Med School is extremely hard to get into and taking the MCAT is a huge proponent of that difficulty. So, if you're going to take the MCAT, here are 7 things to remember while preparing for it.
1. It's a marathon, not a sprint
The MCAT is essentially 11 finals rolled into one seven hour test, so you need to be prepared. Treat your preparation for the test like training for a marathon. Begin your studying two to six months before you plan to sit for the exam. The information is all a review, so one of your biggest battles will be building up the stamina to stay focused for seven hours. You can do this by first taking half-length practice tests and then progressing to taking full-length practice tests.
2. Your sanity is important
You don’t have to study every minute of every day. Preparing for the MCAT and for applying to medical school is extremely stressful, so if your body is telling you to slow down, listen. A nap won’t kill you and going one day without studying won’t make or break you. Go to that concert. Go to that party. Go out to brunch.
3. Be realistic
If getting a perfect 528 is your dream, by all means, do all you can to prepare yourself, but don’t beat yourself up if that isn’t the score you receive. Being realistic and being optimistic are two very different things. The optimism will push you to work harder, but in all reality, a 528 is a steep goal, and it is okay if you fall short. Once you’re a doctor, no one is going to ask you what you got on the MCAT. (Seriously, has anyone asked you what you got on the SAT since coming to college?)
4. Balance is key
When you initially begin your review, don’t focus on one subject at a time. Study one chemistry chapter, then a sociology chapter, and then do a few CARS passages. If you focus on one subject at a time, by the time you get through the last book, you will have forgotten what you learned from the first book. However, once the test gets closer, if you have been getting all of the biology questions right and all of the physics questions wrong, then put your energy into getting a grasp on what you’re weakest on.
5. You can retake it
Don’t stress yourself out by putting too much weight on yourself test day. If you are unhappy with your score, you can retake the exam. The MCAT isn’t something that you have to ace the first time around.
6. You are capable
You have passed the classes, you have read the books, and you have taken the practice tests. You are prepared. You are intelligent. You are capable.
7. YOU CAN DO THIS!
I believe in you.
