Running out of time is also a typical horror story. Some students miscalculate how long to spend on each section. They might get stuck on a really hard question early on and then realize they are running out of time for the rest of the section. It's a horrible feeling because you know you have to rush and might end up making a lot of careless mistakes.
There was this person who had major technical issues during the MCAT. Their computer kept freezing during the exam. They tried to get the proctor's attention but it took a while. By the time the computer was fixed, they had lost a lot of time and were so stressed out. They ended up having to rush through the remaining questions and didn't feel like they could do their best.
Well, some people have horror stories about not being properly prepared for the MCAT. For example, one student thought they had studied enough but then realized during the exam that they had huge gaps in their knowledge. There are also horror stories about the stress of the test day environment. The proctors being strict and the overall quiet, tense atmosphere can be really nerve - wracking. Some students end up blanking out completely during the exam because of this stress. And I've heard of cases where students accidentally mis - bubbled their answers on the answer sheet, which was a nightmare as they didn't realize until it was too late.
Stimulants like Adderall are common. People misuse them thinking they'll improve focus and energy for studying. But often, they can cause side effects like increased heart rate, anxiety, and insomnia.
False positives or inaccurate results can also be a part of these horror stories. Imagine being told you have a certain genetic trait that implies something horrible, like being related to a serial killer, only to find out later that the test was wrong. This can cause a great deal of unnecessary emotional turmoil and damage to relationships.
One common element is overconfidence. Some people think they know it all and don't practice enough. Then during the test, they forget basic things like using the turn signals properly. Also, bad weather can be a factor. If it's raining heavily, it can be hard to see clearly and control the car well, which often leads to test - going - wrong stories.
Mechanical issues like strange noises from the engine are common. For example, a knocking sound that makes you think the engine is about to fall apart.
A lot of people have horror stories about unprofessional salespeople during test drives. They might be rude or try to intimidate you into buying. For instance, I know someone who had a salesperson that started yelling at them when they didn't like the car enough to make an offer right away. It's unacceptable behavior in a dealership environment.
Using a variety of resources. For example, they might use textbooks, online videos, and practice exams. This helps them get a well - rounded understanding of the material. Also, many successful applicants are good at time management. They balance their study time with other aspects of their lives like work or family, which helps reduce stress and keep them focused on their MCAT preparation.
Hard work is a common element. Most successful students put in a lot of hours studying.
One common element is determination. People who succeed on the sub 500 MCAT are often very determined to improve their scores. Another is the use of effective study resources like good textbooks or online courses. Also, many of them have a study schedule that they stick to.