Want a 518 MCAT score like mine?
🎀Make sure to divide your study into 3 phases: (this is a 6 month plan)
1. CONTENT REVIEW PHASE (Month 1 and 2)
Start with a diagnostic test to see where your weaknesses are! Let’s say you are using Kaplan self study books, or whatever material you are using, make sure you read all the books and review all the content… To incorporate active recall and spaced repetition, I would also do some anki/uworld questions or even practice passages on specific topics while studying! During this time I would also do 3-5 CARS passages (untimed) just to start getting a hang of it!! Believe me or not! CARS is the hardest part of the MCAT😭
2. THIRD PARTY PRACTICE PHASE (Month 3 and 4)
This is where I would start practicing using all the Third Party materials! By third party, I mean any practice materials apart from the AAMC materials(save those for the end). At this point, no more wasting time reading books doing content review! The MCAT is all about practice! Use all the materials you possibly can for practice. Start training yourself to sit down for almost 8hrs! Do full length exams, practice passages, start timing yourself! Especially CARS passages, do atleast 5 timed passages per day, remember you should train yourself to do 1 passage in 10 minutes! Make sure to review all the practice questions you do and see where your weaknesses are! Once you identify a weakness, go back to the book and revise that topic if needed! Make sure you do not take another full length before you fix that content gap!
3. AAMC MATERIALS PRACTICE PHASE (Month 5 and 6)
The AAMC is the company that makes the MCAT, therefore these questions are most likely gonna be the closest to the real exam! They have 6 Full length exams and many other question packs! I WOULD DO ALL OF THESE!! Practice timed passages and full length just like I would on the real test day! I would go through everything I failed and fill my content gaps!! And most likely the scores I get in these Full lengths will be close to the real score on MCAT day!
So, you're aiming for a stellar MCAT score, perhaps even a 518 or pushing towards a 526 MCAT? I've been there! My 3-phase study schedule wasn't just about covering material; it was about strategically optimizing every hour to ensure I could hit those high scores. Here’s a deeper dive into how you can refine each phase to truly excel. Phase 1: Beyond Basic Content Review During the initial Content Review phase, don't just read the books. True mastery comes from actively engaging with the material. For every chapter, I'd immediately explain the concepts aloud in my own words, as if I were teaching it to someone else. This 'blurting' technique, paired with creating custom Anki flashcards for every single term or process I struggled with, was a game-changer. It forced me to understand, not just recognize. Instead of passively highlighting, try summarizing paragraphs in your own notebook. This deep processing solidifies your understanding, which is crucial for the complex, application-based questions on the actual MCAT. Phase 2: Mastering Third-Party Practice The Third Party Practice phase is where you build stamina and learn to apply your knowledge under pressure. When doing practice questions, don't just check if your answer is right or wrong. Analyze why each incorrect option is wrong and why the correct option is superior. Even for questions you got right, review the explanation! Was your reasoning flawless, or did you get lucky? I kept an 'error log' where I noted the topic, question type, my mistake (content gap, misinterpretation, timing issue), and the correct approach. This helped me identify patterns in my weaknesses. For CARS, practicing 5 timed passages daily is non-negotiable. Focus on identifying the author's main idea and purpose, and how each paragraph contributes to it. Understanding the structure of the argument is often more important than the specific details. Phase 3: Strategic AAMC Materials Practice This is the final, most critical phase. The AAMC materials are the gold standard because they most closely mirror the real exam's logic and style. Don't save them all for the last minute! Integrate them strategically. For each full-length exam, treat it like the real thing: strict timing, no breaks beyond the allotted ones. The review of these full-lengths is even more important than taking them. Spend 1.5-2 days meticulously reviewing every single question – right or wrong. What was the question testing? What specific content was involved? What was the question's trick? My scores on these AAMC full-lengths were highly predictive of my 518 MCAT score, so pay close attention to trends and drill down on any remaining content gaps. This thorough review is what pushes you from a good score to a truly exceptional one, like a 518 or even aiming for a 526 MCAT. Ultimately, achieving a top MCAT score like 518 comes down to consistent, intelligent effort. Use your 3-phase study schedule as a roadmap, but don't be afraid to adjust it based on your personal performance data. Stay consistent, manage your stress, and trust the process – your hard work will pay off!