MCAT Strategies for Success

Plan, prepare, practice, positivity

Sunny Gibson, MSW, PhD Candidate
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Office of Diversity

3 Elements of Success
Knowledge
Test taking strategies
Confidence
Succeeding on the exam is a matter of all
3 elements coming together.

PLAN
You know that if you want to be a doctor the
MCAT is in your future so plan for it!
Become familiar with the content of the test and
keep that in mind when you construct your
course schedule.
Do not alter your entire course of study, but
rather be aware so that you do not end up with
three intense classes in one semester because
you want to take them before you take the
MCAT

PLAN
Save helpful course materials from classes that
cover MCAT content
When the year for taking the MCAT approaches,
look at the schedule and get your date early
Leave at least 3 months of intensive preparation
time

If this were a marathon, you wouldnt just jump in

after a few runs.
You must train for the exam, the way you would for
anything significant.

Know the MCAT

Computer based

scores in 30-35 days, 28 administrations/year

Plan your course work accordingly dont take the
MCAT before you finish a year of Physics, for example

Exam is 5 hours including breaks

Limit of 3 tests per person, per 12-month period
Get online and check out the test content NOW
Be intentional about your attitude toward the
test. Do not dread it or develop negative
association with it that wont help you!

3 Tests Per Year Limit

The MCAT limit of 3 tests per lifetime was
lifted a few years ago.
This is NOT a license to take the test as
many times as you want.
When you apply through AMCAS, every
score you ever posted on the MCAT is
automatically included. There is no way
to hide scored tests.

3 Tests Per Year Limit

Schools interpret retakes differently (some
take the highest total, some take the most
recent, some take the highest of each
section, etc.)
In general, more than 3 tests is a RED
FLAG to admissions committees.

This

can be overcome if sufficiently remedied

and explained, but just know that it might be
an issue

Testing Matters
Although I have my personal opinions
about the MCATs use in admissions, the
fact remains that exams are a part of
becoming a doctor throughout medical
school you take exams in sequence.
Being able to approach an exam with
confidence, effectively prepare and
successfully pass is critical both now and
throughout your career.

PREPARE
Duh! Of course! Dont take the test cold
turkey your scores are FOREVER
Honestly evaluate what you need
Know yourself and your study/learning
style
Create a schedule and time line
Focus on weak areas twice as much
Do your least favorite stuff FIRST

PRACTICE
Test taking takes practice it is a skill like
anything else that can be learned and mastered.
Always do section practice tests under time
pressure it doesnt matter how many you get
correct unless you do it in the time allotted.
Use caution with full length practice tests
they can lead to burn out

think of it as marathon training -if you can do three

sections well, you can put it together on game day
Practice tests cannot effectively provide an estimate
for the real test day. If you gauge performance
based on practice exams, subtract at least 4 points.

PRACTICE

Get to know the question types and use your

testing strategies
Each question is an independent event if you
dont know one, that has no bearing on the next
Slow down a little if you know the answer to be
sure to get it correct.
Understanding what the question is asking is a
huge component of success.
Always study the answer sets to figure out WHY
you missed a question.
Answer every question.

POSITIVITY

Your self talk matters!

The messages you get from peers and family
matter
Your attitude toward the exam matters
Your confidence in your preparation and ability
to succeed matters
Set your goal high! How high can you score?!
If you are struggling step back and regroup
Do NOT test if you are not ready

Stereotype Threat
Please see my other presentation on this topic.
In a nutshell, what you believe other people
think of you matters to your performance. If
you feel you are representing more than
yourself, or that you can confirm/disprove
someone elses belief about you through the
test, that will negatively impact your score.
This is another reason to be fully aware of your
thoughts and feelings before and during the
exam.

Why does it matter?

When ability is personally important, the
apprehension of ST can be disruptive anxiety,
fear, nervousness, etc.
It affects you whether you believe it or not
The more you care about your
performance, the greater potential you
have to be affected by ST.
ST can explain why you score lower than
predicted under testing conditions.

Solutions for Stereotype Threat

Many sources of esteem and multiple

facets of identity
You

are so much more than your performance

on a test, your grades, etc.

Use positive language about yourself and

your future
NOT

if I screw this up.(insert bad here)

SAY this is another step on my road to
becoming a doctor.

Solutions for Stereotype Threat

Pay attention to whats happening in your

head before, during and after the test
Do

not let anxiety build or go ignored. That

energy is real, so you must manage it and
channel it.

Meet with mentors and teachers to

calibrate yourself are you where you
think you are?
Being

under pressure can sometimes cloud

judgment.

Solutions for Stereotype Threat

Reframe dont personalize and

internalize it
You

are a good person no matter your score

Not scoring how you want means only that
nothing is wrong with you
Your preparation might have been deficient,
but you are not.

Education and forewarning (what youre

doing right now!)
Just

learning about it is an intervention!

Solutions for Stereotype Threat

Multiple theories of intelligence and the

malleability of intelligence
Intelligence

is neither finite/fixed nor one

dimensional. Expert chefs possess different
skills than mechanical engineers. Is a chef
stupid because he doesnt do physics? Is an
engineer stupid because she is unable to
make a gastrique?
Intelligence/ability is contextual and easily
expanded through practice

Solutions for Stereotype Threat

How are you the same rather than

different?
We

are all aspiring physicians

The test means a lot to everyone
The test is difficult for everyone

Thinking of yourself as a scholar

You

are a being in possession of knowledge

and skills, not just a person taking a test.
You are a scholar!

Questions?

How do schools look at retakes?

It

depends! Each school is different.

How do I know if I should retake the test?

Consider

your preparation & performance on

test day how did you feel after the exam
Did you finish every section?
What schools are you hoping to attend?
What is your timeline?
Registering for another exam can delay your
application at some schools.

Questions?

What if I took it twice and got the same

score?
See

answers for taking it again, plus

What did you do differently on the retake?
Are there any strategies you have not tried?

What if Im stuck?
Take

a step back, gather resources, talk to

advisors, talk to supportive peers
Focus on the present do not create a plan
for your entire application trajectory, just
focus on the test.

My Contact Info
Sunny Gibson, MSW, PhD Candidate
Director of Diversity
Northwestern University Feinberg School
of Medicine
s-gibson@northwestern.edu
312-503-4476 (direct line)