<p>When should we finish taking the premed courses by and when should we take the MCAT? Is it better to take MCAT after you take all the premed classes?</p>
<p>Yes it is generally better to have finished the pre-med classes, since the AAMC says that they provide the necessary preparation for the test. I think that it is good to follow that advice and make sure you have at least some exposure in a classroom setting to the concepts these classes introduce. At the bare minimum you should have completed both your chemistry sequences and a year of bio. Physics is probably the one that you could probably get by the easiest but only if you had a solid background in physics (like a 4 on AP Physics exam) and you take a prep course from kaplan or TPR. </p>
<p>Most students take the MCAT in April of their junior year, but with the new computerized test, and more dates to take it, I imagine that the June exam dates after the junior year will become the most popular time (just like it is for the LSAT). It avoids the possibility of having a test in a class a day or two before the MCAT, but also gives ample time for dedicated study for 4-6 weeks, while still getting scores back early enough to get the AMCAS in before the end of August. Part of the popularity will vary depending on whether your school is on semesters, trimesters or quarters.</p>
<p>If we're placing bets, I'd wager that either August before junior year or, in fact, February/March during junior year will be most popular. :)</p>
<p>i am trying to finish all my premed courses including cell/genetic biology & biochem before junior year, so i can take one mcat after sophmore year. after getting feedbacks, i can use the whole junior year to prepare for that, then another mcat after junior year.
does it sound okay?</p>
<p>Just take the MCAT once. Study hard, prep well, and just take it once.</p>
<p>I heard in a bio advising meeting that they're going to start offering the MCAT online only.</p>
<p>I thought it would be an excellent time to take the MCAT at the end of winter break...because you could study during fall semester and also have a over a month to just focus on prep. Does anyone know how the setup's going to be...will you just be able to log on and take the MCAT whenever you want, or are there like specific days each month when it's offered?</p>
<p>Um its going to be computer based. You will go to a set testing center and take in on a set date. There will be something along the lines of 30 dates or more per year. You pick the date go in and take it on the computer, and scores will only take 30 days to get as opposed to the 60 today. The best part is, that now medical schools will be more understanding if you take the test more than once, and I'm sure many people will do it with so many dates available. Before it used to be a very big hassle to do it more than one, but now it wont be so much.</p>