<p>I am currently a rising senior at a university, and my maor is not pre-med. I'd like to start studying for the MCAT as I plan to take it in 2012 as I finish up my Ma. T. Like I said I am not a pre-med major, actually I am a human development with a concentration in early childhood education, and I have only taken bio (101,102, and genetics), chem (101), alg (I &II), and of course an array of psych classes. What do I need to start studying for the MCAT, should I wait until next year, after I've taken Physics and chem and calc? I'm confused on what I need to know to actually study. Please help</p>
<p>Just to claify: not every college offers pre-medical program. Most pre-med programs are just students whose majors are biology, biochemistry and chemistry.
I think when school offers real pre-med, more of less it provides seminars or program to prepare for MCAT exam.</p>
<p>If you need to study MCAT (typically biochemistry majors are more successful in MCAT), you really want to attend MCAT preparation program, just like those SAT and ACT one.</p>
<p>My sister is now a medical student. She has a pile of pre-books and flashcard with her. She has online preparation exams. </p>
<p>Like SAT, my sister also finds MCAT another brain drilling exam. LOL
IT’S VERY VERY DIFFICULT even for her as a biochem student.</p>
<p>D. started studying about 5 months before taking MCAT, but most would suggest shorter period. I would say that it should not be longer than that, she felt that last couple weeks were waste of time and wanted just be done with it. She got reasonably good score with very even distribution between sections and will be applying to few selective Med. Schools. SAT / ACT were very, very easy for her. MCAT is very hard. D. has completed all Med. School requirements before taking MCAT and has been Suppl. Instr. for Gen Chem prof for 2 years, so she did not need to study Gen. Chem for MCAT at all.</p>
<p>The MCAT has 3 sections: verbal, physical science and biological science.</p>
<p>You will definitely need to have finished courses in physics, general chemistry and organic chemistry before you can start seriously studying for the MCAT since those courses are a huge part of the questions asked in both PS and BS sections. Studying for the MCAT without having mastered those disciplines will be a waste of time (and money if you plan on enrolling in one of MCAT prep classes).</p>
<p>Once you have finished the necessary classes, then start studying. My D spent an intensive 3 months prepping for her MCAT. (Started studying in Feb took her MCAT on 5/22.)</p>
<p>You can start working on strengthening your verbal skills now though, by reading a variety of challenging non-fiction materials.</p>
<p>If I can prep for the USMLE in 5 weeks, anyone can prep for the MCAT in 10 weeks or less.</p>
<p>Remember, regardless of what test you’re taking, the best “prep” is always to pay attention in your classes. If you study hard in your classes, you will not only get a better GPA, you will also have less to review when it comes time for standardized testing.</p>
<p>Thank you WestMom that’s the answer I was looking for. I don’t have trouble studying for standardized test I understand the dedication and time that needs to be taken out, I was just unsure of what to do as being in a non medical discipline to actually studying for the MCAT.</p>
<p>
I disagree, but I’ll let another dissenter take this up, if there are any.</p>
<p>^I agree with WayOutWestMom, except you can start MCAT prep. while still taking some of these classes. D. was taking Physics when she started preparing. It actually helped her to have Physics fresh right before she took exam, which she took also on May 22 about 2 weeks after her spring finals.</p>
<p>It is certainly advantageous; that was not my disagreement.</p>