you aren't quite certain if you should take the MCAT or reschedule it for later.

你不太確定是否應該參加MCAT考試，還是重新安排時間。

Here's an easy, step-by-step process on how to decide whether you're ready to take the

這裡有一個簡單的，一步步的過程，如何決定你是否準備好了接受

MCAT, or whether you should delay.

MCAT，還是應該延遲。

Dr. Jubbal, MedSchoolInsiders.com.

朱波醫生，醫派內參網。

Let's first dispel the myth that delaying is always good because it gives you more time

首先，讓我們打破一個神話，即拖延總是好的，因為它給你更多的時間。

to study.

來研究。

In reality, delaying the MCAT results in two overlooked drawbacks: (1) forgetting content

在現實中，拖延MCAT的時間會導致兩個被忽視的弊端。(1)忘記內容

and (2) burnout.

和（2）倦怠。

Students erroneously believe that the more time they spend studying, the better their

學生們錯誤地認為，學習時間越多，他們的。

final MCAT score will be.

最終的MCAT成績將是：

This is simply false, as demonstrated by the fact that many students who spent 6, 12, or

這根本是錯誤的，事實證明，很多學生在6、12、或

18 months studying for the MCAT don't necessarily perform better than those who spend just 3

18個月的MCAT學習，不一定比只花3個月時間的人成績好。

or 4 months.

或4個月。

You can visualize your own MCAT test performance as a bell shaped curve, with the time spent

你可以將自己的MCAT考試成績直觀地表現為一條鐘形曲線，用時為

studying on the X-axis and your score on the Y-axis.

X軸上是您的學習情況，Y軸上是您的分數。

At early stages, more time spent studying will yield an improved score.

在早期階段，多花點時間學習，就會有提高成績的效果。

However, at a certain point, further time spent studying will result in a score plateau,

但是，到了一定的時候，再花時間學習就會出現分數的高原。

and after this point, further studying will actually result in a worse MCAT score outcome.

而在這之後，再繼續學習其實會導致MCAT成績結果更差。

The reason for this is two-fold: (1) the balance of retaining versus forgetting and (2) burnout.

原因有二。(1) 保留與遺忘的平衡；(2) 職業倦怠。

The Ebbinghaus forgetting curve illustrates the fact that we don't retain information

艾賓浩斯遺忘曲線說明了一個事實：我們不會保留資訊。

forever.

永遠。

We can limit the amount of forgetting through certain learning principles, such as spaced

我們可以通過一定的學習原則來限制遺忘量，如間隔性的

repetition and active recall.

重複和主動回憶。

However, after a certain point, the rate of information you are adding and retaining will

然而，到了一定程度後，你添加和保留資訊的速度將是

balance out with the rate of information you are forgetting.

與你遺忘的資訊速度相平衡。

This effect is more prominent with those who space out their MCAT studying over longer

這種效果在那些將MCAT學習時間間隔較長的人身上更為突出。

periods, such as 9 or 12 months.

期，如9個月或12個月。

By spending a fewer number of hours per day spaced out over a longer duration, they forget

通過每天花較少的時間間隔較長的時間，他們忘記了

information at a higher rate, thus reaching the retention-forgetting balance point much

資訊，從而達到保留-遺忘的平衡點，以更高的速度。

sooner.

儘早。

Their scores are held back as a result.

他們的成績也是以被扣了下來。

We find that students generally, all other things being equal, perform best when they

我們發現，一般來說，在其他條件相同的情況下，學生在以下情況下的表現最好

can study for the MCAT over a shorter duration but higher intensity.

可以在較短的時間內學習MCAT，但強度較大。

For example, 3 months fully immersed in MCAT preparation at higher intensity, or even 6

例如，完全沉浸在較高強度的MCAT備考中3個月，甚至6個月

months with moderate intensity.

月，強度適中。

This increases the rate of learning and retention, and caps the rate of forgetting.

這就提高了學習和保持的速度，並使遺忘率工資上限。

The second part of the equation is burnout.

等式的第二部分是倦怠。

You cannot expect yourself, or any student, to be able to study for the MCAT indefinitely,

你不能指望自己或任何學生能夠無限期地學習MCAT。

particularly at high intensity, without reaching a point of burnout or frustration.

特別是在高強度的情況下，而不至於達到倦怠或沮喪的程度。

Let's be real, there are probably more than just a few other things you'd rather be doing

讓我們成為現實，可能有更多的不僅僅是一些其他的事情，你寧願做的事情

than studying for the MCAT.

比學習MCAT。

Burnout is a multifactorial phenomenon that can be mitigated, but that's a conversation

職業倦怠是一個多因素的現象，是可以緩解的，但那是一個話題。

for another time.

下次再說吧。

In understanding these two core foundations of forgetting and burnout, we can rid ourselves

在瞭解這兩個遺忘和倦怠的核心基礎上，我們就可以擺脫

of the notion that more studying will always lead to an improved MCAT score.

的觀念，認為多學習就一定能提高MCAT成績。

What we want to determine is whether you should take the MCAT as planned, or opt to delay

我們要確定的是，你是應該按計劃參加MCAT考試，還是選擇延後

and reschedule for a later date.

並改日再行安排。

There is a subset of students who delay the test when unnecessary and end up hurting their

有一部分學生在不必要的時候拖延考試時間，最後傷害了自己的。

score.

分。

There's another subset who are too inflexible to postpone, even when that would prove beneficial.

還有一個子集，他們太不靈活，即使這樣做會證明是有益的，也不能延後。

Here's how to decide if you fall into either one of these camps.

以下是如何決定你是否屬於其中一個陣營。

The first step is being honest with yourself.

第一步是對自己誠實。

How has your MCAT studying been thus far, and are you overall satisfied with the intensity

到目前為止，你的MCAT學習情況如何，你對這種強度總體上滿意嗎？

of your efforts?

你的努力？

This includes assessing both the quality of your studying as well as your resources and

這包括評估你的學習品質以及你的資源和。

progress within them.

內的進展。

This isn't the time to pat yourself on the back for studying for 4 hours per day when

現在不是拍拍自己每天學習4小時的時候，當。

you were planning on studying for 8.

你打算學習8。

Similarly, you shouldn't beat yourself up if you're a bit behind schedule, underestimated

同樣，如果你的進度有點落後，被低估了，你也不要自責。

the time requirements, or needed an extra break day or two beyond what you had initially

的時間要求，或者需要比最初的時間多一兩天的休息日。

planned for.

計劃中的：

The better behaved you've been, the more likely it is that you're ready to take the MCAT.

你表現得越好，就越有可能準備好參加MCAT考試。

The more you've deviated from your plans, the more likely it is that you'll need to

你越是偏離你的計劃，你就越有可能需要。

delay your final test date.

耽誤您的最後考試日期。

But hold on before making that decision, as there are other factors to consider.

但在做這個決定之前要堅持住，因為還有其他因素需要考慮。

You also need to look at your resources and their relative importance.

你還需要審視你的資源和它們的相對重要性。

You don't have to get through every single resource in order to get a great MCAT score

要想取得MCAT的高分，不一定要把所有的資料都看完。

- in fact, many students actually spread themselves too thin across multiple resources.

- 事實上，很多學生其實是把自己的資源過於分散在多個資源上。

In terms of MCAT resources, there are three main categories: (1) content review books

在MCAT資源方面，主要有三類。(1)內容複習書籍

& videos, (2) spaced repetition tools, and (3) practice questions and practice tests.

和視頻，(2)間隔重複工具，(3)練習題和練習測試。

The highest yield resource is the Official AAMC Practice Materials, including question

收益率最高的資源是AAMC官方練習資料，包括題型

packs and practice tests.

包和模擬測試。

You should absolutely get through 100% of these materials, saved toward the end of your

你絕對應該把這些材料100%的看完，保存到你的最後。

study period.

研究期間。

Next in order of importance, spaced repetition tools, such as Memm, help you memorize important

接下來按照重要性的順序，間隔重複工具，如Memm，可以幫助你記憶重要的內容

content efficiently while minimizing unnecessary fluff.

有效的內容，同時儘量減少不必要的贅肉。

Content review books and videos are the lowest priority, as their consumption is passive,

內容審核書籍和視頻的優先級最低，因為它們的消費是被動的。

yielding poor retention, and they often are riddled with out-of-scope information that

導致留存率不高，而且它們往往充斥著範圍外的資訊。

won't contribute to a higher MCAT score.

不會有助於提高MCAT成績。

If you're unable to get through all the resources you intended, revisit them through

如果你無法看完所有你想看的資源，可以通過以下方式重新看一下

the lens of relative importance and see what you'll be able to get through by test date.

相對重要性的鏡頭，看看你能在測試日期前通過什麼。

How can we make sense of all this?

我們如何才能理解這一切？

We'll need to consider how long have you been studying and how far away are you from your

我們需要考慮你學習的時間有多長，你離你的

test date, as this informs how large a score improvement you can hope to achieve.

測試日期，因為這可以告知您希望達到的分數提高幅度。

The greater the duration of your studying, the larger the impact of your past study habits

學習時間越長，以往的學習習慣影響越大。

on your future score.

對你未來的分數。

If you're only 2 weeks into your study period, you're fairly early on in the process and

如果你只進入了2周的學習期，那麼你的學習時間就相當早了，而且

making changes now can have a dramatic influence on your ultimate outcome.

現在做出改變，可以對你的最終結果產生巨大的影響。

On the other hand, if you're 10 weeks in with only 2 weeks left, you have less of an opportunity

另一方面，如果你10周了，只剩下2周，你的機會就少了。

to move the needle.

來移動針。

A greater amount of your studying is already behind you.

更大的學習量已經在後面了。

Ultimately, if you've been sticking to your study plan and are further away from your

最終，如果你一直堅持自己的學習計劃，並且離你的

test date, the lower the chances you should delay your MCAT.

測試日期，你應該延後MCAT的機會越低。

On the other hand, if you're been distracted and not studying as intensely as you know

另一方面，如果你一直心不在焉，學習強度不高，你知道嗎？

you could, or your test date is rapidly approaching and you're not anywhere close to your target

你可以，或者你的測試日期很快就會到來，而你離你的目標還差得遠。

score, you may want to consider delaying your MCAT.

分，你可能要考慮延後你的MCAT。

Next, we'll rely on more objective measurements to guide your decision on whether or not to

接下來，我們將依靠更客觀的測量結果來指導你決定是否要進行

delay your MCAT test date.

耽誤你的MCAT考試日期。

First, you'll need to refer back to your target MCAT score.

首先，你需要參考你的目標MCAT成績。

Some students should be aiming for a higher score, and others will have a favorable medical

有的同學要以高分為目標，有的同學要以有利的體檢為目標。

school application outcome with a comparatively lower score.

學校申請結果，分數相對較低。

You should be taking regular practice tests - our recommendation is at least one every

您應該定期參加模擬測試--我們的建議是每隔一段時間至少參加一次。

2 weeks.

兩週

As you get closer to your test date, that frequency should increase, and you should

當你離考試日期越來越近時，這個頻率應該增加，你應

prioritize using the AAMC materials within the final couple weeks.

在最後幾周內優先使用AAMC的材料。

The AAMC practice tests are the most similar to the real thing - after all, they're made

AAMC的模擬測試是最類似於真實的東西 - 畢竟，他們是由

by the official test makers.

由官方測試廠商。

These AAMC practice tests are the most representative of the real test - both in the experience

這些AAMC的模擬測試是最能代表真實考試的--無論是在經驗上還是在方法上，都是如此。

and your predicted score.

和你的預測分數。

On the other hand, if you took practice tests from a different test prep company, understand

另一方面，如果你從不同的備考公司參加了模擬測試，瞭解一下。

the difficulty may be lower or higher compared to the actual test, and the predicted score

難度可能比實際測試低或高，而預測的分數

will be less accurate than the official AAMC materials.

會比AAMC的官方材料更不準確。

Regardless, these are objective measurements that provide a loose guideline on your score

不管怎麼說，這些都是客觀的衡量標準，對你的分數提供了一個寬鬆的指導。

range on test day.

測試當天的範圍。

Every student is different, but in most cases, you can expect to improve your score from

每個學生都是不同的，但在大多數情況下，你可以期望從以下方面提高你的分數。

your practice test score to your actual test, assuming focused, strategic preparation up

您的模擬考試成績與您的實際考試成績相比較，假設有針對性的、有策略的準備，那麼您的模擬考試成績就會提高。

until test day.

直到測試日。

Assuming two weeks of dedicated studying prior to your test date, many can expect a couple

假設在你的考試日期之前有兩週的專門學習時間，很多人可以期待一兩個月的時間。

points improvement compared to your AAMC predicted scores.

與您的AAMC預測分數相比，提高了分數。

Assuming 1 month of dedicated studying, we've seen 10 to 12 point improvements by focusing

假設專心學習1個月，通過集中學習，我們看到了10到12分的提高。

on Memm and practice questions.

關於Memm和練習題。

This is a rough guideline and not a guarantee - it's also highly dependent on your target

這是一個粗略的準則，並不保證--它也高度依賴於你的目標。

score and their associated percentiles.

分數及其相關的百分位數。

For example, it's much easier to go from a 490 to a 500 than a 515 to a 525, even though

例如，從490到500比從515到525要容易得多，即使是

both are an increase of 10 points.

都是增加10個點。

In the former, you're going from a 19th percentile to a 55th percentile, whereas in the latter

在前者，你會從第19個百分位數到第55個百分位數，而在後者中

you're going from a 94th percentile to a 99.9th percentile.

你從第94個百分位數到第99. 9個百分位數。

On test day, you'll be subjected to high pressure.

在測試當天，你會受到高壓。

Some students savor the challenge, and others find it destabilizing.

有的學生品嚐到了挑戰的滋味，有的學生卻覺得不穩定。

If you're one of the lucky few students who finds themselves performing better on the

如果你是少數幾個幸運的學生之一，發現自己在考試中表現得更好。

real test than on practice tests, you can predict your final score to be 1-2 points

真正的考試，你可以預測你的最終分數是1-2分。

higher than predicted.

比預測的要高。

It's more likely that you'll fall into the second group, students for whom the pressure

更有可能的是，你會屬於第二類人，對他們來說，壓力的學生

and stress of the real test cause them to perform worse than their practice tests.

和真實測試的壓力導致他們的表現比實踐測試更差。

If you fall into this camp, it's not uncommon to experience a 1-3 point drop compared to

如果你屬於這個陣營，相比之下，1-3個點的降幅是很正常的。

your predicted score, depending on how you manage the pressure.

你的預測分數，取決於你如何管理壓力。

As a rough guideline, if you're more than 10 points away from a score you'd be happy

作為一個粗略的準則，如果你離一個分數還有10分以上的距離，你會很高興的

with and less than 1 month until test day, consider delaying.

與且距離測試日不足1個月，可以考慮延後。

Factors that should push you toward delaying include being a poor test taker, having already

促使你延後考試的因素包括：考試成績不好，已經有了一定的成績。

done most of your studying while still receiving suboptimal practice test scores, or not being

完成了大部分的學習，卻仍然收到不理想的模擬考試成績，或者說沒有被

able to dedicate yourself primarily to the MCAT until test day.

能夠將自己的主要精力放在MCAT上，直到考試當天。

These factors indicate it will be more challenging to raise your score to a satisfactory degree

這些因素表明，將你的分數提高到令人滿意的程度會有更大的難度。

in time.

及時。

Factors that lean toward not delaying include being a strong test taker, having more than

傾向於不耽誤時間的因素包括：應試能力強、有多於

1 month of studying remaining, or having done extended studying with suboptimal strategies,

剩餘1個月的學習時間，或者用次優的策略進行過長時間的學習。

meaning no spaced repetition, active recall, or enough practice questions.

意味著沒有間隔的重複，主動回憶，或足夠的練習題。

These factors indicate you should be able to improve rapidly in a short period of time

這些因素說明你應該能在短時間內迅速提高水準。

by fixing your study strategy deficits.

通過修正你的學習策略缺陷。

The final step is focusing on a few tertiary factors.

最後一步是關注幾個三級因素。

After all, this is a highly personal decision, not something that follows a simple formula.

畢竟，這是一個高度個人化的決定，而不是遵循一個簡單的公式。

Here are some other important considerations:

以下是其他一些重要的考慮因素。

How does this MCAT test date fit into your overall big picture timeline?

這次MCAT考試日期如何融入你的整體大局時間線？

Would delaying the MCAT have a detrimental effect on your medical school application?

拖延MCAT會不會對你的醫學院申請有不利影響？

If you're applying in the immediate cycle, understand that delaying your MCAT ultimately

如果你是在馬上的週期內申請的，要明白，延遲你的MCAT終究是

delays when medical schools will review your application.

耽誤了醫學院審核你的申請時間。

With rolling admissions for medical school, this becomes costly.

隨著醫學院的滾動錄取，這就變得代價高昂。

Simply applying before the deadline is not a recommended strategy.

僅僅在截止日期前申請並不是一個推薦的策略。

Understand the timeline and how much you can delay without adversely affecting your admissions

在不影響錄取的情況下，瞭解時間線和你能拖延多少時間。

chances.

機會。

If your score is predicted to be very low, you may even want to consider delaying and

如果你的分數被預測得很低，你甚至可以考慮延後和。

applying in the next year's application cycle to ensure you've maximized your chances.

在下一年的申請週期中申請，以確保你的機會最大化。

After all, you don't want to apply to medical school more than once if you don't have to.

畢竟，如果沒有必要，你也不想多報考醫學院。

On the other hand, if you're not applying for the next several months, then you have

另一方面，如果你在未來幾個月內不申請，那麼你有

more flexibility to delay your test date.

更加靈活地延後你的考試日期。

In a worst case scenario, if you take the MCAT and aren't happy with your score, would

在最壞的情況下，如果你參加了MCAT考試，但對自己的成績不滿意，你會不會

you be able to retake the test and still apply to medical school as planned?

你能重考，還能按計劃申請醫學院嗎？

You'll have to determine how this plays into your bigger picture plans.

你必須確定這在你的大局計劃中是如何發揮作用的。

It's not advised to take the MCAT, knowing you'll receive a low score, only to retake

不建議參加MCAT考試，明知自己會得低分，卻要重考。

it in the future.

它在未來。

Although one low score is not considered disastrous, it is still best to take the test once and

雖然一次低分不算災難性的，但最好還是考一次，而且

do well rather than twice, all else being equal.

在其他條件相同的情況下，做得好的比做兩次好。

Medical schools will see all your prior MCAT scores.

醫學院會看到你之前所有的MCAT成績。

Impostor syndrome refers to the common feeling of one believing they are not as competent

冒牌貨綜合症指的是一個人認為自己能力不如人的常見感覺。

as others perceive them to be.

因為別人認為他們是。

Amongst premeds (and even medical students and physicians), imposter syndrome is quite

在醫學預科生（甚至是醫學生和醫生）中，冒名頂替綜合症是相當。

common.

常見的。

As it relates to your MCAT preparation, this may sneak up as the sense you're not ready,

由於涉及到你的MCAT備考，這可能會偷偷的感覺到你還沒有準備好。

and possibly never will be, when in reality you have the capacity to achieve a top percentile

而且可能永遠不會是，而實際上你有能力達到最高的百分位數。

score.

分。

This is why it's key to rely on objective measurements, such as practice test scores,

所以依靠客觀的衡量標準，如模擬考試成績是關鍵。

rather than just a gut check.

而不僅僅是一種直覺的檢查。

If you've put in the work and done the heavy lifting, don't let your nagging doubts convince

如果你已經付出了努力，完成了重任，就不要讓你耿耿於懷的疑慮說服你了

you otherwise.

否則，你。

It's natural to be second guessing yourself, but trust your practice test scores and the

自然會對自己產生懷疑，但要相信自己的模擬考試成績和。

hundreds of hours you've put in.

你已經投入了數百個小時。

If you're still scared that you don't actually know what you should, go through the AAMC

如果你還害怕自己其實不知道自己該做什麼，可以通過AAMC

content outline as a sanity check to reassure yourself you've comprehensively covered the

內容大綱作為一個理智的檢查，以確保自己已經全面覆蓋了所有的內容。

tested items.

測試項目。

Last, do a mental check.

最後，做一次心理檢查。

Are you burned out and tired of the MCAT?

你是否對MCAT產生了倦怠和厭倦？

Towards the end of your study period, it's natural to not be as enthusiastic about MCAT

到了學習的末期，對MCAT的熱情自然也就沒有那麼高了。

studying.

學習。

If you're approaching the tipping point in the last week or two, that's par for the course.

如果你在最近一兩週接近臨界點，那是理所當然的。

In this situation, delaying your test by even a couple weeks can push you into the time