I am planning on taking the MCAT in a year or so. Due to personal issues I have been out of school for a couple years while working full time. I know I will need to hit the books hard in bio, chem, o chem, and physics to review for the MCAT. I don't want to pay $1400 for a Kaplan or Princeton review course. Does anyone have any advice or specific strategies for me?
dally1025
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took it last april and found several things to be helpful:
1) Exam Kracker study guides-I took the Kaplan class and it was a waste of time. These books are EASY to quickly read and review, offer practice questions (several of which I saw word-for-word on my actual exam) and aren't too thick that you're overwhelmed. They filter out a lot of the excess so sometimes you may need to refer back to a textbook if you don't remember something, but I cannot speak highly enough about them! My score didn't change while in Kaplan but after I found these books it shot up! I wish I had found them earlier!
2) Start early and study frequently! I started about 6 months before my exam and this probably was a little early but better early than late. Know how much time you have to dedicate and put it into your schedule. Even if it's just 10 minutes a day to work passages, make yourself do it! Do what works for you and your schedule! If you can, take a light load if you're going to be in school!
3) Find a study partner! Studying for the exam sucks and misery loves company! I found a great partner and we motivated each other to work every day!
4) Find plans that work for you! For example, for physics I sat down every night for a few weeks before my exam and memorized about 45 formulas, 3 new ones per night (physics was my weakest area). This little bit made such a difference and it took very little time!
5) Practice as much as you can! I took one of my study guides with me everywhere and did passages when waiting because it was the only free time I had some days. I tried to do at least a passage a night (usually 3-4) just to keep my mind in that mentality!
I'm not a great standardized test taker but my hard-work paid off with a good score! What works for me may not work for you, but try new things until you find what works! Good luck!
Anonymous
oh man oh man, it's going to be really tough, if you haven't gone to school in a while. The only way you could prepare for the test is school lectures and those Kaplan courses. I know a lot of students who when through the course and still got a low score on the MCAT.
Anonymous
I have friends who have taken the Kaplan/Princeton courses with variable success.
I'm going to opt for self-study. I've purchased one of those MCAT books with a comprehensive science review (~200 pages) and 3 sample tests.
Most people agree that doing sample tests at least 5 times will help. The more tests, the better.
Good luck! Your actual MCAT score should be within 3 points of your practice test averages.
Mandie Moe
I have been studying for the NCLEX test (its a test for nurses) and I know that they have many computer programs out there with review questions. With these programs you can review that answers that you got right and wrong to see your strengths. I paid $50 for my program. It is highly recommended by my professors. Also, I know the NCLEX has to be taken on the computer so practicing test on the computer also helps build up skills. I'm sure how the MCAT is done but it is probably along the same lines. I am sure they have something like that for the MCAT as well.
Anonymous
My system was frequent and moderately heavy doses of ethanol, but that might not work for you. If you still have your texts and pick up one of those little study guides, I bet you'll have less trouble than you anticipate. Good luck.