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!
Preparing for the MCAT can be daunting, but following a structured study plan can significantly enhance your chances of success. In my 3-phase approach, the **Content Review Phase** (Months 1-2) focuses on identifying weaknesses through diagnostic tests, enabling targeted study using resources like Kaplan self-study books. Incorporating active recall and spaced repetition with tools such as Anki is crucial for reinforcing knowledge. Next, during the **Third Party Practice Phase** (Months 3-4), the emphasis shifts toward practicing with external materials. This phase is vital as it helps simulate real exam conditions. Regularly timing yourself on practice passages, especially in the critical CARS section, is essential to build stamina and speed. After doing several full-length exams, thorough review of any mistakes helps consolidate learning and address content gaps. Finally, the **AAMC Materials Practice Phase** (Months 5-6) involves utilizing the official practice resources provided by AAMC, which are closest to the actual exam format. Completing all available full-length exams and timed passages not only familiarizes you with the exam structure but also helps predict your potential score. The key to success lies in consistent practice, refinement of strategies, and ongoing assessment of both knowledge and test-taking skills. By adhering to this structured plan, you can strategically prepare for a successful MCAT experience.
