Being well prepared before sitting the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is the only way to ensure that you have the best chance of passing and thus earning a place at the school of your dreams.
Of course actually knowing how to handle preparations effectively is difficult if this is your first time taking such an important exam, so here are some handy pieces of advice that will help you to achieve this.
Comparing prep courses is sensible
Lots of people consider using a prep course when the MCAT exam is looming large on the horizon, and there are lots of options available; so many that you might not know which is the right one to pick.
Thankfully with a little bit of comparison and research you should be able to find the right course for you, and it is always worth checking out independent reviews and the testimonials of previous users to get a gauge for the quality of a given course.
Take practice tests
Another advantage of preparing well in advance is that you can get a feel for what the MCAT holds in store by taking practice versions online.
Aside from giving you an idea of the kinds of questions you will face on the day of the exam itself, this will also act as a means of familiarizing yourself with the feeling of taking a test so that you are not overwhelmed by the experience when it happens for real.
Sort out your sleep schedule
The temptation to pull repeated all-nighters in the run-up to the exam can be huge, but this is never a good idea because of the chaos it will create with your sleep schedule. If you are over-tired during the MCAT, or are even entirely out of sync with normal working hours because of your intensely antisocial study schedule, you will be putting all of your hard work at risk.
Instead you should aim to create a schedule which makes sense according to the timing of the exam. Make sure you do this at least a week in advance, to avoid making any unforced errors, while also considering other variables like diet as part of your prep.
Invest in the official guide
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is responsible for publishing an official guide to the MCAT, so it is worth snapping this up to find out more about what the test involves and also how best to prepare to ace it.
Aside from helping you to prepare for the exam, this tome also includes details of the scoring system used to rate people who take it. This will give you an insight into what you will need to do to impress the people who will be marking your paper.
Slow and steady wins the race
To practice for success in the MCAT, aim to be methodical and measured in your approach to questions, rather than rushing through as quickly as possible.
Ultimately your preparations will need to cater to your own strengths and weaknesses, so starting them as early as you can will set you on the right track.
