Last-Minute MCAT Study Tips

This week, especially, focus on reminding yourself of how much you DO know! Rather than dwell on perceived weaknesses or attempt to cram new facts into your maxed-out hippocampus, reinforce all of the hard work you’ve already put in.

Try taking a set of flashcards to your favorite study spot for quiet review. Spend time looking at topics that you know and love, the ones you haven’t seen for a while, but that will contribute most to your score.

A little confidence building and relaxation is a great lead-up to test Day, when you’ll walk into the testing center feeling at your best.

If you haven’t already, now is the time to communicate to your friends and family what, exactly, you’ll need in these few days leading up to your MCAT. If you just want peace and quiet, tell them! If you need distraction, time away from home, more time at home, less attention, more attention, whatever…be sure to clue your friends and family in so they can assist you with your last-minute prep.

Get as much rest as you can and eat healthy meals. The goal is to give your body the support and nutrition it needs to withstand the stress you are putting it through.You need to be at your absolute best on Test Day: mind and body.

You’ll also want to adjust your sleep and meal habits to the same time frame as Test Day so that nothing changes during the MCAT.

Planning your get-together with friends and/or family after the exam is a great way to put yourself in a good mood. You’ve earned the chance to blow off steam and congratulate yourself on surviving the MCAT!

Although it seems counter-intuitive, allow yourself a day off before the MCAT. If you were running a marathon, you wouldn’t do an intensive workout the day before the race. You’ll be refreshed, relaxed, and ready to take on the MCAT if you let yourself take the day off.

Relax as much as possible. Reassure yourself that you’ve already studied as much as you could study up to this point. By letting go of stressful or worrisome emotions, you’re allowing your brain’s frontal cortex to focus solely on abstract reasoning and problem solving – necessary functions on Test Day!

Try light exercise, watching a movie that you haven’t seen because you’ve been studying, or spending time with a friend who can keep your mind distracted from worry.

Pack all your supplies for Test Day the day before, so there’s no last minute scramble the morning of the MCAT.

• Print out your confirmation email just in case
• Have one or two valid forms of identification (a passport, driver’s license, non-driver ID card, or military ID)
• Wallet
• Keys
• Sweatshirt
• Analgesics
• Antacids
• Eye drops
• Medicines
• A map of the area and directions to the Test Site and place in your bag
• Prepare snacks, drinks and lunch ahead of time

Ninety-nine times out of one hundred your plan will go smoothly, but it’s still a good idea to have a friend or family member on “stand-by” to drive you to the testing center. In fact, it can help with stress if you allow yourself to have a driver so you’re not dealing with traffic and parking. At this point you should know exactly where you’re going, but it doesn’t hurt to double check the test center location and/or have the address handy.

Get to bed at a reasonable time and do yourself a favor: have your backup person who will double check that you’re awake and ready to go the morning of the test. That way you don’t have to worry about your alarm failing to go off. If you’re worried about falling asleep, try mild exercise early in the day, combined with a nice warm bath right before bed.