The MCAT is quite possibly the most daunting of all of the hoops through which a hopeful premed must jump.
And that's why it's important to get a running start. The thoughtful pre-med will have thought carefully about several aspects of the exam before she decides to go for it.
Here's a list of seven helpful things to think about as you plan for your MCAT.
1) At what point in my academic training should I take the exam?
This is quite possibly the most important question of all. Students should make sure they've taken all of the necessary prerequisite courses prior to the exam. The exam is broad in its scope, touching on molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, basic physiology, introductory and advanced organic chemistry, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, general chemistry, and physical chemistry. We recommend that students take enough coursework to be familiar with this material before they begin seriously studying for their exam.
2) What time in the year should I take the exam?
Different students have different schedules--so there's no right answer for everyone. Rather, students should think about other demands on their time: school work, extra-curricular activities, jobs, holidays, special occasions, etc. It's important that your study period be as uninterrupted as possible as you prepare for your exam.
3) How long should I study?
Generally, we recommend students study between 2-4 months leading up to the exam. Our comprehensive course features 16 sessions that ideally pair students with their tutors once weekly--making the course a 4-month long investment. Some students will need more time, while others will need less. To gauge the right amount of study time for you, think about your level of comfort with the material going into your studying, and how much time you'll be able to dedicate weekly.
4) What can I do to start preparing early?
The most important thing one can do to start preparing before they start seriously studying is to focus and work hard in their coursework. The MCAT shouldn't touch on anything new--you will have seen all of the material before. The better you know that material coming into your study period, the better you'll know it coming out!
Another great tip is to start reading. The New York Times, the Economist, the New York Review of Books, The New Yorker--these are all great publications that can help you get used to navigating and digesting prose that covers a wide range of different genres and foci. This will certainly help you as you prepare for the Verbal Reasoning Section of the Exam.
5) How should I prepare?
There are many different ways to prepare for the MCAT. Here at Cambridge Coaching, we obviously think that our course is the best available, anywhere. We combine the best practice materials with the best tutors and tailor our services to your needs. But make sure you do your due diligence. Decide first if you're an autodidact who learns best alone with a book, someone who prefers the class-based setting, or if you'd benefit most from one-on-one tutoring. From there, look into the available options: talk to your friends and scour the forums (www.studentdoctor.net) to see what people are saying. Lastly, consider your budget, and how much you can afford to spend.
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