The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a multiple-choice, compute based, standardized examination that is required for the students of the United States and Canada to get an admission in the medical schools. Medical school admissions committees look at your MCAT ranking, along with your academic record and supporting materials, to determine the foundations for an excellent medical career. The assessment is designed to assess skills like basic science, verbal reasoning, and writing skills. MCAT is a computer-based 7.5-hour test, which has the reputation of being one of the most demanding standardized tests.
The MCAT exam not only evaluates your knowledge in the field of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology — it also tests your analytical and reasoning abilities. This means MCAT needs more than just a prior understanding of the course content. MCAT is a critical thinking based examination that rewards students for their ability to apply the learned concepts. Learning how to think and solve complex problems is the secret of getting an excellent MCAT rank.
Which sections are included in MCAT?
The MCAT includes interconnected sections, which means subjects are not individually tested but have overlapping focus areas because that is how have to encounter these subjects in a medical school.
The MCAT exam has five sections:
- Chemical and physical foundations of biology.
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning skills
- Biological and Biochemical foundations of Living Systems
- Psychological, Social, and biological functions of behavior
- Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning Skills
Each individual section of the exam is graded between 118 and 132, with a median score of 125. That means the total score ranges from 472 to 528, with a mean score of 500.
Tips for clearing the MCAT exam:
Here are some beneficial preparation tips for the MCAT exam preparation.
Create a study schedule
The first thing that we suggest is to prepare a strict schedule. There is plenty to explore, and it can be overwhelming. Break it down and set yourself some weekly targets. In this way, learning can be more manageable. We suggest that the study schedule you will follow should be according to your style of studying. Also, prepare a regular schedule – always include small study breaks in between, and other necessities as well.
Examine the course material and build your knowledge base accordingly:
Content review is essential because the MCAT expects you to have a strong scientific knowledge base. The best way to do this is to purchase a collection of MCAT analysis books and work through each chapter and set of problems. Wherever you get stuck it, mark that specific portion and look out for other sources to get help in this particular section.
Analyze your preparation level using practice tests
Take a diagnostic test before referring to the books, so that you can focus more on your weaknesses while studying. Do not wait for too long to start practicing questions/exams after starting your preparation. Note that in these practice tests, an unsatisfactory score doesn’t mean that you’re not ready for medical school. This means you have more subjects to focus your attention upon and modify your study schedule accordingly.
Think critically of the content you are studying
Instead of just memorizing the content, and then solving the problems based on it, think about how it can be modified into a new problem type. You are expected to know every minute details of a particular concept. So, try to look at every concept with a broader mindset.
Manage your stress level
Managing your physical and psychological condition is equally important as compared to studying. Because if you are not stress-free, then you might lose your focus. Devote some time from your routine for giving proper rest to your mind, like you can plan to do some work-out daily.
Get into the right mindset
You’ll find yourself asking at some stage of your preparation, why you want to enter into the medical field. Take some time to reflect; write down your reasons, and paste them near your study table so that you can see them while you study. Moreover, always stay in touch with your family or friends to get mental support whenever needed.
Conclusion
We hope that this article will give you some useful tips for your preparation for the MCAT exam. MCAT Training Materials are available in images, words, and even audio formats. It is advisable to try out various types of formats for each subject to make the study schedule efficient. Start your preparation with fewer hours per day and increase this time gradually. Every student is different, and so their approach to learning is also different. So, it is up to you to find out which learning style works best for you. So make your own study schedule, figure out what works best for you, and start preparing for your MCAT exam accordingly. And if you are still facing problems in your MCAT prep, then a best online tutoring will help you out.
