How I Studied for the MCAT - Score: 517
My MCAT Study Materials
I haven’t posted in so long! Have you missed me? This may be the first post of the year for me! I’m sorry :(. But there’s a good reason, I promise!
I have been studying incessantly for the MCAT - Medical College Admission Test. This is a 6-7 hour test used for Medical School admission at American (and some other surrounding nations) medical schools. I took my test in April 2019 and received my score in May 2019. I scored a 517, placing myself at the 95th percentile of test takers overall.
I seriously cried for about two hours at the score. Firstly, because I’m a cry baby and my initial goal that I kept repeating myself while studying was “510” - at the 80th percentile. Secondly, there was such a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders from finally knowing if my months of studying were sufficient. There’s truly nothing like the worry that your hard work might be futile. Thirdly, it’s just great to cry sometimes, especially at a celebratory Brunch with my boyfriend - sure he loved it haha!
MCAT Score & Percentile Rank
Getting into Medical School: MCAT & GPA
So, I haven’t gotten in yet - so I can’t attest completely. But I do have some quick info about getting into medical school.
Medical School admissions are extremely competitive; only about 1/3 of applicants are accepted. Now, people often say not to be too afraid of this statistic because “lots of people apply who shouldn’t”, but it’s still intimidating nonetheless.
Now, to not become one of those people “who shouldn’t apply,” a good GPA and MCAT score are often “gatekeepers” at the initial stages. Many medical schools admit to judging whether or not they will extend secondary applications solely on these criteria.
Take a look at these dandy tables about MCAT score vs. Percentile Ranking and the correlation between College GPA, MCAT score, and admissions. Keep in mind that medical school applicants typically apply to dozens (not exaggerating) of schools and these statistics talk about percentage rates of getting accepted into any of the schools applied.
A good GPA and MCAT are absolutely not enough on their own to make for a good applicant/doctor. However, they definitely help get your foot in the door. Don’t take these two things lightly!
Medical School Acceptance Rates based on MCAT & GPA
My MCAT Study Plan
My studying was based around the Kaplan MCAT Books. I highly recommend these books and credit their thorough detailing as a great foundation for success. In addition to the content review, they advise you on what to emphasize and what might be less important. I’ve added the Amazon link to them here if you’re in the market.
My studying began seriously taking off in January of 2019 up until the test day in early April. I did study before January, but I would study maybe 10 hours a week then. From January on, I studied 5-10 hours a day.
First, I read through all of the books (quite the feat). I underlined, highlighted, and took notes all up in these books. I have to admit that it was tedious a lot of the time - but it was a good way for me to keep actively engaged in the content rather than wasting my time passively skimming. Quick tip, don’t read one book all the way through and then move on. Although it’s against my nature, I really advise skipping around. (Ex. Do a few chapters of Biology one day and then of Ochem the next and something else the next.) The MCAT is an interdisciplinary test, and the sooner you start to see the connections between subjects and learn to think of all the subjects at once, the better off you’ll be.
After reading through the books, guess what I did next. I read them all again (Yes, seriously - this is a common thing, some people read these books 4-5 times). But this time, I made outlines on my computer about the content. My notes from the first read made it easier for me to focus in on the things that were important and making the outlines gave my second read through more purpose. These outlines are hefty. My largest outline was about 100 pages (Biology) and my smallest was about 30 pages (Organic Chemistry).
After all of my outlines, I decided to start my practice tests. My first test score was a 504, second a 510, and third a 514. Practice tests were a great way for me to see what I was struggling on. Be sure to take time between the tests to go over what you got wrong and study accordingly. There’s little use in taking them one right after another without trying to do better. It was this period of time that I decided to reread the Behavioral Science book and make flashcards for all of the Physics Equations. This is when everyone’s study plans need to focus most on what they feel they need. You’ll know where you’re having issues after studying everything and taking these practice tests. And if you don’t have anything to work on, congrats!
Two weeks before the test, I made my “secondary outlines”. These outlines were simplified versions my full outlines. I wrote them by hand and tried to fit them on on about 5 pages for each subject. I focused on material that I didn’t feel was already solid in my brain by that point.
A few days before the test, I made - shocker - more outlines. (Outlines have traditionally helped me with large amounts of material in school). I condensed my 5 page outlines into 1 page outlines (albeit with very small writing). This made me feel like the material was much more manageable, compared to my hundreds of pages of initial outlines. I brought these final outlines with me to review the day before and day of the MCAT.
Save the yummy Brick Toast for After the Test
MCAT Day
MY DAY BEFORE CHECK LIST:
Eat Healthy All Day
Do Not Study more than 2-3 Hours
Light review only! No new material
Visit the Testing Site
Learn where to go, where to park, and how to get there
Do something fun
Spend time with a loved one/family
Get out of the house
Try to sleep
But don’t use medication if you have trouble - don’t want to be groggy on Test Day!
Get to bed early
WHAT MY MCAT DAY LOOKED LIKE:
So, I woke up a couple hours early (or rather, I honestly don’t think I ever went to sleep). I got ready for the day, nothing new. I made a quick breakfast (I think it was eggs - but I don’t really remember haha), took a shower, and got dressed. I left an hour and fifteen minutes early for the 20 minute drive, bringing along some of my final study material and my packed lunch.
Once I arrived, I noticed that I was the first one there and the doors were still locked. I decided to listen to a couple of “motivational” pop songs in the car before I skimmed through my final outlines. After skimming through the notes, it was 40 minutes until test time and people were starting to walk into the testing center. I listened to a couple more songs and then I worked up the courage to join them.
I imagine that every testing center is slightly different, but generally the same. At the center, there were lockers for ALL of your belongings. At sign in, they check your identification, scan your hand print, and guide you through a self pat down. This is done whenever you enter or exit the testing room, that includes breaks, lunch, and trips to the restroom (Tip: Use the restroom during EVERY break - even if you don’t think you need to!).
Other than that, the test itself is essentially the same formatting as the practice tests. You are observed via camera during the whole test. You are offered noise cancelling headphones and a pad for notes in the room. Once you start, time goes faster than you think!
Be sure to go celebrate afterwards and try not to think about it for the next month. (Lol - Post MCAT depression is totally a thing O.O)
My reminiscing duck face
Things I Would Have Done Differently
1) I stressed so hard sometimes that I made myself sick. And then when I would get sick, I wouldn’t be able to study as well. It was a rough cycle. :( Be sure to focus on self care along the way. Stress is inevitable - but if you’re able to control it better than I did, maybe you won’t waste as much time.
2) Start taking practice tests earlier and take as many as possible. I didn’t really start taking practice tests until the last 2-3 weeks before the test. (See above - getting sick and having to push my timeline over and over). Given the length of the test, you can only effectively do one of these a day - and during crunch time, every day counts. I wish I would have taken more (I took 3 practice tests) and started earlier so I could have better targeted my studying sooner.
3) This is going to sound corny, but I wish I believed in myself more. It’s a hard test and I felt like I was going in blind - I studied engineering in college, not any of these subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Sociology, Psychology, English) - outside of individual classes. So I know this is more my advice to you than advice I think I would have followed. However, I truly believe that you will only study as hard as you think you can succeed. Yes, it’s a lot of studying and I’m not suggesting that you believe that you’re superior to the work required, but rather I hope that you believe in your ability to work hard and do well. And study your butt off! You can do it!
If you have any questions about my specific study routine - please feel free to ask! I can’t guarantee what will work best for you, but I can advice on what I feel was most beneficial to me! Good Luck!