Skip to main content

3 Techniques to Ensure a Smooth MCAT Testing Session

By U.S. News & World Report

Taking the MCAT can seem like a daunting experience for any student — especially when you consider the sheer length of the exam. If you use every moment of your time, including breaks, the test takes roughly seven and a half hours.

In addition to ensuring that you have reviewed all the academic material that might be assessed, think about other factors that could affect the outcome of such a long testing session. If you are already deep into prep for the medical school admissions exam, check out these tips to help you ensure a smooth testing process when exam day finally arrives.

[Avoid making these four common MCAT prep mistakes.]

1. Decide how to use your breaks: There is quite a bit of advice available about how to not spend your MCAT breaks — including foregoing them altogether — but there is less direction about how to plan for these precious few minutes away from the testing screen.

On a typical break during class, you might check your phone or review course materials. On MCAT exam day, however, your activity during breaks will be limited — none of these usual methods of passing the time will be available.

There are two main ways that you can spend the breaks: using active recall techniques to prepare for the next section on the test, or giving your mind a rest by using mindfulness and meditation techniques. Of course, do not forget that the lunch break is for lunch, as well as for any other strategies you find useful.

When choosing your techniques for exam day, consider taking each for a trial run during the breaks of your full-length practice tests. With practice test No. 1, for example, you might spend time mentally reviewing several relevant equations, like the Hardy-Weinberg equation, before the Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems section. With your second practice test, in contrast, you could spend five of your free minutes with your eyes closed, visualizing a calming scene.

You may even find that different break strategies work better for you depending on which portion of the MCAT is next. Begin experimenting with different techniques as soon as you begin taking full-length practice exams.

[Find ways to build last-minute confidence for MCAT success.]

2. Consider how you will use scratch paper: Scratch paper can be a tremendous advantage for the most difficult MCAT questions, but when used unwisely, it can also cause you to fritter away your time by focusing an inordinate amount on just one or two problems.

Before you sit for the real MCAT, explore several ways to use scratch paper during the four portions of the test. Certain people find it helpful to jot down relevant formulas or shorthand concepts prior to beginning particular sections.

Others prefer to use their scrap paper for summarizing Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills passages or for identifying important points within these passages. Still others use their scratch paper to better understand question stems.

You may find that a combination of these approaches works best for you. Regardless of how you think you will use scratch paper, practice putting your predictions to work on the practice tests. This can help ensure your preferred strategies are efficient and helpful.

[Avoid these three common MCAT mistakes on test day.]

3. Confirm your understanding of the MCAT’s virtual tools: Some online practice tests have their own tools with which you can eliminate answers, highlight within passages and scroll. Because every company is different and not all may emulate the MCAT exactly, it is best to review the tools used by the MCAT itself prior to sitting for the real computer-based exam.

Ensure you know how to select answers, highlight passages and cross out answers before test day. In addition, remember that eliminating all answers but one with a cross-out does not automatically select the remaining answer.

Finally, at the end of each section, make sure you have answered all questions using the appropriate MCAT tools. Knowing all of the features of the MCAT testing platform can help you feel more confident on exam day.

More from U.S. News

4 Factors Prospective Medical School Students Overlook

How to Handle a Personal Crisis as Prospective Medical Student

Prep for Physiology Ahead of Medical School

3 Techniques to Ensure a Smooth MCAT Testing Session originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote