Best Ways to Study for the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)

The MCAT is a daunting test that is essential for anyone who wants to pursue a career in medicine. With so much information to cover, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. However, with the right study techniques, resources, and mindset, you can conquer the MCAT and earn a score that will impress medical school admissions committees.

What is the MCAT

The exam is a computer-based test with four sections covering biology, chemistry, physics, psychology/sociology, and general critical analysis and reasoning skills. The test takes 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete, with 230 multiple-choice questions and a 10-minute break between sections. Scores range from 472 to 528, with an average score of 500. Most medical schools require a minimum score of 508 or higher for admission.

Start with a solid foundation

Before diving into the nitty-gritty details of the MCAT, make sure you have a solid foundation in the subjects it covers. The test spans a year's worth of orgo chemistry, general chemistry, physics, general biology, a semester of upper level biochem, and topics from introductory psychology and sociology. Review basic concepts in these areas using textbooks, online resources, or courses. Here are some good ones:

1. AAMC MCAT Prep Hub (https://students-residents.aamc.org/): The official website of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), which administers the MCAT. The Prep Hub offers official practice exams, sample questions, study plans, and other resources to help students prepare for the exam.

2. Khan Academy MCAT Collection (https://www.khanacademy.org/mcat): Khan Academy is a free online education platform that offers video tutorials and practice questions on a variety of subjects, including MCAT prep. Their MCAT Collection includes over 1,000 videos and practice questions covering all four sections of the exam.

3. UWorld MCAT (https://gradschool.uworld.com/mcat/): UWorld is a test preparation company that offers online practice questions and exams for the MCAT. Their MCAT question bank includes over 2,000 questions with detailed explanations, and their exams are designed to simulate the real test-taking experience.

4. Kaplan MCAT (https://www.kaptest.com/mcat): Kaplan is a test preparation company that offers a variety of MCAT prep courses, materials, and resources. There are paid and free stuff here. Their MCAT courses include live online and in-person classes, on-demand video lessons, practice exams, and more.

5. Jack Westin MCAT CARS (https://jackwestin.com/mcat-question-of-the-day): Jack Westin is a test preparation company that specializes in the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section of the MCAT. They offer a free daily MCAT CARS question, as well as paid courses and practice materials for the CARS section.

Create a study plan and stick to it

A study plan is critical for keeping you on track and ensuring you cover all the necessary material before test day. Map out a schedule that works for you, taking into account your personal preferences and strengths. Aim to spend some time studying each day, with longer study sessions on the weekends. Make sure to build in breaks, exercise, and relaxation time. Also, remember that prepping for the MCAT is a marathon. Consistency over time is key to retaining information, understanding concepts fully to perform well on the exam.

Practice, practice, practice

Practice is key to success on the MCAT. Practice tests are an essential part of your preparation, as they give you a sense of what the actual exam will be like. Take full-length practice tests to simulate test day conditions and to develop your stamina for the 7.5-hour test. This simulated test environment can't be stressed enough. Always practice how you will perform. Review your mistakes and understand the reasoning behind the correct answers. Websites such as AAMC and UWorld are great for practice tests and questions.

Since there are limited practice tests, you want to spread them out to really track your progress. First take a test when you feel comfortable to get a baseline idea of where you currently stand. Identify what concepts and knowledge areas you are weak in and focus on those. Each time you finish a test, you should review what was wrong and focus on those areas.

You should also employ some test taking strategies as well and practice them in your practice tests. Here are some tips:

1. Manage your time: The MCAT is a long exam, so time management is crucial. Make sure to pace yourself and keep track of how much time you have left for each section.

2. Answer the easier questions first: When you first start a section, answer the questions that you know the answer to immediately. This will build your confidence and help you save time for the more challenging questions later.

3. Eliminate wrong answers: If you're unsure about an answer, try to eliminate the obviously incorrect choices. This will increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.

4. Don't get stuck on one question: If you come across a difficult question, don't spend too much time on it. Move on to the next question and come back to it later if you have time.

5. Mark questions for review: If you're unsure about an answer but don't want to waste time on it, mark it for review and come back to it later. This way, you won't forget about the question and can revisit it if you have time.

Use mnemonics and memory aids like flashcards

The MCAT tests your ability to recall and apply vast amounts of information. Mnemonics and memory aids can help you retain and recall key concepts. For example, to remember the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance), you can use the acronym DABDA.

One of the best tools to study when it comes to straight memorization is flashcards. Here are some specific examples of how flashcards can be used for the exam:

1. Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: Create flashcards to memorize equations, formulas, and key concepts. For example, students can create flashcards with chemical formulas, conversion factors, or amino acids and their properties. Also, flashcards can be created for the different subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, electrons) and their properties.

2. Biological and Biochemical: Flashcards can be used to memorize key terms and concepts, such as metabolic pathways, enzymes, and cell structures. Students can create flashcards with diagrams of cell structures or metabolic pathways, or flashcards that explain the function of different organs and tissues.

3. Psychological, Social, and Biological: Create flashcards to memorize key terms and concepts related to behavior, social structures, and biological processes. Students can create flashcards with theories of motivation, social stratification, or neurotransmitter functions.

Also, the actual process of creating the flashcards is active learning. You read the material and have to process and understand what you need to study and what is important to study. This will help you engage more deeply with the material. As you write out the concepts and definitions, you are reinforcing your understanding of them and building connections in your brain.

Shameless plug: Flashcard Lab is a Google Sheets add-on that allows you to customize the study material to your liking, is simple and easy to use. You can add material that is relevant to you and your study style to help you with the MCAT. Use it with Google Sheets or with the free mobile app.

Visualize and draw diagrams

Visualizing and drawing diagrams can help you understand complex concepts and remember them more effectively. Drawing out chemical reactions, anatomical structures, or biological processes can help you see how they work and commit them to memory.

Form a study group

Studying with others can help you stay motivated and accountable. Form a study group with other aspiring medical students to review material, share resources, and practice together. You can also learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses. Just make sure your study group stays focused and on track.

Have your fellow students explain why you got something wrong or explain a concept to someone to reinforce your own understanding of the topic. One of the best ways to gauge how well you know a subject is to teach it to someone. And if you really understand it, you will be able to explain it to them in a way that they can understand it too.

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Studying for the MCAT requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and the right resources. Use these tips to create a study plan that works for you, and don't forget to take care of yourself along the way. With the right mindset and study techniques, you can achieve your goal of performing well on the MCAT and earning a spot in medical school. Good luck!