Often considered as one of the toughest pre-med admission exams, many candidates who’re not serious enough tend to fail the first time around in their MCAT exam. Though it’s difficult, the exam can be more manageable by preparing properly with time and diligence.

But by chance, if you fail the first time around, there are things to make sure you pass with flying colors in your next attempt. Here’s everything you need to know about what to do if you fail your MCAT exam the first time around.

So You Failed the MCAT

The first thing you need to find out before preparing for your second attempt at the MCAT exam is finding out what went wrong the first time around.

There are some common reasons why many MCAT candidates fail the first time. These include the following:

Not Studying Long Enough

Though most candidates are aware that the MCAT test is no joke, many of them still don’t fully understand how difficult it is and don’t study enough. This often ends up backfiring pretty badly when they get stuck in the tough section without knowing what to write about. If you are guilty of this, make sure to double your efforts the next time.

Not Studying in an Organized Manner

Even if you study diligently, your efforts are most likely to go down the drain unless you study in an organized manner. Many candidates make this mistake the first time around and study without a proper routine. This often results in weak preparation in one or more sections of the MCAT test.

Not Preparing for the Day of the Test

Not preparing for the test is a cardinal sin that many students make. This usually means one of three things:

  • Not taking the necessary stationery.
  • Documentations
  • Proper rest before the day of the exam.

These things should be taken care of properly before the exam to be fully focused and ready.

Studying too Much

Just like studying too little, studying too much can also be a bad thing. It’s a good thing to give your best efforts when preparing for such an important exam, but that doesn’t mean you should burn yourself out for the sake of it. If you put too much pressure on yourself, you might end up getting sick. This can result in poor scores or not being able to appear for it at all.

A Bump in the Road

Just because you failed your MCAT exam the first time doesn’t mean you should get disheartened and give up on your dreams – it’s just a bump in the road that you need to be prepared for the next time around.

There are many ways that can move forward depending on how they feel and the options available to them. These include:

1. Retake the MCAT

A basic mistake that failed candidates make when preparing for the second time around is aiming for a perfect score. This is simply not possible and puts unwanted stress on your shoulders. Instead, when retaking the MCAT exam the second time, have a certain score in mind that you can achieve and work towards it.

2. Join a Study Group

Many MCAT candidates are not cut out for solo study due to the complexity and length of the syllabus. Joining a study group for studying with others can be a great way to remedy the situation. Your peers in the group can help you stay focused on your goals and help you with difficult sections.

3. Delay the MCAT test

Just because you failed your MCAT test the first time doesn’t mean you should go for a second attempt the very next time. Take your time to think and find out your weaknesses, organize your study routine, and talk to help from others as needed. An additional six months of preparation can go a long way to boost your confidence.

4. Take a Prep Course

Another common mistake among first-time MCAT candidates is not doing prep courses when studying for the MCAT exam. Prep courses test what you’ve learned and helped you acclimatize to the actual test conditions. You can check online for MCAT prep course options. To find the best ones, check for reviews.

Don’t Give Up

Failing your MCAT exam is nothing ordinary and not something that you need to be ashamed of. You should reevaluate your career choice if you feel too depressed about the test, and if you still want to go to med school, then follow the tips above to increase your chances of passing. The most important thing to remember? Don’t give up if you still have the ambition of becoming a medical professional.