You already know you’d be an excellent doctor. At the age of ten, you were confidently putting bandages on your younger brother’s boo-boos. However, you will not be able to do so if you use online exam assistance. You, on the other hand, aced all of your scientific classes as an undergraduate. You also look great in scrubs and a stethoscope. However, there is one more little step on your route to a career in medicine. You must get accepted to medical school.
A solid performance on the Medical College Admissions Test will considerably increase your chances of earning that coveted letter of acceptance (MCAT). The MCAT has been in various incarnations since the 1920s, and it has grown into a standardized test with multiple-choice questions and a writing portion that assesses your scientific knowledge, problem-solving ability, and writing skills.
The MCAT is a high-stakes exam that has the potential to affect the remainder of your medical career. But it’s not an impossible task. Starting on the following page, you’ll find recommendations to assist you to go into your exam day with more confidence and a better chance of success.
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MAKE ROOM FOR THE MCAT
It is quite typical to see students just tack on MCAT preparation to their full-time jobs and/or school responsibilities. However, this is most certainly the number one reason why students either suddenly prolong or retake their MCAT prep. Consider arranging with your employer to have greater blocks of time for studying, or prepare for the MCAT while you have a reduced course load. Make mental space as well; it’s difficult to study for the MCAT when you have incredibly difficult classes to study for at the same time.
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PLAN A CLEAR SCHEDULE
Students who clear their schedules and just prepare for the MCAT are on the other end of the spectrum. This sort of student is frequently plagued with guilt whenever they are not studying, probably because they (or their support system) have had to make sacrifices in order to do so. It’s unrealistic to expect oneself to study 16 hours a day, seven days a week. Treat it as if it were a full-time job, with breaks and days off. Consider adding some volunteer hours to your application, for example. Also, sleep, like food, is a necessity, not a luxury.
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SELF-REFLECTION IS ESSENTIAL!
Be truthful to yourself. Are your tried-and-true “create flashcards for everything” method truly effective? Is it true that reading a chapter and taking copious notes helps you grasp the content? The MCAT is not like your undergraduate coursework. Be honest about what works for you, and be open to modifying comfortable study approaches so that you’re continually progressing.
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USE PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Nothing beats spending time and effort studying a topic in great depth only to discover that the MCAT doesn’t truly ask for those specifics, or that you need to approach the issue differently. Get your hands on as many MCAT practice questions as you can and utilize them to assist you to discover what elements you’re missing and to practice test-taking tactics outside of practice exams. Kaplan’s MCAT Qbank gives you access to over 2000 questions and with answers.
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TO BUILD ENDURANCE, USE MULTIPLE PRACTICE TESTS AND SPACE THEM OUT!
A 7+ hour test is no laughing matter! Taking the MCAT without having built-up stamina is a horrible idea, just as you wouldn’t decide to run a marathon one day. Similarly, running a full marathon every day of race week will exhaust you. Start those practice exams early to give yourself time to build endurance, and space them out (preferably once a week!) to get the most out of the review process.
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PRIORITIZE THE QUALITY OF REVIEW OVER THE AMOUNT OF PRACTICE DONE.
To some extent, cramming as much practice as possible can assist, but clever test-takers will spend equal amounts of time (if not more!) studying the explanations, remembering, and considering other ways to tie the subject to the questions. The evaluation process will assist you with developing proper takeaways so that you do not repeat the same error.
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CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR CONTENT REVIEW IS SUITABLE FOR ITS YIELD.
When you examine the enormous diversity of subjects covered in each module, the beginning of your MCAT journey appears intimidating. However, not all topics are assessed equally. It is uncommon for the MCAT to need a lot of information for a certain topic. Instead of studying all areas with equal concentration, shorten your effort by conducting some research into what is crucial for the MCAT. Your college texts are simply too dense with details, wasting your time and effort.
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RESEARCH THE MED SCHOOL MCAT SCORE REQUIREMENTS.
The MCAT score criteria for medical schools vary greatly. It makes difficult to establish a single fixed objective number for everyone. The AAMC’s Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) database allows you to search and compare information on medical schools in the United States and Canada. Your target score will help you decide how long you should study, what test date to strive for, how many hours per week you should set aside, and when you’re ready to take my online class for the MCAT. Think of this as your “one and done” MCAT.
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PLAN AHEAD FOR A SUCCESSFUL TEST DAY
After putting in long hours in study sessions and completing multiple practice exams, it’s critical to round off your preparations with a well-planned test day. Scrounging for your coat at the last minute or grabbing a candy bar for breakfast will not improve your chances of passing the exam. You deserve a better conclusion than what that type of morning will bring after all your hard work.
When does the exam begin? Where can I find the test? How are you going to get there? What supplies should you bring? Make sure to think about these questions well in advance of the test. Simplify every stage of the procedure that may potentially go wrong, whether it’s driving to the exam place or selecting out your attire.
CONCLUSION
Preparing for and taking the MCAT are both solitary experiences, but you are not alone. Organizing a study group to prepare for the exam may be one of the most productive and healthful activities you can take to assure success on test day.
