How to do well on MCATS

Oh, the MCAT. That lovely test that is the last hurdle between you and the coveted medical school acceptance letter. These tips will give you a brief outline of what to keep in mind to get a better score. Took the test twice, and nailed it after these tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Perseverance
• AT LEAST a month of study
• Practice tests
• A quiet space

1. Understand the format of the MCAT. This is crucial. Most review books on the market spend a whole chapter on the new computerized exam, so take the time to really get to know the test. Thankfully, the test has gone computer which makes the test easier (no fill-in-the-hole mistakes, but it also means you're reading passages off of a computer screen, which can hurt your eyes. In addition to learning about the structure of the test, read the newspaper or science articles online to train your brain and eyes to reading off of the screen.
2. You are not taking one test, you are taking 4. Physical sciences, biological sciences, reading comp and writing. Attack each 4 separately and schedule your time accordingly. Separate any and all study material into the sections. Don't be afraid to mutilate your study guides by ripping out the review pages and putting them in your folders marked "physics" or "o-chem." Combine pages from different sources (old exams, Princeton Review books, wikipedia articles, etc) and get yourself organized in a major way.
3. Map out your study calandar. This phrase should slip off your lips like honey: "Today is a physical sciences day. Today, I am focusing on chemistry and physics. Tomorrow is biological sciences. I can't wait to study more about mRNA." The calender format will vary according to how much time you have to study. If you have 8 weeks, the first 3 weeks should be just review--no practice tests yet. The last 5 should be focused study, identifying your week points and reviewing the parts you need to.
4. Throughout the study period, read, read, read. Read the New York Times online to train your eyes reading a computer screen, but also read anything and everything. During the reading comprehension section, you will be tested on articles randing from global warming to Indian literature. After you read an article, ask yourself these questions: "What was the main argument of the article? What was the tone (sarcastic, light, persuasive...)? What, exactly, were the arguments?" Train your mind to read actively.
5. As your progress closer to the MCAT test date, you should be taking practice tests one day (or in the morning), and reviewing the material you got wrong the next day (or in the afternoon). Don't hide from what you don't understand. Embrace it. If you hate physics, concentrate on the formulas and make them make sense. However, don't waste your time mastering a single subject which just doesn't connect with your mind. Don't cram down magnetism, for example, if your brain just can't swallow it. Memorize the main formulas and move on.
6. The day before the MCAT, DO NOT STUDY. Relax your brain and trust that you will not learn a single thing the day before the test. You must rest and let your brain file everything it's learned.

Tips & Warnings

• Work out during your study. Many reasons. One: It feels good and you will have a lot of frustration to vent. Two: It will help you sleep better, which will help you learn better. Three: It keeps you happy. You cannot learn if you are emotionally off -- keep centered through exercise and you will do better because you'll feel better.
• The MCAT likes to take formulas you know well and make them different by inverting a number or manipulating the problem in some way. From physicians to calculating moles, understand the equations so that when they are changed around, it doesn't throw you off.
• Let people know what you're doing. Preparing for the MCAT takes a village. Friends need to know that you won't be available for them. Parents need to lay off telling you about your dramatic sister. Get people involved and get them used to giving you support and space.
• Figure out what you need to do to stay relaxed through this process. I cannot stress (no pun intended) enough. Be very selfish with comfort food, movies, time with friends...put your self first and understand that you are entering an academic marathon.
• Give yourself enough time to study. 3 months is ideal, but too much time and you'll burn out. Don't get trapped in thinking that if you study twice as long, you'll do twice as well.
• Take the MCAT with the anticipation that most successful medical applicants have taken it more than once. Schedule the MCAT so that you will have two sets of scores for the application process provided you don't like your first score.