The MCAT for short stands for Medical College Admission Test and is therefore a multiple-choice exam that many of the medical schools in the United States and Canada utilize. The MCAT exam is designed to gauge the knowledge of the applicant in many fields of science such as biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology. The exam spans more than 7 hours and includes four sections; Biological and Biochemical Basis of Living entities; Chemical and Physical Basis of Living entities; Human Behavior, Psychological, Social and Biological Basis; and Kinds of Analyses and Reasoning. Obtaining a good score on the MCAT relies solely on dedicated study because it represents one of the toughest qualifying exams.
Here are a few mistakes to avoid while preparing for the MCAT Exam
Not Creating a Study Schedule
Probably one of the most significant mistakes that MCAT test takers make is lack of organization to their study abroad plan. By having a calendar of where and when your preparation is to take place, as you keep studying, you can be accountable, make sure you go over all the topics that will be tested and prevent yourself from cramming at the eleventh hour. It is advisable to comb through your timetable to create a backward plan starting with the day of the exams, leaving enough time to study content, write practice papers, and take a rest.
Reading Material not Relevant to the Format of MCAT Exam
MCAT exam is formatted in a quite unique way to assess your knowledge in four areas of Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior; Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills. It is recommended that any prep materials in the form of books or practice tests should as much resemble the subjects and format of the actual MCAT as possible so that the candidate better understands what they will be in for on the date of the exam.
Failure to Take Sufficient Practice Tests
It is an excellent adage in relation to the MCAT examination because practice leads to perfection. You require exposure to the format and time allowed for the test plus the type of questions. Another benefit is that practice exams let us know how much time is best devoted to a subject, and which areas need more attention to fully prepare, also expose one to exam pressure and how to effectively take it. Make your timeline to try at least 8-10 FULL practice MCAT tests during your MCAT preparation period.
Disregarding Test Conditions
You might be memorizing the content and answering some practice MCAT questions as MCAT han a. Therefore, any sample test that is taken should imitate the real test situation as much as possible so that one can be in a position to do his or her best when the actual test is conducted. Make sure to set timed hours or minutes on the exam, sit for the test alone in a quiet room without any distractions, and do not glance at any answer while solving it. By taking a mock test in real conditions, students minimize test stress, and at the same time, develop time management and endurance skills.
Not Seeking Help When Needed
Studying for an exam as lengthy and intricate as the MCAT on your own can be very hard and time-consuming. There are always areas of the content or types of questions that give you difficulty as you practice; do not struggle for long just trying to figure it out on your own. Make use of your study partners, tutors, prep classes, or online forums to review in the weeks leading up to your exam date.
Allowing Perfectionism
Before beginning MCAT preparation, not a single examinee can boast great confidence in all subjects on the test. Attempting to ensure that you master every content in the examination syllabus before actually taking the test could force you to extend the time of the examination ad infinitum. Tailor your preparation for areas that yield the most bang for your buck, to the best of your ability fix your knowledge deficits, and you should choose a test date for your exam when practice test performance is in those score point ranges. In fact, perfectionism is quite the enemy of production; do not delay your exam because of irrational concerns.
MCAT Exam Test
During rigorous preparation for your MCAT examination, it might be quite inconsequential whether or not certain logistical details are affirmed. Before the test day arrives confirm your official AAMC MCAT reservation and confirm the address of the test center as well as the start time. This is especially so given that students who are busy are often found to be endangering their performance because of carelessly mixing up the details in AM/PM. Prevent an uncalled-for competition of time by checking once again the details of timing in advance.
For those who want to become doctors, the MCAT exam stakes seem rather significant. Such mistakes are detrimental to the test takers since minimized preparation prevents them from showing their potential. Preparation of a well-organized timetable, usage of properly balanced items, and issues related to examination settings minimize shocks on a particular day of testing. Asking for assistance to fill content gaps, levels of perfectionism, and organizing confirms the MCAT test takers’ success. Studying these preparation principles ensures that a candidate offers his best on a particular test day!
