Here’s the truth bomb: 75% of medical school applicants who miss the mark blame their test scores. Ouch, right? But before you freak out, let’s get one thing straight: you can fix this.
Test scores might feel like a make-or-break part of your med school dream, but they’re something you can take control of with the right strategies. This isn’t your typical "just study harder" lecture. Nope.
We’re talking about a simple, no-BS, step-by-step plan that’ll get you crushing those exams like a pro. Ready to dig in? Let’s get started!
The Secret to Acing Exams: Start Early or Struggle Later
Okay, real talk: cramming doesn’t work. You know it. I know it. Yet, here we are, a night before the test, staring at 15 untouched chapters like they’ll magically crawl into your brain. Spoiler alert: they won’t.
But there’s hope! It’s called spaced repetition—and it’s about to become your best friend. Instead of smashing all your study time into one panicked session, break it up over five days.
By giving your brain smaller chunks to process, you’re allowing the info to sink in and stick. Come test day, you’ll actually know what you’re talking about. Wild concept, right?
Day 1 & 2: Building the Ultimate Study Guide
Let’s break it down. Day one and two are for creating your study guide. But don’t just slap together a mountain of notes. That’s a fast track to nowhere.
You’re going for condensed, laser-focused information. Imagine the exam is a treasure hunt, and your study guide is the map showing you where the gold is buried. Trim out the junk and highlight what actually matters.
By writing it down and summarizing, you’re already helping your brain get cozy with the material. It’s like a pre-study without even realizing it.
And hey, if you’re tight on time, squeeze this into one day. But seriously, don’t skip it. This guide is your lifeline.
Day 3: Practice Makes Perfect
Alright, you’ve got your shiny new study guide. What’s next? It’s time to test yourself. Day three is all about doing practice tests or going through relevant questions.
But—and this is important—it’s got to be relevant practice. You want old tests, questions from your professor, or anything directly linked to the topics that’ll be on the exam.
Why? Because regurgitating facts is one thing, but applying them is where the real learning happens. You’ll see what you know, what’s still fuzzy, and start getting into the groove of actual test-taking.
Bonus tip: Try to do your practice test in a similar environment to the real deal. Quiet room? Same desk? Whatever gets your brain comfortable will help lower the freak-out factor on the day itself.
By the way, if you’re itching for more study ideas, check out the pre-med study tips over at MedLife Mastery. They’ve got some gold there.
The Most Important Thing You Can Do on Day 4: Review Like a Pro
Practice test = done. High-five! But wait, that’s not where the magic happens. The real power? It’s in the review.
You’re going to want to go over that practice test in detail. I’m talking full-on Sherlock mode. Dig into the questions you got wrong, the ones you guessed on, even the ones you nailed but aren’t 100% sure about. The goal is to figure out why you got tripped up and fix it before test day.
Didn’t get something? No sweat. Watch a YouTube video, Google the heck out of it, or hit up your professor.
This is the time to fill in any gaps. Day four is all about fine-tuning and making sure no question throws you off on the real test.Day 5: Refine, Memorize, and Get Ready to Crush It
Here we are, day five—the final countdown. This is your chance to go from "I kind of know this" to "I OWN this." How? By refining and memorizing.
Start with your study guide again. Now, make it even more condensed. Yup, it’s time to trim the fat. Cross out stuff you’re solid on, and zero in on the concepts that still make you go, “Uhh… what?”
Today, you’re locking everything into your brain. Spend your time reviewing and memorizing the key points, with lots of breaks in between.
Study, chill, study again. You’re at the finish line now, so keep at it. By the end of the day, you’ll be ready to crush it.
Test Day Tips That Work: What to Do Before the Exam
It’s go time! The big day is finally here. So, what’s the game plan? Before you even think about sitting down for that test, there are a few things you need to nail down.
First things first, keep your routine normal. No last-minute Netflix binges or staying up cramming till 4 a.m. Just get a decent amount of sleep, eat a normal breakfast (nothing weird or risky), and hydrate.
Tests are mentally exhausting, and your brain needs energy to perform. Also, bring water. Staying hydrated keeps you focused, and trust me, you don’t want a dry mouth during a three-hour exam.
Arrive 15 minutes early. Yep, early. Get yourself settled, go over your study guide one last time (but don’t stress), and take a few deep breaths. You’ve got this.
During the Test: How to Keep Calm and Score High
You’re sitting there. Test paper (or screen) in front of you. This is it. But don’t freak out just yet! Let’s walk through what to do during the test to keep your cool and score those points.
Preview the Test First
Before you dive in headfirst, take a moment to skim the whole test. Yeah, the whole thing.
This helps give your brain a sneak peek of what’s coming, and it’ll help you mentally prepare. You’ll know where the tough questions are and where you can breeze through.
Read Each Question Carefully
Sounds obvious, right? But so many students trip up here. Read every question slowly and carefully—like, two or three times.
This stops you from falling into tricky word traps (you know, those sneaky "NOT" questions). Don’t rush it.
Star Tough Questions and Move On
Get stuck on a question? No worries. Star it and move on to the next. This keeps you from wasting precious time and getting flustered.
You can come back to those tricky ones later when you’re in a better headspace. Plus, answering the easy ones first builds your confidence.
The Power of Elimination: Mastering Multiple Choice
Multiple-choice questions can be sneaky. They seem easy, but they love to trick you. Here’s a hack: eliminate the wrong answers first. Cross them out (physically, if you can), and focus on what’s left.
When you’re down to two choices, ask yourself: which one seems more true? Go with your gut and move on. Your first instinct is usually the right one.
Essay Questions: How to Nail It Every Time
Essay questions might seem intimidating, but they don’t have to be. The key? Planning.
Before you start scribbling away, take a minute to jot down the main points the question is asking for. Make a little outline. This helps you stay on track and keeps your answer organized.
And here’s a sneaky tip: when in doubt, write a bit more. Professors like to see effort, and if you toss in a few extra ideas, you might grab some partial credit even if you miss something.
Problem-Solving Questions: Partial Credit Is Your Friend
Ah, problem-solving questions. The ones that make you sweat a little. But don’t panic—there’s a trick to these, too. Start by writing down everything you know. List the formulas, the givens, and what you need to find.
Even if you can’t solve the entire problem, showing your thought process can still earn you partial credit. And in the land of pre-med exams, every point counts. Bonus points if you can figure out the answer, but even if you can’t, write it all down!
Review Your Test Before Submitting
You’re almost there. But before you sprint to the finish line, take a few minutes to review your test. Look for silly mistakes (we’ve all forgotten a minus sign or misread a question, right?).
If you have time, go through each answer and double-check. But here’s the deal—don’t change your answer unless you’re 100% sure it’s wrong. Second-guessing is a slippery slope.
Consistency Is Your Best Friend
It’s all about consistency. This isn’t a one-time thing—building these habits over time will make you a test-taking machine.
With this five-day plan and these killer strategies, you’re setting yourself up for success. Whether you’re dealing with undergrad exams or prepping for the MCAT, these tips will carry you through.
And hey, your med school dreams? They’re totally within reach.
Ready to make this happen? You’ve got everything you need right here.
If you’re still looking for more help along the way, the team at MedLife Mastery has your back. We got 1:1 admissions coaching and plenty of resources to keep you on track. Now go out there and crush it!