How to Study for the MCAT in 2 Months + Free 2-Month Study Plan

Follow our 2-Month MCAT® Study Plan to maximize your test prep. With only eight weeks to study, you’ll want to stay organized by following a comprehensive schedule. We’ll provide you with a detailed list of top MCAT prep materials as well as week-by-week study plans so you can stay on track without becoming overwhelmed. We’ll show you how to plan out the next two months so you can score competitively on the MCAT.

[ RELATED: How to Study for the MCAT in 1 Month ]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: Week 1
• MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: Weeks 2-5
• MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: Weeks 6-7
• MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: The Week Before the MCAT
• Top MCAT Study and Practice Materials
• Is Two Months Enough Time to Study for the MCAT? 
• Should You Postpone Your MCAT Test Date?

MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: Week 1

Below is a step-by-step process for kicking off your 2-month MCAT study plan.

Step 1

Start your studying by taking a diagnostic practice test or completing a question set that covers all the topics from the MCAT to familiarize yourself with the whole test and establish your baseline performance. The MCAT Sample Test is a great resource for this. There is also a free online MCAT practice test available from Kaplan, as well as three full-length tests included with the Kaplan MCAT Books.

Step 2

Use your results to determine which MCAT content areas you need to work on the most. Your test score should be used to modify the below study plan to meet your needs. For example, if you did well on all endocrine system and immunology questions, you might only study those topics briefly and focus more of your energy on Biology subjects you didn’t do as well with, such as cell biology and genetics.

Step 3

Build a personalized weekly MCAT study schedule. Proactively fill in your calendar with study blocks, planning on studying three to five hours per day, six days per week. Put specific topics to study into each block so you use your time well and ensure that you have enough prep time set aside. Give yourself a day off of studying every week so you have time to recharge.

Step 4

Set up a rotating schedule that works through these topics:

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• General Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Physics/Math
• Behavioral Sciences

Step 5

For test-like practice, use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections and choose passages based on the content areas you have reviewed. In addition, study for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section daily. Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections to read passages and work on passage-related questions.

Step 6

Begin with the basics of each subject area, and focus on a different topic each day. In order to really focus, you’ll want to spend at least an hour to an hour and a half on each study topic. Here’s a sample calendar of what your first week of study might look like.

Here’s a sample calendar of what your first week of studying for the MCAT might look like:

Specific content areas for Week 1 include:

• Biology: Cell Biology
• Biochemistry: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins
• General Chemistry: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
• Organic Chemistry: Nomenclature
• Physics: Dimensional Analysis, Basic Math and Statistics
• Psychology and Sociology: Biological Basis of Behavior
• CARS: Reading to Find the Most Important Information

MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: Weeks 2-5

• Devote blocks of study time on a rotating basis to Biochemistry, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Behavioral Sciences.
• Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections and choose passages based on the content areas you have reviewed for realistic test practice.
• In addition, continue studying for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section on a daily basis. Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections to read passages and work on passage-related questions.

Because you likely have already-existing commitments, you’ll need to organize your study blocks carefully and deliberately. Some days you may have time to study more than one topic; on other days, you might only have time to study one subject. Remember to make CARS a daily priority.

An example study week during this timeframe might look something like this:

Specific topics to study each week include:

MCAT 2- MONTH STUDY PLAN: WEEK 2

• Biology: Reproduction, Embryogenesis and Development
• Biochemistry: Protein Structure and Function, Biological Membranes
• General Chemistry: Bonding and Chemical Interactions, Compounds and Stoichiometry
• Organic Chemistry: Isomers, Bonding
• Physics: Kinematics and Translational Motion, Work and Energy
• Psychology and Sociology: Sensation and Perception, Learning and Memory
• CARS: Reading to Find the Most Important Information

MCAT 2-MONTH STUDY PLAN: WEEK 3

• Biology: The Endocrine System, The Nervous System, The Digestive System
• Biochemistry: Carbohydrate Structure and Function, Enzymes
• General Chemistry: Chemical Kinetics, Solutions
• Organic Chemistry: Alcohols and Ethers, Organic Oxidation and Reduction
• Physics: Thermodynamics, Fluids
• Psychology and Sociology: Cognition and Language, Emotion and Stress
• CARS: Reading to Find the Most Important Information, Foundation of Comprehension Questions

MCAT 2-MONTH STUDY PLAN: WEEK 4

• Biology: The Respiratory System, The Cardiovascular System
• Biochemistry: Lipid Structure and Function, DNA and Replication
• General Chemistry: Equilibrium, Thermochemistry
• Organic Chemistry: Aldehydes and Ketones
• Physics: Electrostatics
• Psychology and Sociology: Identity and Personality, Social Processes and Behavior
• CARS: Reasoning Within the Text Questions

MCAT 2-MONTH STUDY PLAN: WEEK 5

• Biology: The Immune System
• Biochemistry: RNA Transcription and Translation
• General Chemistry: The Gas Phase
• Organic Chemistry: Carboxylic Acids, Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
• Physics: Magnetism, Circuits
• Psychology and Sociology: Psychological Disorders
• CARS: Reasoning Beyond the Text Questions, Reading and Answering Within the Time Allowed

MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: Weeks 6-7

As you get closer to your MCAT test date, you’ll want to adjust your 2-Month MCAT study plan one more time before the final week.

• Begin each week by taking a practice test, and use the entire following day for test review. Carefully evaluate the topics and types of questions that you are missing, and use that to inform your study strategy and calendar.
• For test-like practice, use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections and choose passages based on the content areas you have reviewed.
• Continue to study for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section on a daily basis. Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections to read passages and work on passage-related questions.

An example study week during this timeframe might look something like this:

Specific content areas for Weeks 6-7 include:

MCAT 2-MONTH STUDY PLAN: WEEK 6

• Biology: The Musculoskeletal System, Genetics and Evolution
• Biochemistry: Carbohydrate Metabolism, Bioenergetics and Regulation of Metabolism
• General Chemistry: Acids and Bases, Electrochemistry
• Organic Chemistry: Nitrogen and Phosphorus-Containing Compounds, Separation and Purification
• Physics: Waves and Sound
• Psychology and Sociology: Social Thought Processes
• CARS: Synthesis of Reading and Answering Questions

MCAT 2-MONTH STUDY PLAN: WEEK 7

• Biology: Homeostasis and the Excretory System
• Biochemistry: Lipid and Amino Acid Metabolism
• General Chemistry: Oxidation and Reduction
• Organic Chemistry: Spectroscopy
• Physics: Light and Optics, Atomic and Nuclear Phenomena
• Psychology and Sociology: Social Structure and Demographics, Social Stratification
• CARS: Synthesis of Reading and Answering Questions

MCAT 2-Month Study Plan: The Week Before the MCAT

As usual, begin your week by taking and reviewing your practice test, examining every question and using your results to update your study plan if necessary. Spend extra time reviewing CARS, re-reading the passages to determine what information you actually needed and what you didn’t.

1. Early in the week, take an AAMC Practice Test. Be sure to set aside time to review the test afterward.
2. For your last few days before the MCAT, use your time to review content areas on which you scored lowest on your last full-length practice test. Focus on material you think you can master with just a little more time and practice; don’t attempt to learn topics with which you’ve never truly felt comfortable.
3. If time permits, travel to the testing center before test day to make sure you know where to park, how to get to the correct building, and which room your test will be in. Getting these logistics out of the way will lower your stress levels on test day–and ensure you aren’t late!
4. Take the day before the MCAT completely off; your brain needs rest before the MCAT marathon to come! Eat healthy, balanced meals and get a full night of rest so you are mentally and physically prepared for test day. On the morning of the MCAT, wake up early and eat a good breakfast before you go.

[ Learn More: How to Study the Week Before the MCAT ]

Here’s a recommended schedule of what to do the week before the MCAT:

Top MCAT Study and Practice Materials

Here are the study materials we recommend using during your 2-month MCAT study schedule.

• MCAT Practice Questions: Kaplan’s MCAT QBank saves you time with targeted questions. With in-depth explanations, you’ll learn from your mistakes and raise your score.
• MCAT Question of the Day: Sign up for free to receive realistic MCAT practice questions delivered straight to your inbox. 
• Kaplan’s MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review + Online Resources: With Kaplan’s MCAT books, you not only get the printed resources that cover the subject matter from all the test sections but also access to three full-length practice tests online and additional science videos. The book set is worthwhile for these tests alone, since they provide realistic practice that includes scaled scores and percentiles for each section as well as detailed explanations for every question. Additionally, Kaplan’s MCAT 528 Advanced Prep Book and Online Resources will give you more preparation.
• MCAT Flashcards: Prep for the MCAT on the go with 1,000 essential flashcards to help you master the material and increase your MCAT score.
• Take a Class: If you’re daunted by the idea of studying completely on your own, as well as the challenge of making a complete study schedule, consider taking a class such as Kaplan’s MCAT Prep. If the idea of studying for the MCAT on your own is stressful, consider taking an MCAT prep class such as Live Online, On Demand, or In Person—all teach you the strategies and skills you’ll need to score high on the MCAT. The courses’ study plans will help you decide what to study, when to take practice tests, and how to perform your best on test day. Students who put in the work with Kaplan raise their score by 15 points on average.*

• AAMC’s MCAT Essentials Guide: Before you register for the MCAT, you’ll be required to review the official information in the Essentials Guide. You’ll learn about test logistics, content, and timing. If you’re just beginning your MCAT prep, this is a great place to start.
• AAMC Full-Length Tests: The AAMC offers four full-length practice tests to purchase online.
• AAMC Free Planning & Study Resources: The AAMC offers free resources to students studying for the MCAT, such as a Free Sample Test which has the same look, feel, length, and functionality as the actual exam.
• AAMC Sample Questions and Sections: The AAMC website offers two different packages of practice questions. The first is the Official MCAT Section Bank, which includes 300 practice questions in section packs of natural sciences, behavioral sciences, and social sciences. The second is the Official MCAT Question Pack, which has passages and questions from old MCAT tests covering Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS).

• Online calendar: Online calendars are helpful for keeping track of and being able to access your personal MCAT study plan from anywhere. Stay accountable by sharing your calendar with others so they know your schedule and can help you stay on track.

Is Two Months Enough Time to Study for the MCAT?

For most students, two months is not enough time to spend studying for the MCAT. As the official MCAT prep of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Kaplan recommends that you spend 300-350 hours studying so you can earn a good MCAT score. Reviewing all of the material you’ll need to know for the MCAT in just two months is difficult, but not impossible. However, if you want to spread your studies out over a longer period of time, consider following our 3-Month MCAT Study Plan.

Should You Postpone Your MCAT Test Date?

If you still don’t feel prepared to take the MCAT after studying for two months, it may be worth it to postpone your MCAT test date. It’s better to reschedule than to have a low score on your medical school application and have to retest anyway. All of your MCAT scores will be reported to the schools you apply to, however, each school handles looking at multiple scores differently. For example, some may consider only your most recent scores, while others may average all your scores together. Because of this, you want to avoid having a less-than-ideal score on your record.

Related Studying: Medical Schools By Specialty

*15 point average only applied to students who completed 6,000+ practice questions and 600+ study activities during their program. A recent study conducted by Kaplan showed that students who completed a minimum of this work saw an average score improvement of 15 points from their first to their highest practice exam. Students who started with lower scores saw greater increases. Students who completed fewer practice questions, study activities, or who did not engage in the full program, saw lower score increases. Learn More.