Update (7/18/2014): Commenting has been disabled- it's been more than 4 years since I wrote the MCAT & I don't think I should continue giving out random advice & the new MCAT will render a good chunk of my MCAT-related writing obsolete. Good luck to everyone, regardless.
Even if you've prepared well for the actual MCAT, there's still some things you need to keep in mind to ensure you can do your best on test day. I also included some general advice in studying for the MCAT. Just a reminder that all the tips/advice I give out are based on prior (copious) research, and selected for from personal experience as well.
General (Overall) Study Advice:
- During the week(s) leading up to the MCAT, do full timed practice MCATs every day (except day before) to get you mentally prepared.
- This is where you would use the AAMC practice MCATs. 7 and on are the most representative of the real thing (more recent).
- If you have practised with Kaplan material (BS and PS), you will undoubtedly be able to breeze through those sections.
- Do nothing the day before the MCAT.
- At that point, any studying is futile and more likely to have a negative result. Take the day off to relax, sleep.
- Give yourself a long(er) time to study for Verbal Reasoning if you're struggling with it.
- Although I say "minimal study time" in my titles, you should probably give yourself ample time to study (at least 1 1/2 month in my opinion). Unless you enjoy tormenting yourself and burning yourself out for the entirety of the upcoming school year.
- I didn't do this- a decision I regretted sorely. It was miracle it all worked out- another story to come.
Test Day:
- During the test- use every break to have a snack, a quick drink, stretch go to the bathroom.
- Distract yourself from the previous section and start to focus on the next one while getting some nourishment (energy bars with tea work great).
- Quick (5-10 seconds) breaks between passages- a lot of people recommend this, and has worked for me as well. Great for re-tuning your focus.
- Don't bring any study material to the test site, because:
- Only increases your anxiety as you would frantically go over stuff that you don't need to memorize anyways.
- You would look like a noob. Seriously.
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| Figure 1. Artistic representation of people's faces when they saw the girl with 17 sheets of study material 20 minutes before the MCAT |
- Unless you're writing next to a construction site, don't bother with headphones.
- The obvious one- get a good night's sleep the day before.
Good luck.
Part 3- Done.
Matt
