My Life: The MCAT

First and foremost...let me apologize. I have not kept up with my blog in some months. The reality of this exam set in and as I wind down this last month of my studies, I just wanted to share my experience thus far.

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So, if this is the first blog you are reading, I take my MCAT September 8th (less than a month from YESTERDAY...yikes). Since this is my last month, I've reached the phase where I am taking a practice exam every week.

The first 3 months consisted of content review. With my Next Step Prep course, 5 content review books came with it: Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry/Organic chemistry, Physics, and Psychology/Sociology. I've so far gotten through every content book, which wasn't easy because some of the sciences just aren't my favorite (*cough* physics) but I felt relieved when I finally finished reviewing everything. Also, being enrolled in a course, I had videos to watch as if I was "in class". There is a total of 20 lessons and as of now I have completed 17 lessons. Those lessons are LONG! Some were between 3-4 hours. 3 months seems like a long time to go over content, but seeing as Biochemistry is the only course I've taken within a year of studying, I definitely needed the refresher! My advice in the review phase: if there is a topic that you're more comfortable about, do not spend too much time on the review section. For me, that was psychology/sociology and some of the biology topics.

The course also came with a book that went over the basics of the exam, a Critical Analysis and Reasoning skills (CARS) practice book, and a book filled with science discrete questions. At this point in my studying, I'm doing full CARS sections timed. So I'm going through 9 passages. I've started getting up about 5:30 am this week so I can do some practice before I go in to work. And honestly, that has been very helpful not only in my studying but just getting my day started. Doing CARS practice at least every day will save your life. I went from having CARS being my worse section on practice test to it being my best. The passage topics aren't easy read and if you aren't use to that, it will be a struggle getting through a 9 passage section. When I first started taking practice exams, I would run out of time and rush through the end, so endurance is also an important thing to have (not just for CARS but for the whole exam). I learned from this and am now able to pace myself a little better (my last practice test, I was able to actually read every passage and answer the questions within the 90 minutes).

I've taken 5 total practice test since I started studying and with each test my score goes up. I have 3 more practice test scheduled before the real thing so that is mostly how I will be spending my weekends for the next few weeks (skipping my birthday weekend of course lol).

Since I've been on an unintentional hiatus, I have a few blogs I plan to post in the coming days. Let me know if there is a topic you want to see! To anybody else studying for the MCAT or any professional school entry exam, keep pushing!