Meeting the Challenge of the MCAT

A Test Preparation Guide, Third Edition, June 2006

Confused about how to effectively prepare for the MCAT?

The authors teach problem solving in reading and writing, biological sciences and physical sciences. They are experienced MEDPREP faculty who have helped hundreds of students prepare for the MCAT. They provide sound information and advice based on years of experience conducting MCAT workshops and teaching courses to help students develop their skills and proficiency for achieving competitive scores. The third edition of the guide reflects the recent changes in the MCAT.

There is a lot of confusion about how to handle what often seems like the monumental task of taking the MCAT. To our dismay, we have found that some students view the MCAT as a mysterious entity, or even worse, a part of some master-minded plan to trick them. To others, it is simply overwhelming. These views leave students anxious and searching for ways to beat the test in order to exert some control over their future. We believe the information in this manual can help alleviate some of the anxiety and clear up some of the mystery associated with preparing for the MCAT.

Our objectives are to persuade you that preparing for and taking the MCAT are manageable tasks and, secondly, to provide some guidance on how to handle the tasks in an effective way. We hope to convince you to view the MCAT as a challenge, a challenge you can meet. We encourage you to take control and expend the necessary efforts to ensure that you will be successful. Thus our title, Meeting the Challenge of the MCAT.

We are confident that you will find constructive ideas in this manual that will assist you in preparing for the MCAT. We also believe that the suggestions made here are not limited to MCAT preparation, but rather, are applicable to other academic tasks.

The major headings of each section are action words. We want to underscore the message that you exert important control over how you will perform. The two primary sections are Be Informed and Be Proficient. In the first we stress that it is necessary to Know The Test, including its structure and the range of skills and content assessed by the test. We also emphasize that it is important to Know Yourself in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will affect your performance on the test. Ways to make realistic self-assessments in these areas are suggested.

In the second section, Be Proficient, we make recommendations about how to devise a manageable MCAT preparation Plan, suggest learning and review activities that will be valuable as you Prepare, provide advice about how to Practice for the exam, and conclude with tips to help you Perform your best on the day of the test.

Book Contents

• Know The Test
• Structure
• Skills
  • Recognize the Problem
  • Predict or Generate Hypotheses
  • Gather Information
  • Analyze Information
  • Synthesize Information
  • Apply Information
  • Make Decisions
• Know Yourself
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Attitude

Be Proficient

• Plan
  • What You Need to Learn and Do
  • When You Will Do It
  • How You Will Do It
  • How You Will Prepare
  • Where You Will Prepare
• Prepare
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Writing Sample
  • Physical Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
• Practice
  • Un-timed Practice
  • Timed Practice
  • Full-Length MCATs
  • Error Analysis
• Perform

Order Information

Copies may be ordered for $18.00 from the National Association of Advisors from Health Professions. Ask for Meeting the Challenge of the MCAT: A Test Preparation Guide, written by Evelyn W. Jackson, Shirley McGlinn, and Linda Herrold. ©2006, Board of Trustees of SIU.

NAAHP

Address:PO Box 1518, Champaign, Illinois 61824-1518
Phone: 217.355.0063
Fax: 217.355.1287

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Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.