How to Study for the MCAT in 6 Months

Congratulations on getting started on your MCAT preparation. Planning out the next six months to best maximize your time and not fall into the trap of procrastination is going to be key in your success on the MCAT. Even with six months to prepare, you will need to put aside a good chunk of study each week to attain a competitive score on the MCAT. Let’s take a look at how the next six months should shape up for you.

First thing to consider is that this is a long term plan. Since you are just starting out, now is not the time to jump into taking Full Length exams – don’t worry, that will come soon enough. As we think about the next six months, we should think about the big picture first. In the early months you are going to want to spend more time reviewing content (with a little practice) and slowly, and consistently, ramp up to spending more time practicing (with a little content review). The MCAT does not solely reward you for your content knowledge – it rewards your ability to apply the content, and that is what differentiates test takers from each other.

MCAT Study Essentials

Before you get started, you’ll need to gather together your study materials. Here is our recommended list:

• 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 MCAT offers four full-length practice tests for purchase online.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• Online calendar: Online calendars are helpful for keeping track of and being able to access your personal MCAT study plan from anywhere. And, you can stay accountable by sharing your calendar with others so they know your schedule and can help you stay on track .
• Flashcards (including Online App): Flashcards are helpful for when you only have a few minutes to study. Kaplan provides both a boxed set of applicable flashcards for the current MCAT, plus a downloadable Flashcard App for studying on the go.
• Take a Class: If the idea of studying for the MCAT on your own is stressful, consider taking an MCAT prep class such as Kaplan’s MCAT Prep. Live online, on demand, and in person classes are offered, and all teach you the strategies and skills you’ll need to score well on the MCAT. The course’s study plan will help you decide what to study, when to take practice tests, and how to perform your best on Test Day.

MCAT 6-Month Study Schedule Month 1

• Begin your MCAT prep by taking a practice test or question set that covers all the topics on the MCAT. This will help you familiarize yourself with the test structure and content and establish your baseline performance. The MCAT Sample Test is a great resource for this. Kaplan also has free online practice tests and 3 Full-Length tests included with the Kaplan MCAT Books.
• Once you’ve taken your first practice test and have a diagnostic score, 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.
• Build a personalized weekly study schedule. Proactively fill in your calendar with study blocks, planning on studying at least three 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.
• Set up a rotating schedule that works through these topics:
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • General Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physics/Math
  • Behavioral Sciences
• Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections and choose passages based on the content areas you have reviewed for realistic test practice.
• You should study for the Critical Analysis and Reasoning (CARS) section every day. Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections to read passages and work on passage-related questions.

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.

In the first month, you will also want to start building out your MCAT study schedule. Ideally, you will want to map out each week, with a variety of topics covered, this way you are spreading out your content review and practice.

If you are already feeling overwhelmed, now might be the time to check our comprehensive MCAT program, as it is designed to give you the most personalized study experience for your MCAT preparation.

In the first month, you will also want to start building out your MCAT study schedule. Ideally, you will want to map out each week, with a variety of topics covered, this way you are spreading out your content review and practice.

Here is a recommended schedule:

MCAT 6-Month Study Schedule Month 2

In your second month, you will want to continue your content review, but begin to incorporate a little more practice – remember, the more you practice, the better you will retain the content and the more second nature it will become for you. You can start using Kaplan’s MCAT Qbank to get customized quizzes that fulfill your prep needs. This is also the time to begin building your passage reading and questions answering skills.

Expert Test Tip

Tyler Fara, Manager of Content and Instructional Design, MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT

“Think of the MCAT as an opportunity. We’ve all struggled with certain topics in chemistry, physics, biology and so on. But you’re older now, you’ve seen other sciences and more advanced classes, and you’re a better student today than you were before. As you study for this test, there are going to be so many moments where you think, “I finally understand this topic! It finally makes sense!” Seek those moments out. Don’t shy away from a topic just because it challenged you previously. This test is your opportunity to overcome those prior obstacles.”

MCAT 6-Month Study Schedule Month 3

Your primary goal for this month is to complete your initial content review. Of course you’ll review content as you progress, but you want the bulk to be completed now, so you are only revisiting topics as necessary in the future as opposed to trying to cram content review in at the last minute. You will want to incorporate even more practice, pivoting to longer quizzes that target some of your weaker areas. If there is science content that is still weak, be sure to brush up on it now, so you have plenty of time to practice with it as you move towards test day. At the end of this month, you will want to take your first Full-length exam, but even more importantly, you will want to schedule at three days to review your full-length (and track it on your Why I Missed It Sheet). In reviewing the first full-length, you will uncover your areas of opportunity, and that is where you are going to want to pivot to next.

MCAT 6-Month Study Schedule Month 4

At the beginning of this month, you will want to start to take section length exams, followed by another full-length in the middle of the month to continue building your critical thinking and test taking skills. You will want to review this new full-length exam to further identify where you should place your focus. All the while practicing in your areas of opportunity will continue to build your overall MCAT test taking skills.

MCAT 6-Month Study Schedule Month 5

This month is going to look a lot like month 4, but now you are going to be getting into a rhythm. You are going to want to start taking one full-length exam at least every 10 days (or take one per week if you want to get more in before test day), and continuing reviewing the full-lengths to hone in on your areas of opportunity, and follow that up with practice.

MCAT 6-Month Study Schedule Month 6

The MCAT is right around the corner – this is the home stretch. You will want to take one full-length exam per week (or so) but no more than that so you have plenty of time to review them. This is also when you will want to adjust your sleeping patterns, so you are ready to wake up on time on test day! Continue to focus on your areas of opportunity, but don’t get bogged down in every single topic. Focus on the higher yield topics.

The last week is critical – ideally, your last full length exam will be on the same day of the week you are taking the actual MCAT, just a week earlier. Once again, start the week by taking and reviewing your practice test, looking over every question and using the results to modify your study plan if needed.

• Early in the week, take an AAMC Practice Test available from aamc.org. Set aside time to review the test.
• For your remaining few days, spend time reviewing the content areas that were your biggest opportunities on your last full-length test. If you’ve never truly mastered a topic, though, now is not the time to attempt to learn it. Instead, focus on the material that you struggled with the first time through but that you think you can master given just a little more time.
• If you have time, travel to the testing center first to ensure you know how to get to the correct building, where to park, and which room your test will be in. Having all these logistics out of the way will help reduce your stress on Test Day—and ensure you aren’t late!
• Take the day before the test completely off; your brain needs to rest before the marathon of test-taking 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 day of the MCAT, wake up with plenty of time to spare, and be sure to eat breakfast before leaving to give your brain the fuel it needs.

MCAT Study Plan: Final Week

This plan should set you well on your way to success on Test Day. But remember: if you don’t feel prepared for your test after two months or you aren’t scoring anywhere near where you want to be on your practice tests, it may be worth it to change your test date. It’s better in the long run to postpone your plans than have a less-than-ideal score on your MCAT application and have to retest anyway.

With this plan, you should be well on your way to Test Day success. While you’re preparing for the MCAT, it might seem like the end of your studying will never come. But it will, and thanks to your diligent preparation, you can feel confident walking into the test.

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