When we are doing content review and with a lack of time, would you suggest doing mostly bio, biochem, Gen and org Chem, and Psyc? (Leaving physics for if we have time)
Phenomenal question-yes! It is so important to prioritize content that'll actually provide points on test day. Biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, psychology, and sociology will do that. For organic chemistry and physics, you can study the book chapters based on questions you miss during actual practice questions. Especially if you're studying on a time crunch, maximize your time so that you're as efficient as possible, and studying the high-yield topics will help a lot!
Shemmassian Academic Consulting thank you so much! Honestly I’ve watched a ton of MCAT related videos of people’s tips and experiences - yours have been by far the most helpful in terms of being concise and useful. And the fact that you’re here replying to the comments is also super helpful. Thank you!
I am not sure on how I should prepare for each section on the MCAT. I have the Princeton Review books. Should I study each book separately meaning I will only focus on one subject at a time until I finish and then move on to another book? Or should I combine all the books and study a few hours on each subject every day? What do you recommend?
Great question! I think that combining all of the books tends to work better for students. Here's why: if you read all of the biochemistry book in May and your test is in July, you'll likely forget a solid amount of information. If you work through all of the books at the same time, the content will build on itself and you'll be less likely to forget important information. Hope this helps!
Would you mind linking practice exam questions and diagnostic exams? Do you recommend aamc, I currently have the Princeton review pack with the three practice exams included in it.
Hi Anjelica! Most test prep companies will have exam questions and diagnostic exams, and you should take the exams you already have. I definitely recommend taking the AAMC exams (currently 5 of these) and going through all of the AAMC materials at least once. These will be the most test-like questions you'll get :)
When you say read chapters etc, what do we do to practice after? Qbanks? I just feel weird reviewing qbanks without finishing the entire book about a certain subject if that makes sense.
Many resources have questions at the end you can use to test your knowledge! We definitely recommend saving Qbanks until your later prep stages. If you can get your hands on other practice resources, those help during your earlier stages to identify content gaps and start becoming familiar with how the MCAT likes to ask questions.
Hello I just finished my freshman year of college and have only completed both general chemistry 1 and 2 as well as biology 1 and 2. I wanted to begin studying for the Mcat because I would like to take it in the summer after sophomore year. Will this be possible considering I haven’t taken organic chemistry, physics, or biochem yet? Will I be able to study for these subjects using Mcat review books or will this not be effective for studying for the Mcat because I haven’t taken these courses yet ?
Great question! Will you take organic chemistry and physics during your sophomore year? If so, I'd say go for it and take the exam during the summer after sophomore year. You can self-study biochem! There's no need to begin studying now, though, as long as you can keep your sophomore summer relatively free. Since you'll spend that summer after sophomore year studying for the exam, I'd advise trying to find some sort of research or clinical experience now (although I know this will be difficult due to COVID-19), but that way you won't lose two summers studying for the exam. Hope this helps!
Thank you for the video. In the content heavy phase, what should be the practice part? Is that the part where I am going to take practice problems after each chapter I review and what if I get wrong in these practice problems? Should I go back to the chapter again? And the 2nd phase, is that the practice means the full length that I took or the individual chapter or qbanks?
The practice part during your content heavy phase can come from practice problems at the end of each chapter AND full-length practice exams. If possible, you should aim to take a diagnostic and at least one or two FLs during your content heavy phase. If you get a few questions wrong when taking questions at the end of the chapter, you don't need to reread the entire chapter. Instead, figure out what you did wrong, make note of it, and keep it organized so that you can study it later on. For the 2nd phase, you should take at least four (more if possible) FLs and work through the qBanks. Then, based on what you miss during practice, you can go back and perform a targeted content review to fill in any weak spots. Hope this helps!
Shemmassian Academic Consulting thank you. This really helps. I will be taking the MCAT at the end of the January. This four months, would it be enough to get 507-510? Thanks again.
Whatever content book or resource you are using :) The main point we were trying to make is that you shouldn't spend TOO much time on any given chapter as you're better off 1) taking practice passages and reviewing that content and 2) studying high-yield content. Hope this helps!
It really depends on how much time you have available per day and for how long you're studying. 3 to 4 is a solid number if you're studying 5-6 hours a day as it'll leave a little bit of time for you to take some practice questions. In any case, you should map out your content beforehand so that you don't get a few weeks in and realize that you won't be able to fit all of the content (or at least all of the high-yield content) before you begin the practice phase. Hope this helps!
I am a freshman in college. If I took AP Biology in high school, would that simply count as Introductory Biology or would I have to take additional Biology courses (definitely those that align to the MCAT) at my college?
@@Shemmassian so does that mean I have to retake the AP Biology equivalent again in college? I mean I still have a lot of upper-level Biology courses to take that are necessary for the MCAT. I'm sorry I am a bit anxious.
It's certainly never too early to start preparing, but we recommend waiting until you're around 3 months out from your exam date to start your concentrated studying :)
Looking for a 1-month, 2-month, 3-month, or 6-month MCAT study schedule template? Click here: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-study-schedule
Thank you!💛
great advice! mother of 2 toddlers just finished my masters and now following your 6 month schedule for mcat prep! thanks
Our pleasure! You got this. :)
This was so helpful! I”ve been stressed trying to review content but also do practice questions. Definitely will be utilizing this 70 and 30 method!!
Happy to hear! :)
This was very helpful! 💯
When we are doing content review and with a lack of time, would you suggest doing mostly bio, biochem, Gen and org Chem, and Psyc? (Leaving physics for if we have time)
Phenomenal question-yes! It is so important to prioritize content that'll actually provide points on test day. Biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, psychology, and sociology will do that. For organic chemistry and physics, you can study the book chapters based on questions you miss during actual practice questions. Especially if you're studying on a time crunch, maximize your time so that you're as efficient as possible, and studying the high-yield topics will help a lot!
Shemmassian Academic Consulting thank you so much! Honestly I’ve watched a ton of MCAT related videos of people’s tips and experiences - yours have been by far the most helpful in terms of being concise and useful. And the fact that you’re here replying to the comments is also super helpful. Thank you!
Hi, can you plz show us your schedule so that we can have an idea of how to fully make a good schedule.
We have example study schedules here! Hope these help :)
www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-study-schedule
From everyone I've talked to who has taken and done well on the MCAT, they all say they wished they practiced more and went over content less.
I am not sure on how I should prepare for each section on the MCAT. I have the Princeton Review books. Should I study each book separately meaning I will only focus on one subject at a time until I finish and then move on to another book? Or should I combine all the books and study a few hours on each subject every day? What do you recommend?
Great question! I think that combining all of the books tends to work better for students. Here's why: if you read all of the biochemistry book in May and your test is in July, you'll likely forget a solid amount of information. If you work through all of the books at the same time, the content will build on itself and you'll be less likely to forget important information. Hope this helps!
Hi, can you explain how to go effectively go over practice exams? I'm retaking next month and want to find a way to review my exams efficiently
Yes! :) We have a video on that coming very soon.
Would you mind linking practice exam questions and diagnostic exams? Do you recommend aamc, I currently have the Princeton review pack with the three practice exams included in it.
Hi Anjelica! Most test prep companies will have exam questions and diagnostic exams, and you should take the exams you already have. I definitely recommend taking the AAMC exams (currently 5 of these) and going through all of the AAMC materials at least once. These will be the most test-like questions you'll get :)
When you say read chapters etc, what do we do to practice after? Qbanks? I just feel weird reviewing qbanks without finishing the entire book about a certain subject if that makes sense.
Many resources have questions at the end you can use to test your knowledge! We definitely recommend saving Qbanks until your later prep stages. If you can get your hands on other practice resources, those help during your earlier stages to identify content gaps and start becoming familiar with how the MCAT likes to ask questions.
Hello I just finished my freshman year of college and have only completed both general chemistry 1 and 2 as well as biology 1 and 2. I wanted to begin studying for the Mcat because I would like to take it in the summer after sophomore year. Will this be possible considering I haven’t taken organic chemistry, physics, or biochem yet? Will I be able to study for these subjects using Mcat review books or will this not be effective for studying for the Mcat because I haven’t taken these courses yet ?
Great question! Will you take organic chemistry and physics during your sophomore year? If so, I'd say go for it and take the exam during the summer after sophomore year. You can self-study biochem! There's no need to begin studying now, though, as long as you can keep your sophomore summer relatively free.
Since you'll spend that summer after sophomore year studying for the exam, I'd advise trying to find some sort of research or clinical experience now (although I know this will be difficult due to COVID-19), but that way you won't lose two summers studying for the exam. Hope this helps!
Shemmassian Academic Consulting okay thank you!
@@cristianmathew578 My pleasure! :)
Thank you for the video. In the content heavy phase, what should be the practice part? Is that the part where I am going to take practice problems after each chapter I review and what if I get wrong in these practice problems? Should I go back to the chapter again? And the 2nd phase, is that the practice means the full length that I took or the individual chapter or qbanks?
The practice part during your content heavy phase can come from practice problems at the end of each chapter AND full-length practice exams. If possible, you should aim to take a diagnostic and at least one or two FLs during your content heavy phase. If you get a few questions wrong when taking questions at the end of the chapter, you don't need to reread the entire chapter. Instead, figure out what you did wrong, make note of it, and keep it organized so that you can study it later on.
For the 2nd phase, you should take at least four (more if possible) FLs and work through the qBanks. Then, based on what you miss during practice, you can go back and perform a targeted content review to fill in any weak spots. Hope this helps!
Shemmassian Academic Consulting thank you. This really helps. I will be taking the MCAT at the end of the January. This four months, would it be enough to get 507-510? Thanks again.
@@sabrimohiuddin5367 We believe in you! With hard work and a good study schedule, a lot is possible :)
I’m a junior is high school, when should I start studying for the MCAT and when should I take the MCAT?
This is a great question! Check out this resource for a comprehensive answer: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/when-to-take-the-mcat
Hello,
Thank you very much for the tips. When you say it should take us an hour or two to go through each chapter, what book are you referring to?
Whatever content book or resource you are using :)
The main point we were trying to make is that you shouldn't spend TOO much time on any given chapter as you're better off 1) taking practice passages and reviewing that content and 2) studying high-yield content. Hope this helps!
@@Shemmassian I see thank you. Could you please recommend books you used?
Is it okay to take a small semester off before applying for a postbac?
On a typical day in phase 1 (content review) how many chapters would you recommend we get thru? About 3 or 4?
It really depends on how much time you have available per day and for how long you're studying. 3 to 4 is a solid number if you're studying 5-6 hours a day as it'll leave a little bit of time for you to take some practice questions. In any case, you should map out your content beforehand so that you don't get a few weeks in and realize that you won't be able to fit all of the content (or at least all of the high-yield content) before you begin the practice phase. Hope this helps!
Shemmassian Academic Consulting thank you so much
you said high yeild, how do we know what is high yeild
I am a freshman in college. If I took AP Biology in high school, would that simply count as Introductory Biology or would I have to take additional Biology courses (definitely those that align to the MCAT) at my college?
Hi Nimra! Generally, AP credits cannot be used to fulfill med school requirements. We recommend completing these courses at the undergraduate level.
@@Shemmassian so does that mean I have to retake the AP Biology equivalent again in college? I mean I still have a lot of upper-level Biology courses to take that are necessary for the MCAT. I'm sorry I am a bit anxious.
How do we know what content is high-yield? Thanks Shemmassian!
Make sure to check out our content guides for that! Here's an example: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/enzymes-mcat
For the diagnostic exam, should it be a full length or a half length?
Either works as long as you're learning from it!
why am I watching this in junior year of high school.
Idk why are you?
What is the purpose of this comment?
Thirsty?
@@MonkeyDPickle ye idk. mcat is years ahead of me.
Way to get a head start! :)
Hi im in class 10. can i prepare myself for mcat?
It's certainly never too early to start preparing, but we recommend waiting until you're around 3 months out from your exam date to start your concentrated studying :)
so cute
Will pass it along :)