All About MCAT Prep

How can you prepare most effectively for the MCAT?

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/medicalschoolhq/MSHQ087.mp3″ title=”5 Things You Need to Do to Start Preparing for MCAT 2015″ artist=”Ryan Gray” ]

As always, the best way to prepare for the MCAT is to answer practice questions. By using the AAMC official practice tests in a realistic exam setting, students can best assess themselves and review the questions and subjects which are causing them problems in the last few weeks before their test day. But there’s more you can do to prepare, as well, starting earlier.

Pre-Exam Strategies

The MCAT is usually taken by premed students in their junior or senior year in college. August is the busiest time to take it, as it is right before medical school applications get submitted.

It is important to take the MCAT early so the results will be available by the time you submit your applications to medical school. However, it is much more important to take the exam when you are ready since getting a low score will greatly impact your chances of getting in.

It is important to take the MCAT early so the results will be available by the time you submit your applications to medical school.Click To Tweet

Since the number of admissions to medical school per year is limited (~19,000 admitted vs ~44,000 applying), getting a high MCAT score (around a 510 and up) will increase your chances of getting admitted. This is especially important if you are planning to enter a so-called “top tier medical school,” as their average MCAT scores are higher than average.

One option that a lot of premed students take is enrolling for review classes that are specifically targeted for the MCAT, such as those by Princeton Review and Kaplan. These will help you prepare for the exam in multiple ways, ranging from reviewing the necessary subjects to test-taking strategies to help you in the actual test.

Options for MCAT Prep

There are many options you can take for MCAT prep, ranging from books to online tutorials, boot camps, classroom review sessions, small-group sessions, and private tutors. Each has their own advantages and costs, and the choice of which of these to take will depend largely on the person.

There are many options you can take for MCAT prep, ranging from books to online tutorials, boot camps, classroom review sessions, small-group sessions, and private tutors.Click To Tweet

MCAT Books

MCAT books are the most basic of all basic review materials that all aspiring students must have.

MCAT Flashcards: Learn While Standing in Line

Kaplan MCAT in a Box

MCAT Audio Books: Great for the Road

Examkrackers MCAT Audio Osmosis with Jordan and Jon

Online MCAT Courses

Both Kaplan and The Princeton Review have online MCAT Review Courses.

Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep)

Next Step has been a valuable partner to the Medical School Headquarters and has helped many of our listeners/readers because I have recommended them. We have collaborated on producing The MCAT Podcast and The Premed Playbook: Guide to the MCAT.

Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep) focuses on one-on-one MCAT tutoring.

Interested in signing up for Next Step’s FREE MCAT Practice bundle that includes their half-length diagnostic and their first full-length exam? Click here.

One-on-One Tutoring

Interested in how Next Step’s tutoring works? Use the link below to schedule a consultation and receive a $50 discount off of any tutoring package: Click here.

Next Step MCAT Practice Exams

Need more practice tests? Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep) offers 10 full-length MCAT exams, and you can get 10 percent off if you let them know we sent you. Click the link below to learn more about the exams and to purchase yours today. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep)!

The Princeton Review

Save $100 on any Princeton Review MCAT course.

105 hours of videos
Office Hours for more interaction

Check out their promotional video.

MCAT Summer Bootcamp

If you’ve already taken the MCAT and didn’t score as well as you wanted, or you just know that you need a little extra help, The Princeton Review has a six-week summer review session with a total of 370 hours worth of intensive MCAT instruction. You will also have access to 19 full-length practice exams. Save $100 on any MCAT course.

MCAT Classroom Courses

Again, both Kaplan and The Princeton Review have classroom-based MCAT Review Courses. These MCAT courses are in a typical classroom set up, which will provide you with a tremendous amount of review sessions, intensive coaching, and practice exams. These are good for students who want a more traditional classroom setup. If you know of any other MCAT tutoring companies, please let me know so I can add them.

The Princeton Review MCAT classroom is 105 hours of intensive live instruction with access to 19 full-length MCAT practice tests. You have access to multiple instructors, which is very beneficial if you don’t mesh with one of them. Save $100 on any MCAT© course.

Small-Group MCAT Tutoring

The in-between of the classroom setup and the private tutor. This is perfect for those students who generally excel in a small group setup but also want more focused and intensive coaching sessions.