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MCAT Resources
Master the MCAT: Your Path to Medical School Success Begins Here
To excel on the MCAT and develop the necessary skills for medical school and beyond, it's important to focus on three key components: content knowledge, problem-solving strategies, and test-taking stamina.
Content Knowledge
Building a strong foundation of content knowledge is crucial for success on the MCAT. Begin by thoroughly reviewing the subjects tested, which include general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology. Utilize your premed courses as a starting point, as these areas are often covered in depth. If you feel you need additional support in any of these subjects, consider seeking out additional resources such as textbooks, online tutorials, or study groups.
Problem Solving Strategies
In addition to content knowledge, developing effective problem-solving strategies is key. Practice applying what you've learned to different types of questions and scenarios. This will help you develop critical thinking skills and improve your ability to analyze and solve complex problems. Utilize practice questions, sample tests, and review materials designed specifically for the MCAT to reinforce your problem-solving abilities.
Test Taking Stamina
The MCAT is a lengthy exam, lasting for approximately seven hours. To build the necessary test-taking stamina, it's important to simulate real test conditions during your preparation. Take practice tests under timed conditions to mimic the actual test experience. This will help you become accustomed to the length and intensity of the exam, allowing you to manage your time effectively and stay focused throughout the entire examination.
Achieving success on the MCAT requires dedication, perseverance, and consistent practice. By focusing on the above three components – content knowledge, problem-solving strategies, and test-taking stamina – you will be well-equipped to perform your best on the exam, throughout medical school and beyond.
Here are some resources to help you study for the MCAT:
Organization and time management are key to covering all the content before test day. Creating a study plan can help you stay on track and ensure you review all the necessary material. In addition, regular and repeated practice is key to success on the MCAT.
Problem Solving
To ensure success on the MCAT, it is important to not only review and understand the content but also practice applying that content to MCAT-style questions and passages. The AAMC offers Official MCAT Preparation materials that are very helpful. This package includes practice tests and question packs for each section. This package contains questions similar to what you will experience on test day. The section banks will challenge your thinking and improve your resilience.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is crucial for developing your test-taking stamina and focus. It is recommended to take one practice test per week for the two months leading up to the test. It is also beneficial to take the practice tests on the same day as you will be taking your actual exam which will allow you to establish a routine and make test week feel like any other week of preparation.
Official AAMC practice tests are highly recommended, but third-party tests can also be helpful if used earlier on in the study process for content review and stamina-building. These third-party practice tests from companies like Kaplan, Princeton Review, and Blueprint are good but the scores may not accurately reflect performance on the actual MCAT.
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CARS Section - This seems to be the section that students struggle with the most. The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Section (CARS) is a section of the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) that focuses on reading comprehension. It has 53 passage-based questions, which is less compared to other sections. CARS is unique because it does not require specific content knowledge, but instead, it evaluates your ability to read and interpret passages objectively. While traditional humanities classes encourage discussion and interpretation, CARS is different as it requires you to choose only one correct answer. This makes CARS feel unnatural, but it is important to learn how to approach it objectively, and this takes practice and time.
Create an MCAT Study Plan
When creating a study plan for the MCAT, it is important to consider your individual strengths, weaknesses, and schedule. Here are some steps to help you develop an effective study plan:
Determine your exam date
Choose a date that gives you enough time to study based on your current level of knowledge and the strength of your prerequisite coursework.
Break down the content
Divide the content into smaller topics and create a schedule to cover them over a set period of time. Allocate more time to topics that you find particularly challenging or unfamiliar.
Allocate study time
Decide how many hours per day or week you will dedicate to studying. Be realistic and consider other commitments you may have, such as work or school
Set specific goals
Identify what you want to accomplish each day or week. For example, set goals such as completing a certain number of chapters, solving a specific number of practice problems, or reviewing a set amount of practice tests.
Create a routine
Establish a study routine that works best for you. Some students find it helpful to study in shorter, focused sessions, while others prefer longer study blocks. Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you.
Utilize resources
Take advantage of the review materials, problem sets, and practice tests. Incorporate them into your study plan to reinforce your understanding and improve your performance
Practice regularly
Include regular practice sessions in your study plan to develop problem-solving skills and test-taking endurance. Solve practice problems and take full-length practice tests to simulate the real exam experience.
Review and track progress
After completing each study session or practice test, take the time to review the questions you answered incorrectly and identify areas that need further improvement. Keep track of your progress to gauge your strengths and weaknesses.
Stay accountable
Hold yourself accountable to the study plan you've created by setting mini-goals and regularly evaluating your progress. Consider finding a study partner or joining an online study group to help keep you motivated and accountable.
Be flexible
Allow for some flexibility in your study plan to accommodate unexpected events or adjustments that may arise. It's important to stay adaptable and make necessary changes to your study plan as needed.
Everyone's study plan will be different, so build a plan that meets your own needs and preferences. It is also important to incorporate breaks and rest days, as it's important to avoid burnout.
Scheduling Practice Tests
Once a test date has been determined, schedule five practice tests once a week for five weeks leading up to exam day. After each practice test, you should carefully review the exam and learn from any mistakes. Make sure to review not only the questions you got wrong but also the ones that you got right! Reviewing questions that you got right ensures that you will learn from questions that you guessed correctly, and questions that can be solved more efficiently using better strategies. It can also give you some insight into the AAMC’s logic behind questions so that you apply similar logic on test day. As you review the test, make sure to keep a notebook or spreadsheet of the takeaways that you got from your review. Growth comes from learning from your mistakes. By keeping track of these takeaways, you can review them later and better prepare for your upcoming exam. Reviewing a practice test should take about as long as it took to take the exam. This ensures that you take away as much from each practice test as possible and learn valuable lessons from it.
Scheduling Content Review
Scheduling content review is more difficult and highly dependent on the resources you are using and your available time. Figure out how many hours you can devote to studying each day and then figure out how many chapters you can complete during that time. Additionally, it is advised that students alternate between subject areas while they study rather than spending weeks solely studying chemistry and then biology. This helps to keep content areas fresh throughout your review. You should try to finish your content review about a month before your test date.
Targeted Practice Problems
Targeted practice sets can be added to improve challenging subjects as your content review proceeds. A solid indication that focused practice in a particular topic is required is if you observe that one area consistently presents challenges on practice exams. Make sure to include time in the study schedule for further practice in these areas. As you get closer to your exam date, begin using AAMC materials for practice. Going through every single AAMC practice question and reviewing the ones you struggled with is a valuable way to prepare. Don't hesitate to adapt your study plan as needed based on your progress and areas of improvement.
Accountability
You can set reminders on your phone or use apps like Habitica to help you with your study habits and build accountability as you prepare for your MCAT. The key is to find what works best for you and to consistently stick to it.
Other Considerations
Rest and quality of life are crucial factors to consider when studying. It's essential to take breaks and give your mind and body some time to rejuvenate. Incorporating intermittent rest days, especially as you get closer to exams or important deadlines, can help prevent burnout and improve overall productivity. Taking a day off each week from studying, especially if you study for long hours every day, is a great way to recharge. Use that day to relax, engage in activities you enjoy, and spend time with loved ones. It's all about finding a balance between studying and personal well-being. It's important to give yourself permission to take time off and enjoy yourself, as this will help to refresh your mind and come back to your studies with renewed focus and energy. Taking care of yourself is just as important as your academic pursuits. So, make sure to include rest, relaxation, and activities you enjoy in your study plan to maintain your overall well-being.
In conclusion
Having a study plan and knowing how to approach the MCAT can make a big difference in the preparation process. It is important to have resources and support available when needed.