The MCAT is one of the more intimidating tests in existence. If you are wondering what is the MCAT, it is the medical school admission exam. The good news is that with intense preparation and the right study resources, it is possible to excel on the exam.
The trick is knowing what the most helpful study resources are. With that in mind, here are five things that you can do to study for the exam.
1. Practice Exams:
Practice exams are perhaps the single most valuable way of studying for a standardized test. There are several benefits of taking practice exams. First, you can simulate test-taking conditions to get an idea of how well you will perform under pressure.
Second, you can learn valuable context from the answers and explanations. Third, you can gain an understanding of the areas where you may perhaps be less strong and need to devote more study time.
Take as many practice exams as you can and use them frequently to form the basis of your study program. During your study program, you should be taking at least two per week.
2. Flashcards:
Flashcards are a great way to drill easier concepts into your head that require some memorization. The great thing about these cards is that you can study anywhere when you have a free minute or two.
Make your own flashcards because the act of writing will help you commit more to memory. Always make sure to carry around a small handful of these flashcards so that you can continuously focus on the exam materials.
3. Khan Academy:
The Khan Academy is a free knowledge repository that has both study materials and instructional videos. The resource is funded by user donations so it will not break the bank in the same manner as a regular MCAT study course.
The Khan Academy has sections on each of the major MCAT topics along with a large bank of practice questions.
4. Used Study Materials:
MCAT study materials can be expensive and the costs can add up quickly. One way to supplement the study program that you are using is to obtain others’ used study materials either for free or for a steeply discounted cost.
Many people will donate their study materials when they are finished taking the exam. Reselling old and used materials is difficult so altruistic people will want others to get some use out of what they likely paid a lot of money to purchase.
Take advantage of this option as a supplement to what you buy to save some money.
5. Prep Courses:
Most people will find a prep course necessary to study for the MCAT. Sure, they are not cheap, but the test-taking skills that they will teach will make it worth it.
You never know whether one extra correct question on the MCAT will make the difference in getting into medical school. The course teachers will also be informed as to the latest trends of the test which they will share with the students.
Prep courses have a handle on what is the MCAT and will also distribute a wide variety of course materials. When combined with the specialized expertise that they will impart, this is one of the crucial options.
Using a combination of some of these resources will help put you ahead of the curve when studying for the MCAT. The resources are out there and it is just a case of finding what works for you.
