As a top scorer myself, I would also like to add that everybody has different advice. Takes people's advice into consideration but ultimately remember you know yourself the best. Find what work for you, stick with that and be confident in your skillset.
As a 30 year old I have learned that the ideal MCAT study plan cannot exist with a fulltime job. Thus, I ceased being a idealist and became a realist. 3 hours a night of high quality content review is what I have time for and I'm learning to love learning again and enjoying the process. I clean in-patients rooms at the hospital all day. I'm knee deep in the pneumonia, urine soaked gowns and stool cleanup. Its lumbar breaking work hunching over toilets and sanitizing high touch areas but the one thing I get to do is talk to those lonely patients. I see people at their lowest everyday and it's part of my job to connect while I clean to ensure they have the best cleaning experience possible. That said, I want to do more for them. (End of my why doctor weird flex) I've finished college after 10 years with all my pre-reqes and a solid 3.70. All I need is this dumb test and MAN content review was a B**** at first. I'd forgotten everything from bio, chem and psy. Its sure not easy but it's worth it even if I can get that 508 score. Bottom line ya boy up there is spittin truth. Everyones MCAT experience is different and if you dont personalize your study you're doomed to mediocrity.
Top scorer with a job. I work 3 days a week so I use 3 days to study. Practice problems, review of problems, review of contents missed, repeat cycle with another section. My strategy for CARS composes of highlighting the thesis, statements, and opinions. Then, I place heavy emphasis on reading the question and answer choices. Some questions I can get away with reading the answer choice and quickly skim through the passage to find the best answer choice. I do that seldomly because you might need information from the rest of the passage. Good luck all :)
the 9-5 and not 24/7 tip is so important, the first time I took it I got a 499 and studied nonstop, the second time I really just maximized the time studying and had way more of a balance and went up 11 points! Awesome tips!
YES! Balance is super important and we're glad that you found that useful as well. Many students often think that working harder will translate into results. Working SMARTER is just as, if not more, important. Congratulations on your excellent score!
Is it just me or is this boy flyyyyy. I literally had to restart the video to listen to what he was saying because I was busy admiring his face! Lol. but hey, great advice. Although I practice flex days I end up thinking about what I've studied in the week all day long. so dont really feel like I am getting that no MCAT studying!
This boy definitely FLY. Don't worry, you're not the only one to think about the MCAT during your flex day. But the more you can detach, the harder you can hit the books the following week. Work hard, relax just as hard!
Lol good job good job. The story doesn’t end here my friend, be empathetic towards your patients, explain things in simple manner, and realize it’s a long road still . The MCAT is just a ticket into the show, the journey. Enjoy the ride. Use this same studying for your USMLE exams and you’ll be in good hands. Best of luck. Jaskar, MD.
We believe in you Adnan! Please look through all our resources (we have MCAT guides on our website and an MCAT playlist on our channel) and reach out if we can support you.
Anyone struggling with finding clinical experience like me? I recently wanted to become a doctor and took all premed classes also finished college this month. Want to apply next cycle after taking the mcat but clinical experience seems to be getting in the way since I only have 3 months of experience and had to stop because of quarantine.
Hey Ken! Unfortunately, many students are in your boat. I encourage you to get involved in remote volunteer experiences as much as possible should you have the bandwidth for it. Many organizations are still continuing their work remotely!
Congratulations for perfect score !! Can anyone study 8 hours a day for 3 months and score 528? I don't think so. I don't understand obsession with strategies without guiding towards building solid foundation. I think ultimate strategy is to stay focused on core subjects what books to refer how to ensure we get good GPA and are geared towards scoring well in MCAT so much so that 3 month prep is enough to crack it and score 528.
Congrats perfect scorer!! Thanks for actually taking time to help others succeed on this brutal exam as well. No doubt you'll be a great doctor and best of luck!
That's alright, and we certainly agree that there's more to being a doctor! Still, the MCAT is a crucial portion of that journey and we'll lend a hand however we can. We're out here on a mission to provide as much value as we can--we know it won't fall on deaf ears by everyone.
Thanks for sharing such a great information Shemmassian. Can I ask a question if you guys do not mind? As an immigrant from another country, I'm having a hard time with the English area compare to those who grow up in the State. So what should I do to prepare for the MCAT? Should I memorize a lot of vocabulary? or should I read many literature articles? I still have two years to study, so I want to prepare as much as I can possible.
The classes you need to have taken before taking the MCAT are: general chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry and physics, and introductory biology. The classes that will be helpful, but are not absolutely necessary, are: biochemistry and second semester of organic chemistry and physics. Finally, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and sociology classes might be helpful but are not necessary to have taken in order to score well on the exam!
Thank you so man. This is super helpful..I have a question please. How to plan a study schedule. Do we study each study materials one by one. Meaning take biology secion. Finish it. Then study chemistry section. Or study all at the same time. Like a chunk of em daily until we done it all..
Happy to hear it was helpful! :) We actually recently posted a video on building an MCAT study schedule, so feel free to check that out or our blog on the topic (which has some example study schedules you might find helpful): www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-study-schedule To answer your question, I think that studying all of the books at the same time tends to work better for students. For example, if you read all of the biochemistry book in May and your test is in July, you'll likely forget a solid amount of biochemistry. If you work through all of the books at the same time, however, each content book will build on itself and you'll be less likely to forget important information. By this, I mean that chapter 12 of a biochemistry book will require you to remember what a previous biochemistry chapter said, so you're studying more than you think you are by working through all of the books at the same time. Hope this helps!
I used a variety of books, but the most important resource by far was the AAMC materials. Once you identify your weak spots, the content review can come from whichever resource is easiest for you to access! Here's a link to some of the resources we recommend: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/best-mcat-prep-books
I studied for about 2 months and took around 8 practice exams! However, you can study for longer or shorter periods of time based on your own schedule, and taking more practice tests is only helpful if you are putting in a lot of time to review the exam and study what you missed. Hope this helps-thanks for watching :)
Are there any classes that you would recommend taking that are especially helpful for the MCAT? I’m mostly asking about classes that people wouldn’t usually think would be helpful for the test like humanities or something. I’m a sophomore biochemistry major with a health care studies minor so I am taking classes similar to a premed but I don’t want to miss out on a class that would really help for the MCAT.
Great question! As a biochemistry major and health care studies minor, you're setting yourself up for success. A literature class wouldn't hurt to improve your critical reading skills, but it is not necessary by any means. The most important thing is to study effectively once you're actually sitting down to study for the exam itself!
I have a few questions! Did he only study 5 days a week from 8AM - 3PM? Typically what did his study schedule look like (duration of studying and breaks)? Would he do mixed content review throughout the day and then a section of a practice exam? Also, what are the best practice exams/practice tools to use other than AAMC and approx. how many did he take/use? Sorry for all the questions but thank you so much!!
I never understood why people listen to genetically gifted people like this guy. It's better to listen to average people because they know the struggle. Imagine asking a male model how to attract more girls
Jacob Kuba in fact listening the smart person study preparation give you better comparison in what missing from your preparation. I am an average student as well, but I worked hard for my test and seeking good advice and I did nailed my test. Set your standard higher to be better.
Hey all, Thanks for leaving a comment! A 528 doesn't come solely with gifted genetics; if I didn't prepare the ways that I did, I'm 100% sure that my MCAT score wouldn't have been anything to write home about. It's important to optimize the portions of your test prep that you can control. Kobe Bryant (RIP to the legend) was gifted with incredible athleticism, but most of us remember him for his unrelenting work ethic. I wouldn't have learned that from a more average player. All in all, the video discusses takeaways that we're confident every MCAT taker can use to optimize their score. Thanks for the discussion! Please do let us know if we can support y'all in any other way.
@@sohansohan1875 bro, I am an outlier myself in terms of my score. I am talking about your average student. Listening to a smart person is not smart because they tend to underplay the importance of their own talent, like most talented people. Smart people don't need to put in as much effort, and most of them are not doing everything needed to maximize their score.
@@Shemmassian Listening to Kobe Bryant or Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo is not what the average person should do. There are people that work harder than them but don't make it because they don't have the talent. Listening to Kobe is not smart. You're simply falling for the survivor bias. Yes, you studied, but I'm willing to bet that most people won't take their 505 score to 515 using your methods. Listening to talented people is counterproductive because they're mostly unable to see how much their talent helped them. It's best to listen to average people that drastically improved their score and weren't getting straight As .
Hey! I am a junior in high school right now, but do you have any tips for me when I start undergrad to build up preparation for the MCAT? Is there something that I should be using or doing to help me retain all the information from my classes? Thanks, Chris
Hi Chris! I'd just focus on learning the material as best as you can now; it'll be difficult to remember everything from high school and the MCAT is really a test of critical thinking and less so content. You'll get the content again in college and will be able to retain it better then, when it's closer to your actual MCAT date.
Hello! I just wanted to ask about what materials you used to study? You mentioned using the AAMC material but did you also use UWorld or other material (Next step, Atilus)? Thanks!
Great question! I did use all of the AAMC material and recommend that students go through AAMC material at least once. I did not use those specific materials, but we've compiled a list of the best MCAT prep materials here: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/best-mcat-prep-books. Hope this helps :)
@@Shemmassian I noticed he mentioned “ after taking your 8th full length exam” I’ve only taken one. Do you know where I could find / purchase 8 full length exams. He also mentioned to exams form AAMC. Help
Thanks for your question! The best way to get through all of the AAMC material is to write down a list of the materials, the number of questions in each resource, the time you'll need to take the questions, and the time you'll need to review the answers. Then, based on your other time commitments, you can fit the AAMC material into your study schedule. When I went through the question packs, I broke it up into thirds over the course of three days. There is no right answer, however, when it comes to getting through the material. As long as you're treating the practice like the real exam and learning from your mistakes, you'll be in great shape! :)
Happy to hear you enjoyed it! I studied for the exam during the first half of a summer, so I did not have any other time commitments at that time. I know this is not always possible, so it is helpful to plan your study schedule around what you know will be your time commitments!
Hello. I'm premed and a rising junior (and I think I will take a gap year). I have so much time during quarantine and I'm thinking of start preparing for the MCAT. I haven't taken biochemistry yet but I will in the fall. I know biochem is critical and I plan on reviewing it during the summer. Do you think I should schedule a test date for MCAT first (and start prepping for all the subjects)? Or do you think I can take it slow and study for now and take the MCAT after I take biochem? Also, is it harmful to look at the material aheads or is it better to cram all the studying within 2-3 months?
Great question! Biochemistry is actually not absolutely necessary to take before studying for the MCAT. After going through introductory biology, you should actually be in good shape for most biochem subjects other than metabolism, which you can self study. If you have a lot of time to study right now, take a diagnostic exam to see where you're at and give the exam a shot if you think you can put in 250-350 hours of studying in over the coming months. It's definitely not harmful to look at materials ahead, but if you start studying for the exam a year before you actually want to take the exam, you likely won't remember any of the material you studied at the beginning. So, don't think of the 2-3 months as cramming but rather as a focused approach to studying for the exam. Hope this helps!
@@salimatakone6099 Looking up "free MCAT practice exams" in Google should point you in the right direction. Many test prep companies have free MCAT exams!
So I have a set of mcat prep books from Kaplan that are from 2015. Are those too old to use? I was hoping to save money on buying new books so that I could buy the AAMC prep bundle.
Great question! Those books should work just fine. Thankfully the science tested on the exam doesn't change too much year-to-year. You can always supplement your content with some Khan Academy videos as well!
Thanks for the info Vikram! My goal is definitely not a 528 (not even in my dreams) but I still want a 520 or so. I have been averaging only 513-514 on the AAMC fl's do you think there's any hope for achieving my goal? Do you mind me asking what scores you ended up with on the AAMC fl's?
Hello there! Glad you're achieving solid scores and hopefully trending upwards. While we can't share Vikram's practice scores, make sure to apply his strategies and reach out if you're ever interested in our 1:1 tutoring so we can help you break through: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/mcat-tutoring
I wish that you guys would just share the truth with us... I mean like for real I’ve watched many videos here on TH-cam... and all their saying is that it wast a waste of to sign up for classes and study materials.... now I just wanna know which method was the best? And which one to avoid cause it’s a waste of time and money
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! That is something many students experience, and it is often overwhelming because there are lots of resources out there. It's a personal choice whether you want to sign up for classes or MCAT tutoring, but at the bare minimum, you'll need to use some form of content review materials and the AAMC exams. With regards to studying methods, our advice is to 1) stay organized, 2) stay balanced, and 3) find strategies that work for you. We recommend strategies and tips here that we think all students can benefit from. With regards to specific studying strategies, though, you should try several out and see which works best for you. No one strategy works for each person!
Many test prep companies have practice MCAT tests, and some of them are even free! Searching "free MCAT exams" or "MCAT practice tests" in Google should point you in the right direction!
Ok I agree with all that had been mentioned until you said “before taking your 8th full length exam” I’ve only taken one practice exam. Can you please tell me where I could find/purchase 8 full length exams. Also you mentioned to take 2 exams from AAMC. Are these part of the 8 exams or are they aside from? Please help!
Fantastic!! I hope the awesome score allows you to critically think and not like typical zombie in lab coat changing “safe and effective”. Some embarrassing things doctors have done during pandemic. Hope our next crop of docs not quite as prone to mass group think.
Hi Noor! Wishing you the best of luck on test day. Make sure to sign up for our free MCAT question of the day if you haven't already: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/mcat-question-of-the-day
I’m starting my Pre med journey this coming fall, I am not great at standardized testing, how far in advance should I study and practice, i feel 3 months may not be enough. Do you think a year in advance would be too excessive?
Nope! However, Vikram has successfully tutored many students and led the development of our tutoring program, which has helped our students achieve major score increases.
I'm an incoming first year and I was wondering if I should read the MCAT books while taking the prerequisites and then later in my third-year review the structure and questions of the test. Should I also implement CARS weekly and then daily when getting closer to the test?
Great question! That is definitely something some students do, and it can help you with both your classes and when MCAT prep comes along. I would say, however, that it is not necessary to begin MCAT prep that early. If you can dedicate 250-350 hours to studying for the test in a concentrated manner before your exam, you will be still be in good shape. I'd prioritize extracurricular opportunities during your first year of college over getting in extra MCAT prep that early!
Med school and grad school in general doesn’t seem worth it. Better to get done with schools in 4 years with an engineering / computer science degree and make money right away, rather than lose time, money, and health for another 4-8 years in postgraduate.
How many months or years are required to study for MCAT to get a good score? I am a first-year undergrad student, so can suggest to me when should I start with my preparation?
As a top scorer myself, I would also like to add that everybody has different advice. Takes people's advice into consideration but ultimately remember you know yourself the best. Find what work for you, stick with that and be confident in your skillset.
Well said! We completely agree and have pulled advice from as many corners of the top-scoring world as possible.
OK. But there are things that are universal. Figure out your style but also use information from other successful people to hone it.
Struggling with mCAT biology? Check the everything about mCAT biology playlist
th-cam.com/play/PL-llYFOGc7ziHZztSHfeo1VS1OKJGTA3Q.html
All these tips are universal tho
As a 30 year old I have learned that the ideal MCAT study plan cannot exist with a fulltime job. Thus, I ceased being a idealist and became a realist. 3 hours a night of high quality content review is what I have time for and I'm learning to love learning again and enjoying the process.
I clean in-patients rooms at the hospital all day. I'm knee deep in the pneumonia, urine soaked gowns and stool cleanup. Its lumbar breaking work hunching over toilets and sanitizing high touch areas but the one thing I get to do is talk to those lonely patients. I see people at their lowest everyday and it's part of my job to connect while I clean to ensure they have the best cleaning experience possible. That said, I want to do more for them. (End of my why doctor weird flex)
I've finished college after 10 years with all my pre-reqes and a solid 3.70. All I need is this dumb test and MAN content review was a B**** at first. I'd forgotten everything from bio, chem and psy. Its sure not easy but it's worth it even if I can get that 508 score.
Bottom line ya boy up there is spittin truth. Everyones MCAT experience is different and if you dont personalize your study you're doomed to mediocrity.
This is awesome! You got it!
How’s it going? Are u in med school now
I'd love an update. Did you ever get in to Med School? How is life going otherwise? Did you ever take the MCAT? Thanks! I enjoyed your story.
Hows everything brother? Hope your med school journey worked out
God Willing We will all Do Good 🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️
Thanks for watching the video!!
Inshaallah !!! 😊😊💗
*well
Inshallah
Top scorer with a job. I work 3 days a week so I use 3 days to study. Practice problems, review of problems, review of contents missed, repeat cycle with another section. My strategy for CARS composes of highlighting the thesis, statements, and opinions. Then, I place heavy emphasis on reading the question and answer choices. Some questions I can get away with reading the answer choice and quickly skim through the passage to find the best answer choice. I do that seldomly because you might need information from the rest of the passage. Good luck all :)
the 9-5 and not 24/7 tip is so important, the first time I took it I got a 499 and studied nonstop, the second time I really just maximized the time studying and had way more of a balance and went up 11 points! Awesome tips!
YES! Balance is super important and we're glad that you found that useful as well. Many students often think that working harder will translate into results. Working SMARTER is just as, if not more, important. Congratulations on your excellent score!
Congrats!
UCISwagnSwole _ thanks !
isn't a 499 good??
@@viccodes3671 it’s really bad
Is it just me or is this boy flyyyyy. I literally had to restart the video to listen to what he was saying because I was busy admiring his face! Lol.
but hey, great advice. Although I practice flex days I end up thinking about what I've studied in the week all day long. so dont really feel like I am getting that no MCAT studying!
This boy definitely FLY. Don't worry, you're not the only one to think about the MCAT during your flex day. But the more you can detach, the harder you can hit the books the following week. Work hard, relax just as hard!
@@Shemmassian Lmaooo
Lol good job good job. The story doesn’t end here my friend, be empathetic towards your patients, explain things in simple manner, and realize it’s a long road still . The MCAT is just a ticket into the show, the journey. Enjoy the ride. Use this same studying for your USMLE exams and you’ll be in good hands. Best of luck. Jaskar, MD.
Jaskar, MD spitting #bigfacts
Resting is so so important also before studying find out which way is the best for you and more efficient. We all learn in different ways
Absolutely!! We're all built different!
Wow! You studied for only 8 weeks geesh!!
Work hard, but also work smart!!
I have been out here studying for more than a year and still struggling!!!
He’s gifted, what do you expect lmao!
That is plenty of time...
6:43 that is so true man...and such a good advice! So much wise words in 8 and a half minutes.
Happy to hear you enjoyed the video :)
Congrats for your extraordinary score 👏👏
Congrats,cousin!
Thanks big guy :)
Informative and insightful as always!
Glad it was helpful! Please let us know if we can help you in any way!
This is great advice! I wish I had this kind of advice when I was studying for the MCAT (especially for CARS section RIP).
Happy to hear you enjoyed it :)
You really give me hope that I could be a doctor one day!
You 100% Can! Let's get you to that point. :0
This is super helpful! Impressive achievement!
Thanks! Our goal is to help every MCAT taker elevate their score!
my gpa being a bit on the lower end, MCAT is the only thing I can not look forward to
We believe in you Adnan! Please look through all our resources (we have MCAT guides on our website and an MCAT playlist on our channel) and reach out if we can support you.
Thank you so much for all your tips!
You are so welcome! Please let us know how we can further support you all!
Anyone struggling with finding clinical experience like me? I recently wanted to become a doctor and took all premed classes also finished college this month. Want to apply next cycle after taking the mcat but clinical experience seems to be getting in the way since I only have 3 months of experience and had to stop because of quarantine.
Hey Ken! Unfortunately, many students are in your boat. I encourage you to get involved in remote volunteer experiences as much as possible should you have the bandwidth for it. Many organizations are still continuing their work remotely!
Im taking it soon. This is great advice 😭🙏🏼
Of course! Good luck-you got this :)
Congratulations for perfect score !!
Can anyone study 8 hours a day for 3 months and score 528? I don't think so. I don't understand obsession with strategies without guiding towards building solid foundation.
I think ultimate strategy is to stay focused on core subjects what books to refer how to ensure we get good GPA and are geared towards scoring well in MCAT so much so that 3 month prep is enough to crack it and score 528.
This was such a great resource! Congratulations on all your success!
Thank you so much! Do check out our other resources and let us know about your successes!
@@Shemmassian Will do! My test has been canceled twice, so definitely need some motivation, lol
@@alwayssavedbyHislove it has been two years how was it
@@roronoazoro4636 In my second year at Yale School of Medicine, so not half bad by the grace of God! 🙌🏿
Congrats perfect scorer!! Thanks for actually taking time to help others succeed on this brutal exam as well. No doubt you'll be a great doctor and best of luck!
Thank you :) We're happy you enjoyed the video!
Love this video ❤️❤️❤️ very helpful video 😊Thank you so much!
Great, useful and poetic advice!! Thanks
We're glad that you find it useful. :)
This how to was very clear. Appreciate it!!!!!!!
By clear, I mean you give straightforward steps to implement.
Thank you. You nailed it in every detail! (Spoken as a perfect scorer myself on a different grad-school exam.)
Thanks, James! Which exam did you take?
GMAT
@@j10001 Thanks for your response and congrats on an awesome score! Do you have any email address where we can contact you?
Thank you for this!
My pleasure!
I know there are a lot of haters in the comments section. For good reason, being a doctor doesn’t mean being book smart. There’s more to it.
That's alright, and we certainly agree that there's more to being a doctor! Still, the MCAT is a crucial portion of that journey and we'll lend a hand however we can. We're out here on a mission to provide as much value as we can--we know it won't fall on deaf ears by everyone.
Incredible score, great advice given here.
Glad you think it was helpful! Our whole MCAT series is infused with similar logic--to provide as much value as possible.
Thanks for sharing such a great information Shemmassian. Can I ask a question if you guys do not mind?
As an immigrant from another country, I'm having a hard time with the English area compare to those who grow up in the State.
So what should I do to prepare for the MCAT? Should I memorize a lot of vocabulary? or should I read many literature articles?
I still have two years to study, so I want to prepare as much as I can possible.
Hi! :) We have a CARS video coming up this Friday. Please watch that and if you have additional questions, do let us know. :)
So nice! 😊
Which prerequisites do you recommend to take for undergrad that will well prepare an individual for the MCAT?
The classes you need to have taken before taking the MCAT are: general chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry and physics, and introductory biology. The classes that will be helpful, but are not absolutely necessary, are: biochemistry and second semester of organic chemistry and physics. Finally, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and sociology classes might be helpful but are not necessary to have taken in order to score well on the exam!
Thanks for sharing!
Our pleasure!
Thank you so man. This is super helpful..I have a question please. How to plan a study schedule. Do we study each study materials one by one. Meaning take biology secion. Finish it. Then study chemistry section. Or study all at the same time. Like a chunk of em daily until we done it all..
Happy to hear it was helpful! :)
We actually recently posted a video on building an MCAT study schedule, so feel free to check that out or our blog on the topic (which has some example study schedules you might find helpful): www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-study-schedule
To answer your question, I think that studying all of the books at the same time tends to work better for students. For example, if you read all of the biochemistry book in May and your test is in July, you'll likely forget a solid amount of biochemistry. If you work through all of the books at the same time, however, each content book will build on itself and you'll be less likely to forget important information. By this, I mean that chapter 12 of a biochemistry book will require you to remember what a previous biochemistry chapter said, so you're studying more than you think you are by working through all of the books at the same time. Hope this helps!
Do you have a list of books or materials you used to study?
I used a variety of books, but the most important resource by far was the AAMC materials. Once you identify your weak spots, the content review can come from whichever resource is easiest for you to access! Here's a link to some of the resources we recommend: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/best-mcat-prep-books
Hi there! How long did you study for and how many practice exams did you take? Thank you!
I studied for about 2 months and took around 8 practice exams! However, you can study for longer or shorter periods of time based on your own schedule, and taking more practice tests is only helpful if you are putting in a lot of time to review the exam and study what you missed. Hope this helps-thanks for watching :)
Are there any classes that you would recommend taking that are especially helpful for the MCAT? I’m mostly asking about classes that people wouldn’t usually think would be helpful for the test like humanities or something. I’m a sophomore biochemistry major with a health care studies minor so I am taking classes similar to a premed but I don’t want to miss out on a class that would really help for the MCAT.
Great question! As a biochemistry major and health care studies minor, you're setting yourself up for success. A literature class wouldn't hurt to improve your critical reading skills, but it is not necessary by any means. The most important thing is to study effectively once you're actually sitting down to study for the exam itself!
I have a few questions! Did he only study 5 days a week from 8AM - 3PM? Typically what did his study schedule look like (duration of studying and breaks)? Would he do mixed content review throughout the day and then a section of a practice exam? Also, what are the best practice exams/practice tools to use other than AAMC and approx. how many did he take/use? Sorry for all the questions but thank you so much!!
Read this for advice on how to develop a great study schedule: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-study-schedule
I never understood why people listen to genetically gifted people like this guy.
It's better to listen to average people because they know the struggle.
Imagine asking a male model how to attract more girls
Jacob Kuba in fact listening the smart person study preparation give you better comparison in what missing from your preparation. I am an average student as well, but I worked hard for my test and seeking good advice and I did nailed my test. Set your standard higher to be better.
Hey all,
Thanks for leaving a comment! A 528 doesn't come solely with gifted genetics; if I didn't prepare the ways that I did, I'm 100% sure that my MCAT score wouldn't have been anything to write home about. It's important to optimize the portions of your test prep that you can control.
Kobe Bryant (RIP to the legend) was gifted with incredible athleticism, but most of us remember him for his unrelenting work ethic. I wouldn't have learned that from a more average player.
All in all, the video discusses takeaways that we're confident every MCAT taker can use to optimize their score.
Thanks for the discussion! Please do let us know if we can support y'all in any other way.
@@sohansohan1875 bro, I am an outlier myself in terms of my score. I am talking about your average student. Listening to a smart person is not smart because they tend to underplay the importance of their own talent, like most talented people.
Smart people don't need to put in as much effort, and most of them are not doing everything needed to maximize their score.
@@Shemmassian
Listening to Kobe Bryant or Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo is not what the average person should do.
There are people that work harder than them but don't make it because they don't have the talent. Listening to Kobe is not smart.
You're simply falling for the survivor bias.
Yes, you studied, but I'm willing to bet that most people won't take their 505 score to 515 using your methods.
Listening to talented people is counterproductive because they're mostly unable to see how much their talent helped them.
It's best to listen to average people that drastically improved their score and weren't getting straight As .
Jacob Kuba highly disagree they just know how to study more effectively so their efforts are far more efficient
Hey! I am a junior in high school right now, but do you have any tips for me when I start undergrad to build up preparation for the MCAT? Is there something that I should be using or doing to help me retain all the information from my classes?
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris! I'd just focus on learning the material as best as you can now; it'll be difficult to remember everything from high school and the MCAT is really a test of critical thinking and less so content. You'll get the content again in college and will be able to retain it better then, when it's closer to your actual MCAT date.
Hello! I just wanted to ask about what materials you used to study? You mentioned using the AAMC material but did you also use UWorld or other material (Next step, Atilus)? Thanks!
Great question! I did use all of the AAMC material and recommend that students go through AAMC material at least once. I did not use those specific materials, but we've compiled a list of the best MCAT prep materials here: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/best-mcat-prep-books. Hope this helps :)
I just purchased the latest MCAT books. Now where do I start ?
Time to make a study schedule! Check out our TH-cam video on that :)
@@Shemmassian where's it at ?
@@josephanthony1655 Here ya go: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-study-schedule
Let us know if you have any other questions :)
@@Shemmassian I noticed he mentioned “ after taking your 8th full length exam” I’ve only taken one. Do you know where I could find / purchase 8 full length exams. He also mentioned to exams form AAMC.
Help
What is the best study material to get for the MCAT?
Why is there only one guy on Shemassian with 528? If it’s sooooo evident there should be more people taking classes at shemassian and getting 528
How did you go through all of the AAMC material? Did you do a few questions from each question pack at a time?
Thanks for your question! The best way to get through all of the AAMC material is to write down a list of the materials, the number of questions in each resource, the time you'll need to take the questions, and the time you'll need to review the answers. Then, based on your other time commitments, you can fit the AAMC material into your study schedule.
When I went through the question packs, I broke it up into thirds over the course of three days. There is no right answer, however, when it comes to getting through the material. As long as you're treating the practice like the real exam and learning from your mistakes, you'll be in great shape! :)
Thank you!! Can you please share your practice exam scores?🥺
Love this video! Quick question. You said you were able to study 9-5 throughout the week. How did you manage this while still doing school?
Happy to hear you enjoyed it! I studied for the exam during the first half of a summer, so I did not have any other time commitments at that time. I know this is not always possible, so it is helpful to plan your study schedule around what you know will be your time commitments!
What were the actual books (core textbooks) you used to get the foundation for the MCAT?
I'm really curious how this guy did with admissions with a 528 MCAT.
Hey, Vikram here. I'm happy to have a home for med school!
I must say, though, Joe Burreaux had quite the year as well...
Struggling with mCAT biology? Check the everything about mCAT biology playlist
th-cam.com/play/PL-llYFOGc7ziHZztSHfeo1VS1OKJGTA3Q.html
@@Shemmassian Joe might start out with a little more income.
Hello. I'm premed and a rising junior (and I think I will take a gap year). I have so much time during quarantine and I'm thinking of start preparing for the MCAT. I haven't taken biochemistry yet but I will in the fall. I know biochem is critical and I plan on reviewing it during the summer. Do you think I should schedule a test date for MCAT first (and start prepping for all the subjects)? Or do you think I can take it slow and study for now and take the MCAT after I take biochem? Also, is it harmful to look at the material aheads or is it better to cram all the studying within 2-3 months?
Mochi00 I have the same exact question- hope you get an answer!
Great question! Biochemistry is actually not absolutely necessary to take before studying for the MCAT. After going through introductory biology, you should actually be in good shape for most biochem subjects other than metabolism, which you can self study. If you have a lot of time to study right now, take a diagnostic exam to see where you're at and give the exam a shot if you think you can put in 250-350 hours of studying in over the coming months.
It's definitely not harmful to look at materials ahead, but if you start studying for the exam a year before you actually want to take the exam, you likely won't remember any of the material you studied at the beginning. So, don't think of the 2-3 months as cramming but rather as a focused approach to studying for the exam. Hope this helps!
Plz guys I need a like where I can purchase a diagnostic exam for MCAT. I want to know my knowledge in the subjects first before I study
@@salimatakone6099 Looking up "free MCAT practice exams" in Google should point you in the right direction. Many test prep companies have free MCAT exams!
So I have a set of mcat prep books from Kaplan that are from 2015. Are those too old to use? I was hoping to save money on buying new books so that I could buy the AAMC prep bundle.
Great question! Those books should work just fine. Thankfully the science tested on the exam doesn't change too much year-to-year. You can always supplement your content with some Khan Academy videos as well!
Thanks for the info Vikram! My goal is definitely not a 528 (not even in my dreams) but I still want a 520 or so. I have been averaging only 513-514 on the AAMC fl's do you think there's any hope for achieving my goal? Do you mind me asking what scores you ended up with on the AAMC fl's?
Hello there! Glad you're achieving solid scores and hopefully trending upwards.
While we can't share Vikram's practice scores, make sure to apply his strategies and reach out if you're ever interested in our 1:1 tutoring so we can help you break through: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/mcat-tutoring
I wish that you guys would just share the truth with us... I mean like for real I’ve watched many videos here on TH-cam... and all their saying is that it wast a waste of to sign up for classes and study materials.... now I just wanna know which method was the best? And which one to avoid cause it’s a waste of time and money
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! That is something many students experience, and it is often overwhelming because there are lots of resources out there. It's a personal choice whether you want to sign up for classes or MCAT tutoring, but at the bare minimum, you'll need to use some form of content review materials and the AAMC exams.
With regards to studying methods, our advice is to 1) stay organized, 2) stay balanced, and 3) find strategies that work for you. We recommend strategies and tips here that we think all students can benefit from. With regards to specific studying strategies, though, you should try several out and see which works best for you. No one strategy works for each person!
Where can I take practice tests for the Mcat that will help me find out what I need to focus on more?
Many test prep companies have practice MCAT tests, and some of them are even free! Searching "free MCAT exams" or "MCAT practice tests" in Google should point you in the right direction!
Thanks for the suggestions. I actually want more practice. I would really like to find as many passage questions as possible.
We have a growing number of practice questions and passages available on our website! Happy you enjoyed the video :)
I’m really struggling with CARS. I’ve been doing the daily jack Westin passages and scoring pretty poorly. Any tips?
We have a CARS video coming out soon, so stay tuned! :)
same here. CARS is definitely difficult. can't wait for the upcoming CARS video.
@@Letstaycurious I just started the edits for the video; it's scheduled to be published on May 22nd :) Keep it on the books!!
Keep practicing! You will get better! Do 2-3 passages a day! Don’t worry about the time at first, you will adjust and be able to speed up!
Mimi xxvi would u say it’s worth studying the strategies from the book or just do practice?
Got that ali abdall look
Ali Abdaal is the GOAT
Your eyes are moving around!
Haha, good catch. Talking to a camera can be tough sometimes...
hi, I m anika . I want to ask what are the best books for mcat? I mean which books we should read must for getting highest scores in mcat ?
We have several blogs on our website that you can check out for content! :)
Ok I agree with all that had been mentioned until you said “before taking your 8th full length exam” I’ve only taken one practice exam. Can you please tell me where I could find/purchase 8 full length exams. Also you mentioned to take 2 exams from AAMC. Are these part of the 8 exams or are they aside from?
Please help!
Fantastic!!
I hope the awesome score allows you to critically think and not like typical zombie in lab coat changing “safe and effective”. Some embarrassing things doctors have done during pandemic. Hope our next crop of docs not quite as prone to mass group think.
I’m going to take my MCAT in March wish me luck 🙏🏻😊
Hi Noor! Wishing you the best of luck on test day. Make sure to sign up for our free MCAT question of the day if you haven't already: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/mcat-question-of-the-day
I’m starting my Pre med journey this coming fall, I am not great at standardized testing, how far in advance should I study and practice, i feel 3 months may not be enough. Do you think a year in advance would be too excessive?
12 months is a lot! We recommend 3-6 months, but what matters more is your total hours. Also, watch this: th-cam.com/video/7kpa3id2SEw/w-d-xo.html
@Shemmassian Academic Consulting thanks!
May God Bless you all and your families, Jesus Christ Is Lord and Is The Only Way To Heaven🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️
Thanks for watching the video!!
No bro Jesus Christ is not god. He was a prophet of god
@@Multiverse_is_real Jesus is the quintessence of the hypostatic union.
what the best undergraduate degree to become a anesthesiologist? I am considering biochemistry or neuroscience behavior.... Any recommendation Doctor?
There is no best undergraduate degree! Study what you would like, but make sure you complete the prerequisites.
@@Shemmassian Thank you for your suggestion.
Can someone pre-med majoring in economics still pass the MCAT?
Most definitely!
@@Shemmassian Thank you for your response! 🤩
Is it necessary to take a coaching for MCAT?
Necessary? For some people. Helpful? Nearly always.
Which major is the best to get in a medical college? (Nursing )?
Hi Fariah! We cover this in detail here: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/pre-med-majors
Bro knows everything 💀
Thanks a. Lot
Subtitles 0:11
DramAtIc mUsIc
does 1 time scoring on MCAT makes someone an expert?
Nope! However, Vikram has successfully tutored many students and led the development of our tutoring program, which has helped our students achieve major score increases.
What does taking passages mean?
The MCAT is a passage-based test, so "taking passages" means completing MCAT practice problems. Hope this helps!
Tips: wake up early, take mock mcat, if you have a low score, apply to dental school.
😂😂
Are you from amarillo ?
Our team is based all around the country!
I threw strategy right out the window on test day
Where did you get your Undergrad from?
Hello Andrea! Vikram is a Yale undergrad alum
I'm an incoming first year and I was wondering if I should read the MCAT books while taking the prerequisites and then later in my third-year review the structure and questions of the test. Should I also implement CARS weekly and then daily when getting closer to the test?
Great question! That is definitely something some students do, and it can help you with both your classes and when MCAT prep comes along. I would say, however, that it is not necessary to begin MCAT prep that early. If you can dedicate 250-350 hours to studying for the test in a concentrated manner before your exam, you will be still be in good shape. I'd prioritize extracurricular opportunities during your first year of college over getting in extra MCAT prep that early!
Is all MCat based on passage questions?
Some are passage-based questions, others are standalone questions.
What’d did you get on your sat?? Lol
> 528 ;)
Anyways do you wanna get married or
Med school and grad school in general doesn’t seem worth it. Better to get done with schools in 4 years with an engineering / computer science degree and make money right away, rather than lose time, money, and health for another 4-8 years in postgraduate.
There are many other aspects of being a physician that make it a rewarding profession, despite the long training! It's all about perspective :)
If your goal was to make money. You were never gonna be a doctor anyway. Majority of doctors don’t do it for the money
i’m not even writing the mcat i don’t even know why i’m here
Glad to have you any way!
How many months or years are required to study for MCAT to get a good score? I am a first-year undergrad student, so can suggest to me when should I start with my preparation?
Hi! All covered here: www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-study-schedule
Why am I watching this. I am in highschool
Never too young ;)
nerd
Hah! We'll pass it along to him. :)