How To Study and Prepare For the MCAT | Medical School Preparation
Getting a good MCAT score is essential for getting into medical school. In this video, I talk about how to prepare and study for the MCAT. MCAT is short for Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). It is the standardized exam required for admission for medical schools in the US. It is important because it’s been shown to be highly predictive of success in medical school courses and on Step exams.
So the MCAT contains 4 sections:
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS)
Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
PREPARATION is Broken down into 3 parts:
College Classes,
Content Review,
Exam Practice and Strategies.
College Classes,
Before taking the MCAT you should consider taking these seven courses:
One year of introductory biology
One year of general chemistry
One year of organic chemistry
One year of physics
One semester of biochemistry
One semester of introductory psychology
One semester of introductory sociology
Personally I also recommend:
Anatomy and Physiology,
Cell Biology,
Microbiology,
Genetics,
Immunology,
Brain and Behavior/Physiological Psych would all be helpful.
Why? Because it helped me master the But remember that your prereqs are ALL YOU NEED to obtain a good score.
Once you have taken the courses above,
2. Content Review
Ideally you want do a content review 3-4 months before the exam.
But it really depends on the person and how much time you have to study per day. 3-4 months is perfect time because it:
gives you enough time to study without burning out and,
if you study less than 3-4 months, you may end up being under-prepared.
Again, this really depends on the person. Some people can get away with barely preparing while others need a lot more time to get ready. In the end, it really depends on how you study.
When you’re going into content review mode there are several things to consider:
how much time you have until your exam date,
how much money you have to spend, that is:
are you gonna need extra discipline and motivation?
if so review classes like Kaplan more ExamKrackers are an option.
Personally: I did a review class--ThinkMCAT, it was really good. The instructor was really good in
not necessary, but you have to be really disciplined and motivated and stick to a strict schedule.
3. Exam Practice and Strategies:
It’s worth noting that the MCAT is 7.5 HOURS LONG!
Of that 7.5 hours:
A little over 6 hours is used for the taking the exam,
two 10 minute breaks
30 minute lunch break
My suggestions for this sections are:
Understand and learn the concepts,
Practice, practice, practice! The MCAT is a CBT, so you guys need to practice and getting used to taking taking notes on the computer. For me, this was hard because I was so used to taking paper exams.
Take as MANY full lengths exams as you can! Make sure they are timed so you can get used to the pressure. By the time you take the real exam, you would have taken so many tests that it’s second nature to you.
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Check out the rest of the videos that are part of this series:
What's in my med school backpack: • What's in my backpack:...
FAQ about how to get into medical school: • Getting Into Medical S...
What's in my white coat: • Video
How a typical medical school schedule looks like: • Typical Schedule of a ...
Useful Apps I use in Medical School: • Useful Apps for Med Sc...
Typical Weekly Schedule of a Med School Student: • Typical Schedule of a ...
Study Tips for Medical School and College: • Study Tips for Medical...
A Typical Day in Medical School: • A Typical Day of a Med...
How to Prepare and Study for the MCAT: • How To Study and Prepa...
Study Schedule of a Medical School Student: • Study Schedule of a Me...
First Year vs Second Year of Medical School: • First Year vs Second Y...
Med School Essentials Giveaway!: • Video
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Mailing Address:
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PO Box 956
New York, NY 10462
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Пікірлер: 82
Med school and fitness channel in one?! So glad I found you.
Just stumbled upon your channel + I am so happy I did!! I am getting back into school this Fall and Medical School is my short-long term goal. I'm not focusing on what specialty to get into, but rather getting through undergrad, MCAT, and the journey of Med School. Thank you for making this series!! I am devouring it all + it's wonderful to see someone who is going through it give advice. Xx.
@TheStrivetoFit
8 жыл бұрын
+Mackenzie Dwoznik Thanks so much for your sweet comment! Best of luck with the undergrad, MCAT and the rest of the process :)
I don't know if you've ever revealed this but is it okay to tell us your score and gpa? And give us advice and stories about how you felt during your application cycle? Oh and if you took time off or how you feel about it?
Why am I watching this at 4 am? I failed 3rd grade twice
@Asia-wz9sf
4 жыл бұрын
Lol ...why are you so funny!?! You're watching this, because despite failing 3rd grade twice, you can still accomplish anything you put your mind to!
@Itachijaswal
4 жыл бұрын
Na I’m more dense than a neutron star
it is very informative for students of biology
I have a question - Some of these classes I'm taking in my last year of college, but need to take the MCAT before that. How do you think I should best prepare for the MCAT section corresponding to the classes that I haven't taken yet? (The only one would be biochemistry)
I felt like there's a lot of biochem on this new mcat
@akashxoxo386
5 жыл бұрын
Good thing im A biochem major
@AlexisCelesteT
2 жыл бұрын
Yes!
Hi, Jamie! Is there any book you use for preparing MCAT? Can you recommend some to us?
Very informative
Thanks for sharing. How long was the study process, like weeks/months to finally take the exam.
What review books do you recommend to study for the MCAT?
That LSAT practice question to was insightful. Perhaps consider lowering the volume or stopping the music while you're talking -- it was a bit distracting.
Very much useful 😃
hello I need ur help. I study science I have 40 page study packs to revise. how do i remember these. notes do not work.
do you guys have any advise on schedule for premed class that will help me to finish those prerequisites for mcat before my senior year
Is there an online store or "outside" store that offers the MCAT study guide for an affordable price?
Superb. Ken Mask MD
Currently waiting on my score :( so nervous lol. But great video!
@TheStrivetoFit
7 жыл бұрын
Good luck! Hope you get the score you're aiming for :)
@sonaturallygwen
7 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@schemidezetrenne3550
6 жыл бұрын
Did you get a good score? :)
@TerrenceBurnett
6 жыл бұрын
HealthfulBeauty How did you do?
@cassylacute
6 жыл бұрын
How did you do?
Hey I am Aparna..really want to crack MCAT.. could you please refer some Books, reading material. Please do help as I have no clue.
what books did you use to prepare for the MCAT?
With respect to the pre-med courses, I'm now a Ph.D. student(biochemical engineering degree, but dealing with pure molecular and cell biological research topics ) in China. Our course settings during college was totally different from that in the US, like we don't have a course named general biology, but we do have biochem etc., what should I do to meet the pre-med course requirements ?
Im currently studying for the MCAT. 😊
@ZKrow382
6 жыл бұрын
KPOP twin Did you pass?
@nati7925
4 жыл бұрын
UPDATE US
When did you take the mcat?
What medical school do you go to?
Hi thank you very much, but they have cancel my test for May 2020 so I have cut back or 5 to 6 day a week to three time a week so I will not burn out. I don't do per test it does not work for me I just go over the paper test which I 26 of them and do them over and over each month. Or every 20 day plus or minus a day. I have move time to study so when I have my test I will go back to 5 to 6 day a week. Thank you very much.
I am still aiming for Med school, it would be another 5-6 years before I am able to apply. How can I start now, before being able to get back into school? I am restarting my post secondary after bad luck since high school. I would like to start studying early and I don't have much money especially since I need to do pre-calculus.
@aralmariv1207
4 жыл бұрын
You could start by enrolling at a community college
which mcat review books did you use? Princeton or Kaplan?
@nilanabijan8223
4 жыл бұрын
Kaplan better
What if you took some classes a few years ago? Would I have to retake them?
@TheStrivetoFit
8 жыл бұрын
+Don't Worry I don't think you need to retake the class you've already taken. Try looking over some MCAT review books and see if topics start to come back to you. Best of luck!
I have one doubt, can i do MD if i have Btech and MS degree in Biotechnology ??
@aparnamukerji6789
6 жыл бұрын
Pradeep Nayak yes
@aralmariv1207
4 жыл бұрын
I agree. So go for that MD!
hello from Turkey. I have a question for u. I am currently studying in MIS(management information systems) department in Boğaziçi University which is top university in Turkey. Since my major is different I am not thinking to take pre med classes in my college. But I do want to apply to med schools in USA. Is it okay if I take Ap exams and get high grades from them and take the MCAT so that I can apply to med schools? Is that possible? I mean do med schools accept my AP grades from the exams instead of taking pre med classes?? Are there such med schools in USA? Thanks a lot.
@aralmariv1207
4 жыл бұрын
I'd recommend you prep for and take the General GRE and the GRE Subject Tests, as well as the TOEFL. Best of luck!
Are you able to take the MCAT multiple times? If you can does that look bad?
@TheStrivetoFit
8 жыл бұрын
+Daniel Broderick yes you can take the MCAT multiple times. from my understanding, it's best not to take it too many times and make sure your score improves significantly if you do take it more than once. hope this helps!
what Med school do u go to?
What would you say how much time should we set when taking a practice exam?
@TheStrivetoFit
8 жыл бұрын
make it as close to the real exam as possible!
Ok so this isnt the video I was looking for.
this is the updated mcat?
@TheStrivetoFit
8 жыл бұрын
+xxenibarbie97xx yep!
@xxenibarbiexx
8 жыл бұрын
+TheStriveToFit do you recommend taking the test at the end of junior year? or earlier?
@TheStrivetoFit
8 жыл бұрын
+xxenibarbie97xx I think it's gonna come down to when you're ready (i.e: are you done with your prerequisite courses, mcat prep) and when you plan on applying to medical school.
@abhipatel8890
8 жыл бұрын
+TheStriveToFit what type of music do u listen to while studying?
you're studying medicine in which country?
@ST-wi7li
6 жыл бұрын
USA
Hi, the MCAT exam is taken while high school or when? Please I need an explanation
@nilanabijan8223
4 жыл бұрын
After you finish your bachelors.
@andreaarteaga3070
4 жыл бұрын
@@nilanabijan8223 thank you! Bachelors are taken after college? Sorry but I'm in another country and the system is different
@christinehuang7539
2 жыл бұрын
@@andreaarteaga3070 don't know if it is still helpful but you'll get a bachelor degree after you finish undergraduate study (college or university), and then you can take the MCAT exam
@andreaarteaga3070
2 жыл бұрын
@@christinehuang7539 Thank you 😊
hi, I have a question, is the mcat something I have to study and learn on my own or does the school prepare you for it?
@sccm100
7 жыл бұрын
pinkpink439 what kind of question is this lol
@LegacySB
7 жыл бұрын
Hey, you will learn the contents for the MCAT throughout college through all the courses mentioned above, but you need to re-learn all the content, kind of revise everything and then do many practice tests in order to do well on the MCAT. This helps you to know your strengths and weaknesses. Hope that helps :)
I plan on majoring in Biology , and in this route my University offers a "Organic Chem for biology majors" that allows me to do my required O chem in 1 semester instead of two, would this really hurt me or if I study a little O chem extra before my MCAT should I be fine?
What was your score on the MCAT?
Learn to count. You stated twelve classes not seven. Why should I trust your info when you have mislead me in one minute forty-two seconds.
@avolovo
5 жыл бұрын
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, perhaps you have misheard. She said “There are 7 classes you should take before taking the MCAT.” She did list seven. The other 5 she mentioned were classes she recommended. Required classes for MCAT are different than those she “recommends” and thus aren’t required. So rather than being rude, perhaps it may benefit you to learn to listen more carefully.
There is no need for all the little stuff in the beginning. If someone wants to get tips on studying for the MCAT I think they know what the MCAT is and that pre req classes help prepare for the test lmao