MCAT Misery (1 Viewer)

[Chris Farmer]

Tomorrow I take the hardest test of my life so far. Clocking in a 5 hours, 45 mins, plus breaks, paperwork, etc, this test is what will determine where I go after I graduate from A&M next year. So no pressure. Anyone else taking this ballbuster tomorrow?

 

[Eric Samonte]

I took one a loooong time ago and it was a killer. But look at the bright side. 4 years from now, u have to take day long exams like the USMLE 1,2,3, with the last one taking a day more. This is not to mention the specialty boards u gotta take after maybe another 3 or 4 years. So my advice it, do ur best and u'll make good.

 

[Paul P]

I took it back in Aug 2001, now teaching it for Kaplan. Just pace yourself. Don't expect to be don't by 4. I remember not being out until like 6:15pm(10 hours). Oh, and vow with your buddies to not discuss the test on test day.

 

[Chris Farmer]

Yikes, goes late. And Eric, you're a real bundle of cheer

 

[Devin U]

Thanks for scarring me, Im gonna try next year, I think.

 

[Chris Farmer]

Well, I took it, and I survived. Honestly, I was relieved. It wasn't nearly as difficult as the practice tests I'd been working. Run long, we were there for 9 hours, but I was still out by 5. So now it's just wait and see for the results, but at this point, it could have been a lot worse.

Devin, don't sweat it too much. My recommendation is take it in August, not April. It's far easier to study for it when you're not balancing MCAT prep with classes, there was more then once that MCAT had to wait due to a biochem test the next day. Prepare for it thoroughly, don't blow it off. There's a massive 1000 page Kaplan book you can get on Amazon called MCAT Comprehensive review, that's what I used, and it was very effective. Give youself at least about six week, preferably two months to get through it. If you have time, there's also an MCAT workbook that I didn't use because I ran out of time, but that would also help a bunch. But first and foremost, take it THIS year, in August. Don't wait for April.

 

[Angelo.M]

Ah, this thread brings back some great memories!

I'm sure the test is nothing like it was when I took it eleven years ago. At the time, all I did was practice questions: I didn't see a way to 'study' for it.

Same for USMLE 1, 2 and 3. Now, my two sets of board certification tests were a whole other story. 'Study' doesn't even describe it...

By the way, my MCAT plus my USMLE 1-3 plus my board certs = almost four-thousand dollars worth of tests. And, of course, it isn't over, as I get the honor of repeating my board certs every 7 years from now until retirement. Yeah, baby!

But it's all worth it, and I'd go through all the tests again in a heartbeat. I love my profession.