When should I start studying for the MCAT's and how should I do so?

Question

I am about to be a sophmore in a biochemistry program at a really great science univeristy...I am pre-med so is it a good idea to start studying on my own for the MCAT's now..I have just taken biology, chemistry, calculus I, II and will be taking III and biostatistics...physics next year...but when is it best to start so I can do really well and know all my material. Also what year do you have to take it in and are there any grants for people who do well?

Answer 1

Self study is the key here. One would rise at 600am study 2 hours, break 15 min, then repeat until 10 hours total in real study is accomplished per day. Do that for 8 weeks. The time talking to friends is not considered study, so that doesnt count. Find a quiet room in your parents home and begin this task in earnest.

Your review books can come from Library or you can buy some newer ones. There is no shortage of review materials.

These questions arent all calculus, or science, Remember, you do not need a technical degree to go into Medicine, even a Bachelors in Music qualifies you. So the questions are not geared to rocket scientists and the advantage of being a chem major or bio major isnt all that great. Sure you need to be able to use the basics, but not be some seasoned scientist by any means. Medicine is not pure science.

You take MCAT at the end of Junior year during that summer. So by the time fall arrives your score coincides with your Med school appications that arive at the med schools.

I have 2 children that are MD's one is a 5th year resident, both grads of Eastern Med schools. The key here is not Kaplan, or any of those costly programs, The key is buckle down and study review those long hours and weeks at a time to achieve mental preperation. That is true of all of those tests required in med school as well. Its a big shift from regular college where normal study time is what is required, Here, the extraordinary achieve. From what I know about these tests They do not require a genius of a mind, just hours of review, prep and endurance.