No doubt taking the MCAT entails a lot of preparation, studying, and dedication. Your entire medical career depends on what score you get on the MCAT.
As such, you must ensure that you make the most of every possible option and opportunity while preparing for the MCAT. It includes purchasing MCAT prep materials, enrolling in MCAT prep courses, hiring MCAT tutors, and joining MCAT online forums.
This article will focus on MCAT online forums. Over the years, joining these forums has proved to be one of the most effective and cheapest ways to gear up for the MCAT.
Please stay on this page if you want to know the best online forums for MCAT preparation.
What are MCAT Online Forums?
Because of the MCAT's infamous length and complexity, learning about its format and test-day processes must be a part of your preparation. You have to maximize your MCAT preparation.
This entails completing as many full-length MCAT practice exams in a single sitting as possible, keeping track of your time as you work through practice questions, and developing strategies for overcoming exhaustion throughout the test's seven-hour duration.
Joining MCAT online forums is one way to familiarize yourself with what lies ahead on the MCAT.
But what exactly is MCAT online forums?
MCAT online forums are virtual mediums and platforms where MCAT students talk and share everything MCAT-related.
This could be how they felt about taking the MCAT, tips about succeeding on the MCAT – the best prep materials to use, the most effective MCAT prep courses, and the best MCAT tutors… everything that would help you get a strong MCAT score.
Joining these MCAT online forums has never been this convenient. All you need is a desktop, laptop, or mobile phone and an internet connection, and you can access and join MCAT online forums to help you get ideas and insights about the MCAT.
Aside from purchasing and investing in MCAT prep materials and MCAT prep programs, most MCAT students these days are relying on MCAT online forums. They believe that joining these forums will give them a broader perspective on what to expect on the MCAT.
Should I Join MCAT Online Forums? Pros and Cons
While it could be beneficial for you to join MCAT online forums because you can get actual points of view from other students taking and who have taken the MCAT, joining these MCAT online forums also has its drawbacks.
Before you join them, we have listed below the pros and cons of joining MCAT online forums.
The Pros of Using MCAT Online Forums:
The Cons of Using MCAT Online Forums:
How Should You Use Online Forums to Prepare for the MCAT?
Many applicants use a variety of tools, including MCAT online forums, to improve their MCAT scores. And while it's entirely fair to look for advice about the MCAT online – you should be aware that acquiring your knowledge of the exam from these MCAT online forums carries some risks.
For you to effectively use MCAT online forums, here are a few tips and reminders:
Know Your Learning Style
Every MCAT student is different.
Just because one or few students who are members of these MCAT online forums were successful because they employed a particular strategy – does not mean you would also be. Know what techniques work for you.
Learn How to Filter Information
There are a lot of MCAT online forums these days. Unfortunately, these forums contain hundreds or thousands of threads, and you can’t help but be overwhelmed by the amount of information you receive.
Know that not all of this information is worthy, and learn to be selective about which ones will benefit you.
Do Not Be Afraid to Ask
MCAT online forums are not just for you to read and get MCAT information from. It is also an excellent venue for you to ask other members questions or concerns you might be having about anything MCAT-related.
Do not be afraid to voice out any questions or concerns you may have. This will also help other members.
Take Notes
When you join MCAT online forums, you are bound to gain a lot of information about the MCAT…in different threads.
There are plenty of threads on these forums, and recalling where you found a piece of information is sometimes difficult.
With this, we recommend you take notes of every essential piece of information you would come across. This helps you save time and effort.
Be Respectful of Other Members
This is more of online etiquette. Joining MCAT online forums is an excellent opportunity for you to interact with other MCAT students.
The MCAT is a challenging exam, and a difference in opinion among members is not inevitable. Therefore, be respectful of each other. Otherwise, you could get banned and lose the chance to gain ideas and insights about the MCAT.6 Best Online Forums for the MCAT
Preparing for the MCAT means getting all the help you can get so you would not have to retake it. Joining MCAT online forums is one way to ensure you get your target score on your first try.
For your reference, we have listed the best MCAT online forums you might want to check out.
1. Premed 101 MCAT Online Forum
Pre-med 101 is one of the oldest and most reliable MCAT online forums today. Having started in 1970 and still generating views and discussions today, Premed 101 MCAT online forum has been around for five decades. This speaks volumes about the trustworthiness of this forum.
Below are a few Pre-Med 101 MCAT online forums with the highest number of views and replies.
Source: premed101.com
Source: premed101.com
2. College Confidential MCAT Online Forum
This MCAT online forum (College Confidential) has thousands of threads about the MCAT. This MCAT online forum members discuss general topics about the MCAT and medical school. The forum started in 2009 and is still very active until now.
Below are some of their threads with the greatest number of views and replies:
Source: collegeconfidential.com
Source: collegeconfidential.com
3. Student Doctor Network MCAT Online Forum
The Student Doctor Network (SDN) was established in 1999 as a grassroots donor-funded organization that offered free peer-support forums, advising tools, and resources to people who would not otherwise have access to them. These days, you can find anything related to MCAT and medical school on this MCAT online forum.
For your reference, here is a thread on the Student Doctor Network MCAT online forum.
Source: studentdoctor.net
4. Reddit MCAT Online Forum
Reddit is one of the most well-known forums about anything, MCAT being one of them. If you go to their website, you can search and find thousands of threads about the MCAT.
Most of them are from legit MCAT test-takers who want to give other students a heads up on what to expect on the MCAT.
However, a few do not seem as reliable and genuine. So, beware.
Here are a few threads on Reddit MCAT online forums.
Source: reddit.com
Source: reddit.com
5. Medical Schools Headquarters MCAT Online Forum
Medical School Headquarters is founded to help pre-med students on their medical school journey. If you are a medical school student, this site will help you in so many ways. You get advice and tips not just for the MCAT but for other med school prep as well.
The forum started in 2002, and there are thousands of threads about the MCAT to explore.
For your reference, shown below are some of the most viewed threads in the Medical School Headquarters MCAT online forum.
Source: medicalschoolhq.net
Source: medicalschoolhq.net
6. Prep Youth 4 Work MCAT Online Forum
Prep Youth 4 Work is a forum designed not only for the MCAT but also for other professional exams. As the name suggests, it seeks to help the youth prepare for their chosen field of work.
Although there are not so many threads in the Prep Youth 4 Work MCAT online forum, this forum is still worthy of being on this list. The discussions on this forum are still essential to help you gain insights about the MCAT.
Here are a few discussions in the Prep Youth 4 Work MCAT online forums:
Source: prep.youth4work.com
Source: prep.youth4work.com
Additional FAQs – Best Online Forums for MCAT Test Preparation
What is the Most Reliable Online Forum for the MCAT?
However, the others on this list are also beneficial in giving you tips and ideas on how to succeed on the MCAT.
Can Anyone Join MCAT Online Forums?
However, for you to post a comment or reply to the comments in these MCAT online forums, you have to register and have an account. Registration is free for most MCAT online forums.
To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these 
