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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Preparing for the Big Day

Seize the Day: How to Give Your Best on College Test Day

Summer, and the dreaded college applications, tests and exam season might not seem too close yet, but they’re coming. For sure. By now, you’ll probably be starting to think about your revision program. However, in all that frenzy of work, have you thoughts about how you will cope with the big day itself? Sitting that college test, interview or exam?

Failure to prepare for the actual day when you will be sitting the college test can cause real stress. The trauma of a bad interview or application experience can stay with us our whole lives leading some to eventually need help for depression or addiction. Especially if we have spent weeks and months working really hard to prepare for it. Tripping up at the final hurdle would be terrible after that. Yet it can be avoided. Here are a few tips to help keep you cool on the big day.

Cometh the Dawn

After getting a good night’s sleep (you have done that, right?) the most important thing to sort is a good, healthy breakfast that’s packed with protein and complex carbohydrates. Sounds obvious. Yet nerves or the desire to cram that final five minutes of preparation in before you leave the house must not get in the way of this vital meal. Choose something that will give you long-lasting energy, such as eggs, fruit or oatmeal cereal. Try to avoid caffeine and sugar. Dress in as comfortable clothes as is appropriate and check the weather forecast so you won’t be too hot or too cold.

Then, do your last few preparations. Hopefully, you’ll have already worked out when the interview, test or exam starts, where it is being held and how long it will take you to get there. If you haven’t done that yet, DO IT NOW! Avoid a panicked, last-minute rush to the college at all costs. It will really put you off. Have you got everything that you need ready? Spare pens, interview notes etc (lucky charms and candy optional…).

Once more unto the Breach

After getting to college, there’s still time to make some final preparations. Turn off your cell phone, or even better, see if you can leave it somewhere safe. Chances are you won’t be allowed to have it with you during a test in any case and it avoids the embarrassment of it ringing mid-process.

Go to the bathroom and try to keep calm. Try not to speak to anyone else outside the test hall about the amount of preparation you, or they, have done. Instead, take six deep breaths and tell yourself you are going to succeed. Be confident. After all, you’ve already done the hard work. Now it’s time to show ‘em what you know and why you deserve to go to their college.

Knowledge is Power

You’re in the room; test paper in front of you; pen in hand. Time for some more deep breaths before you dive in. Concentrate on your own paper - don’t be put off by other candidates scribbling furiously around you. Read each question carefully then read it again. Know how many marks each question carries and whether it divides into sections. Work out your timings so that you leave room for all the questions you need to tackle in the time allowed. The same applies to an oral interview. Consider what you're being asked carefully before replying.

When you do start your response, make sure you answer the question posed and don’t just regurgitate your knowledge regardless. There won’t be any marks or credit for deviating from the instructions, however impressive your alternative answer might have been. Don’t worry if you get stuck on something and don’t waste time fretting. Take some more deep breaths and move on to the next question. You can always try to come back to the troublesome one later.

Finally, if you are running out of time in a written test and still have questions to answer, make notes on the paper giving details of how you would have answered the question if you had had time to do so. Include argument ideas or equations if relevant, or make a list of bullets giving your key points. It’s much better than leaving the question blank and you might get a few extra marks that could make the crucial difference to your application.

Aftermath

After the interview or test, don’t indulge in post-mortems with other candidates. They will only stress you out with speculation. Try to wait patiently for the results and then, hopefully, you can start celebrating. Don’t dwell on it after it’s over – what’s done is done. Have something nice lined up to do straight away afterwards – and no, we don’t mean going on a drinking binge. How about a trip to the movies or a family meal out instead?

Best of luck!

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Janine Hardy is a freelance writer from England who specializes in life coaching and self improvement writing for a number of local publications. She works with many good causes including helping and advising students at local colleges and writing on behalf of an alcohol addiction center.

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