Taming the Testing Beast: Conquering the Mental & Emotional MCAT (or GRE/PA-CAT) Spiral
“I remember sitting down for my fourth full-length practice test for the MCAT and being barely able to get through the first passage. My brain was not working. I thought, is this normal? It was frustrating and stressful as time was steadily running out until I had to take the real test.”
I want to say something now, just in case no one has said this to you before.
You’re not alone. Every uncomfortable & scary feeling you are currently experiencing while preparing for this standardized test is valid and normal.
It’s normal to doubt yourself, it's normal to catastrophize occasionally, or feel burnt out. Reassuring yourself and finding ways to revitalize your energy is a MUST to overcome these emotions. Standardized tests are more than a knowledge check—they’re a mental marathon.
💥 Why It Feels So Overwhelming
It’s high-stakes and feels like your whole future depends on one score.
It’s long, expensive, and time-consuming.
Everyone else seems to be scoring 528 on the MCAT or 340 on the GRE (spoiler: they’re not)
You’re juggling this alongside classes, work, or volunteering.
🧃 Common Mental Hurdles
Burnout – Studying nonstop and still not feeling “ready.”
Comparison trap – Feeling behind or "not smart enough."
Test anxiety – Blank brain during practice tests or real ones (a.k.a. what happened to me)
Perfectionism – Obsessing over every wrong answer and feeling discouraged with every disappointing score
🧘 How to Mentally and Emotionally Cope
🧩 1. Normalize the fear
Even future doctors and PAs get freaked out.
Feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this.
⏳ 2. Focus on process, not perfection
Set realistic weekly goals.
Track effort, not just scores.
💬 3. Find your people
Study with a friend, join a group, or follow people on TikTok/YouTube who get it.
Talk to a mentor, advisor, or even a therapist if needed (highly recommend this!)
🧠 4. Practice mindset training
Use affirmations, journaling, or mindfulness apps.
Reflect on your “why”—what brought you here in the first place (this was very impactful for me)
🌱 5. Take real breaks
Schedule rest like you schedule study.
Break = productivity booster, not a weakness.
📚 Bonus Study Resources (That Won’t Break You)
Free or low-cost study platforms (e.g., Khan Academy, Jack Westin, Blueprint free resources)
Reddit, Discord study communities
TikTok creators or YouTubers who explain concepts clearly