Student Testimonials - MCAT Prep
What resources can I use to study?
“Khan academy for the free prep. Completely relied on him for Psych/Sociology. Wouldn't rely on his videos for anything else but they were great for a quick refresher before I started a new topic. Jack Westin for CARS passages (also free and has new passages everyday). I used ExamKrackers mostly.”
How did you structure your study plan?
“I would set aside 2 hours everyday in my junior year to review content before my MCAT class started in January. Once it started, we had a 5 hour class of prep once a week. The other days I kept up with my 2 hours of studying. Once the prep class was over in the beginning of April, I branched out to question banks from AMCAS. Did those QBs over and over again taking notes on why answer choices were wrong or right. And when the semester ended in the first week of May, I did about 8 hours of studying everyday until I took my MCAT mid-June. I'm not a machine so I did not push myself as hard on the weekends. I would maybe take a half day. And in the middle of studying I would leave the library to workout, shower, and eat some lunch. Just to take a nice, productive break. Some nights I would hang out with friends. No need to isolate yourself from everyone!!”
“Khan academy for the free prep. Completely relied on him for Psych/Sociology. Wouldn't rely on his videos for anything else but they were great for a quick refresher before I started a new topic. Jack Westin for CARS passages (also free and has new passages everyday). I used ExamKrackers mostly.”
How did you structure your study plan?
“I would set aside 2 hours everyday in my junior year to review content before my MCAT class started in January. Once it started, we had a 5 hour class of prep once a week. The other days I kept up with my 2 hours of studying. Once the prep class was over in the beginning of April, I branched out to question banks from AMCAS. Did those QBs over and over again taking notes on why answer choices were wrong or right. And when the semester ended in the first week of May, I did about 8 hours of studying everyday until I took my MCAT mid-June. I'm not a machine so I did not push myself as hard on the weekends. I would maybe take a half day. And in the middle of studying I would leave the library to workout, shower, and eat some lunch. Just to take a nice, productive break. Some nights I would hang out with friends. No need to isolate yourself from everyone!!”
How should I structure my studying schedule?
“Set aside several weeks at least. Don’t be afraid of taking time off from school or after school to get it done. Use one book that has the overview of the subjects covered in the MCAT as your base. Go through your notes in the related classes, and move/transcribe these into a binder which reflects the order and organization of the subjects covered in the MCAT. Having to make this ‘super outline’ makes you actively engage with the material, and can reveal gaps that your courses did not fill in. Time your practice tests. Time how long it takes to process/outline passages, without answering questions (no more than 90 seconds per). Time how long it takes to understand graphs and charts (no more than 60 seconds per). Be deliberate."
Do you have any advice about the MCAT?
“I scheduled time off to study for the MCAT, and I would advise other students to do the same. It is a crucial test. Also, plan to take it twice in case you need to. I took the MCAT twice and was admitted to several medical schools without a problem.”
How do I structure my study plan?
The MCAT is intimidating, but like any other standardized test it all comes down to understanding the content and practicing good test-taking strategies. Practice is everything! I would say doing practice exams and Q-banks is more important than content review because it allows you to learn your weaknesses, and you are more likely to remember something you already got wrong in the long-run. Your study plan will depend on the time frame you give yourself to prepare (i.e. 9 months, 6 months, 3 months, etc.). Only you know what works best for you and how much review you need to do. I often advice students to begin with content review, and then shift to Q-banks and practice exams for the weeks preceding their exam. During that time, you should be simulating the actual test day, timing yourself with each passage/question. Time pressure is often what makes some students nervous, so practicing this way will help you become comfortable with the short time you are given to complete each section.
What are some great resources for the MCAT?
“Chad’s videos” for Chemistry Prep"
What are some cheat codes for MCAT studying?
“It definitely helps if you’ve taken the courses already, but it’s not necessary; Khan academy can fill any gaps in your knowledge. If you’re in your first or second undergrad year, I recommend getting your hands on some prep books ASAP and reviewing the information in those as you learn in throughout your matriculation. This will add a deeper layer to your understanding and will save you time from reviewing later on.”
Nobody:
“Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, *catches breath* Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, *drinks water*, Practice questions, Pra…”
What are some of your test-taking strategies?
“When reviewing your practice tests, look at all the answer choices. Know why the right answers are right, and why the wrong answers are wrong and what would make them right. This WILL take a whole day, so plan accordingly 👍.”
How do I keep up with material in the long term?
“A great passive way to stay fresh on past material is to work as a tutor. Try to tutor as many subjects on the MCAT as you can. I worked as a Chem and Ochem tutor for three years, and I beat the breaks off the Chem/Phys section. 😤”
“It definitely helps if you’ve taken the courses already, but it’s not necessary; Khan academy can fill any gaps in your knowledge. If you’re in your first or second undergrad year, I recommend getting your hands on some prep books ASAP and reviewing the information in those as you learn in throughout your matriculation. This will add a deeper layer to your understanding and will save you time from reviewing later on.”
Nobody:
“Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, *catches breath* Practice questions, Practice questions, Practice questions, *drinks water*, Practice questions, Pra…”
What are some of your test-taking strategies?
“When reviewing your practice tests, look at all the answer choices. Know why the right answers are right, and why the wrong answers are wrong and what would make them right. This WILL take a whole day, so plan accordingly 👍.”
How do I keep up with material in the long term?
“A great passive way to stay fresh on past material is to work as a tutor. Try to tutor as many subjects on the MCAT as you can. I worked as a Chem and Ochem tutor for three years, and I beat the breaks off the Chem/Phys section. 😤”
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How do I finance my MCAT studying? “Make sure you’ve checked with your school about free/subsidized prep programs they may offer. Also apply for aid or scholarships to help offset costs or ask alumni/older students if they have old books you can use or buy. But you’ll definitely need access to a resource explaining test strategy and offering official practice problems/exams. Both of those are even more key than simply studying information.” How should I structure my study plan? “Practice questions are absolutely essential, and practice exams are even more important since the MCAT is so long and so structured. Trust me- you don’t really KNOW the material until you’ve answered critical thinking questions about it and reviewed your missteps in understanding. Practice exams should be done every week/weekend beginning at at least 2 months out from your exam date. Do the test one day and review it the next. Don’t underestimate the time it will take to review wrong answers! Keep track of your strength and problem areas for better time management.” |
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How do I prepare for the MCAT?
“Kaplan is the GOAT!” How shall I structure my MCAT study plan? “Do lots (I mean TONS) of practice questions. Doing questions is the key to success!” When should I take the MCAT? “Take the exam when YOU feel ready! But in order to have a better chance to be offered an interview at a school, getting your first MCAT done by the end of May of that application year is optimal.” |
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