<p>When to take mcat in relation to completion of coursework?</p>
<p>How important is it to take the MCAT ASAP after completing the science pre-reqs? I am completing my prereqs as follows:</p>
<p>Spring'12 gchem
Spring '13 - ochem, intro bio
Fall '13 Physics, ochem lab</p>
<p>My question, then is whether to study for/take the mcat over winter quarter, or whether to do my Upper div bio and then study/take it over the summer. I know winter's probably a better option, but would also, I'm thinking, disadvantage me in terms of having to wait another year to take upper-div bio classes that rely on intro-bio content, esp. biochem and physiology (each course is offered only during 1 quarter of the year). </p>
<p>So, would you say one strategy is strongly superior to the other?</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’re still deciding but for me my classes in college didnt really have a large effect on my science knowledge for the mcat. The intro classes introduced me to the material but I tended to forget it once I finished the class. Also, a lot of the stuff you learn in the classes is not even on the mcat. The mcat is, for the most part, about basic aspects and relationships.
Upper level classes probably wont help your studying for the mcat all that much. They might help with some overall themes but again theyre generally too specific for the mcat. I would recommend taking the mcat when you think is best regardless of what upper level classes you have taken. Anatomy and physiology probably helped a decent amount for me but I wouldn’t wait to take the mcat because you havent taken that course.</p>