Key Takeaways:
- MCAT stands for the Medical College Admission Test.
- The best way to study for the MCAT includes assessing your baseline knowledge and practicing active learning.
- MCAT scores range from 472 to 528, and most programs consider anything above 511 to be good.
Each year, more than 85,000 people sit for the exam needed to get into medical school.
But when should you start studying for the MCAT?
And for how long?
What Is the MCAT?
MCAT stands for the Medical College Admission Test.
Every medical school in the United States requires it for admission.
The computer-based exam helps prospective students demonstrate their academic preparedness by assessing their scientific knowledge, critical thinking skills, and reading comprehension.
What Does the MCAT Cover?
The MCAT consists of 230 multiple-choice questions across four sections:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) administers it.
The first three sections cover foundational concepts in the sciences while the last one asks you to read and analyze passages about a wide range of topics, such as population health and ethics.
AAMC allots up to six hours and 15 minutes of testing time. Three optional breaks, spanning 10-30 minutes, follow each part.
Why Do Medical Schools Require the MCAT?
Medical schools require the MCAT because it helps admissions officers evaluate candidates more equally.
The test gives them an objective measure of a student’s aptitude for their program and provides a standardized metric that can be used to compare applicants from different educational backgrounds.
Numerous studies link higher MCAT scores to stronger academic outcomes.
The AAMC originally developed the exam to address high medical school attrition rates. At the time, as many as 50% of aspiring physicians dropped out before graduation. Today, less than 4% fail to complete their medical degrees, reflecting a significant improvement over time.
When Should I Start Studying for the MCAT?
Spend between three and six months preparing for the MCAT and sit for the exam one year before you’d like to enroll.
For example, those who want to attend medical school after they graduate from college should begin studying for the MCAT in the fall of their junior year and take it the following spring.
Starting any earlier might backfire.
You risk forgetting what you reviewed at the beginning, particularly if you didn’t use active learning methods while studying.
Dragging out your preparation may also cause mental exhaustion and a loss of motivation.
v
How to Study for the MCAT: A Step-by-Step Guide
You can make the most of your MCAT studies by following these steps.
- Assess your baseline knowledge
How well do you understand the concepts you’ll be tested on?
The AAMC offers a free exam outline and prep test, which you can take to establish your understanding. - Build a realistic study schedule
Your practice test results will help you determine how long you need to prepare for the MCAT.
From there, proactively fill your calendar with study blocks and assign specific topics to each one to ensure you review everything. Most students spend at least three hours per day, six days per week in the lead-up to their exam. - Review content and strengthen foundational concepts
Research indicates engaging in the learning process, rather than just listening, reading, or highlighting information, builds your long-term memory and understanding.
You can do this by:
- Creating flashcards
- Explaining a concept out loud
- Considering how the AAMC might turn a concept into an exam question
Alternatively, you could enroll in an online college course.
Accredited institutions, such as Portage Learning, specialize in medical school prerequisites, including anatomy and physiology and organic chemistry.
The interactive, self-directed format allows you to revisit difficult concepts and fill any knowledge gaps on your schedule. - Complete practice questions and full-length exams
After studying for a few months, transition from reviewing the material to answering practice questions and taking the weekly full-length exams provided by the AAMC under timed conditions.
Analyze your mistakes to understand why you made them, then focus on those weak areas in your final weeks of preparation so you can improve before the exam. - Taper and rest
Briefly review important concepts and flashcards the week of your exam.
Take the day before the MCAT off from studying completely and get seven to nine hours of sleep.
Rest plays a crucial role in processing and retaining information. Healthy eating habits do too.
The morning of your exam, drink plenty of water and eat a balanced breakfast made up of the following:
- Complex carbs, such as oatmeal or whole-grain toast
- Quality proteins, such as eggs or Greek yogurt
- Healthy fats, such as avocados or nut butter
- Antioxidants, such as blueberries and bananas
What Is a Good MCAT Score?
You receive five scores for the MCAT: one for each of the four sections and a combined total, which ranges from 472 to 528:
- 515-528: Represents the top 10 percent of test takers and almost guarantees admission into the best programs.
- 509-514: Strong results considered competitive for a wide range of medical schools.
- 501-508: Above average but less likely to get you into top-tier programs.
- 500 or below: Admission will be limited with scores that fall at or beneath the 50th percentile.
You can earn between 118 and 132 for the section scores. The exam doesn’t penalize you for incorrect answers.
If you don’t get the result you want, it’s OK.
The AAMC allows you to sit for the MCAT up to three times in one calendar year, or seven within your lifetime.
It costs $360 to take it. The AAMC offers an assistance program, which charges examinees who qualify $145.
Common MCAT Study Mistakes to Avoid
The MCAT ranks among the most challenging exams, making it tempting to cram rather than follow a consistent plan.
However, the stress and fatigue from preparing late into the night will hurt your performance.
Each year the AAMC surveys test takers following the exam, and it consistently finds those who use many of the evidence-based preparation strategies, including establishing baseline capabilities and incorporating active learning, score higher than those who don’t.
Other mistakes you should avoid when studying and sitting for the test include:
- Focusing too much on the content and not enough practice applying it
- Second-guessing your answers
- Memorizing obscure facts rather than mastering foundational concepts
- Failing to pace yourself properly
How to Reach Your MCAT Goals
The MCAT marks an important milestone on your path to medical school.
But one test doesn’t define your potential as a future physician.
Admission committees consider several factors when reviewing applications, including:
- Undergraduate GPA
- Extracurricular activities
- Personal qualities
- Clinical exposure
A strong MCAT score derived from a thoughtful study plan just gives them one more reason to accept you.
Start by identifying topics that need your extra attention and building consistent study habits.
With steady progress, you can approach test day with greater confidence and take the next step toward your career goals.
Still looking for answers?
Check out the FAQs about this article below.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the MCAT?
MCAT stands for the Medical College Admission Test. Every medical school in the United States requires it for admission. The exam tests prospective medical students on their knowledge by assessing their scientific knowledge, critical thinking skills, and reading comprehension.What Does the MCAT Cover?
The MCAT consists of 230 multiple-choice questions across four sections. The four sections include:- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
