How to Study for the MCAT in 1 Month + Free 1-Month Study Plan

Studying for the MCAT^® in one month is a challenging task. But if you already have a strong science and critical reading foundation and can devote a significant amount of study time per week, then you may still be able to earn the score you want by following this 1-month MCAT study plan. Discover which MCAT study and practice materials you’ll need to succeed and the best options for MCAT test prep to maximize your score. In this 1-month MCAT study plan, we’ll show you how to spend the next four weeks so you can make the most of your time.

[ RELATED: What’s a Good MCAT Score? ]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: Week 1
• MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: Week 2 
• MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: Week 3
• MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: The Week Before the MCAT
• Top MCAT Study and Practice Materials
• Is It Possible to Study for the MCAT in One Month?
• Should You Postpone Your MCAT Test Date?

MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: Week 1

Here is a step-by-step process for kicking off your 1-month MCAT study plan.

Step 1

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

Step 2

Use your initial test results to determine which content areas you need to work on. Modifying the study plan below accordingly. For example, if you did well on all molecular biology questions, you might only study those topics briefly and spend more time on a Biology subject you didn’t do as well with, such as anatomy and physiology.

Step 3

Proactively fill in your calendar with study blocks, planning to study at minimum for three to five hours per day, six days per week. Take one day off from studying each week so you have time to recharge. Put specific topics to study into each block so that you ensure that you have sufficient prep time set aside.

Step 4

Devote one full day this week to each of Biochemistry, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Behavioral Sciences.

• Biochemistry: amino acids: proteins; enzymes and lipids
• Biology: cell biology; reproduction; embryogenesis and development; genetics and evolution
• General Chemistry: atomic and molecular structure; the periodic table and periodic trends; bonding and chemical interactions; stoichiometry
• Organic Chemistry: nomenclature; stereochemistry; bonding
• Physics: basic mathematics and dimensional analysis; kinematics; force, energy, and work
• Behavioral Sciences: biological basis of behavior; sensation and perception; learning and memory; cognition, consciousness, and language

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

Take a full-length practice test at the end of the week. Consider taking it in a library or similar location that will provide test-like conditions: no snacks or drinks during the test except for during breaks, no music, a quiet—but not silent—environment, and a test taken all in one sitting.

MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: Week 2

Devote one full day this week to each of Biochemistry, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Behavioral Sciences.

• Biochemistry: lipid and amino acid metabolism; biological membranes; DNA structure, replication and repair; RNA structure, transcription, and translation
• Biology: the nervous system; the endocrine system; the respiratory system; and the cardiovascular system and blood
• General Chemistry: chemical kinetics; equilibrium; solutions; acids and bases
• Organic Chemistry: substitution reactions; oxidation and reduction; organic acids and bases; spectroscopy and separations; amino acids, ATP, and other biochemical compounds
• Physics: hydrostatics and fluid dynamics; waves and sound; light and optics; atomic and nuclear phenomena
• Behavioral Sciences: motivation, stress and emotion; identity and personality; psychological disorders; social processes, attitudes and behavior

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 on a daily basis. Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections to read passages and work on passage-related questions. 

Take another full-length practice test at the end of the week. Remember to take it in a test-like environment, and set aside time for review after you take it.

MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: Week 3

Devote one full day this week to each of Biochemistry, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and Behavioral Sciences.

• Biochemistry: carbohydrates; glycolysis and glucose metabolism; oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain; bioenergetics and regulation of metabolism
• Biology: the immune system; the digestive system; homeostasis and the excretory system; the musculoskeletal system
• General Chemistry: thermochemistry; gasses; oxidation and reduction; electrochemistry
• Organic Chemistry: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids and reactions
• Physics: thermodynamics; electrostatics and magnetism; circuits
• Behavioral Sciences: social interaction; social thought processes; social structure and demographics; social stratification

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 on a daily basis. Use the AAMC Sample Questions and Sections to read passages and work on passage-related questions.

Take a third full-length practice test at the end of the week. 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!

MCAT 1-Month Study Plan: The Week Before the MCAT

Use our step-by-step guide to map out your final study days.

Step 1

Once again, begin your week by reviewing your practice test, looking over every question and using the results to modify your study plan. Make CARS a priority, re-reading passages to determine what information you actually needed and what you didn’t.

Step 2

Early in the week, take an AAMC Practice Test and set aside time to review the test.

Step 3

For the last few days before the test, spend time reviewing content areas in which you felt least confident during your studies. However, make sure to focus on material that you had trouble with the first time through but that you think you can master if you have a little more time—not the sections that have never really clicked for you. The week before the test is not the time to learn a new topic.

Step 4

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.

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

Review a sample schedule of what to do the week before the MCAT:

Top MCAT Study and Practice Materials

Listed below are the study materials we recommend using during your 1-month MCAT study schedule.

• MCAT Practice Questions: Kaplan’s MCAT QBank saves you time with targeted questions. With in-depth explanations, you can 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, In Person, or Premium—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.

Expert Test Tip

Chris Durland, Director of Content and Curriculum, Pre-Med Programs

“Don’t think of test taking as a set of skills that you “turn on” for practice tests. Look for the science in the world around you, and let critical reasoning permeate into your life.” 

Is It Possible to Study for the MCAT in One Month?

For most students, one month 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. One month is not a lot of time to review the amount of material on the MCAT. 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’re approaching your test date and still don’t feel prepared for the MCAT or aren’t scoring anywhere near where you want to be on your practice tests, you may want to consider rescheduling your MCAT. It’s better in the long run to postpone your plans than have a less-than-ideal score on your medical school application and have to retest anyway. All of your MCAT scores will be reported to medical school admissions, so you don’t want to risk hurting your chances of acceptance by having a low MCAT score on your record. However, admissions committees will look at multiple scores differently depending on the school. For example, some may only consider your highest scores, while others may average multiple MCAT scores together or only look at your most recent MCAT score. The bottom line: don’t take the MCAT if you don’t feel prepared.

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.