6. What do I need to do before I take the admissions test (MCAT, DAT, PCAT, etc.)?

Preparation and practice for the admissions tests virtually guarantees better performance than if you do not prepare. Determining what type of preparation will work best for you requires some self reflection.

Do you organize your time and tasks well? Are you good at giving yourself limits and deadlines and following through on these? If so, you might have great success organizing your own preparation and practice schedule using one or more of the many preparation packages and books available for this purpose.

Do you procrastinate? Do you follow through better when you have someone else prepare a schedule and expect your attendance? Then you might benefit from taking one of the prep courses available. When looking into these, though, remember that you are the consumer. Evaluate what each prep course has to offer and make sure it is a good match for your needs.

Which is Better?

Statistically, there is no difference between studying on your own and completing one of the preparation classes in terms of how much better students perform. The important task is to study in the way that prepares YOU the best.

Find out the best timetable for taking the entrance exam required by your health profession. It may be best for you to take the examination more than a year ahead of when you plan to begin study at a health profession school. For example, if you are applying to medical school, you will probably take the MCAT between January and April, complete your application in the summer and receive your acceptance any time until classes start a full year or more later.