Tests
MCAT practice exams are the best preparation you can obtain for the MCAT, as we’ve already covered. But to reap the greatest rewards, you have to approach taking practice exams as a science. Start taking two to three practice exams a week, starting two months prior to your test date. Make the most of every practice test by:
- Preparing for the test in advance
- Taking practice exams in a methodical manner
- Setting aside time to go over each completed test
- Viewing each practice exam as a chance to grow and learn
- Keeping an eye on your performance and adjusting as needed
1) Get ready for the mock exam.
When big goals are divided into smaller objectives or benchmarks, they are typically easier to accomplish. Practice exams are similar to those benchmarks. Establish a tiny objective for yourself for each practice exam, such as raising your score by one points in a particular section or revising your answers on a smaller number of questions to reduce the phenomenon known as “second-guessing.” Your performance on practice tests and your test-taking techniques will both improve if you study every day in a way that helps you reach these little targets.
2) Approach practice exams methodically.
The MCAT is mostly an endurance test, much like the ones you’ll take throughout your medical career. As a result, it would be prudent to start with simpler practice exams and work your way up to more challenging ones before the actual examination. Your brain will be trained to rapidly reach a higher functioning state for best performance if you do this once a week. And don’t worry, the majority of MCAT preparation courses will tell you how challenging their practice examinations are, frequently drawing comparisons with AAMC practice exams. Ask for this information, nevertheless, if it isn’t given to you right away.
3) Go over your mock exams.
Your “true gold” is found in your post-exam review; taking a practice test is just the start. Examining your practice exam again reveals the questions you missed as well as the reasons behind them. Or did you simply forget the information? Did you have to make a guess? Have you overlooked an equation? Did you misunderstand the query? Have you read each option for an answer? Have you revised your response? Did the time limit expire? Ultimately, the only way to raise your game is to answer these tough questions for yourself.
4) Take MCAT notes, learn from every practice exam, and get better.
Take it a step further and, as you consider each of the questions above, jot down your answers as well as important details from the explanations for any that you may have missed or misguessed. If you’re still not sure how to proceed, look up the solutions and write down what makes sense to you in addition to any expedient way you can figure out. You will use these notes as your “Gold Notes.” Your customized, streamlined MCAT study notes, known as Gold Notes, include the most important lessons you learned from each MCAT mock exam you took. Keep your Gold Notes to no more than two pages every test, and go over them the day before (or even the morning of) the real test, as well as before any future practice exams
5) Keep an eye on your performance and adjust as needed.
Keep a record of your practice exam results as you go, if time allowed. Whether you want to play a game or compete with friends during your MCAT preparation, you will remain motivated and involved in the process. However, if your grades start to decline in spite of your best efforts to study, it could be the first sign of burnout. If so, you should probably cut back on the number of practice tests you take each week or take a week off from taking exams altogether. However, if your scores start to stagnate, see that as a cue to adjust your study strategy or approach. These adjustments could be changing the time of day you study, going over additional flashcards, or just switching up your emphasis.
