How long did you study for the MCAT?

[isupsych253]

What was your MCAT study routine like? How far in advance did you begin?

I have an app on my iPad that asks one MCAT question a day and about 99% of the questions look like a second language to me...granted I'm currently taking my first pre-req (bio 1), it's still somewhat intimidating! Will I learn most of the MCAT material in my pre-reqs or from MCAT courses and study books? Thanks!

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[phonyreal98]

Studied ~3 months for several hours a day, with 1-2 break days each week.

 

[Stumpyman]

From MCAT study books. The pre req courses will give you a good base to start off of though.

 

[gmcguitar4]

MCAT material is General Bio, General physics, General Chem, and Orgo. If you take those courses plus some extra bio courses, they will cover all of the material on the science section. Knowing all of the material is about 60% of the battle though, you have to think critically for this test. It takes a ton of practice. I took the MCAT twice, studied total about 6-7 months. Did 3-5 hours 3 days a week and about 1-2 hours 2-3 days a week. When I was 3-4 weeks from the test it turned into 4-5 hours a day 6 days a week.

 

[blue0rchid]

i studied for about 6 weeks, within which I took about a week off here and there (mini-vacation) but I studied all day from 8am to 8pm.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

My advice would be to start taking practice tests at least 3 months before your test date.
I made the mistake of waiting to start practice tests a month before my test date and got a 25. Second try, I got a 31 after studying for 2 more months and taking many many more practice tests.

 

[ppappui]

For 1 month straight off a thick study guide book. Was in the library studying that several hours a day and that only unless there was an important exam or homework

 

[docbrill]

What was your MCAT study routine like? How far in advance did you begin?

I have an app on my iPad that asks one MCAT question a day and about 99% of the questions look like a second language to me...granted I'm currently taking my first pre-req (bio 1), it's still somewhat intimidating! Will I learn most of the MCAT material in my pre-reqs or from MCAT courses and study books? Thanks!

I studied 2 months, although, I worked full time while studying. I also had the MCAT app on my iPad and I found it quite helpful. The questions may seem difficult to you at first, but this is because you have only taken Bio I. Don't worry, the questions will make more sense once you have taken all the pre-req classes. Good luck!

 

[kuckimonster]

Studied for 3 weeks 5-6 days a week 7-8 hours a day. Still pulled a decent 32. Go for, at the very least, 6 weeks.

 

[vb1]

My advice would be to start taking practice tests at least 3 months before your test date.
I made the mistake of waiting to start practice tests a month before my test date and got a 25. Second try, I got a 31 after studying for 2 more months and taking many many more practice tests.

This. Get your hands on as many practice exams as you can. AAMC full lengths are the best of course and should be saved for last, but princeton review, Kaplan and Berkeley review also have good exams. Content review is only half the battle. The amount of time that you need to study will be based on your starting point and personal goals. That being said, 4-5 hours a day on average for 3-4 months should be enough to get you well prepared.

 

[Whatyousay]

Inb4 someone with a 40 claims they didn't study.


3 weeks, give or take.

 

[GS Mikami]

Studied ~3 months for several hours a day, with 1-2 break days each week.

Perfect schedule.

Add a few AAMC practice tests in the last month annd you're good to go.

 

[fromnova]

approx 3 months of 10-15 hrs/week. approx 200 hrs. Took about 11 full length practice exams.

Don't take practice exams until you've covered most the material.

 

[Beekachu]

Don't take practice exams until you've covered most the material.

2 months solid, 6 days a week, ~3 hours per day. A little more per day on weekends and for the 1.5 weeks before the exam.

I would disagree with the above though. I would recommend taking one quality practice exam toward the beginning of your study schedule to get a feel for what the entire exam feels like/what type of knowledge is required. I wish I would have because I ended up studying way too specifically.

 

[ChrisPaul3]

If you did well in all the pre-reqs that are on the test and you feel confident that you remember a lot of it, you really don't need months and months of prep for this test. I studied about 3-4 hrs/day 6 days a week for 6 weeks and pulled a 36, just make sure you take plenty of practice tests, they are way more useful than content review.

 

[MediCynical]

First time I took a Kaplan course which was ~3 months

Second time (after the first one expired) I studied 4 weeks for 8 hours per day, 5-7 days/week.

Whatever you do for prep, I highly suggest supplementing the Exam Krackers 1001 Problems for each subject. They really allow you to focus on your weak areas and address them thoroughly. I kept a binder organized by subject and wrote down most of the questions I got wrong so I could periodically review them.

 

[m0biusace]

29 days with no breaks, 8-12 hours per day. Got a 34Q.

 

[littlefaster]

2 weeks, 5-6 hours a day. The days I had a bunch of homework were more like 3-4 hours.

 

[m0biusace]

My advice would be to start taking practice tests at least 3 months before your test date.
I made the mistake of waiting to start practice tests a month before my test date and got a 25. Second try, I got a 31 after studying for 2 more months and taking many many more practice tests.

My advice is do not take a single practice exam until you are fully confident in your background knowledge.

I used EK, so I was used to passage based questions through the workbooks, and I found it a waste of time (and money) to sit down for 5 hours and take a practice exam when I knew I wasn't fully prepared for it.

In the end I took only three practice exams under exact test conditions (one EK, AAMC 8 and 11) for a total of $70 spent and I still got a decent score.

Practice exams are to get you used to the exact format of the exam, not to study from.

 

[235788]

I'm blown away that some people just studied 3 weeks. You iz smart.

 

[fromnova]

2 months solid, 6 days a week, ~3 hours per day. A little more per day on weekends and for the 1.5 weeks before the exam.

I would disagree with the above though. I would recommend taking one quality practice exam toward the beginning of your study schedule to get a feel for what the entire exam feels like/what type of knowledge is required. I wish I would have because I ended up studying way too specifically.

yes take one towards the beginning-- I guess I forgot that disclaimer

thanks 🙂

 

[MD Odyssey]

I'm blown away that some people just studied 3 weeks. You iz smart.

This is SDN. Don't believe everything you read here.

 

[asrikrishnan]

Studied the entire summer and took my MCAT on September 11 last year. I used the study materials detailed in the MCAT forums. Very helpful stuff.

One bit of advice: Even if you aren't feeling super duper confident right before the test, I suggest to take it and get a feel for the real testing conditions. I went in not feeling like I'd do as well as I wanted and so I was relaxed cause the entire time I was thinking, "It's ok if you do bad since you can always retake. Just do your best." Outcome of this test: 33P.

 

[sector9]

3 weeks, but I didn't do anything else

 

[Juicec]

This is SDN. Don't believe everything you read here.

I studied for 11 minutes. Only because it took me that long to realize I knew everything already.

 

[MT Headed]

Inb4 someone with a 40 claims they didn't study.

Studied my azz off for 10 weeks straight, following the complete EK schedule. On the EK rest days, I did a chapter of TBR bio instead.

It is debatable if it was all worth it though; I might have been better served by taking the MCAT earlier, despite the fact that it would have lowered my score by a couple of points.

 

[Curlyfriez12]

What was your MCAT study routine like? How far in advance did you begin?

I have an app on my iPad that asks one MCAT question a day and about 99% of the questions look like a second language to me...granted I'm currently taking my first pre-req (bio 1), it's still somewhat intimidating! Will I learn most of the MCAT material in my pre-reqs or from MCAT courses and study books? Thanks!

You should have studied well in your pre-med classes to begin with. But if you are approaching the MCAT soon, then just review the MCAT books and go through as many practice tests as you can, while improving on topics you are weak on.

I studied for a little over a month before I took the MCAT. I took the MCAT twice. Try to plan on taking the MCAT after a break, like christmas break etc.

Good luck

 

[kkuhn]

About two months, while working and doing stuff. 3-5 hours a day, IIRC. I didn't take a course, but I went through some books, primarily Princeton Review. I really liked it -- it's one book for the whole test, and it covers it well. I also used ExamKrackers' Biology book. That is a GREAT book; I definitely recommend it.

 

[MegMurry]

OP, you'll find more MCAT specific info here.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=31

Also, people talk about how long they studied here.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=503250

Personally, I took about 4 months on and off while working 60 hrs a week because I'd been out of college and my last pre-req course was 4 years previous. If this is your first pre-req class and you're not in a postbac, you've got quite a while to strategize...at least a year or two.

Make sure you study hard in your pre-req classes. MCAT courses and prep books are more specified toward the test, but pretty much anything from bio/orgo/genchem can be fair game. The more solid your foundation, the better off you'll be when it comes time to prep.

 

[Nymphicus]

slight less than 3 months

 

[doctorshateher]

8 days immediately prior to the exam - 12 to 14 hours each day. THIS IS A BAD IDEA. I had an online course that I didn't go to (I won it in a raffle so I didn't feel bad about wasting the money) and studied maybe an hour or two per week the month beforehand.

My real MCAT studying plan was constant reinforcement by tutoring for bio, chm and TAing for intro bio classes as soon as I was done taking the class.

 

[thyKnight]

Wow you guys are seriously taking life by the horns.

 

[deleted413795]

I began studying about six months before my MCAT. I took the live online Kaplan course that ran from December to May. It ended a week before my test.

I waited until February before my first full length, but after that did one a week until the last week or two, then scaled it up to two a week about two weeks before the test.

Prep classes alone do not do much, you have to review the material, take practice tests (all 5 hours timed, with breaks). In fact, I often got bored in the class and did other things. However, the prep material and practice tests are well worth the cost. You want to simulate test day and get used to the length, feel, interface, etc.

I had a day by day planned schedule, and I always did a VR passage every day, and did a practice section every couple days. The Kaplan QBank is awesome, as are their flash cards. This may seem excessive, but it is worth it to get a great score and be done after one try.

My Kaplan diagnostic score was a 24, and with persistent practice tests I was getting solid 32s-36s on my practice tests, and ended up with a 35 (12 BS, 12 PS, 11 VR). So study a little every day and take section tests and full lengths. Also, be willing to review concepts you are not doing well on.

If you do Kaplan, they keep track of what topics you are weak on, what type of passages you do not do well on, etc. so you can really hone in on what needs the most work.

I should also add that while prepping I was taking Physics II and Organic II while working full time and commuting an hour away to school twice a week or more, so it can be done while in school and working. I did have the advantage of being not far removed from the courses that contained the relevant material though.

 

[SellerAl]

probably for 4 months, maybe 15 hours a week, went from a 22 on my practice tests to a 36 my first real test. Probably took about 15 practice tests. take as many as possible

 

[ANATOMYgirl22]

My advice is do not take a single practice exam until you are fully confident in your background knowledge.

I disagree. I did EK and took a full length AAMC practice exam after I finished each book. I liked it because 1) I could see my score improving (confidence boost) and 2) I became very familiar with the format of the exam and how I should keep track of my timing. I took the last 3 AAMC practice tests during the couple of weeks leading up to the real thing. IMO the practice tests really help.

 

[1AO KTG]

MCAT material is General Bio, General physics, General Chem, and Orgo. If you take those courses plus some extra bio courses, they will cover all of the material on the science section. Knowing all of the material is about 60% of the battle though, you have to think critically for this test. It takes a ton of practice. I took the MCAT twice, studied total about 6-7 months. Did 3-5 hours 3 days a week and about 1-2 hours 2-3 days a week. When I was 3-4 weeks from the test it turned into 4-5 hours a day 6 days a week.

Which extra courses are the head hanchos?

 

[doctorshateher]

Which extra courses are the head hanchos?

I would suggest biochem, genetics and/or physiology. None of them are really necessary, but I think they would all help to some degree.

 

[reynoldsnumber]

I studied the night before the exam and didn't do so great. I think I got a 38, and I am debating whether or not I should retake it.

 

[centrigeugle]

8 days immediately prior to the exam - 12 to 14 hours each day. THIS IS A BAD IDEA. I had an online course that I didn't go to (I won it in a raffle so I didn't feel bad about wasting the money) and studied maybe an hour or two per week the month beforehand.

My real MCAT studying plan was constant reinforcement by tutoring for bio, chm and TAing for intro bio classes as soon as I was done taking the class.

Hahaha, wow. This is almost exactly what I did, except I did five days, and I tutored chemistry.

Other than that, exactly the same - down to the free-so-I-didn't-really-care online raffled prep course that I didn't use. I feel like the terminal studying made a huge difference for me; that's how I roll.

 

[deleted413795]

I studied the night before the exam and didn't do so great. I think I got a 38, and I am debating whether or not I should retake it.

I certainly hope this is pure sarcasm.

 

[Omppu27]

Do schools know if you took it more than once? Or do you only have to send in the score you choose to send in...

 

[Omppu27]

Also, what do you guys think about taking prep courses? It seems like most people on here just did individual studying

 

[BurntFlower]

Also, what do you guys think about taking prep courses? It seems like most people on here just did individual studying

I don't have that kind of money, so I'm studying by myself. I haven't taken the MCAT yet, but I feel like I'm making progress.

 

[Barcu]

Do schools know if you took it more than once? Or do you only have to send in the score you choose to send in...

They see all of them.

Also, what do you guys think about taking prep courses? It seems like most people on here just did individual studying

Prep courses are nice because they organize your studying for you. Plus, you have a teacher who can help explain the tough concepts and can talk about test strategy. This really helps for Verbal.

Prep courses are also good because you get a TON of material (full-length practices, quizzes, etc). There is so much practice to do it's hard to get through it all. And practice is what helps you the most.

The one major downside is they are expensive. No matter what, you are going to spend some money. You need to buy some review books and the full-length tests from AAMCAS. Those are essential. Whether you want to pay more for classroom instruction and additional resources will vary by person. I found it worth it. Though, I never tried to study without the class so who knows.

 

[roseglass6370]

TO EVERYONE WHO IS NOT THE OP:

I'm taking TPR course right now and so far its awesome. The fact that they assign hw is helping A LOT because it forces me to set aside time to study. I'm shooting for taking the MCAT in April but might try and take it a bit earlier depending on how I feel when the course is over.

Just took my diagnostic last Saturday and scored a 24. I was kind of bummed out but am now super glad to hear that other people were able to pull off a much higher score on the actual exam after scoring about the same on their diagnostics. (I was also sick when I took it, so after the first 3.5hrs I kind of stopped trying as hard because nausea was winning over... 🙁 )

Anyways, keeping my fingers crossed. My number one had an average of score of 33 last cycle. 🙂

OP: You're just now taking your first pre-req. You're probably a freshman. Put the MCAT book down and focus on your classes. Please, for the love of all that is good, stop it.

 

[deleted413795]

TO EVERYONE WHO IS NOT THE OP:

I'm taking TPR course right now and so far its awesome. The fact that they assign hw is helping A LOT because it forces me to set aside time to study. I'm shooting for taking the MCAT in April but might try and take it a bit earlier depending on how I feel when the course is over.

Just took my diagnostic last Saturday and scored a 24. I was kind of bummed out but am now super glad to hear that other people were able to pull off a much higher score on the actual exam after scoring about the same on their diagnostics. (I was also sick when I took it, so after the first 3.5hrs I kind of stopped trying as hard because nausea was winning over... 🙁 )

Definitely no need to worry about your diagnostic if you put in the studying time. I had a 24 on my Kaplan diagnostic and ended up with a 35 on the test. I did indeed gradually increase on my practice tests as I went along.

To the OP, I think the review course is well worth it, because the individual full lengths through AAMC are somewhere between $100 and $200 I think. If you take Kaplan you get access to all of the AAMC tests and the Kaplan ones, which are generally a bit harder. Not to mention Kaplan and the other review places have so many question banks, section tests, subject quizzes, etc. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck, and your score will improve if you use the material correctly.

 

[meganine]

I studied seven months while simultaneously working and taking night classes. I used a Kaplan course and ExamKrackers books. I recommend saving all the AAMC exams until one month before to gaugue your abilities. If you are scoring a comfortable range above your desired score on the AAMC practice exams, then you should take it. If not, then study more.

Also, I took off work for two weeks before the exam to study non-stop continuously. I took 1-2 practice exams from both the AAMC and non-AAMC daily under timed cirucmstances. My only setback was that I could not study nonstop. My other obligations kept getting in the way. In the end, I got a score that I was very satisfied with.