How do I start studying for the MCAT?

Answer 1

Hey! I took the MCAT last year and scored a 511, so when I saw this question, I figured I could give you some guidance!

First of all, this test required dedication, consistency, and high-quality study time. It was a marathon, not a sprint. So I cannot stress enough, take care of yourself throughout, be kind to yourself (you are your biggest critic), and remember you WILL succeed! Lastly, at the end of this response, I'm going to share with you some resources that really helped me throughout this test!

1) Pick a time in the year when you can dedicate most (like 8 hours) of the day to just studying for this test for around 3-6 months (I took about 4 months to study).

2) The first part is Content Review (4-6 weeks): get yourself a set of books like KAPLAN or Princeton (I did Kaplan, but it's whatever you prefer). You can get used ones for cheaper and they work just as well, as long as they're not more than 5 years. You will also want to look at getting flashcards like AnkiDeck, Uworld ($$$), or make your own! Lastly, Khan Academy has literally a whole course for the MCAT with great videos!

Go through each book like you are reading the most interesting text of your life! Absorb, digest, and be honest about how much you actually learned each day! Take notes and do the practice after each chapter, even if you really do not want to, it will pay off!!

3) Practice, Practice, Practice (4-6 weeks): This is where you put what you learned in content review to the test. Get yourself some question banks and practice tests. Uearth/Uworld question banks (these do cost some money).  If you can't afford it, use the Khan Academy practice passages and the Jack Westin Qbank.

You will also need some Practice Exams: I purchased the Kaplan textbooks, which came with 3 practice tests, but I highly recommend other practice exams like Uworld, Altius, or Blueprint! You will want to take one practice test every 2 - 3 weeks and have a way to review your missed questions. Some people make spreadsheets, others make Ankicards, or others have a physical notebook (I had a notebook). Just make sure you consistently go over each missed question often. Scores DO NOT matter right now, you are simply filling in holes to IMPROVE your score! Remember, we are still learning in this phase, not testing!

4) The last 5-6 weeks are for AAMC materials (gold standard): Do about one practice exam each week (there are a total of 5, which includes the unscored sample test). Take the last test a few days before your test (you should rest the day before your test day). After each test, review what you missed, compare it to your practice questions, and see each mistake as an opportunity to boost your score!

Aside from the 5 practice tests, do the AAMC QBanks (there are a lot of questions). You can split it into however you want, just make sure you are always tackling them with a mindset of growth and honesty! These qbanks are going to be the hardest questions you will see, so it's a good final practice before test day.

Okay, so as you can see, it's a marathon, not a sprint! But remember to be flexible and compassionate with yourself. There will be days you fall short of your goal, or you might not feel 100%. That is 100% okay! Just remember to keep putting one foot after another. This will take the pressure off, and you will succeed in the end! I wish you all the best. I believe in you!

Useful Resources:

1) Reddit.com, specifically r/Mcat and r/premed (you will find so many guides, tips, and tricks for this test on here!)

2) https://www.mcatbros.com/mcatbros-programs-and-resources

3) Ankidecks

4) Uworld

5) Blueprint

6) AAMC Mcat resources