lot for me. YMMV

Used 3 TPR, 1 NS (free), 1 GS (free), and all AAMC materials, including the OG as a half length, the SB timed like a FL (it's a little above a FL, 300 vs 234, so adjusted the time per question). Did all the private companies first tests ranged from 506 at diagnostic and a few points above, then AAMC materials were all 96-98th as mentioned above. Note TPR tests are very deflating. I took one TPR two days before my unscored, had something like 507/8 on the TPR and converted 518 on the unscored. I found the TPR's great because it's a deeper level of details and the passages are much, much longer so I felt the AAMC stuff felt easier after going through all of it.

Also used Anki, I made a card for everything through my content review with the TPR books and tried to do them daily though I missed days here and there, which would make my due decks huge. I definitely think this was a major player in my performance. I made a deck per test section, had about 30 cards a day in each. Reviews on my way to work, at work when I had a chance, first thing in the morning, and in bed before I fell asleep.


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[Roayer]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I feel a lot more confident about my choice to work full time haha. And thanks for the heads up, I will definitely take biochem before January.



Woah!! You are so dedicated haha. How much had you studied for the first test you took?

About a month, 2 weeks solid content review and learning all of physcis II and psych...omg. Then 2-3 weeks of doing AAMC practice and a few practice tests.

 

[Shotapp]

Whoops my B. My intention wasn't to be a jerk. I apologize for that. I guess you can say I am a little insecure lol. Standardized tests don't come easy to me especially when you have to apply all the knowledge from prerequisites to the Mcat. I am also seeking constructive advice for preparation for the Mcat test. I will be taking the test next year September. This fall/spring I will be retaking some of my prerequisites to prepare for the Mcat while working part-time. Verbal is my weakest area so I know I will need to target that area heavily.

 

[_NM_]

I used TPR complete set. Also had Kaplan and EK from the old tests from a friend but never got to them and felt TPR was enough.

I studied between 8-13 hours a day. Woke up at 5am daily worked out then studied until midday. Worked from midday to late evening. Did a couple hours studying at night and went to bed between 10pm and 12pm depending on the day. I functioned well on 3-5 hours of sleep throughout college so getting 5-7 daily during tidying was a lot for me. YMMV

Used 3 TPR, 1 NS (free), 1 GS (free), and all AAMC materials, including the OG as a half length, the SB timed like a FL (it's a little above a FL, 300 vs 234, so adjusted the time per question). Did all the private companies first tests ranged from 506 at diagnostic and a few points above, then AAMC materials were all 96-98th as mentioned above. Note TPR tests are very deflating. I took one TPR two days before my unscored, had something like 507/8 on the TPR and converted 518 on the unscored. I found the TPR's great because it's a deeper level of details and the passages are much, much longer so I felt the AAMC stuff felt easier after going through all of it.

Also used Anki, I made a card for everything through my content review with the TPR books and tried to do them daily though I missed days here and there, which would make my due decks huge. I definitely think this was a major player in my performance. I made a deck per test section, had about 30 cards a day in each. Reviews on my way to work, at work when I had a chance, first thing in the morning, and in bed before I fell asleep.


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Wow!! Thank you for the advice! I'll definitely try the card method. I used to do it for one of my classes in university and found it to be really helpful.