MCAT

​2. Self-Study

 

Advantages: You can customize your study schedule to meet your demands and set your own pace using this approach. You are free to select the books, online resources, and practice tests that best suit your needs, concentrating on those areas most in need of development. Self-study is frequently more economical and flexible.

Cons: Time management and strict discipline are needed. Without a well-thought-out plan, it's simple to get behind schedule or overlook crucial subjects.

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When to Take the MCAT:

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​Ideally, you should take the MCAT a year or so before when you intend to enroll in medical school. For instance, taking the MCAT in the spring or early summer of 2025 is a wise decision if your goal is to enroll in medical school in the fall of 2026. This schedule guarantees your test results are prepared for the application, which usually starts in May or June.

 

Before taking the MCAT, make sure you've finished the essential prerequisite courses, which include biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and biochemistry. This will guarantee that you possess the fundamental understanding required for the test.​

 

Take the MCAT only when you are fully ready. This could take place in the spring or summer, although some students would rather take it in January or February if they have finished their courses and are prepared to devote all of their attention to studying.

Taking the MCAT in the spring allows you to reevaluate and schedule a retake before application deadlines, if you think you might need to.
 

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How Long to Study:

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The majority of students study for the MCAT for 3 to 6 months, putting in between 300 and 400 hours overall. This gives you enough time to take multiple full-length practice exams, a complete review of all subject areas, and plenty of practice answering MCAT-style questions. This may equate to studying for about 15-20 hours a week for 4-6 months, or 25-30 hours a week if you're prepared in less time, like 3 months, depending on your schedule.

 

Making a study schedule that works with your responsibilities and lifestyle is crucial. This strategy should involve going over the material again, practicing for tests, and working on your weakest areas as you go. Starting with a diagnostic test allows many students to focus their efforts in the right areas.

Maintaining consistency is essential. Studying continuously over a few months is usually more beneficial than studying intensely in the final few days before the test.

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How Long Should You take to Review Content:

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The amount of time you should devote to topic review for the MCAT mostly relies on how familiar you are with the subject and how you want to approach your study in general. The majority of students dedicate 6 to 10 weeks exclusively to reviewing the material.

You could only require about 6 weeks if you already have a strong foundation in the fundamental topics (such as biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology). Give yourself 8 to 10 weeks, though, if you require a more thorough evaluation.

Aim to study for 3 to 4 hours every day during this period. You can finish everything in this manner without getting tired. As you proceed, it's crucial to incorporate practice questions to help you identify any weak areas and reinforce the material you're learning.
 

Be adaptable while creating your timeline; if you discover that some subjects require extra time, change your plans accordingly. Before moving on to full-length practice tests and more focused review, the key objective is to have a firm grasp of all the material. Thus, set a goal for a customized 6 to 10 week subject review time during which you will study and practice on a daily basis.

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How Long Should You take to Practice:

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It's crucial to dedicate a significant portion of your study time to practice in order to prepare for the MCAT. You should schedule an additional 6 to 8 weeks to devote mostly to practicing after spending 6 to 10 weeks reviewing the subject. Your primary priority should be practicing throughout this time.

Try to practice for 3 to 5 hours every day. This entails completing practice questions, section-specific assessments, and full-length exams. It is imperative that you complete 5 to 7 full-length practice exams in a timely manner. This will give you an idea of what to expect on test day and help you develop the endurance required for the real exam.

 

Spend time practicing each MCAT part, such as CARS, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and sociology, in addition to full-length examinations, to bolster any areas in which you lack confidence. Make sure to carefully over your answers, especially the ones you got wrong, after every practice session. Gaining insight into your mistakes is essential to improving.

As you continue to practice, go over the material you're finding difficult. Be adaptable with your routine; if you find that some areas are more difficult for you, focus more on those.

 

After reviewing your curriculum, schedule 6 to 8 weeks of practice time, committing 3 to 5 hours every day. Using this strategy will improve your test-taking techniques and help you retain more of your knowledge.
 

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What Courses to take before the MCAT: 

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The common course requirements for the majority of medical schools are listed below in an easy-to-read and ordered list:

Core Science Courses: 

• Biology: Biology I and Biology II with laboratories (upper-level courses in physiology, genetics, or microbiology may also be required by some schools)

• General Chemistry: General Chemistry I and II with laboratories 

• Organic Chemistry: Organic Chemistry I and II with laboratories

• Physics: Physics I and II with laboratories 

• Biochemistry is frequently necessary and regarded as vital; in certain circumstances, it may be used in place of the Organic Chemistry II lab

 

Social Science Courses:

• Psychology: An introductory course

• Sociology: An introductory course

Math and English Courses:

• Math: College Algebra (some schools may additionally need Calculus or Statistics)

• English: Levels I and II or some other forms of writing/communication intensive courses

 

​Additional Recommendations:

• While less common, certain institutions may have extra requirements in Calculus, Statistics, or Genetics. These are the basic qualifications; however, exact requirements may vary according to the medical school

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The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has a PDF that lists every medical school with its respective premed course requirements. This would be a great resource to review as you plan. 

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What books to use:

 

We recommend the Kaplan MCAT Prep book bundle. The comprehensive and well-structured content of the Kaplan MCAT Prep book bundle, which thoroughly covers every MCAT component, makes it an excellent option. To aid in your understanding and successful application of difficult ideas, the volumes are filled with clear explanations, comprehensive practice questions, and helpful hints. Multiple full-length practice tests that mimic the real test setting are also included in Kaplan's bundle, which will help you improve your test-taking abilities and knowledge. With online resources included and Kaplan's well-established reputation for excellence, this bundle offers an all-around, dependable study aid that is difficult to top.​

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Extra resources to use as you prepare for the MCAT: 

• AAMC Official Practice Bundle 

• Khan Academy MCAT Prep​

• UWorld

• BluePrint MCAT

• Anki decks

• Jack Westin

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZM-v0h2VSNMsFMa43_bmjVLYhUwFW_h5Hh30kSq3Lqw/edit?usp=sharing​​

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SEwYZkZdcaGTNjNb6U4VPslhQu71rIXY/view?usp=sharing

• https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/t1rri4wq85msyf5hxrvvx/KA-P-S-The-Lazy-OCD-Version.docx?rlkey=flx5ipnge4198x7hkow6a9ryk&e=1&dl=0

• AK Lectures

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Disclaimer: Neither Kaplan nor any other organization is sponsoring us. To assist you in identifying the ideal study materials for your needs, we are providing details on their MCAT prep courses.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​