vigilent Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 If this is answered somewhere else, please refer me to the thread. How long should one plan to study for the MCAT? I have been away from science courses for over 3 years and barely remember any physics or chemistry concepts. In addition, I have never taken organic chemistry. I have a fairly relaxed Fall semester and am thinking of buckling down and studying. Is 3 full months (October, November, December) of studying adequate for an attempt at the MCAT? I know most people do it in the summer. I work full time and the summer is the one time of the year when a vacation is most needed. Don't want to give that up. If I don't do well in January, then will have to sacrifice the summer. Any thoughts from the MCAT pros out there? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafield Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I found 3 months to be good.... going about 4-5 days a week... I did that without having taken university physics, chem or orgo.... and being 4 years removed from my high school courses in those subjects. So it broke down into about 2 month of review and 3-4 weeks of practice tests and problems. It was definitely doable in 3 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mk08 Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 If this is answered somewhere else, please refer me to the thread. How long should one plan to study for the MCAT? I have been away from science courses for over 3 years and barely remember any physics or chemistry concepts. In addition, I have never taken organic chemistry. I have a fairly relaxed Fall semester and am thinking of buckling down and studying. Is 3 full months (October, November, December) of studying adequate for an attempt at the MCAT? I know most people do it in the summer. I work full time and the summer is the one time of the year when a vacation is most needed. Don't want to give that up. If I don't do well in January, then will have to sacrifice the summer. Any thoughts from the MCAT pros out there? Thanks. Well my scores arn't out yet (I wrote on Sept. 12th) but I did ~4 hours a day for about 2 months (on my own). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vigilent Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I haven't started yet and am already a bit freaked out about the material. Have this anxiety to open the books! I guess I should get it over with and start. The fear is not knowing anything. What resources did you guys use? Kaplan/Examkrackers/TPR? I have the Kaplan set and was thinking of taking their classes? Would you recommend? Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartmed Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I studied for 6 weeks or less using Examkrackers, AAMC practice tests and EK Audio-osmosis while I was at work, walking my dog, working out, etc. I found that they emphasized the right topics and in just enough detail to do well but not confuse you. I scored a 33Q (90th percentile). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avenir001 Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 depends on the person...take law for example..he studied 15hrs/day for 4 months and prolly ended up in the 70th percentile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 depends on the person...take law for example..he studied 15hrs/day for 4 months and prolly ended up in the 70th percentile. Go back to your DAT forum. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoadoc Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 i had this same qustion.... is it a bad sign if u have just started looking at practice tests and the chem questions look like a foreign language? p.s. hanvnt started studying for mcat yet..no prep classes or anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Law Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 i had this same qustion.... is it a bad sign if u have just started looking at practice tests and the chem questions look like a foreign language? p.s. hanvnt started studying for mcat yet..no prep classes or anything No, it's a bad sign if after you have studied that happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoadoc Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 thank Goodness... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swank Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 i had this same qustion.... is it a bad sign if u have just started looking at practice tests and the chem questions look like a foreign language? p.s. hanvnt started studying for mcat yet..no prep classes or anything I'm in the same situation. I took general chem and physics two years ago and haven't taken university level bio, bio chem, or orgo. I looked at a practice test and was blown away. Is this how many people feel before studying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supafield Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Without the pre-req's it looked awfully foreign!! Nothing looked familiar on that first practice test. With about 2.5-3 months of pretty hard studying and practice tests I was able to get myself to a score that hopefully meets Western and Queen's needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Last course I had taken was in 2004 (Organic). I covered all the material in 1.5 months of full time study (using TPR hyperlearning books only) but I did not write since I didn't even start my practical component (bad study strategy). I would say a solid 3 months of full time should do it. If I had another month I should have been good to go. Remember to buy/acquire the official AAMC exams. Examkrackers seems to condense/distill the material and it is better presented but never used it (I bought it for the next MCAT cycle). I'll use Examkrackers next - seems to teach you only what you need to know, TPR/Kaplan go in more detail. The MCAT doesn't seem to test knowledge as much as problem solving skills that REQUIRE the knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In_Valid Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 like most people said, it really depends on the person. But I would say if you are not a genius, block off at least a couple of months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In_Valid Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 I'm in the same situation. I took general chem and physics two years ago and haven't taken university level bio, bio chem, or orgo. I looked at a practice test and was blown away. Is this how many people feel before studying? don't you need orgo and biochem as prereqs for medicine? In any case I would recommend taking them. It will make your life a lot easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc43 Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Hey there, I took the mcat this past summer without taking bio, orgo, biochem, or whatever else it is all you science majors take. I ended up with a 10 in the biological sciences section; nothing to write home about, but respectable nonetheless. As far as these being prerequisites goes, each school requires different things. For my interests, dal doesn't have any necessary courses, and thus leaves me scotch free of specific course responsibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ehudz Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 I don't know what the usual length of studying is but, once I reach this summer, I'll officially start MCAT studying....preparing to take it like 4 years after. I've no life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryd Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I did it last summer after my first year in science. I studied for one week (1hr/day), mainly just using stuff off the mcat site and the free test. I ended up with 9's and P. This summer I plan on buying a study book to help and spend a month studying, about 2hrs/day. That should probably be good enough. Hopefully get 11's and Q Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagine Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 It depends on how much time you have and if you have other commitments. I'd say if you had no other major commitments, a month of pure focus on the MCAT should be good. Plenty of practice tests is the key! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalhousie2013plz Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 It depends on how much time you have and if you have other commitments. I'd say if you had no other major commitments, a month of pure focus on the MCAT should be good. Plenty of practice tests is the key! I support this opinion as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.