Preparing for the MCAT requires plenty of time. Some students decide to take a preparatory course beforehand. Depending on when you decide to take the MCAT, it is important to allot sufficient time to study.

When taking the MCAT it is important to fully concentrate on the question and read everything carefully. In the verbal portion, do not use outside knowledge and it is suggested to read the questions before reading the sections. Narrow down your answers and guess if need be, but never leave a question blank according to the MCAT Student Manual by the AAMC. You are not penalized for guessing.

2003 MCAT

• There will be three more biology questions on DNA and genetics in the Biological Sciences section of the MCAT. Three of the organic chemistry questions will be taken out. The three new biology questions will be based on DNA and genetics.  Students still have 100 minutes for 77 questions.
• Five questions on the Verbal Reasoning section will be taken off the MCAT, while the current number of passages and the time limit for that section will remain the same. Changes from 65 questions to 60 questions. Fewer questions, same amount of time. (85 minutes)
• The AAMC will also be re-instituting scores 14 and 15 on the Verbal Reasoning section, instead of "13-15". 
• The order of the Verbal Reasoning and Physical Sciences test sections will be reversed, so that Verbal Reasoning will no longer be the first section of the day. Physical Sciences will be the first section beginning in April 2003.
  

American Association Medical Colleges (AAMC) has valuable MCAT resources:

The best way to study for the exam is to take actual practice tests published by the AAMC, AAMC Practice Tests 1-6. If you are taking a preparatory course, it helps to ask them beforehand whether they will be using any of the practice tests in their course. If they are using the test in the class, you should not practice with it because it will not give you a representative score while you are in the course.

You may retrieve the MCAT Student Manual and Scoring the MCAT Writing Sample for additional help.

Checklist Night Before MCAT:

Consider having someone call you for a wake-up call
Lunch
2 #2 pencils
Directions to MCAT site
Watch

Advantages of taking April MCAT- If you do well, your application will be complete. You will be able to turn in your application on the earliest possible date. Because medical school admissions are rolling admissions, timing is critical. The earlier your information is submitted to AMCAS, the better your chances. If you do poorly in April you still have the possibility of retaking the MCAT in August.

Advantages to taking August MCAT- Uninterrupted time to prepare for the exam over the summer. If you haven't finished prerequisite courses, it will give you extra summer time to finish them.

Related books on this subject:

Browse the MCAT Student Resources for additional information.