<p>I am going to be a Sophomore in Fall 2007, and want to get started with the MCAT (I will probably be studying most of this summer). The amount of info on it is overwhelming, so a general guide from someone knowledgable with be greatly appreciated. Please address my concerns which include:</p>
<li>When to start studying</li>
<li>When is the MCAT generally taken</li>
<li>How much I should study (I know, I know, this varies)</li>
<li>What is a VERY COMPETITIVE score for admission into schools like NYU Medical School, UPenn Medical School, etc.</li>
<li>Any other advice/tips (eg. beneficial courses to take while an undergrad to help me for the MCAT or things that look VERY GOOD on a Med school application; I know, how cliche, but I seriously need help in this matter)</li>
</ol>
<p>1.) Two months before the test.
2.) Sometimes during your junior year -- either immediately before, immediately after, or anytime in between.
3.) Two months, twenty hours a week.
4.) Their mean scores are a matter of public record.</p>
<p>Start a few months before, a year before is just not smart. (coming from someone who took the exam on the 25th of may) With the new MCAT you can take mcat whenever you want pretty much. But take it after the basic pre-med classes (i did this at least) How much to study... as much as you feel is necessary. When you do start do lots of practice and gauge yourself that way. And oh, btw for you people who do the free AAMC 3 MCAT, it is way way easier than the real thing and not really a gauge of where you are in studying or how much you know. Look at 8, 9, 10. Those are better, getting a 30 on the aamc 3 doesnt mean much, whereas getting a 30 on the 8,9,10 does.</p>
<p>I don't know why people think the MCAT is this monster you have to prepare for years in advance. 2-3 months over the summer is enough or, if you're planning on taking the MCAT during the school year, one semester is sufficient.</p>
<p>I'm also going to be a sophomore(@stony brook) and was planning out MCAT studying as well. I'm doing this because having experienced what a typical semester will be for the next three years I really fit enough time for both MCAT and my classes. I'm also working part time so I have tons of spare time that I might as well do something useful with. Also, I'm one of those people that it takes lots of practice and repetition to learn things. I already bought the EK Osmosis Audio in my hype to study and probably will get the EK studing package and see how much I can do having only completed General Chem and Bio as a pre-med. </p>
<p>Somewhat of topic: </p>
<p>If I can get the studying material that Kaplan/Princeton review gives to their students from someone, would you guys still recommend me taking their review course?</p>
<p>Hey, i'm an upcoming senior in high school. Since summer is here, I have decided to spend around 5 hours a day for 2 months studying for the MCAT. If someone can recommend me the books, etc it would be great.</p>
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Hey, i'm an upcoming senior in high school. Since summer is here, I have decided to spend around 5 hours a day for 2 months studying for the MCAT. If someone can recommend me the books, etc it would be great.
<p>Yeah. Okay, I know that you guys are going to laugh and ridicule me and tell me all of these things but can someone tell me the good books for MCAT?</p>
<p>isnt mcat something that can be almost naturally prepared by taking all(or most) of the basic premed courses? well, i guess maybe review some stuff shortly before and take some practice tests.. but studying during senior year?? that sounds a little... uhhhh....</p>
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[quote]
Yeah. Okay, I know that you guys are going to laugh and ridicule me and tell me all of these things but can someone tell me the good books for MCAT?
[/quote]
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<p>If you really, really want to, I suggest going to <a href="http://www.half.com%5B/url%5D">www.half.com</a> and buying kaplan comprehensive study guide. Get an old version, like 2000 and look at that. Look for the cheapest possible because at this stage, I wouldn't recommend dishing out money on EK stuff or other study guides. </p>
<p>"isnt mcat something that can be almost naturally prepared by taking all(or most) of the basic premed courses?"</p>
<p>Exactly. The best thing you can do is to pay attention in your premed classes. Then with a little practice over a couple of months, you should be good to go.</p>
<p>Happygal - you are absolutely correct, its not so wise to start preparing in HS because 90% of the material covers what you will learn in your freshman year of college in your intro chem and bio classes. It would be one's best interest to pay attention and get good grades during this time - I certainly did, and I recognize most of the material, but I still need practice.</p>
<p>I'll be starting my sophmore year in Fall '07, and i'm rather curious about the verbal section of the MCAT. I already know that this is going to be one of my weak points when it comes time to start studying, and it doesn't really seem like any of my classes will prepare me for this section of the exam like my science courses will for B.S./physics/chem sections. Does anyone have any tips on studying for the verbal part, and whether it is beneficial to begin studying this part a bit earlier than the rest?
thanks.</p>