Students preparing for medical school know they will probably have to write the MCAT, but sometimes the hard part is organizing themselves to study for this test. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess the examinee’s problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of science concepts and principles is an important prerequisite for medical schools in North America and Australia. Scores are reported in Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, and Biological Sciences. Preparation for such an important test is crucial for success.

Prepare for the MCAT

How do you prepare for the MCAT?

It is recommended that you give yourself a minimum of at least three months for preparation:

1. Prepare yourself by creating a step-by-step study plan. Make a promise to yourself that you’ll follow it meticulously. Figure out what you’ll need to review, what materials you’ll require, what kinds of practice tests you’ll need to take and whether you’ll need any remedial assistance.
2. Do a “Google” search for MCAT preparation. Consider purchasing The Official Guide to the MCAT® Exam, 3rd Edition, available on the official MCAT website. Beware of some MCAT prep books and courses. Often, these courses are touted as the best, but often only provide exam-taking tips and not the important content.
3. Relearn your undergraduate math, physics, biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry coursework. Then do it again. You’ll quickly identify some of your strengths and weaknesses in the process. Systematically reviewing the content of your class notes and introductory textbooks is a great start. Having the basic knowledge introduced in your undergraduate science and biology courses is the best foundation. Consider studying for the MCAT as your “other” full-time job. This is a big deal!
4. Take the practice tests. The MCAT website also offers a free online practice test, with unlimited usage. This test offers real MCAT items from previously administered exams and all the features of the other practice tests. Taking an e-MCAT Practice Test helps you get comfortable with the MCAT format so you feel more prepared come test day. You can take a free test under timed conditions to get a baseline score giving you an idea of how you might score if you took the test today. Go through every practice test and identify the questions that you got wrong and analyze why you didn’t know the right answer. This can point out your weakest subjects.
5. Prepare yourself physically and mentally. All-nighters and junk-food diets do little to help the body prepare. Make sure you continue “normal life” activities, including aerobic exercise and proper nutrition.
6. Consider studying with others. A small study group can often produce better results than a solo effort.
7. Ask someone. Whether they’ve taken the MCAT or a comparable standardized test, you can reach out for advice on what to expect.  A face-to-face exchange of ideas with an experienced professor, doctor, or friend presents an excellent learning opportunity.
8. Be prepared for test day. When does the test start? Where is the test located? How do you get there? What materials should you bring? Make sure to consider these questions well before the test day. Whether it’s driving to the test location or picking out your clothes, simplify every step of the process that could potentially cause a stressful distraction.

What is an e-MCAT Practice Test like?

It’s just like the actual exam. Every e-MCAT Practice Test is a previously administered exam and consists of the same number of items as the actual exam.

The only thing different about the 2013 and 2014 e-MCAT Practice Test is that they will not have a Writing Sample section. The 2013 examinees will not take the Writing Sample section of the MCAT exam. The Writing Sample section was removed to make room for a MCAT Trial Section. The Trial Section is a voluntary section that asks you to test out questions for a future version of the MCAT.

Test format:

• Tutorial (optional) – 10 minutes
• Examinee Agreement – 10 minutes (not timed on practice test)
• Physical Sciences – 52 items – 70 minutes
• Break (optional) – 10 minutes
• Verbal Reasoning – 40 items – 60 minutes
• Break (optional) – 10 minutes
• Biological Sciences – 52 items – 70 minutes
• Void Question – 5 minutes (not timed on practice test)
• Break (optional and not on practice test) – 10 minutes
• Trial Section (optional and not on practice test) – 32 items – 45 minutes
• Survey (optional and not on practice test) – 12 items – 10 minutes
• Total Content Time – 4 hours, 5 minutes
• Total “Seat” Time – Approximately 5 hours, 10 minutes

OzTREKK recommends that you visit the official MCAT website for all of the important details regarding the test.

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Want to learn more about preparing yourself for medical school in Australia? Check out other OzTREKK blogs about the MCAT:

What is the MCAT?

MCAT registration tips

MCAT registration dates

OzTREKK is the Canadian expert on Australian medical schools. Every year, we help hundreds of Canadian students choose the right Australian medical school program. Ninety percent of the international students studying medicine at the University of Queensland applied via OzTREKK.

If you are interested in medical school in Australia, please contact OzTREKK‘s Medical School Admissions Officer Broghan Dean or call toll free 1 866-698-7355 for more information about studying medicine in Australia at the following Australian universities:

• James Cook University Medical School
• Monash University Medical School
• University of Melbourne Medical School
• University of Queensland Medical School
• University of Sydney Medical School