how long after taking prep course before mcat

by Sallie Cummings IV 8 min read

The AAMC recommends that the average pre-med student spend between 300 and 350 hours over several months preparing for the MCAT. Three months might seem like plenty of time to prep, but you'll still need to set aside many hours of study time each week in order to score competitively on the MCAT.Jan 12, 2022

Should I take the MCAT three days before my real MCAT?

You should not take a full-length test in the three days leading up to your real MCAT. (That would be like running a practice marathon three days before running the real race.)

What should my test-and-review schedule look like 2 weeks before the MCAT?

Your test-and-review schedule during the two weeks prior to the MCAT might look like three repetitions of this: Day 2: Review the test in detail, filling out your CARS Test Assessment Logs and Science Question Review Worksheets.

How many practice MCAT exams should I take?

It is easy to get overwhelmed—especially if you have work, school, or family commitments. Having a solid schedule will ensure that you accomplish your goals. Plan on taking at least one, and no more than three, full-length practice MCAT exams during this time period.

How much time do I need to prepare for my exams?

This means you need about 20 weeks. You can count back from your May test day, add a little buffer, and start studying Christmas break. This allows you to build some momentum before you have to deal with your classes. And if you want to make it even smoother, you can set it an 8 credit course load during the winter/spring semester.

When should I take MCAT after prep course?

There are 4 different “windows” to take the MCAT: the Winter (late January), the Spring (March through May), the summer (June and July), and the Fall (August and September). The “ideal” time to take it, is when you feel fully prepared. It isn't worth it to rush your MCAT if you don't feel ready.

How long should you study before taking the MCAT?

How long should I study for the MCAT? Believe it or not, most students who do well on the MCAT spend between 200 and 300 hours preparing for the exam. When you start your prep will be determined by your test date and by what other work and academic commitments you have—usually 3 to 6 months before your exam.

Is 14 weeks enough to study for MCAT?

12 weeks, or 3 months, is generally sufficient time to spend studying for the MCAT at about 20 hours per week.

Is 2 months enough for MCAT prep?

As the official MCAT prep of the AMSA, Kaplan recommends that you spend 300-350 hours studying so you can be above average. If you're planning on taking the MCAT in two months, you'll need to put aside a significant amount of study time each week for in order to be able to score competitively.

Is 6 months too long to study for 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.

Is 4 months enough time to study for the MCAT?

Plenty of students can work full-time during their prep and still excel on the MCAT – but if this applies to you as well, consider setting aside 4-5 months instead of 2-3. It's best to take at least 5 full-length exams. The MCAT has a run time of 6 hours and 15 minutes, and that doesn't include breaks.

Should I quit my job to study for MCAT?

The MCAT comes first. The medical schools are not going to look at it negatively if you quit your job to study full-time for the MCAT. One month is not enough time to study for the MCAT for most people.

How many hours a day should I study MCAT?

Most people need 10–15 hours per week to study for the MCAT over a period of at least four to six months . In total, you should aim for at least 200 to 300 hours of MCAT study time.

Is 3.5 months enough for MCAT?

3 months is more than enough if you have solid preparation. If you don't have solid preparation, you're going to need more time to get that solid foundation.

Is 7 weeks enough for MCAT?

Top tips for preparation If possible, take some time to dedicate to only studying for the MCAT® exam. Multitasking while studying for the exam is really hard. Give yourself enough time to study, at least 4-5 weeks full time.

Is 10 weeks enough time to study for MCAT?

The rule of thumb is to study for the MCAT for at least 8 weeks: Take the MCAT prereqs first. Students need fewer prereqs than they're led to believe. No need for calculus, statistics, or the second semester of organic chemistry.

Can I study for the MCAT in 1 month?

Studying for the MCAT in one month is a challenging task, but if you already have a very strong science and critical reading foundation and are able to devote a significant amount of study time per week, then you may still be able to earn the score you need by following this week-by-week plan.

What is a prep course for MCAT?

That said, a prep course is a… course. To get the most out of your MCAT prep course, you’ll spend time attending class, watching science tutorials, and practicing. One of the benefits of a prep course, beyond having all your study resources in one place, is that you won’t waste time learning anything that won’t be on the MCAT.

How long do you need to take the MCAT?

You’ll need at least one year with labs of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.

Can you prepare for what you don't know?

And remember, your baseline score is just that. It’s your starting-off point, not a determinant of where you’ll be in 3-6 months.

Has the AAMC cancelled the MCAT?

In response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the AAMC has cancelled all administrations of the MCAT through at least May 21. They will be waiving all rescheduling fees for people who signed up for MCAT exams that were cancelled.

The Importance of the MCAT

MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. Most medical schools require students to take this standardized exam as part of the application process. By getting a good score, you will increase your chances of acceptance.

How Many Hours Should You Spend Studying for the MCAT?

Students who perform well on the MCAT dedicate around 200-300 hours to studying. This number serves as a good starting point for creating your plan. However, realize that you don’t need to follow it exactly. Also, if you’re wondering How Many Times Can You Take The MCAT, then see our post here.

Take a Practice Exam

Everyone will have different study requirements. For instance, if you excel in a specific subject, you may not need to commit as much time. Conversely, if you find yourself struggling with a topic, you may need to put in more hours.

Schedule an MCAT Date

Now that you know about how many hours you need to put in and the subjects you need to focus on, it’s time to create a study plan.

When to Start Studying For the MCAT

Most students start studying 3-6 months before their test date. This period gives them plenty of time to review content, take practice exams, and participate in prep courses.

1.What is your level of familiarity with the material?

If you are a pre-med student, you have taken all of the pre-requisite courses, and you generally have a strong understanding of the content that is on the MCAT, then you will likely be able to spend less time covering content and more time going over test-taking strategies and doing practice.

2.What is your schedule like?

A pre-med student who works a part-time job, volunteers on the weekends, and plays club sports 4 nights a week probably has less time in her schedule than a pre-med student who is only enrolled in a few classes and goes out with her friends once a week.

How long should I study for the MCAT?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty to figure out an individualized plan for you, let’s talk about what the general recommendations are for how long you should study for the MCAT: Typically students need 3-6 months to study. This is a hard test. On average, students who do well will put in between 250-400 hours of MCAT studying.

How many hours should I study for the MCAT?

A good bet for MCAT studying is to set aside 20-40 hours a week depending on how much time you need for content. But you MUST always be practicing MCAT thinking, so at least 20 hours will mostly be test and question review. And then, if you need content work on top, you can add additional hours to your schedule.

What is the focus of the MCAT?

Many worry especially about their Physics. But at the end of the day, the focus of the MCAT is primarily on reasoning and reading. If you haven’t taken a practice test, this really won’t be clear until you take one (we will get to that soon).

How long does it take to get a 515?

If you start at 500, and you want a 515, a fair guess is that it will take you about 15 weeks (just under 4 months). If you start at 485, it will take twice as long. However, please note this formula is NOT Linear. You will have periods of big jumps, and periods of no movement.

Should I study biochemistry before junior year?

However, depending on where you start, it could take you half as much time (or twice as long). So generally, students are best off starting to study the summer before their Junior year if they have already taken biochem and physio.

How to prepare for the MCAT?

Do something enjoyable that will relax your mind and body. Try to get outdoors; you’re going to be cooped up all day taking the MCAT tomorrow. If not studying at all will freak you out, then work for only an hour or so, in the morning if possible. Do basic science content review, and take a CARS and/or science passage you have already done—and walk yourself through it, step by step, as a final solidification of the strategies you want to use on test day.#N#Have everything you plan to bring to the test center laid out the night before, including your ID, keys, snacks, lunch, something to drink, and a jacket or sweater in case you get cold. The test center will provide you with a storage key, noteboard and marker, and wireless foam earplugs.

What to bring to the test center?

Have everything you plan to bring to the test center laid out the night before, including your ID, keys, snacks, lunch, something to drink, and a jacket or sweater in case you get cold. The test center will provide you with a storage key, noteboard and marker, and wireless foam earplugs.

image