Is the day of your MCAT looming on the horizon? It can be hard not to let yourself get more and more nervous as the big day gets closer, but I have the tips you need to make sure you’re prepared. Here’s how to get ready the day before the MCAT, in order to ace your exam!
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Sharing All The Best Day Before MCAT Tips
1. Follow Your Test Day Routine
I’m a big believer in the idea that plans make everything better. If you know what to expect on test day, that takes away a huge part of your nervousness because there isn’t that fear of the unknown. Plus, getting into your test day routine ahead of time means your body and brain will be accustomed to that schedule and ready to go right away. No fogginess while you’re waiting for your brain to wake up!
I recommend planning out your test day routine and starting to follow it as much as a week in advance. Here’s why my test day morning looked like:
- Wake up and get dressed (clothes laid out the night before).
- Have breakfast (my boyfriend made me scrambled eggs while I made my coffee and warmed up my overnight oats).
- Pack my lunch according to a list in my lunch box (2 boiled eggs, a small milk, and a cheese stick).
- Leave the house to get to the testing center by 6 AM (I also put a note in my car to make sure I didn’t forget my ID and lunch).
Obviously, you don’t have to drive to your test center every day, but it helps to wake up and have breakfast at the same time so your body can get used to it. And just because that’s the routine that worked for me doesn’t mean that has to be how you do it. Try out different things to see what feels right to you!
You should definitely aim to do a full run-through of your test day routine the day before the actual exam.
2. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep before a test as grueling and exhausting as the MCAT is so important, but it can be hard if you’re busy or your sleep schedule doesn’t already line up with your test day routine. For example, if you normally go to bed at 2AM and sleep in until 10AM, there’s no way you’re going to be able to fall asleep early enough to wake up for an 8AM exam without adjusting your schedule ahead of time. You’ll be a sleep-deprived zombie, and no one wants that!
Plan your bedtime for the night before your exam based on how much time you need to get ready comfortably and drive to your test center. Having to rush around in the morning will just make you more frantic and nervous before the test even starts. Try to plan it out so you can get a full 8 hours of sleep without forcing yourself to rush through getting ready once you wake up.
3. Pack Your Snacks and Gear
Have your totally packed up bag ready to go the night before your test. You’re going to need your ID as well as some water and snacks to get you through the exam. If you don’t want to pack your lunch and stick it in the fridge the night before, try leaving yourself a note in your lunch box with the items you want to bring so you don’t have to worry about thinking too hard or forgetting anything.
The MCAT includes two 10-minute breaks and one 30-minute break. I recommend bringing snacks that will fill you up without taking a long time to eat. I brought boiled eggs and milk, but test some options out beforehand to see what works for you!
For a full list check out my blog post What to Bring to the MCAT: Everything You Must Know About Test Day.
4. Prepare the People Around You
The MCAT is a big deal, and the people in your life will understand that. But, it’s important that you talk to them about what they can do to help before test day so they can be prepared. If you have roommates, make sure they’re aware that you have a huge test in the morning and need to sleep early. Then, they’ll know to be quiet and hold off on any loud parties.
You can also ask your friends or significant other to lend a hand in your preparations. For example, let’s say you don’t have access to a car, but your friend does. You could ask them to drive you to the test center so you don’t have to rely on public transportation or Uber. I even asked my boyfriend to make my breakfast in the morning because I wanted to be able to sleep in as much as possible, and he happily helped me out!
5. Drive to Your Testing Center
Not everyone will have a testing center close to their home. In some cases, you might have to drive a few hours to get there. If that sounds like you, I recommend driving there the night before and getting a hotel room or staying with a friend who lives nearby. That way, you won’t have to wake up even earlier and waste hours commuting when you could be sleeping!
It also helps to be confident in the route you’ll take to your testing center. No matter how far away you live, try to make the drive the day before so you know exactly how long it takes to get there at that time of day.
6. Don’t Study!
Trust me, I know the temptation to cram a few more facts into your hand the day before the MCAT is strong, but don’t do it! This is your time to rest your brain and give yourself a moment to relax. The exam is long and very exhausting, and you don’t want to go into it already mentally tired out from forcing yourself to study the day before.
7. Plan a Post-Test Reward
Sometimes, the best way to motivate yourself is with a reward! Have you ever forced yourself to get up and study by promising yourself you could order a nice matcha latte? We all need a little treat here and there to help us get through the tough moments, and the MCAT is no exception.
Think about what you want to do or get most after your test is over. Maybe you want to go out to eat at your favorite restaurant, book a spa trip, or spend a day at the beach. Pick one of your favorite things to do and plan to do it either right after your exam or the next day. You worked hard, and you deserve a reward!
8. Think Positively
It’s so easy to fall into a negative spiral of thoughts, especially the day before your exam. You might get wrapped up thinking about what could happen if you don’t score well or worrying that you didn’t study enough. But, by the time the day before the exam rolls around, you’ll have done everything you can do for that particular test. Remind yourself of how hard you worked preparing and focus on how excited you are to take the next step in your career.
And remember, you can always take the test again if you don’t score as high as you hoped. No matter what happens, it won’t be the end of the world, and you’re still on the path to become a doctor!
Here are some ways to help yourself think positively the day before your exam:
- Tell yourself positive affirmations
- Think about your strengths
- Surround yourself with positive people
- Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to someone else
- Listen to your favorite songs or watch your favorite movies
To ease any worries (although I hope you’ll totally nail your personal goal score!) we recently had two Road to Acceptance students get accepted to several medical schools with a 498 and even lower MCAT score. So stats are not everything.
I also had a lower GPA of 3.3 and still earned 10 acceptances! I share the key strategies to make that happen in my Free Premed Workshop so that you don’t have to figure this all out by yourself – no matter your stats.
9. Find Ways to Relax
Everyone relaxes differently, so I recommend making a list of relaxing activities you can do the day before your exam. If you start to feel stressed, look at your list and pick out an activity that sounds appealing to you. Try it out and watch your stress melt away! Or, if that activity doesn’t work, go back to your list and try a different one.
Here are a few examples of relaxing activities to put on your list:
- Go for a walk
- Play with your pet
- Talk to your friends, family, or significant other
- Listen to music
- Watch a movie
- Play some board games
- Take a bubble bath
- Read a book
- Practice meditation
- Do something crafty
Final Thoughts
Pre-exam stress is definitely a real thing, but by establishing a routine, preparing all your stuff beforehand, and incorporating fun into your schedule, you should be able to melt away some of those nerves. Good luck and happy testing!
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