Medical College Admission Test

[Death]

I was wondering if anyone was preparing for the MCAT or has already written it. If so, what/ how did you study? Did you go through practice books or did you take a prep course? I am still far away from the MCAT, even university, but I want to get started on the material as soon as possible.

For those who have written it, just HOW hard is it?

 

[GoldShadow]

If you're far away from it, DON'T START STUDYING FOR IT. Seriously, it won't do you any good and will just add stress. You should start studying for it about 3-5 months before you plan to take it, at most (even 4 months prior is pushing it). You don't need more time than that if you do it right. Trying to study for it before you've even taken the requisite classes is just stupid because you don't have the knowledge you need.

If you really want a leg up, start reading dense publications (like the Economist, or any scientific journal articles) and really try to comprehend them. The MCAT is more of a verbal comprehension and reasoning test than a knowledge test.

I took a Kaplan course for it; the classroom portion and their strategies were a waste of time. However, their practice material was well worth it. They had like 17 practice tests I think, and great science review.

The best way to study for it is to take as many practice tests as possible. Buy all 7 or whatever from the AAMC website for sure; they're $35 each I think but are worth more than all the other study material you could possibly find. As for what books to use, if you're not sure whether to get one prep book or another, it's a sign you should get both. Kaplan and Princeton are good (Kaplan verbal is crap though; don't use it for one second). I've also heard good things about Exam Krackers and Berkeley Review.


Again, if you're not even close to taking it, then don't even think about studying for it. There are better ways for you to spend your time. Hell, just have fun and do something you enjoy. Or study for your current classes, or anything really.

 

[Mini Mic]

I don't think I'd like to be operated on by someone who uses the pseudonym 'death'.

 

[SuperBowser]

So does that make you a medical student GoldShadow?

The american system really conduses me. In england you just do your school exams and apply for university (with occasional extra exams that don't need preparation), but the practice questions for this MCAT test seem pretty difficult. Parts are almost 2nd year university science standard .

Anyway, looking at the topics you need to cover, I'd say you could comfortably cover all of it in 2 months, but 3-4 is good if you like to play it safe. But I haven't taken MCAT so take what I say with a grain of salt .

edit: i just realised that the MCAT is an exam people do while they're at uni! You don't need to worry about it for a long time . Just concentrate on what you're doing now.

 

[Tom]

Of course I came into this topic fully aware that GoldShadow probably found it before I did and already gave the best advice. I have to agree with everything he said... Death, if you're still far away from taking the MCAT, or even university, then the best thing you can do for yourself is to apply yourself with everything you've got to your schoolwork and to keep your brain active. As you take your prerequisite courses in college (a year of Biology, a year of Chemistry, a year of Physics, a year of Organic Chemistry for sure... your basic sciences, and then you've got maths and more sciences and englishes :S) try as hard as you can to learn all of the material and do well. After all, that's a good bit of all the information you'll be tested on by the MCAT.

I only hear good things about the Kaplan course and all their practice materials. But Death, you'll find just like I am that the whole process is a long journey and you have to take the certain steps in order and at the appropriate time... I've been looking forward to the MCAT for years now, since senior year high school (now in my second year of college, I think GoldShadow is in his third?) so I'm still at the point where I haven't even started reviewing MCAT material. I wont for like over another six months. You gotta focus on what you can, and right now for me that's the prereq courses and staying well read, and for you that's doing well in what you're doing while just keeping the big picture in mind.

 

[chuckyj100]

you can find all of the answeres here lol

http://www.smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=223257