Getting into Medical School For Dummies
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Your Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score is a crucial factor in admission to medical school. A stellar MCAT score can take your medical school application from good to great in the admissions committee’s eyes. Here are some tips to help you nail this challenging exam:

  • Make a detailed (but flexible) study schedule. Map out your study schedule as specifically as you can, but be flexible as well. If you see that you need to spend more time on one area and less on another, adjust accordingly. Plan to spend at least three or four months studying for the test, and even longer if you’re juggling a full course load with your MCAT studies.

  • Start with your weakest area. Your weakest subjects are the ones that you have the most room to improve in. Mastering those areas can have a major effect on your score, so begin addressing them early.

  • Consider taking a preparation course if you need structure for your studying. For some students, attending class each week and having specific assignments is more effective than self-study.

  • Do plenty of practice questions. Reading and memorizing aren’t enough to succeed on the MCAT. The test is also about being able to think critically and apply information, so make sure that you incorporate ample practice questions and examinations into your study routine.

  • Don’t neglect the Verbal Reasoning section. It may not be science, but schools take this section seriously, and you should too.

About This Article

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About the book author:

Carleen Eaton, MD, has used her expertise in admissions and test preparation, as well as her experiences as an applicant who received acceptances to top-ranked medical schools, to guide hundreds of applicants successfully through the medical school admissions process. She is the founder of prehealthadvising.com, a medical school admissions consulting firm.

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