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MCAT

Mar 07 2020

The most time efficient way to prepare for the MCAT

The most time-efficient way to prepare for the MCAT

premed, pre med, pre-med, medical school, med school, science, chemistry, biology, physics, organic chemistry, Biochemistry, MCAT, GPA, tips , advice, tutorial, doctor, physician, surgeon, college, undergrad, university

Here is a quick post about the method I used for preparing for the MCAT. I hope that you find this helpful and simple to implement. For many pre-meds, it is hard to get enough time to truly study for the MCAT. Most pre-meds find themselves volunteering, working, and with a full class load in any given semester. So how does the busy pre-med make the most out of their limited time to study for the MCAT? What studying method will give you the “best bang for your buck”? In this article, we will go over how to prepare for the MCAT in a time efficient way.

Alright, so you are crunched for time and don’t have the luxury to read through all of the MCAT test prep books you bought or go through countless hours of youtube videos. Where do you start and where do you focus your attention? The main key for preparing for the MCAT in a timely manner is to focus on your WEAKNESSES. This means you need to take a practice MCAT exam as soon as possible and see what your weak areas are. Once you know what areas you need the most improvement in, learn and practice whatever topics you missed during your practice exam. Then take another practice exam again to see if you improved in those areas or there are other weak points you weren’t aware of before. Try and get as many rounds of practice test and post-practice test studying in as possible.

 

Here is the simple method to follow:

 

  1. Take a practice exam to learn what your weaknesses are.
  2. Make a list of all of the topics that gave you trouble (ex. Redox reactions, optics, amino acids, etc.)
  3. Review and practice all of those topics until you feel confident.
  4. Take another practice exam.
  5. Repeat

 

The practice exam is helpful to improving your MCAT score for several reasons. First of all, it allows you to see what the MCAT is like and the type of questions that it asks. This will let you learn and adapt your studying to the style of questions asked on the MCAT. Learning how to answer “MCAT style” questions is so important and honestly and underrated aspect to preparing for the MCAT. Also by taking the practice exams/questions you will be able to see what areas you are weakest in and therefore what areas you need to focus most on. When it comes to what practice test to use, I would of course reccomend getting the AAMC’s one as its the most accurate. However there are many other ones to use that allow more uses and are more affordable or even free. I personally did most of my practice tests using The Princeton Review’s practice exams that come with their main book. Also The Princeton Review also has an affordable set of high yield questions for about $25 which is another great source of practice questions to use called The MCAT Workout. Another source of MCAT test practice questions for only $25  is this book which offers 7 practice tests , with 5 in the book and 2 online. If you are looking for free practice questions I would recommend using the Khan Academy MCAT practice questions.

 

I would personally recommend using at least two sources of questions to study from and use this method with. So after you have your practice tests, its important that you are using them appropriately! You need to make a list of the topics that you are missing and struggling with. Make sure you are being honest with yourself! Then compile that list in a word document or excel sheet and re-learn them one by one. The key to this is actually making sure you learn the topic and feel confident that you would get it right if you ever saw it again on the test. Just simply watching a video on youtube or reading the section in your book about that missed topic isn’t enough, you need to test yourself to make sure you understand it. So after you have re-learned it you need to do some practice problems with it or quiz yourself that you remember the information you need to. Only once and I mean only once you really feel you understand that topic you can “check” it off your review list. This is the most important way to make sure you are actually making progress and not just simply going through the motions of saying you re-learned that topic.

 

This method allows you to really hone in on what you need to work on. Allowing you to prioritize your weakest areas to get the biggest return on investment. After you take your practice exam, go through all of the questions you missed and analyze them. Ask yourself why you missed them and what could you do differently to get it right next time. After analyzing all of your questions, go ahead and make a detailed list of everything you need to review or practice. The more in-depth and detailed the list the better. After you have your detailed list of topics and types of questions you missed, go and review them using whatever resources you would like. Make sure you are confident that you wouldn’t miss those same questions again before taking another practice exam. The time where you are really improving your grade the most should be during your post-practice exam review. The key to getting the most out of your MCAT study time is to really find out what your weaknesses are. Knowing what areas you are weak in will allow you to spend your time on what matters most. Then it is a matter of rinse and repeat. Try this method I have listed here and let me know how it goes for you in the comments below!

 

Tell us what you think by leaving a comment down below! And for more pre-med tips and advice, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, twitter, and pinterest!

 

 

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Written by Wil · Categorized: MCAT · Tagged: MCAT, pre-med, premed, study plan, study schedule

May 13 2018

7 Tips for applicants with a low MCAT score

7 Tips for Applicants with Low MCAT Scores

 

 

Getting into medical school or college with a low MCAT score is no mean feat and something which is far from easy. However, before you give up and turn your back on your dreams of a top-notch education and successful career, there are some tips and pieces of advice we’d encourage you to bear in mind.

Because while being an applicant to med school with a low MCAT score puts you at something of a disadvantage, it doesn’t make getting into college impossible. In fact, there are many ways you can seriously boost your chances of success, and demonstrate to the admissions officers overseeing your application that you’re actually a highly suitable candidate.

It’s going to take some seriously hard work, a lot of effort, and even more dedication… but you know as well as we do that it will all be worth it in the end when that acceptance letter comes through your door. Take our advice, take the steps necessary, and keep yourself focused on the ultimate goal. Who knows where your efforts will take you?

 

Tip 1: Strive to do Better

This may seem like stating the obvious, but there’s an important point to be made here. Your less-than-perfect MCAT score has shown that you aren’t as yet the ideal candidate for your course, but admissions officers love students who can show dedication, and demonstrate that they’re on an upward curve of success. No matter what point of your premed journey you’re currently at, there’s still time to show that you’re improving all the time, and striving for academic success that can help you shine.

 

Tip 2: Submit Early 

There’s a lot to be said for getting your application in as early as possible, and yes, it does actually make a difference. It demonstrates decisiveness, resolve, and a willingness to get ahead, and can actually put your low MCAT scores in a more positive light.

Late applications are – of course – still accepted by many colleges, but by submitting late you’re even further decreasing your chances of an acceptance, not least at colleges with rolling admissions.

 

Tip 3: Be Strategic

If you’re planning on going to med school, then doing deep research should really be second nature to you. If your MCAT score didn’t turn out the way you wanted, it’s time to get out there and start looking for the colleges at which this might not make a whole load of differences.

There are plenty of med schools which really put a huge emphasis on test results and percentages. However, there is also a decent amount which doesn’t and prefers to take a more holistic approach. Take the time to research MCAT and GPA averages, and include schools on your list which you fall into the ranges of, alongside the schools which you’re reaching to get into. This doesn’t mean you can’t dream big… it just means that everyone can benefit from an effective and realistic plan B.

 

Tip 4: Make sure your personal statement is perfect

 Personal statements for medical school are among the most important texts you may ever have to write in your life. They require plenty of time and effort and need to be absolutely spot on if they’re going to result in that all-important application letter (especially if you can’t rely on a star-standard MCAT score to carry you through).

If you simply don’t have the time or resources to write a winning admission paper, it might be time to call in the experts to help you with. With their help and expert guidance, the applications officers at your dream school will be so dazzled by your personal statement, they’ll surely be willing to overlook a less-than-perfect MCAT score, and give you the chance you’ve been hoping for.

 

Tip 5: Consider retaking the MCAT 

Everyone knows the MCAT is tough. It’s expensive, it’s time-consuming, and it’s no fun for anyone involved. However, if your score really isn’t going to do you any favors when it comes to getting into med school (and you can speak to your professors about the attainability of your ambitions), then you might just have to bite the bullet and retake the exam.

The medical profession requires plenty of humility. If you messed up the first MCAT, you’re going to have to take a long, hard look at yourself, and consider what it is you did wrong, and what you’ll have to do differently. It may be that your entire approach was off the mark, or it may be that you fell down on just one or two points. Be humble, be realistic, and be objective – it will do you a whole load of favors when it comes to your retake.

 

Tip 6: Ask for help

If you were able to get into med school all by yourself, without anybody helping, guiding, or advising you, well, you’d already been there with no problems whatsoever. The fact of the matter is that somewhere along the line, you’ve made a mistake or taken the wrong approach, and as such, you’re going to need some guidance and help to achieve your dreams. Speak to your professors and see if they can arrange some one-to-one sessions for you with a tutor or mentor, and accept their advice with open arms. Also, many schools hold open days, conferences, events and panels – this can be enormously useful, so make the effort and go along to boost your knowledge and skills.

 

Tip 7: Don’t expect the world to owe you anything

 There are plenty of medical students who don’t get into the college they want the first time around – and that’s ok. Take the time to consider what it is you need to do and be pragmatic in your approach. Have a low GPA? It can take a year or two to pick that back up, so considering something like a postback might be a great option for you. Lacking clinical experience? It’s up to you to sort out those sorts of gaps in your skillset, so get on it and find an opening. Have to retake your MCAT? Don’t leave your revision and cramming until the last minute, and expect to breeze through it. All of these things take time, patience, and hard work… and nobody is responsible for your success other than yourself.

 

 

Tell us what you think by leaving a comment down below! For more pre-med tips and advice, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, twitter, and pinterest!
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Written by Jilian Woods · Categorized: Application Advice, MCAT, pre med advice · Tagged: application advice, MCAT, pre-med, premed

Apr 02 2018

Pre-med guide to creating an effective MCAT study plan

Pre-med guide to creating an effective MCAT study plan

 

The MCAT is arguably the most important aspect of getting into medical school. Without a good MCAT score you might not even get the chance to have the rest of your application reviewed. Many medical schools have a cut off grade for the minimum MCAT score required to apply. Its no wonder that so many pre-med students dread taking this exam! Your chance of getting into medical school could depend on how well you do! That is why it is important to make sure you study smart and effectively for the exam. I was able to improve my score about 10 whole points within less than two months, using the methods and strategies I am about to share in this guide. This is a basic overview of what you should do to prepare, I will be sharing a more in depth and detailed guide in the future. So be on the look out for that!

 

General tips for preparing for the MCAT:

 

Start with a practice test:

Starting with a practice test by the AAMC is the best way to get started on your preparation. You really need to do this. It accomplishes a few things. First, it shows you what the real MCAT is like. You will get to see what type of questions it asks, how much time it takes you to complete a certain section, and just gives you a general feel for the exam. Second, it will show you right away what your weakest areas are and what you need to focus your studying on.

 

Make a word document to help organize your studying:

This can be really helpful as well. You want to list all of the topics that you have struggled with and then also include all the new notes you have taken for those topics. These topics should be very specific, such as: Colligative properties, action potentials, DNA replication, lenses/mirrors, etc.

Lets take an example: So let’s say you had a hard time remembering the colligative properties on your last MCAT practice test. You will go ahead and add colligative properties to the word document. Now you will do some studying and research about colligative properties to learn what you need to know. Once you have found the formulas and information you need for that topic, such as boiling point elevation and freezing point depression, you will add it under colligative properties. Once you have finished with adding in all the notes for colligative properties you will move on to the next topic.

 

Split your day in how you study:

When it comes to preparing for the MCAT its important that you not only learn the material for the test but also actually do practice problems. The MCAT is like no other test, the way it asks questions and uses passages is unique. This is why you absolutely need to allocate atleast half of your study time to doing practice problems. If possible, everyday you are preparing for the MCAT try and split your study time into reviewing information and doing practice problems. I suggest studying and revieweing your weak areas first for an hour or two, and then using the rest of your study time to do practice problems in those areas. For example, study and review some flashcards in the morning and then in the afternoon do some practice problems.

 

Do practice problems:

I cannot emphasize this enough, you NEED to be doing practice problems constantly. It is not enough to just study and review the information. You have to continue to grind through practice problems for every topic. This is the only way to get good at the MCAT. These practice problems must mimic the style and difficulty of the MCAT as well. That means that it should most likely be in passage format and not just ask for you to solve for some number using a formula. MCAT problems require to think and figure out what answer makes the most sense after applying a formula. I suggest doing practice problems from Khan Academy for this because it mimics the style of the MCAT well and is completely free. Also examkrackers has good practice problems for applying formulas but not for the critical thinking component that the MCAT is known for. However, to get the most realistic practice you can buy practice problems from the AAMC.

 

The general strategy for preparing for the MCAT:

 

  1. Take a practice test.
  2. Find your weakest areas and focus on mastering them.
  3. Once you feel you have mastery over those topics take another practice test.
  4. Figure out what your weakest areas are from the most recent practice test.
  5. Repeat this process for all of your weak areas.

 

In my opinion, this is the most effective strategy for studying for the MCAT. You want to focus your time on the areas that need the most help first. There is no need to spend your time on trying to study what you already know. It is okay to review the topics you already know once and awhile. Fix your weaknesses and your MCAT score will skyrocket. To do this you need to use practice tests to identify your weak areas. Once you know those weak areas, you can then focus on adressing them. Also the more practice tests that you take, the better you understand how the MCAT works. You will develop a feel for the MCAT and that alone will boost your confidence and help you do much better.

As the test date approaches you want to be doing more and more practice tests. Within the month of your exam, I reccomend taking a full length practice test atleast 2-3 times a week. Its important to really get comfortable with the actual exam before you take it in person. When doing this, make sure to give yourself atleast a day between taking practice tests to relax and review the previous practice test.

 

Tell us what you think by leaving a comment down below! For more pre-med tips and advice, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, twitter, and pinterest!
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Written by Wil · Categorized: MCAT · Tagged: MCAT, study plan

Oct 06 2017

Great online MCAT practice questions – Magoosh MCAT course review

Magoosh MCAT Course Review

 

magoosh, mcat, study prep, pre-med, premed, pre med,

 

Hello Pre-Meds! In this article I will be reviewing Magoosh’s online MCAT course. I will break this review down into the following sections: pros and cons, personal experience, pricing, and conclusion. With the MCAT coming up, you probably want to find an affordable way to prepare for it. After all, the MCAT is one of the most important components of your medical school application; it definitely is worth it to have good MCAT study materials. When it comes to having a good MCAT prep course there are several factors that are essential for success. It is important to have good quality questions that can mimic the difficulty and style of the AAMC MCAT questions, answers to those questions that are clear and thorough, the ability to analyze and review how you are doing, and resources that allow you to study and review material that will be on the MCAT. With that being said let’s get into this!

 

Let’s start off with the positives about Magoosh’s online MCAT prep course. And there are definitely many positives to be found in this course, with one of the most useful being how in-depth it allows you to see your progress.

*Note: premedcommunity.com may be compensated through the links in this post, but the opinions shared are our own.

Pros:

  • Has plenty of questions to practice from.
  • You can choose to focus on only one section at a time.
  • Question difficulty is around equal to a bit harder than the AAMC practice MCAT questions.
  • Questions have a timer on it so you know how long you take on each question (Very helpful for the CARS section)
  • Has in-depth data to review about how well you are doing.
  • Has helpful MCAT video tutorials and lessons.
  • Provide several additional resources. However, these aren’t that helpful.

 

You can choose to focus on only one section at a time. This is actually very useful and one of the reasons I chose to use Magoosh. You have the ability to choose which of the four MCAT sections you want to focus on. These sections are: Biological and Biochemical, Chemical and Physical, Psychological and Social, and CARS. This allows you to really focus on what you need to work on the most. For me, that was the CARS section. So I was able to just do CARS practice problems all day with it. If you purchased the practice MCAT tests from the AAMC you will know that you have to take it as if it were the real exam. It will not allow you to just do problems from one of the sections.

 

Question difficulty is around equal to a bit harder than the AAMC practice MCAT questions. Many of the questions on Magoosh were actually a lot more challenging than the ones on the AAMC practice MCAT. There is also a mix of passage-based questions and stand-alone questions on Magoosh. I found that after doing Magoosh questions for a month I was able to come back and do the AAMC practice questions more easily. The question difficulty was not too hard but it was definitely hard enough to make you learn what you need to work on.

 

Questions have a timer on it so you know how long you take on each question. This has to be one of the best parts of using Magoosh. Whoever decided to add the timer to the questions deserves a raise! This is especially important for the MCAT as you know how important it is to maintain a certain pace through the exam. Not only that but you can see how your time compares to other students. This feature is tremendously helpful for the CARS section. Typically you want to aim for reading the CARS passage in 3-4 minutes, and with the timer, it is a lot easier to keep track. This is a feature you will find very helpful in your studying.

 

Has in-depth data to review about how well you are doing. This is another area that Magoosh does very well. They have in-depth data to analyze that many other MCAT prep courses simply don’t offer. You can see things such as your average time per question for each section, the percentage of questions you get right and wrong, how your pace compares to others, and data specific to each individual question. This is a valuable asset to have when preparing for the MCAT because it is important to analyze why you are missing certain problems and areas where you can improve.

 

Helpful MCAT video tutorials and lessons. Magoosh hosts an impressive video library that covers topics from every section of the MCAT. These videos are quick and straight to the point. I found that these videos were best used as review due to their concise nature.

 

Provide several additional resources. There are several other resources that Magoosh offers you if you sign up. These include flashcards, lecture notes, list of sociology and psychology terms, list of topics for each section of the MCAT, a link to download their mobile app. These resources are a nice addition but I didn’t personally find much use out of them.

 

 

Cons:

The main cons for me were the lack of a good practice test and that the questions did not exactly replicate the AAMC practice question’s style. It does have a practice test and it is certainly not bad. My main complaint is that it could do a better job imitating the AAMC practice test in formatting. This is obviously a minor complaint but it is important to be as close to the real thing as possible. For instance, if you take the Princeton Review’s online practice tests, they do a great job of mimicking the “feel” of the real MCAT test. The second con for me is that while the questions are of equal difficulty (probably a bit harder) to the real MCAT questions, the wording was a bit different. This is also a minor complaint but I noticed that many of the Magoosh questions phrased things differently than how I feel the real MCAT did. This is not to say that the questions were easier but it just felt like a different teacher was asking the same question. In some ways, this could be seen as a good thing because it is good to be able to answer questions asked in a variety of ways. But I found it important to develop a feel for understanding how the MCAT asks questions and how they want it answered. These questions are great nonetheless. However, they should supplement your AAMC practice tests to make sure all your bases are covered. For me, I found that after doing the Magoosh problems the questions asked on the AAMC practice test were easier. The only other complaint I can give is that the video lesson library was not fully comprehensive. The video lesson library contains all of the “core” essential topics you need to understand for the MCAT, but by no means it covers everything that will be on the exam. It is best used as a review, instead of trying to learn everything for the exam from it. There are not many cons about the course, only minor complaints.

 

 

Screenshots:

 

Dashboard

magoosh, mcat, study prep, pre-med, premed, pre med,

 

This is the dashboard section. We can see a summary of our results for each of the sections. Also there is a quick link to practice each section. 

 

 

 

Example Question

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This is an example question from the Chemical and Physical section.

 

Answer Explanation

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In the answer explanation section, we can see an explanation for why each choice was right or wrong. It also provides us with how our pace compared to other students.

 

 

Answer explanation – Notes

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Also included in the answer explanation section is an opportunity to write down any notes about why you may have missed or got the problem right. 

 

 

Reviewing your progress

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This is the review section. You have the ability to filter your questions to focus on only the ones you want to. Also, there is a summary section for quick analysis.

 

 

 

Reviewing individual questions

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In the review section, you can review individual questions. 

 

 

Video lessons

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This is the video library. You can see that it is organized by course topic (Intro to MCAT, Scientific Inquiry and Reasoning, Biology, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Social Psychology, CARS (Verbal). 

*Note: The reason the text is greyed is because my trial has expired. Also, the eyes next to the topic indicate that I have watched it. 

 

 

Individual video lesson

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This is what an individual video lesson looks like. You have the ability to save notes about it for future reference if desired. There is also a feature to show the transcript.

 

 

Additional resources

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These are the additional resources that Magoosh offers you. 

 

 

 

Personal experience:

My story with the MCAT was kind of interesting. I actually had to push my MCAT back a month because I didn’t feel ready for my first test date. When I pushed my MCAT back, I felt that I needed more practice problems. Specifically, I needed more practice problems for the CARS section. I bought the AAMC practice tests 1 and 2, but those are good for testing your progress and not so much just grinding out a ton of practice problems. Looking for a solution, I found Magoosh’s online MCAT course. I signed up for the free trial to see how it was and within a day I realized that it was exactly what I was looking for. So I upgraded to the 1-month premium and began doing hours of problems every day. I had exactly one month and a week to get ready for my next test date. I went through a ton of Magoosh’s video lessons and almost every single problem they offered. Even though I was studying like a madman, I couldn’t get through all of their questions. At the end of my 1 month trial, I took another AAMC practice test and found that my score went up by over 10 points. What made Magoosh so useful to me was that I was able to focus on each specific section at a time and I was able to keep track of my time as I took questions. This really helped me hone my skills on each section. Taking the Magoosh MCAT course really helped me get in those necessary practice problems to be fully ready for the MCAT.

 

Pricing:

 

magoosh, mcat, study prep, pre-med, premed, pre med,

The pricing is affordable compared to many other MCAT prep courses. For what is offered, I believe it is a fair price. I personally did the 1 Month Premium plan and felt that I got my money’s worth. Also it is worth noting that they have a 7-day money back guarantee.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion:

Magoosh’s online MCAT course provides you with a lot of practice problems so you can focus specifically on one section at a time. The timer added to each question helps you stay wary of how long you are spending on each question. This is especially useful for the CARS section. The questions themselves are of equal or greater difficulty than those you will find on the real MCAT. The questions use wording that differs from how the real MCAT asks questions but still provide great practice for the exam. Great analysis and review features allow you to figure out what to focus on. The video lesson library contains a huge collection of topics, however, does not cover every single topic that will appear on the MCAT. The videos are best used as a review instead of covering everything that will be on the exam. My personal experience with Magoosh was one that helped me improve my score. Due to the difficulty and large magnitude of problems, I was able to gain a lot of quality practice in a short period of time. The practice I did with Magoosh carried over well to the practice AAMC MCAT exams and to the real MCAT. With an affordable price and a 7-day money back guarantee, I think that Magoosh’s online MCAT course is well worth a try for any pre-med who needs more practice problems. 

 

Score: 8/10

Written by Wil · Categorized: MCAT, Reviews · Tagged: magoosh, MCAT, online course, pre-med, prep, review, study

Sep 15 2017

The best flashcard app for pre-med students

The Best Flashcard App for Pre-Med Students

 

 

There are many great apps out there for pre-meds. In this article I am going to go over one of the best apps for flash cards and why you should use it. I would consider this app one that every pre-med student should have. Flashcards are one of the best ways to memorize information as they provide a great way to remember a lot of material in a short period of time. For some classes, making flashcards is a necessity. If you haven’t taken a class where you had to make flashcards, you probably will soon. If you have taken a class where had to make flashcards, you know the struggle that comes with making them.

When I was studying for organic chemistry II, I literally made over 100 flashcards by hand and had a stack of cards that was half a foot tall. Not only did it take a long time to make the flashcards by hand, but also storing them was a problem. It was inconvenient to try and use them and review them because of the sheer quantity of cards I had. Thats when having an app that does it for you is very beneficial.

 

 

So what flash card app do you recommend?

 

Flashcard Hero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mobile version)

(Desktop version)

I tried several flashcard apps and the one that I found to be the most useful to me was “Flashcard Hero“. There are several apps out there that only do a very rudimentary job. Flashcard Hero has all of the functionality that you want in a flashcard app. With Flashcard Hero you can..

 

    • Quickly and easily make new flashcards
    • Sync your cards between your computer and phone (Requires both desktop and mobile version)
    • Organize your flashcards into sets
    • Add photos to your flashcards
    • Use advanced text formatting options
    • Make multiple choice questions or fill in the blank questions
    • Search through your flashcards for specific words
    • Study your flashcards based on difficulty, how long since you last studied, and the Leitner system
    • Use your phone as a remote controller to study flashcards on your computer
    • Audio output of text if desired
    • Detailed study session summaries
    • Export decks as PDF files, share online, and print decks
    • Import decks you already have (.tsv, .csv, from Quizlet.com)

 

I found that Flashcard Hero has all the functionality you will ever need for any class you are going to take. I personally used Flashcard Hero for studying for the MCAT with great success. I made a deck of over 1000 flashcards that I organized into several sets such as: MCAT math, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology/Biochemistry, Physics, Sociology/Psychology, CARS, and General MCAT tips. With this I was able to study these flashcards on my computer and on my phone. This allowed me to flexibility to study on the go or while at home conveniently. You can download the exact MCAT deck I personally used on the members download page for free.

Being able to make flashcards on your computer is incredibly convenient thanks to being able to copy and paste text and add pictures. This makes it way easier to bulk create flashcards for your classes. And as mentioned before you won’t have to worry about storing your flashcards on you. Combine this with the mobile app and you will be able to view your flashcards anywhere you go. I can honestly say that I owe the 130 I made on the Psychology and Sociology section of the MCAT to the flashcards I made with this app. It also helped me tremendously in memorizing equations and reactions. Part of how I was able to raise my MCAT score by 8 points in one month was because of this app. Let me show you inside the app so you can see for yourself what it can do.

 

Screenshots I took from the app: (Desktop version)

 

Screenshot #1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the different sets that I organized my flashcards into for my MCAT deck. 

 

 

Screenshot #2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we can see how you can add photos to your flashcards and on the left we can see if the flashcard is marked as easy (Green) or as difficult (Red). Also on the right we can see the advanced text formatting options available.

 

 

Screenshot #3:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we can see just how easy it is to add a card or topic.

 

 

Screenshot #4:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we can see the search functionality that allows you to find any word or phrase from your flashcards.

 

 

 

Screenshot #5:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we can see how you can study your flashcards based on difficulty.

 

 

 

Screenshot #6:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we can see how you can study using the Leitner System.

 

 

Screenshot #7:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we can see how it looks to study the flashcards. Notice you can also study based on fill in the blank (type) and multiple choice. 

 

You can download the exact MCAT flashcard set that I used to study for the MCAT on the member downloads page.

 

 

 

Screenshots I took from the app: (Mobile version)

 

Screenshot#1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is how the sets are organized in a deck.

 

Screenshot #2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is how the flashcards look inside a set.

 

 

Screenshot #3:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is how a flashcard looks in the app. Notice the picture added and my text underneath it.

 

 

Screenshot #4:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we can see how a flashcard looks in study mode. You can click on one of the buttons on the bottom to organize the card based on difficulty. To see the answer you just have to tap the screen or swipe to the right. 

 

 

Pricing:

 

Mac:

The app costs $7.99 for the desktop version. There is also a lite version if you want to test it out. Click here to download.

The mobile app alone is $3.99. Click here to download.

Total price: $11.98

 

Windows:

The app costs $4.99. Click here to download.

 

Conclusion:

 

Rating: 9/10

Flashcard Hero has all the functionality you will ever need for an affordable price. Its ability to sync flashcards to your phone makes studying much easier. It’s highly customizable and easy to make flashcards are a great time saver. And the ability to study cards based on difficulty gives it a functionality that is not possible with traditional flashcards. For the cost of one meal, you can have an app that lasts you throughout your pre-med career. I only wish that I found the app sooner.

 

Flashcard Hero (Desktop app)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flashcard Hero (Mobile only app)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Wil · Categorized: MCAT, Reviews, Study tips · Tagged: flashcard, pre-med, premed, premed program, review, study tips

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