CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Physiological sciences junior Elesha Almada (right) and physiology senior Kellie Reinesch read over a practice problem in their MCAT review book Tuesday night. Scores on the MCAT are used as a key qualifying mark for entrance to medical school and will be issued on April 26.

Experts advise students to eat well, get plenty of rest and not worry too much

Modern physicians treat a sizable share of stress-related ailments, and pre-med students are getting their first dose of it as they prepare for the April 25 Medical College Admission Test next week.

But here's a prescription from pre-health profession advisers: Even with changes to the MCAT's structure this year, good nutrition and adequate rest, combined with a change in last-minute study habits, should cure last-minute jitters.

"Nerves are okay," said Albert Chen, executive director of graduate programs at Kaplan Test Prep. "It's using it to your advantage that's key."

Stress management becomes a high priority when big exams are days away, Chen said. Kaplan offers preparation courses, as do The University Learning Center on campus and The Princeton Review.

There are some changes in the MCAT's structure this year, he said. The biggest change is that the physical sciences section now precedes verbal reasoning. There is also a decrease in emphasis on organic chemistry and an increase in molecular biology questions.

"All these changes were designed to help the students, and they were designed to identify the best medical school candidates," Chen said. "Any student who's been preparing should not be worried at all."

However, for Phillip Gray, one of about 100 UA students planning to take the MCAT next week, Chen's words are easier said than done.

"I am taking 19 units and working at the Cancer Center, so it's hard to find time to study for the MCAT when I have term papers due, tests to take, and a publication to prepare," he said.

Gray, a biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology senior, has taken several classes and practice exams as part of a Princeton Review test preparation program he began in November. He has managed his stress by pacing himself and taking breaks when needed.

"I'm stressed out, but not horribly," he said.

Gray's attitude is not unusual, according to Nancy Stiller, pre-health professions adviser.

"I've had quite a few students come talk about the stress they're feeling. But their level of commitment is extraordinary," she said.

The Kaplan program focuses on what Chen called the three C's: content, critical thinking, and crisis prevention. The final two weeks before the test fall completely under crisis prevention.

It is important, during the week leading up to a graduate school entrance exam, for students to switch from studying their weakest areas to studying their strongest because students' strengths get rusty, and studying those areas right before the test will make students more confident, he said.

Also during the week before, it is important to go to bed and wake up at the times you would on test day, Chen said.

"The night before the night before is more important than the actual night before," he said. This is because if students are up late two nights prior to the test, the lack of sleep will not affect them until test day, he added.

Chen's other tips included studying the material at the same time of day and in the same order as it will appear on the test. He also noted that students should eat a lot of carbohydrates the night before, and then on test day, eat one protein, one carbohydrate, and a banana. Chen said the protein takes longer to digest so students do not get hungry quickly, while the carbohydrate offers energy and the banana gives potassium.

Flashcards are a great way to pass time while students stand in line, he said.

"It's what you already know. It just jump-starts your brain," he said.

However, a student's MCAT score is just one item that medical school admissions officers are looking at, Stiller said.

"There are students who get into medical school without the strongest scores because medical schools look at the big picture," she said.

Test scores and grade point average aside, Stiller said schools also consider a student's experience in a medical setting and issues related to commitment and personal character. Many schools require a personal statement, recommendation letters, and a one-on-one interview.

"They want to know your level of commitment and your motivation for doing this," she said.