A Basic Guide on Prepping for the MCAT

If you're planning on going to medical school, one of the most important tests you will take in your academic career will be the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT. The MCAT has been around in some form since the 1920s, and as one would expect it has undergone a lot of changes over the years. The MCAT as it exists today is a standardized test made up of multiple choice questions and a writing section that is meant to test a student's scientific knowledge, writing ability and problem solving skills. The test isn't technically required to get into medical school and become a doctor, but passing it will greatly improve your chances of being accepted to the school of your choice.

It's definitely in your best interest to take the MCAT exam, but preparing to take it can be a nerve-racking experience. There's definitely a lot riding on the test, so you will want to get it right the first time you take it. Here are some tips that might help you get ready to take the MCAT and hopefully settle some of your nerves when the exam date approaches.

1. Take a Practice Exam

One of the best ways to prepare for any exam is to know what you're up against, and the easiest way to do this is to take a practice exam. Fortunately, there are plenty of practice MCAT tests available. Some of the more comprehensive exams will cost you some money, but for most people the prices will be reasonable. These tests are updated versions of retired exams, but they will at least give you some idea of what you're up against. If you want to take a free online MCAT exam, you can find one at www.e-mcat.com.

Don't get too discouraged if you don't score well on a practice test. The goal is to become familiar with the exam, not ace it on your first time out. If you don't do well, you will at least know where your weaknesses lie and focus on them as you study.

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2. Don't Go for Rote Memorization

The administrators of the MCAT are less interested in your ability to memorize complex formulas and other information than they are in your ability to understand the physical and chemical properties and reactions they are meant to describe. One good strategy for preparing for the MCAT is to see if you can explain some of the more complex concepts in a way that a fifth grader will understand. It sounds strange, but if you can explain a process in a way that is easy to understand, chances are that you have your information down pat.

3. Use Your Old Notes and Textbooks

A lot of medical school candidates spend thousands of dollars on cram courses and materials shortly before taking the MCAT. Some of these courses and materials are useful, but there's a much cheaper solution if you want to cram the week (not night) before your MCAT exam. Hopefully you saved at least some of your notes and textbooks from your previous college courses. In most cases, this is actually all you need to study for the material on the MCAT. You can just dig them out and start studying without spending $2,000 for a last-minute cram course.

The thing to remember about preparing for the MCAT or any other exam you plan to take to further your career is that the process is a marathon, not a sprint. Set aside some time every day to study for weeks or even months before the exam. Cramming the night before will just stress you out with information overload and a lack of sleep. In the end, you'll be doing yourself a disservice by engaging in a last-minute cram session. Feel free to look over your notes for a refresher course the night before your exam, but by then you should know what you're up against and what you need to do to get a decent exam score.

Sources:

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/preparing/

http://www.e-mcat.com/starttest.aspx?cmd=login&checkclient=true

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/2012/03/19/3-tips-for-successful-mcat-preparation

Byline
Elliot Chambers writes on medicine, medical science, medical education, health and fitness, wellness and other related topics; those interested in the medical profession can learn more by visiting CNACertification-Training.com.

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Choosing a Healthcare Career

Choosing a career path is a huge decision for anyone regardless of his or her age. Most careers are lifetime investments. No one wants to get stuck with a career they don't enjoy, but yet it happens to people every single day. It is extremely important to pick a career path that you will enjoy for years to come.

Many people who have a desire to help others are taking a closer look at the many career paths within the healthcare industry. The healthcare industry is a wonderful career path that can blossom into a bright and outstanding future, but trying to figure out which career path to take is often just as difficult as any other industry. There are doctors, nurses, nurse aides, management and much more. Which career path is right for you? Keep reading to find out.

Deciding Which Path Is Right for You

A little bit of research will go a very long way when choosing the healthcare career path that is right for you. Before you make any decisions, you will have to ask yourself a few questions. The most important question is this, what do you want to get out of your career? For some, the answer is simple. They want a career that pays them well. For others, they may be looking for a way to help people while making a decent income that helps support their family. Knowing what you want from your career is the most important decision you will ever make. 

Ask yourself this question too. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years from now? Knowing the answers to these two simple questions will give you a better understanding of which career paths in the healthcare industry will help you accomplish these goals.

Healthcare Administration Careers Help Many Others

Choosing to pursue a career in healthcare administration gives you the unique ability to help millions of people. You might focus on management or human resources. Healthcare administration helps keep entire hospitals, and doctors’ offices organized. Without these people, the doctors and nurses would not be able to do their jobs. Every career path in the healthcare industry is going to require some kind of specialized education. Many people who choose this career path are choosing to get a healthcare degree online.

Is Becoming a Nurse the Right Choice for You?

Nurses are the ultimate care givers in any type of healthcare environment. They typically have more contact with people who are sick or injured than any other people in the entire healthcare industry. A career as a nurse is all about helping others. If you decided to pursue a career in the healthcare industry because you wanted to help other people, then being a nurse is quite possibly the best way to do that.

Nurses get great satisfaction from their jobs, and they also earn a nice salary. Nursing careers are currently in extremely high demand, and the demand is only expected to grow in the coming years. This career path will also require a specialized education.

Should You Become a Doctor?

Choosing to become a doctor takes a great effort. Depending on which type of doctor you choose, you will be facing many years of school before you can practice. Doctors make an excellent salary, and there is always a demand for their services.

A doctor can choose to work in a busy hospital, or they can start their own private practice. Either way, doctors are well-rewarded both financially and socially. Doctors help save lives, and they help cure the sick or injured. Choosing to become a doctor is not the right career choice for everyone. If you want to help people, but you don't like the idea of becoming a doctor, then you may be better suited for one of the many careers in healthcare management.

Any job in the medical industry can be lucrative and rewarding, but they will all require some sort of specialized training school. Determining which healthcare profession offers the most really depends on what you want to get out of life. There is a lot more to a career path than money. Make sure that you choose a career path that makes you happy.

Contributing author, Susan Andersen, is a clinical nurse at a local healthcare clinic in small town Pennsylvania. Her original career path was pharmacology, but says she realized that she’s better-suited for hands-on patient care.

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What Does a College Dean Really Do?

A special thanks to Dean Barbara Beckman for participating in our Admissions Spotlight Series. Dean Beckman is currently serving as the Associate Dean of Admissions at Tulane University School of Medicine.  Joseph Fernandez from Parliament Tutors conducted the interview.

As the Associate Dean for Admissions, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?

Reviewing applications, meeting with prospective students and advising them, interviewing on Mondays and Wednesday and helping out with Student Affairs events such as White Coat, Student Appreciation Days, Graduation etc.

What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?
Letters of recommendation, Secondary application questions and responses, experiences

Is there anything you frequently see on an application that you hope to never see again?
A pattern of incidents such as drinking

What common pitfalls should applicants be careful to avoid?
Using verbatim words from websites

Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?
The application deadline may be January 15th but rolling admissions suggests that the earlier the applicant can submit their application the better chance they have of securing an interview.

What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant work experience?
Find a way to do better on the tests.  Medical school is a series of standardized tests.

Do you frequently have to turn away applicants whom you wish you could admit?  If so, what could those applicants do to be admitted?
There are so many great applicants and not enough slots.  Keep trying.

How much faith do you have in the ability of the MCAT to predict success at Tulane’s Medical School?
Yes, but there are exceptions.  Typically those students with acceptable MCAT’s who do not do well are not working hard enough.

What do you look for in a recommendation letter?
Detailed descriptions of the individual’s character and examples of their work ethic

Suppose an applicant has little or no experience relevant to your program, but has significant experience in other fields.  What can that applicant do to distinguish himself or herself in your eyes as a good candidate for your program?
Lots and lots of service, Peace Corps, Americorps, Teach for America

Joseph Fernandez is an MCAT Tutor with Parliament Tutors, a New York Tutoring service.

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