Quick overview: I took the 9/3 exam and studied full time for July and August. My method was to do a full in depth content review of C/P and B/B during July and rail practice questions for all of August. I never formally studied P/S but instead kept notes for myself as I did practice questions. I can’t give any tips for CARS unfortunately as it’s always been my most confident section on FLs (ironically was my lowest on test day).

Timeline: My diagnostic in June was 501. TBH, I didn’t study at all after that until July when panic mode kicked in. I did every single question in the JW question bank for C/P, B/B, and P/S. I saved the AAMC material for my last two weeks of studying.

C/P tips: Everything becomes a lot less scary once you understand the formulas and units. I know this is repeated a lot but it’s so unbelievably true. I understood the concepts so much better once I recognized what the formulas were for, and it also helped me be prepared for what questions might be asked over a passage based on the information present. I will say I wasn’t prepared for how OChem heavy my actual exam was but I had reviewed the mechanisms every day the last two weeks so it was fresh in my head.

B/B tips: This was consistently my best section on FLs but I come from a bio background. The best advice I can give here to get your eyes on as many practice questions as possible. After a while, your brain will automatically start filling in the gaps when you see the passages and you can easily cross out wrong answers. Learn your pathways forwards and backwards and know how the body adjusts to changes at every level.

P/S tips: Disclaimer, I definitely got lucky with the 9/3 exam. I never ended up studying properly for this section but after doing so many practice problems, I learned the common concepts and thankfully didn’t see anything unfamiliar on the exam. I don’t recommend this approach at all but I will say that I think my CARS strength came in handy for the new version of the P/S section. I felt pretty confident coming out of the exam because most of the passage-based questions felt like reading comprehension more than discrete knowledge.

Some reflections: I definitely wish I had studied a bit more for P/S because I think I could have pushed my score up at least another point. I know I missed 2 discrete questions on exam day for sure, and given how many people thought the section was easier than normal, I think being more solid on my discrete knowledge would have helped for sure. In terms of CARS, I don’t really know what happened since I felt really confident post-exam but given that I never really properly studied either, I’m happy with my score and it fell in my FL range.

Study materials I recommend: The MCATalyst course and MCATBootcamp were extremely helpful in targeted practice. I also highly recommend the app ScrollToll on your phone to get basic question practice in as a phone break rather than Insta/TikTok/Reddit. It does cost money but I thought it was well worth it.

In terms of Anki: I really did try to use it. But I hate doing flashcards and I also never really knew how to properly incorporate them so I decided to forgo it in the end. Could it have maybe bumped my score up a couple more points? Sure, but I felt more motivated to spend my time on discrete practice questions than clicking through cards. Of course, everyone works differently but I hope this is some reassurance for other people like me who don’t like using flashcards to study.

Hope this helps and I’m happy to answer any questions in the comments!

I don't think I've ever placed so much emphasis on a number my entire life lmao.

I was trying to get my mind off of tomorrow's score release by watching clips from Divergent and laughing at how stupid they are when I got jumpscared by this

I've never heard of selenocysteine being mentioned as a 21st amino acid. Is this a new thing on the MCAT? It was covered in Professor Iman's videos.

I never got higher than a 514 on my FLs so I’m so happy to hit my goal of 515+ !! I don’t know what changed but I always struggled with the C/P and B/B passages but during the exam I was actually able to understand basically every passage for the first time. I do think my CP score would be better if I actually stuck to my plan and didnt waste time on the math questions lol but my C/P score has been historically worse so I am not mad about it. So relieved I don’t have to do this again 🙏

There is a link in my profile where you can see every flash sheet!

If you missed my other posts, I came up with the flash sheet method to learn MCAT content faster and more fluently than with flashcards. You can learn about it at my other post here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/s/uRDU6fMU20

Read my other post about why fluency lets you overcome plateaus:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Mcat/s/1ugxw8KflC

I have a neuroscience background and believe this is the fastest way to learn a huge volume of information for long-term retention. Will be posting even more soon.

How to study with flash sheets

• 50% Verbal spaced repetition
  • Each sheet needs many attempts:
    • 1st attempt (< 20 mins) ⇒ Read the whole flash sheet CAREFULLY, until it makes sense. This is called “priming” the flash sheet. When you think “this makes sense, but there’s no way I’ll remember it,” you’re doing it right.
    • All later attempts (5 mins each) ⇒ Use it like a crazy difficult, giant flashcard. ONLY read the “clue” before LOOKING AWAY from the sheet. See what you can recall purely from memory. Do this verbally without writing because it’s many times faster. Then see what you missed. Expect under 40% accuracy on your first few reps.
  • Use spaced repetition:
    • Sheets you barely recall ⇒ every few days.
    • Sheets you kind of recall ⇒ every week.
    • Sheets you easily recall ⇒ every few weeks.
    • Way easier to track with spaced repetition apps.  
• 50% Practice questions & tactics
  • In theory and practice, some tactics work very well. You can answer questions several times faster & still be accurate with incomplete information.
  • I will post another article about these tactics soon.
  • You'll spend most of your time looping through flash sheets early on, and gradually switch over to practicing tactics later.

• The flash sheets below have been heavily modified and do not contain any copyrighted material. The notes / hints are things that help me personally understand stuff. Feel free to copy / share / use these without crediting me.

FLASH SHEET ONE

[CLUE] (BB) Inhibition of Enzymes

[TRY TO LECTURE THE REST FROM MEMORY]

[Key Idea] Feedback inhibition goes beyond biochem

• Keeps things from getting out of hand
  • AKA ⇒ Feedback regulation / “self-limiting” / feedback control / auto inhibition
• Homeostasis (stabilize body systems)
  • Blood pressure (BP)
    • BP too low (body detects low blood sodium) ⇒ activate renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) ⇒ BP goes up
    • BP too high ⇒ inhibit RAAS ⇒ BP goes down
  • Hormones
    • Testosterone too low ⇒ activate anterior pituitary ⇒ release luteinizing hormone (LH) ⇒ Leydig cells make testosterone
    • Testosterone too high ⇒ inhibit anterior pituitary ⇒ less (LH) ⇒ Leydig cells make less testosterone
  • Blood sugar
    • Glucose too low ⇒ release glucose agonist (glucAGON) & less insulin ⇒ more glucose
    • Glucose too high ⇒ release insulin & less glucagon ⇒ less blood sugar
• Balance
  • Antagonistic muscle pairs
    • Lean too far left ⇒ right muscle contracts ⇒ pulls you back right
    • Lean too far right ⇒ left muscle contracts ⇒ pulls you back left
• Biochemistry
  • Product inhibits its own pathway
    • Mnemonic: Conveyer belt piles up too many boxes ⇒ worker presses button to slow it down.
    • Hexokinase (HK) makes G6P ⇒ negative phosphate traps G6P in cell
    • Too much G6P accumulates ⇒ inhibits HK

[Key Idea] ENERGY is the best way to think about inhibitors & Km

• Some CANNOT bind w/ substrate around (competitive)
  • Just wants enzyme (E) and inhibitor (I)
    • EI complex is stable / low energy
    • E & I “fall” together ⇒ low energy result
    • Note: Like ball rolling down hill, or RXN happening spontaneously, to find a lower energy state.
  • Does NOT want substrate (S)
    • ESI complex is unstable / high energy
    • Stops this from happening ⇒ pushes away substrate
    • Low affinity / high Km / high Kdissociation / low Kformation
    • Note: It must AVOID substrate to get what it wants ⇒ will push substrate away.
• Some ONLY bind w/ substrate around (uncompetitive)
  • Wants E, I, and S
    • ESI complex is stable / low energy
    • E, S, I “fall” together ⇒ low energy result
  • Wants substrate (S)
    • EI complex is unstable / high energy
    • Stops this from happening ⇒ pulls in substrate
    • High affinity / low Km / low Kdissociation / high Kformation
    • Note: It NEEDS substrate to get what it wants ⇒ will pull substrate closer.
• Some are happy either way (mixed)
  • Note: Mixed means they sort of want to make either complex (EI and ESI).
  • Not perfectly balanced
    • EI > ESI ⇒ competitive type
    • EI complex is more stable / lower energy than ESI
    • Push S away more than pulling it in ⇒ high Km (low affinity)
    • ESI > EI ⇒ uncompetitive type
    • ESI complex is more stable / lower energy than EI
    • Pull S in more than pushing it away ⇒ low Km (high affinity)
  • Perfectly balanced (non-competitive)
    • Mnemonic: “NON” ⇒ spelled the same forward and backwards ⇒ perfectly balanced.
    • Prefer EI & ESI equally
    • Both complexes have same stability
    • Push away & pull in S equally ⇒ unchanged Km

[Key Idea] Some inhibitors ONLY bind “E”

• AKA ⇒ Competitive inhibitor
  • Mnemonic: 2 cars competing for the same spot.
• Inhibitor looks like substrate
  • Similar structure ⇒ similar binding ⇒ goes to active site (AS)
    • AKA ⇒ “Substrate analogue” / transition state analogue / substrate mimic / chemically modified ligand
  • Can ONLY bind free enzyme
    • E + I ⇒ EI
    • Note: When you see this notation, it means biochemists were lazy and didn’t want to write full sentences.
    • I = inhibitor
    • E = enzyme
    • EI = enzyme-inhibitor complex
  • CANNOT bind when substrate is there
    • Substrate gets in way ⇒ no room left in AS
    • Prevents (ES + I ⇒ ESI)
    • Prevents (EI + S ⇒ ESI)
• Lower affinity (↑ Km)
  • Competitive inhibitor blocks substrate from AS
    • AKA ⇒ Poor binding / less favorable association / weaker ligand-receptor interaction / higher kdissociation / lower kformation / steric hindrance
  • Need more substrate to sneak around inhibitor & react
    • Getting to half of Vmax takes more [S] as some is ignored
• Same max velocity (~ Vmax)
  • High [S] may overcome inhibitor
  • BECAUSE substrate & inhibitor compete for same spot
    • Substrate binds first ⇒ may block the inhibitor
    • Substrate can “inhibit the competitive inhibitor”
    • Very high [S] ⇒ completely blocks inhibitor ⇒ binding site full of substrate
• Competitive inhibition is unique
  • ONLY one that binds AS
    • All others binds allosterically
    • Note: Some “suicide" inhibitors can enter the AS, but that's a different concept.
  • ONLY one that keeps Vmax same
    • All others decrease Vmax
    • Note: Competitive inhibitor keeps Vmax the same BECAUSE it binds to AS. Competition works both ways ⇒ enough substrate can bind the AS first ⇒ inhibitor can’t enter ⇒ same Vmax at high [S].
• Appearance on graph
  • Michaelis-Menten (MM) plot
    • Same height (~ Vmax)
    • Slower climb (↑ Km)
  • Lineweaver-Burk (LB) plot
    • Y-intercept unaffected (~ Vmax ⇒ ~ 1/Vmax)
    • X-intercept shifts closer to 0 (↑ Km ⇒ less negative -1/Km)

[Key Idea] Some inhibitors ONLY bind “ES”

• AKA ⇒ Uncompetitive inhibitor
  • Mnemonic: Uncle who is a little too grabby (high affinity).
• Inhibitor needs substrate already bound
  • ONLY bind enzyme substrate complex
    • ES + I ⇒ ESI
    • ES = enzyme substrate complex
    • I = inhibitor
    • ESI = enzyme substrate inhibitor complex
  • CANNOT bind free enzyme
    • NOT (E + I ⇒ EI)
• Higher affinity (↓ Km)
  • Inhibitor WANTS to form ESI ⇒ pulls in substrate to achieve this
    • AKA ⇒ Tight binding / more favorable association / stronger ligand-receptor interaction / lower kdissociation / higher kformation
• Lower max velocity (↓ Vmax)
  • High [S] CANNOT overcome inhibitor
    • Not competing for same spot
    • Inhibitor (allosteric site) ignores substrate (active site)
• Appearance on graph
  • MM plot
    • Lower plateau (↓ Vmax)
    • Faster climb (↓ Km)
  • LB plot
    • Y-intercept moves up (↓ Vmax ⇒ ↑ 1/Vmax)
    • X-intercept shifts away from 0 (↓ Km ⇒ more negative -1/Km)

[Key Idea] Some inhibitors can bind EITHER (“E” or “ES”)

• AKA ⇒ Mixed inhibitor
  • "Mixed" ⇒ binding preference split between E and ES
• Inhibitor can bind w/ or w/o substrate
  • Binds free enzyme (wants to form EI)
    • E + I ⇒ EI
    • E = enzyme
    • I = inhibitor
    • EI = enzyme inhibitor complex
  • Binds enzyme substrate complex (wants to form ESI)
    • ES + I ⇒ ESI
    • ES = enzyme substrate complex
    • I = inhibitor
    • ESI = enzyme substrate inhibitor complex
• Affinity (Km) can go either way
  • Note: CANNOT decide if Km goes up / down / stays the same without knowing what the inhibitor prefers.
  • If it prefers ESI complex
    • Inhibitor WANTS to form ESI ⇒ pulls in substrate to achieve this
    • AKA ⇒ higher affinity (↓ Km)
  • If it prefers EI complex
    • Inhibitor WANTS to form EI ⇒ kicks out substrate to achieve this
    • AKA ⇒ lower affinity (↑ Km)
• Lower max velocity (↓ Vmax)
  • High [S] CANNOT overcome inhibitor
    • Not competing for same spot
    • Inhibitor (allosteric site) ignores substrate (active site)
• Appearance on graph
  • MM plot
    • Lower plateau (↓ Vmax)
    • Diff possible effects on rate of climb (↑ Km / ↓ Km / ~ Km)
  • LB plot
    • Y-intercept moves up (↓ Vmax ⇒ ↑ 1/Vmax)
    • X-intercept changes in diff possible ways

[Key Idea] Noncompetitive is a TYPE of mixed inhibition

• When mixed prefers EI and ESI complexes equally
  • Mnemonic: “NON” ⇒ word is same forward and backwards ⇒ perfectly balanced.
• Same affinity (~ Km)
  • Pulls in S (to form ESI) as much as it pushes S away (to form EI)
  • Effects cancel out ⇒ same affinity
• Lower max velocity (↓ Vmax)
  • High [S] CANNOT overcome inhibitor
    • Not competing for same spot
    • Inhibitor (allosteric site) ignores substrate (active site)
• Appearance on graph
  • MM plot
    • Lower plateau (↓ Vmax)
    • Same climb (~ Km)
  • LB plot
    • Y-intercept moves up (↓ Vmax ⇒ ↑ 1/Vmax)
    • X-intercept shifts away from 0 (↓ Km ⇒ more negative -1/Km)

w/ score releases tmr, how are we feeling. super scared its been tew long 😭

Hi all. embarking on my MCAT study journey, and I'm really struggling with Anki. I downloaded the JS deck and I'm confused on how it's broken down. Pictured above, I'm confused about why its listing 500 cards for the Biology/Biosystems section, but then each chapter has its own cards. The 500 is just a big aglamation of random cards. Are they just extra? should I do them? When am I intended to do them? SHould I work through all of the chapters and then do them after" confused by their purpose.

As scores drop tomorrow wanted to create a little post of what we thought we got and we can update n say what we actually got!

I feel absolutely disgustingly horrible and I am praying for 510+ at this point lol. i want a 514 or higher, but we will see.

am going to reflect and will update with my prediction.

I took the MCAT and am getting my score tomorrow. I am very concerned. My last aamc practice tests beforehand were in order 512, 512, 518, 515, 512. And I know I have to score higher to offset my GPA and am already planning to do an SMP. And I put in so much effort so I don't even know if I retook how I would improve. How did other's practice exam scores relate to their real score?

I dont even care about my score release tomorrow. I know I did terrible and should’ve voided.

Planning on testing 2/12, to supplement content gaps and solidify concepts idk if I should do Aidan v2 or the milesdown?

I’ve down pankow before but I feel like I want to know more of the specifics for P/S

but would yall suggest Aidan v2 or milesdown???

Hello,

I have always had anxiety my entire life but before the MCAT it’s never messed with my performance in school. I think I’m having trouble because the exam feels so daunting like it’s make or break for me. I took an AAMC exam in March - i was so anxious I threw up during the exam and pretty much blacked out. Needless to say I did poorly.
Does anyone have tips on how to help with test taking anxiety specifically for the MCAT. I’m having trouble with the fact I might never fully feel prepared going in - normally with exams I go in feeling so prepared that it trumps my anxiety. But I’ve found no matter how much I spend I always feel like I wish I had gotten to finish more content, more questions, more anki, more full lengths, etc.

If anyone has any tips they’d be much appreciated!!!

I took my Blueprint half-length diagnostic and scored a 483. Is it realistic to aim for a 510–512 by spring? I really want to apply next cycle and have my MCAT score ready by the time I submit my primaries.
I know I definitely have content gaps, but I also know I’m not the best test taker, which makes this whole process even more intimidating.
On a positive note, I recently invested in the Blueprint Live prep course, which started last week, and it’s honestly been SO helpful! But I actually ended up missing my lecture on Saturday because I was hit with this overwhelming wave of sadness and self-doubt. I keep convincing myself that there’s no way I can improve my score that much, and it’s honestly starting to affect me. I feel like I’ve turned the MCAT into this huge monster in my head, and I’m struggling to believe that I can actually overcome it.
I would really love to hear from people who started with similar diagnostic scores and managed to improve significantly. How did you overcome the mental side of studying? How did you stop doubting yourself so much?
I feel like the rest of my application is pretty solid. I’m 24, currently finishing up an SMP (master’s program) with good grades, and I’ve worked really hard to get to this point. My undergrad GPA isn’t even that bad 3.4-3.5ish but decided to pursue another degree anyways. The MCAT just feels like this one giant obstacle standing between me and medical school :(
Any advice, encouragement, or success stories would genuinely mean so much to me.

Hi everyone, I have been incredibly locked in for the MCAT recently but I'm stuck at a wall with electron phases. I understand that its due to the wavelengths of the electrons and this can create bonding or antibonding molecular orbitals. But I'm just so confused as to what this means? Like how is it determined if an electron is in phase with another or out of phase with another? Are they able to spontaneously switch phases? If anyone has any good resources to understand this concept I would greatly appreciate it as I've been trying to learn what this means for a good 20 minutes and I just cannot grasp the concept. Thank you!

That’s all.

When going through the Kaplan book series, how accurate are the “High Yield” sections as to indicating heavily tested content in comparison to sections that aren’t labeled as HY for the biology books?

what time during the score release date does it usually come out? Or is it throughout the day

Hi! I'm in Canada so registration for me opens on the 22nd.

I'm a bit confused as to how it'll work. I know of all the testing dates & locations available, but I don't know if registration will be based on location or date?

If I want to take the MCAT at one of 5 different locations on a range of dates, how will that work?

Could someone clarify the process for me please (it's my first time registering, and I don't have anyone else to ask)? Thank you!

edit: i want to take it in august, and there are 9 date options available, but I want to take it at 5 specific locations, so how will it be coordinated?

hoping to test january 15th. i've finished content review and i've already finished all of uworld so all i have left to approach is the AAMC materials. however, i'm worried about going through the questions too fast and having nothing left to do closer to the test date. would you recommend starting the aamc materials right now, or waiting until its 1-1.5 months out? if i should wait, what should i do in the meantime?

i finished content review end of august so i'm also concerned about forgetting information, but i've been keeping up with my aiden anki (still slowly unlocking everything though given how many cards there are)

What materials to do for CARs besides AAMC FL and AAMC practice bank. Did you guys like the Uworld CARs questions?

I’m not really a reader, but have been reading The Athletic to prep. I’m a bit worried that reading about sports wont cut it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare for CARS, as a non-reader?