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How to prepare for the MCAT in a month

By Thomas Dube posted 10-20-2020 12:49 AM

  

Although The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)in Washington, D.C., the non-profit organization established in 1876, recommends that a medical student needs at least 350 hours to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), we now live in such a hectic and demanding time that studying for several months may not be possible.

Two Conditions Necessary to Study MCAT in a Month

While it is theoretically possible to study for the MCAT in just a month, you must fully understand that this is a heroic task. Still, it’s possible to be successful if you can meet two conditions:

The first condition is that you must already have a firm grasp of science so that you can read critical information without the need to look up the definition of common terms in biochemistry, biology, and behavioral science. You must also be comfortable with chemistry, both general and organic chemistry, and understand the basic mathematics of physics.

The second condition is that you must be able to study for long hours almost every day of the week. At a minimum, you need to spend at least three hours a day for at least six days every week. More, of course, would be better. Ideally, you should be able to have most of the month free to follow your demanding schedule. If you have a second job or need to attend school or take care of other responsibilities that could compromise your schedule, then your study project is likely to go off the rails.

How to Organize Your Study Plan

Assuming that you can satisfy both conditions, here are some guidelines on how to study:

First, get all the MCAT test prep materials and tutoring assistance that you need so that you can get totally focused.

Spend a full day every week devoted to biochemistry, biology, behavioral science, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.

Just study a few subjects within that discipline every week. For instance, in the first week when studying organic chemistry, limit yourself to only studying bonding, stereochemistry, and nomenclature. Don’t also try to squeeze in studying alcohols and aldehydes.

Don’t overstretch your capacity to get a good understanding of too many subjects within a discipline during your focus day. Get a deep understanding of just a few topics in every discipline. Develop such a deep understanding that you could explain it clearly to someone who knows only little about science.

Next, create or adopt a study guide that plans out how to study everything that you must know in all six of the major disciplines. Also, go over AAMC sample questions and sections.

Finally, on the last couple of days before the test, devote your time to your weakest areas. Work to get a good understanding of the things that you had trouble with understanding. If you need help from an MCAT prep tutor, ask for it.

Rest up Before the Big Day

On the day before the test, rest. You need to give your brain plenty of time to rest and recuperate. Do nothing strenuous during the day. Just eat healthy meals, do some light stretching, and get plenty of rest at night. The test is strenuous, rather like running a mental marathon, so on the day of the exam have a nutritious breakfast to fuel your brain to perform at its best.

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