It wasn’t all that long ago that I was in your shoes, trying to crack the MCAT code and nail that elusive high score. It was so, so stressful! I mean, seriously, sifting through all those study materials and online resources, plus not knowing the best way or even how to review MCAT practice tests, can be seriously overwhelming.
But fear not, my friends, I’m here to save the day and make your MCAT journey so much easier. Today, I’ll walk you through how to effectively review your full-length practice exams.
So, get ready to level up and slay the MCAT with my organized strategy to review your full-length practice exam the best possible way. Learn how to find your strengths, conquer your weaknesses, and make the perfect study plan for success!
This post is all about how to review MCAT practice tests.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
How To Review MCAT Practice Tests
Why should you review MCAT Practice Tests?
You might be thinking, “Why bother with practice tests?” Well, hate to break it to you, but the MCAT is no joke. If you’re serious about acing this test, practice tests are your secret weapon.
Be sure to make them an integral part of your study routine. Take them seriously, review them thoroughly, and confront your weaknesses head-on. With each practice test, you’ll inch closer to your dream score.
Here are a few ways reviewing MCAT practice tests can help you level up your score.
- Identifies your strengths and weaknesses across different subject areas. Finding your knowledge gaps allows you to focus your study efforts where they’re needed most.
- Gets you familiar with the exam format. By reviewing practice tests, you’ll better prepare for what’s coming your way.
- Builds solid test-taking strategies to maximize your chances of success! Practice tests allow you to experiment with different approaches, time management techniques, and ways to tackle tricky questions.
- Improves your ability to stay focused and perform under pressure for hours on end. Regularly reviewing practice tests helps you build the mental stamina required to tackle this grueling exam like a champ.
- Boosts your confidence levels. As your scores improve over time, you’ll gain more faith in your abilities and feel motivated to push even harder.
Preparing for the Review Process
Before you jump into “full review mode” of your practice tests, take a moment to set yourself up with everything you need to feel cozy and productive. These steps will help you maximize your study time and get you ready to work on acing the MCATs.
Set Aside Dedicated Time for Review
Time management is key. So, set aside a time slot when you can fully focus. Base it on your study schedule that you’ve found works for you. And be prepared to give yourself two days, or maybe three. Do not brush this off. You need the time to go through every single question, whether you got it right or wrong.
Gather Necessary Materials
This step is like getting your study armor ready. Gather everything you’ll need for your review process. Grab your answered test and any other review resources that you find helpful. Also, make sure you have all the supplies you like ready to go. Keep pens, highlighters, and sticky notes where you can reach them easily to keep your momentum going.
Create a Cozy and Distraction-Free Study Area
Find a place where you can study without distractions. Clear away any clutter, turn off your phone notifications, and, if necessary, use noise-canceling headphones to block out any background noises. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a drink (or a matcha) and get started!
Step-by-Step for How to Review MCAT Practice Tests
Now that you’re all set, we’re going to dive into the nitty-gritty details of effectively reviewing your MCAT practice exams. This strategy will help you zero in on where you need to improve and study more so you can level up your score.
Step 1: Create the “Why I Missed Things” Table
You’re going to make a handy table to track your progress. This table will help you understand why you missed certain questions and concepts.
Including the following six headings:
- Passage/Question
- Topic
- Subtopic
- Why I Missed
- Explanation
- How Not to Miss Next Time
Step 2: Fill in the Table and “Why I Missed”
As you go through each question, jot down the relevant information in your table. Write down the passage (in case you want to reference it later), the topic (e.g., organic chemistry or physics), and subtopics (e.g., EM, light, or mirrors).
Now, the most important part is noting down why you missed the question. Keep it brief, like “misread the question,” “didn’t know the concept,” “ran out of time,” or even “silly mistake.” This will help you quickly tally up the different categories once you’re done reviewing.
Step 3: Explanation Time!
Now, it’s time to dig deeper and unravel your mistakes. For each missed question, write a detailed explanation about why you got it wrong. I’m talking a full-on paragraph. It’s worth the time and effort because this is the key to improvement.
Analyze what you missed, what concept eluded you, and any tricks or strategies you should have employed. The more you dig deep into your mistakes, the better you’ll understand your own thought process and identify areas for improvement.
Step 4: How Not to Miss Next Time
Okay, now comes the fun part (kind of)! Here, you’re figuring out how not to miss similar questions in the future. So, take a moment to think about what you can do differently.
Identify an action step that will help you tackle these types of questions head-on in your next practice exam. Maybe it’s as simple as watching Sketchy Micro or reviewing those Biochem Quiz Sheets you’ve neglected. Keep this section shorter than the explanation though, so you can easily see the changes you need to make.
Step 5: Tally Up and Focus
After reviewing your exam, create a list of all the things you need to improve on. Take note of the topics or concepts that appear most frequently and create a tally next to each one. Then, pick which one has the most tallies and that’s your focus for the next study session!
Don’t overwhelm yourself with a million things to fix. Choose the one that needs the most attention and tackle it head-on.
Places to Find MCAT Practice Tests + Materials
I created a whole blog post with 8 free MCAT practice tests to get you started! And since I know it can also be overwhelming to select the best MCAT study resources, so I’ll quickly run through a list of resources I highly recommend. I’ll keep it brief because I don’t want you to go into overthinking mode (I’ve been there).
- Qbank: Just buy it from Uworld and don’t think twice.
- Content review books: I recommend Kaplan, but it can be a bit detailed. Examkrackers is another good option if you can find an updated version, although it might be less popular.
- Practice exams: Get at least three with your AAMC bundle and consider getting additional ones from Blueprint.
- Free resources: Check out Jack Weston and Khan Academy
- Flashcards: I love making my own, but feel free to use pre-made decks if they work better for you.
- Extra resource: Sketchy is amazing for med school, although I’m not sure about the MCAT version. They offer free videos or a free trial, so it’s worth trying if you have the extra money. If not, don’t worry, you’ll be fine without it.
Tips and Best Practices for Effective Test Review
Studying for the MCAT can feel like a journey. So, I’m sharing helpful insights and what you need to know to help you navigate through it with ease and confidence.
- Aim to complete around 7 to 10 practice tests over a span of 6 months to build endurance, sharpen your skills, and get accustomed to the structure and timing of the actual MCAT.
- Dive deep into every question, whether you got it right or wrong. Even if you answered correctly, you might have missed an underlying concept or used incorrect reasoning.
- Analyze your thought process as you review each question. Did you approach the question strategically or hastily? Did you overanalyze or miss important clues?
- The “Why I Missed Things” table serves as a handy resource to check for content gaps in your knowledge. Use it to highlight the concepts you struggled with and make a plan to revisit and reinforce them during your study sessions.
- Seek help if you’re continually struggling with certain topics or concepts. Utilize online forums, study groups, or even private tutors to clarify your doubts and gain a deeper understanding of challenging areas.
- Embrace the challenges, celebrate your victories, and stay positive throughout the process. Keeping up your motivation and positivity will make your practice test review sessions more effective and enjoyable!
Pro tip: it’s so important to work on improving your score over time. My score progression was beautiful (got to increase my score by 18 points in total!) and I feel like it’s because I was so diligent about reviewing my practice exams over and over again. On top of that, I had the perfect study schedule which helped me to stay consistent throughout my whole study period (yes, without burning out along the way).
If that’s exactly what you need, check out my in-depth online course MCAT Roadmap which guides you through each step of my MCAT game plan!
Final Thoughts on Reviewing MCAT Practice Tests Like a Boss
By following these strategies and tips, you’ll be able to get the most out of your MCAT practice tests. Remember to use each test as a learning opportunity and analyze your mistakes thoroughly. With diligent practice and a positive mindset, you’ll be well-prepared to achieve your best score on the MCAT!
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