The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized exam that all hopeful medical students must take in order to progress with their studies. It is a computer-based examination, which is by no means an easy task, and it assesses students’ abilities to problem-solve, critically think, and their knowledge of principles and scientific concepts.
Therefore, it is no surprise that students must study for months in preparation for their MCAT exam. It is considered to be one of the most difficult forms of assessment for students aspiring for a career in medicine, and the exam is taken by thousands of students in various countries all over the world. So, if you are an aspiring medical student who is looking for some top tips when it comes to preparing for the MCAT exam then you have come to the right place!
Do Practice Questions/Tests
While this is one of the more obvious tips you will be given for MCAT preparation, it is often one of the most neglected. Unlike some other exams that you may have taken previously, the MCAT is not solely a memory test. It is assessing your ability to apply your own knowledge of the scientific concepts you have learned to the scenarios you are given. In order to do well on the test, you will also be expected to show that you can critically think about the new information that you are provided with. Therefore, the best way to practice and develop these skills is by taking MCAT practice exams.
Use Good Learning Resources
Your knowledge and abilities are only going to be as good as the resources and materials you are using to study from. Therefore, it is important that you are using good learning resources so that you are taking in as much as you can ahead of your test. If you are learning from poor resources, then you are limiting the quality of the knowledge you are preparing for your exam with, and you may even find that you end up learning incorrect information. You should consider looking out for the additional MCAT study resources which are provided by the same creators of the exam itself, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Don’t Rush Yourself
It is important that you don’t rush yourself into taking the MCAT if you are not ready or prepared enough for the exam. You should take practice exams to see how your preparation is going and to see where you need to improve. If your practice scores are not even close to the score you are aiming for, then this is an indicator that you are not ready to take the exam. Don’t make the mistake that many other medical students do by taking the exam before you are ready.
While you are bound to feel nervous and anxious about taking your MCAT exam, by preparing in the correct ways in the lead up to your exam and being aware of your own abilities, you can improve your chances of being successful.
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