Private MCAT Tutoring: The Medical College Admission Test is a large part of any (pre) medical student’s career. Choosing between different tutoring plans can be confusing. Students who aspire to get into medical schools using MCAT scores often face multiple dilemmas while planning their prep. For example, what is the most effective way to study topics in biology, chemistry, and physics all at the same time? Is self-learning more effective than one-on-one tutoring sessions? Though questions like these might lead us down the rabbit hole, it is essential to know what each tutoring method or learning style offers.
Hiring a tutor for your MCAT studies can change the shape of your preparation plan. For a student who wishes to enroll in a standard medical school, scoring high on the MCAT typically requires personalized learning plans and a source of transparent feedback for improvement. Read on to find out the different features of one-on-one MCAT tutoring.
Understanding the benefits of a MCAT Tutoring
Knowing how the MCAT works is an important step before hiring a private MCAT tutor. The test is comprised of four different sections that add up to a total score of 528. Most of the analytical questions revolve around the chemical and biological foundations of living systems. Efficiently answering each of these questions and ensuring a high score would require umpteen practice tests and a well-thought-out strategy. So how would a private MCAT tutor help you in this process?
The benefits of private MCAT tutoring may vary from person to person. It depends on the academic background, learning strengths, and how quickly the student can grasp various exam-related tricks. Below are a few factors that can define the benefits of one-on-one tutoring for students with different academic backgrounds.
For students who wish to retake the MCAT Tutoring
If you have attempted the MCAT once (or more) in the past and would like to improve your scores, private MCAT tutoring can help you target the areas you need to improve on. It can also expose you to a different mode of learning and prep that could be vastly different from a first-timers prep. A medical school aspirant can take the MCAT up to three times a year. Your GPA and MCAT scores give schools a clear picture of what level you’re on academically. With mediocre scores, students have lesser odds of getting into renowned medical schools. This is where a personal tutor can help you achieve the scores you’re capable of.
If you have taken the MCAT before, you know the nuances of the exam that test your skills and you have clarity on the subjects you need to focus on, personally. Working with a private tutor would sharpen your understanding of the subjects by identifying certain concepts that need your attention more than others. The chance of scoring better is strengthened with the carefully designed tutoring sessions based on the tutor’s experience. Through disciplined learning plans and regular feedback, your MCAT preparation can help in improving scores and prospects of getting into your dream medical school.
Ensures steady improvement in scores
If you wish to see a steady improvement in your learning and practice test scores, then one-on-one tutoring could be your answer. This could apply to any student, not limited to those who are struggling on their practice exams. Some students who have acquired scores in the 85-90 percentile bandwidth would want to improve and aim for a 95+ percentile. This does not imply that outlandish preparation would be needed to attain their goals.
If you have tried self-studying for your first attempt at the MCAT and would like to understand the various ways to improve, you might consider seeking mentorship from a tutor. The MCAT preparation typically takes place over four to six months (200-300 hours). Schools do not consider the scores of individual sections of the exam. The overall score takes precedence when schools decide on the eligibility of the student. The best MCAT tutors would emphasize the importance of good planning and time management to help better your scores. The difference in scores on each attempt might only be a few points, but it can be the catalyst in a worthy medical school offer.
Works for non-traditional medical school aspirants, too
Private MCAT tutoring sessions can be shaped for students who have a non-traditional academic background, too. Non-traditional pre-medical school aspirants are students who are older than graduates, non-science majors, or anyone else. Medical schools often have special criteria for students with these backgrounds.
One of the significant advantages of personalized MCAT tutoring sessions is that they can be flexible, unlike other competitive exam coaching classes. Such flexibility can particularly benefit those who have been away from learning or have been out of school for a long time. People with such backgrounds can decide to pursue a medical school education and find that they feel ill-prepared to take the exam. A tutor can help schedule learning plans that cover the essential subjects and assist in completing these learning milestones within short intervals. In fact, students almost always experience a feeling of not having enough time to prepare for the MCAT. So either way, private MCAT tutoring sessions can aid in boosting confidence before appearing for the test.
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Amplifies the comforts of online learning
The world has recently solidified that technology can simplify the process of learning. Interactive sessions with your MCAT tutor are key to ensure a stellar performance on the final test. Learning from the comfort of your home is similar to an in-person conversation, with the only difference being that reading and writing become digital. It also goes without saying that the time and money saved by avoiding travel can be used for revisiting subjects or for practice tests. The option of recorded sessions is also an attractive feature for students who wish to review their sessions for better and more focused learning.
All the discussed factors could make online tutoring as effective as in-person tutoring. Using a digital “whiteboard” would be the only difference from a regular classroom when it comes to illustrating important concepts.
The learning strategy followed in a private MCAT tutoring session would differ greatly from a classroom full of students or self-learning plans. A carefully designed course based on years of past test patterns and the wisdom of an experienced MCAT tutor can result in attaining the scores you desire. Learning for the MCAT to perform well can be a big commitment, and personalized MCAT tutoring seeks to simplify that process.