Are you going to be taking your MCAT soon? Hopefully, you’re feeling well-prepared and confident … but at least a bit nervous too. After all, if you fail to get a high enough score on the MCAT, you won’t be going to medical school.
Sometimes, how well you do can feel like it’s down to luck on the day. But you can do plenty to ensure you pass the exam without breaking a sweat. Here are three crucial tips for getting a great score on your MCAT:
3 Tips for Passing MCAT Medical Exam
Choose the Right Prep Course
There are a lot of different MCAT prep courses out there – and you want to choose one that’s right for you.
That means choosing a course that suits your learning style and will help you in the areas where you know you’re weakest. You must compare the pros and cons of the best MCAT courses.
For instance, you might want a course that includes flashcards to help you learn through repetition. Or you might want a course that lets you add to a tutoring package if you need support in a particular area.
You may also want to opt for a course with live lectures to attend: this can be particularly helpful if you struggle to set aside the time or are motivated to study on your schedule.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Study (and Focus!)
Studying for the MCAT could take 3-6 months of full-time work. Of course, this isn’t very realistic if you’re also working full-time – in which case, you might want to plan for a full year of studying.
However much (or little) time you have for studying, make the most of it. Simple things, like silencing your phone and switching off the TV, can make a big difference.
If possible, create a consistent study schedule so that you can study simultaneously, every day, or on the same days each week. Plan some time for fun things, too, so you have something to look forward to as a reward for studying.
Take Full-Length Practice Exams
The MCAT is a lengthy exam (normally 7.5 hours in total, an hour of which is for breaks) – though, in 2020, it’s been temporarily shortened to 5 hours 45 minutes due to Covid-19 restrictions.
If you’ve only ever done 1 or 2 hours sessions when practicing, you’ll struggle with the sustained focus you need for the whole exam. Make sure you do several full-length MCAT practice exams. Treat them like the real thing: start at 8 a.m. and take breaks during the day like you would on the real thing.
That way, you’ll be used to the effort required to do all your exams in one burst – instead of studying for one part, doing a practice paper, then studying for the next, and so on.
Your MCAT may feel daunting – but with solid preparation and plenty of exam practice, you should sail through with no trouble.
