Is there an ideal number of hours to study per day?

[jjshooom]

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How can some study for so long and others can't? Is there anyway to extend study times without losing efficiency?

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I've been studying 10-12 hours a day. On days I'm reviewing and memorizing, I take tiny breaks here and there to check my phone or get on here or whatever and I take a lunch break (10 minutes or so.) After about 8 hours, or whenever I start getting burnt out, I take a break to go workout for a couple hours or play guitar or something (insert whatever you wanna do here.) Then afterwards I do another 2-4 hours (depending on motivation level) of reading or whatever I feel like I need to do.

On practice test days, I simulate a full test condition (start at 8 am, 10 minute breaks, 30 minute lunch, etc.) After my practice exam, I do the 1-2 hour break to workout or whatever, then I spend 2-4 hours (again, motivation level dependent) on going over incorrect answers and add things to my "List of things to Review" for my memorization/review days.

When you get burnt out, take breaks! If you are trying to increase your stamina, force yourself to keep reading/memorizing/whatever it may be. Even if it's watching Khan Academy on YouTube or whatever, as long as you are being exposed to MCAT material, you're good.

 

[TraumaBlonde]

I've been studying 10-12 hours a day. On days I'm reviewing and memorizing, I take tiny breaks here and there to check my phone or get on here or whatever and I take a lunch break (10 minutes or so.) After about 8 hours, or whenever I start getting burnt out, I take a break to go workout for a couple hours or play guitar or something (insert whatever you wanna do here.) Then afterwards I do another 2-4 hours (depending on motivation level) of reading or whatever I feel like I need to do.

On practice test days, I simulate a full test condition (start at 8 am, 10 minute breaks, 30 minute lunch, etc.) After my practice exam, I do the 1-2 hour break to workout or whatever, then I spend 2-4 hours (again, motivation level dependent) on going over incorrect answers and add things to my "List of things to Review" for my memorization/review days.

When you get burnt out, take breaks! If you are trying to increase your stamina, force yourself to keep reading/memorizing/whatever it may be. Even if it's watching Khan Academy on YouTube or whatever, as long as you are being exposed to MCAT material, you're good.

Are you taking an MCAT pre course? Or self studying?

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

Are you taking an MCAT pre course? Or self studying?

Just self-studying.

 

[TraumaBlonde]

Just self-studying.

Damn keep it up
You'll appreciate how well you've trained yourself when you get into med school

 

[tavokeri9]

I've been studying 10-12 hours a day. On days I'm reviewing and memorizing, I take tiny breaks here and there to check my phone or get on here or whatever and I take a lunch break (10 minutes or so.) After about 8 hours, or whenever I start getting burnt out, I take a break to go workout for a couple hours or play guitar or something (insert whatever you wanna do here.) Then afterwards I do another 2-4 hours (depending on motivation level) of reading or whatever I feel like I need to do.

On practice test days, I simulate a full test condition (start at 8 am, 10 minute breaks, 30 minute lunch, etc.) After my practice exam, I do the 1-2 hour break to workout or whatever, then I spend 2-4 hours (again, motivation level dependent) on going over incorrect answers and add things to my "List of things to Review" for my memorization/review days.

When you get burnt out, take breaks! If you are trying to increase your stamina, force yourself to keep reading/memorizing/whatever it may be. Even if it's watching Khan Academy on YouTube or whatever, as long as you are being exposed to MCAT material, you're good.

Nice! when are you taking your MCAT? and how long have you been studying like this so far?

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

Nice! when are you taking your MCAT? and how long have you been studying like this so far?

Jun 18th, counting down the days!

I started "hardcore" studying in late April after my finals. I did chemistry and psychology review December - March (took my time getting through my review books and made flashcards for all the psych./soc. terms.) The only reason I did those two so early was because chem. is a weaker subject for me and I wanted to go everything slowly and thoroughly, and psych./soc. I had taken like 2 years prior so I didn't remember much.

So if you have a "weakness" it doesn't hurt to at least start brushing up a little bit before you start "hardcore" studying, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. For example like, I forgot all of the thermodynamics in stuff for chemistry by the time April came around, but instead of struggling through it when I started studying in April, a lot it was just reviewing and remembering because I got the concepts down earlier in December/March, so it helped in that way. Do whatever works best for you!

 

[Astrafleur]

I think it depends on each person. For me it was 8 hours with the good break per day. Any more than than that can become overwhelming.

 

[XPL_1]

I've been studying 10-12 hours a day. On days I'm reviewing and memorizing, I take tiny breaks here and there to check my phone or get on here or whatever and I take a lunch break (10 minutes or so.) After about 8 hours, or whenever I start getting burnt out, I take a break to go workout for a couple hours or play guitar or something (insert whatever you wanna do here.) Then afterwards I do another 2-4 hours (depending on motivation level) of reading or whatever I feel like I need to do.

On practice test days, I simulate a full test condition (start at 8 am, 10 minute breaks, 30 minute lunch, etc.) After my practice exam, I do the 1-2 hour break to workout or whatever, then I spend 2-4 hours (again, motivation level dependent) on going over incorrect answers and add things to my "List of things to Review" for my memorization/review days.

When you get burnt out, take breaks! If you are trying to increase your stamina, force yourself to keep reading/memorizing/whatever it may be. Even if it's watching Khan Academy on YouTube or whatever, as long as you are being exposed to MCAT material, you're good.

Concur⬆️

 

[chan2]

I've been studying 9 hours per day with 2 or three short brakes.

 

[jjshooom]

I've also been reading elsewhere and it seems the general consensus is at least 6 hours as it builds the stamina needed for test day.

 

[jjshooom]

I've been studying 10-12 hours a day. On days I'm reviewing and memorizing, I take tiny breaks here and there to check my phone or get on here or whatever and I take a lunch break (10 minutes or so.) After about 8 hours, or whenever I start getting burnt out, I take a break to go workout for a couple hours or play guitar or something (insert whatever you wanna do here.) Then afterwards I do another 2-4 hours (depending on motivation level) of reading or whatever I feel like I need to do.

On practice test days, I simulate a full test condition (start at 8 am, 10 minute breaks, 30 minute lunch, etc.) After my practice exam, I do the 1-2 hour break to workout or whatever, then I spend 2-4 hours (again, motivation level dependent) on going over incorrect answers and add things to my "List of things to Review" for my memorization/review days.

When you get burnt out, take breaks! If you are trying to increase your stamina, force yourself to keep reading/memorizing/whatever it may be. Even if it's watching Khan Academy on YouTube or whatever, as long as you are being exposed to MCAT material, you're good.

Thanks for the post

 

[aldol16]

Focused studying for 3-4 hours a day is better than unfocused studying for 6-8 hours. You inevitably become tired after studying for so long and it becomes very hard to be efficient. Also, with regard to content review, you shouldn't be spending more than 2-3 weeks on that if you're studying 3-4 hours a day. You shouldn't be focused on memorizing all the little details. The only place where you should be simulating test conditions is during FLs. Simulating test conditions during content review is just silly.

 

[MareNostrummm]

Are people really studying a legit 12 hours a day? That seems like burnout territory if you keep that up for more than a week. I wouldn't even do that for finals.

 

[sleepyhead22]

I've also been reading elsewhere and it seems the general consensus is at least 6 hours as it builds the stamina needed for test day.

Just doing full lengths will help your stamina. I've done 6 so far and have one more before my test in the 18th. On my first one, I started to lose focus halfway through each section. By my fourth one I had my meals/snacks down and had no problem staying focused the whole time.

I have worked full time with the exception of the last week and a half which I spent 8-10 hours per day studying. I did 4 months of 2-3 hours per day due to work. I think 4 hours a day would have been optimal but I made it work. Do what works for you. If you have the time and stamina to study all day then go for it, but make sure you take one day completely off per week. Try to start doing full lengths early on in your studying and stamina won't be a problem. Good luck!

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Have to agree 100% with aldol16 here. It is all about quality over quantity. Don't measure the hours you study each day; measure how much you get done and never sacrifice sleep to study more. That will catch up quickly. On an efficient day, you may only put 3 to 4 hours in. That's okay. On other days, you may spend 8 hours or more. That's fine too, as long as you are not forcing information into a fatigued cranium.

Review as you need, but avoid spending large chunks of time reading text on stuff you already know. Most of the material is best absorbed and relearned through application and test skills can only be honed through practice and reviewing your answers. You need to review and process answer explanations, especially ones that elaborate on the process of elimination approach.

No two students are ever exactly the same, so your needs will vary with each topic. Just make sure to do at least 50 to 100 questions on each topic in the AAMC list, no matter how much time it takes.

 

[septalridge]

I've also been reading elsewhere and it seems the general consensus is at least 6 hours as it builds the stamina needed for test day.

I think it depends where you are in the cycle and how strong your basic skills/knowledge are. If you're not feeling confident about where you are starting out, you might consider the following: 2 hr. intensives on Sci-related, broken up by 30-45 minutes of reading for CARS-type development; maybe 3 rounds of this/day. Then, when you have a better idea of where you stand (AAMC FL), make necessary modifications.

 

[kb0275]

At least 25 hours a day

 

[mourinho]

At least 25 hours a day

How do you do that?!

 

[Chromium Surfer]

How do you do that?!

You can't. That's the point