MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract: Managing high stress levels is all too familiar for pre-med students. Thus, most pre-med students are not going to think about finding new and comprehensive stress management solutions for the MCAT and application process. However, according to a study published in The Clinical Teacher, students facing test anxiety on high stress tests like the MCAT and the USMLE-1 need to rethink their test preparation plan to include more than a test-prep course to increase their test score. The scope of this guide is to analyze the negative effects of test anxiety and suggest ways to navigate the MCAT and application process in a less stressful manner. This paper will provide three suggested ways to tackle this process: outdoor activity, timelines for both the MCAT and applications, discussion on test-prep companies.

Reader’s profile: A pre-med student that is confident in their ways

Reader’s response: I have been successful throughout college with my current study habits, and in fact have rarely felt extremely stressed at any point in my high school and college career. I handled the stress of the SATs well too. I’m not sure why every student should think about modifying his or her study habits?

Modified thesis: Pre-med students in their junior year are preparing to take the MCAT and apply to medical school. If they have made it this far in the pre-med track then they likely have developed effective study habits and stress management skills. However, this process will require students to really stop and think about their current study habits. While these habits might have been effective in chemistry, they might not be optimal for the MCAT/application process because preparing for the MCAT is very different from test prep in individual college classes and the SAT. MCAT preparation, in addition to the tight time frame of applying to medical school, requires new habits of preparation and time management. A second and related concern is that many will find increased anxiety and require new ways of managing their anxiety. Therefore, students need to re-engineer their study habits and anxiety management skills at least four-months before they begin studying for the MCAT to design an effective preparation strategy.

A, really good way to adjust your guide to this skeptical audience. Rework the title. For example,

Prepping Wisely for the MCAT: Not your typical test situation

Rethinking your MCAT Approach: Working beyond anxiety

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You can emphasize the stress aspect but not that the stress will all go away.

Hope you can find a way to share this guide with others. :)