How to Approach the MCAT:

Tips & Testimonials

By the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students

ohiostatemaps@snma.org
 ● Who is currently studying for the MCAT?

● Who is planning to start studying for the MCAT in

the next year?

● Who has no idea what they are doing in regards to

the MCAT?
 First: What is the layout of the MCAT?

Section # of Questions Time Allotted

Chem/Phys 59 95 min

CARS 53 90 min

Bio/Biochem 59 95 min

Psych/Soc 59 95 min
When is the best time to take the MCAT?

What to consider:
● Coursework
○ The MCAT covers material equivalent to a year of physics, a year of chemistry, a year of organic chemistry, and one to
two years of biology. It’s generally not a good idea to take the MCAT until you’ve finished most or all of these
prerequisite courses.
● Prep time
○ The most important factor to consider in deciding when to take the test is your MCAT prep schedule. When will you have
time in which you can dedicate hours of your days studying MCAT content? This involves taking multiple practice exams
to see where your strengths and weaknesses are.
● Deadlines
○ Aim to take the MCAT as early in the year as possible, preferably no later than mid-May before AMCAS application
submissions begin in early June. Completing the exam earlier will allow you to complete your AMCAS application
early, and the earlier you submit your application, the better. Taking the exam earlier will also help if you end up needing
to retake the exam because of an undesirable score.
 Example of Possible Test Dates

Opens ~3 months
at a time

One month till test

results released

7:30am or 3pm
So you’ve chosen when you want to take your test….
now what?
Which Resource should you use?
Course Work
● Kaplan (Extensive coverage)
○ Book Price: $250-300
○ Self-Paced: $1799
○ Live Online: $2499
○ In-Person: $2899
● Princeton Review (25% OSU Discount)
○ Book Price: $150-200
Self-Paced: $1599
○
○ Live Online: $3149
○ In-Person: $3149
● AAMC Material
○ One Free Exam
○ Full Length Exam: $35
○ Question Pack: $15
○ All Inclusive Bundles: $270
Other Resources
● Uworld ($250-300)
○ Question database with diagnostic tools and
instant/specific feedback
● Anki (Free)
○ Flashcard database with premade MCAT sets
● Khan Academy (Free)
○ Free video series dedicated to AMCAS topic
outline
● BluePrint
● Kaplan/Princeton Additional Resources
○ Flashcards, tutoring, free content
Fee Assistance Program (FAP)
● MCAT Official Prep Products Benefit
• The MCAT Official Prep products benefit package is subject to change. The current MCAT Official Prep products
benefit is the MCAT Official Prep Online-Only Bundle ($268.80 value), which includes all online MCAT Official Prep
products. 

● MCAT Benefits

• Reduced registration fee, from $320 to $130, for MCAT exams.

• Consideration for financial assistance to obtain an updated evaluation to support an application for MCAT exam
accommodations (For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit aamc.org/accombenefit).

● Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) Benefit

• Complimentary subscription to the Medical School Admission Requirements online database following account

activation ($36 value).

● AMCAS Benefit
• Waiver for all AMCAS fees for one (1) application submission, covering up to 20 medical school submissions
($968 value), submitted by December 31, 2022.
Well you've chosen your MCAT Prep Material….
now what?
The “General” MCAT Study Schedule

Time dedicated to studying: 3 - 6 months

How should you use this time?
1. Take Diagnostic Test. Use a practice test with same testing conditions to assess what you
knowledge is today. Find your biggest weaknesses
2. Content Review. Use the outline given by AMCAS and/or purchase MCAT book sets
(WARNING: do not dwell too long on this). Start with your weak areas
3. CARS Practice. Read a diverse set of passages, especially the stuff you don’t care about
(WARNING: do not underestimate this section)
4. Practice Questions. Use questions in test booklets or third party practice, free online
sources (Khan Academy), Uworld, Flashcards (Anki/Quizlet)
5. Practice Exams. Take as many as you can to gain stamina and monitor your scores
“General” MCAT Study Schedule Layout

● Phase 1: Dedicated time for Content Review

○ Priorities: set a schedule and realistic routine, utilize active recall after reviewing content (Anki,
Quizlet, etc.) Take a diagnostic.
○ Materials: Kaplan Books, Princeton Books, Khan Academy etc.
○ Tip: Only spend about 4-6 weeks in this phase
● Phase 2: Dedicated time for Practice Questions using Third Party Practice
○ Priorities: Get to know the test, what type of questions are asked, and the timing of each section.
○ Materials: Uworld, Blueprint, etc.
● Phase 3: Dedicated time for AAMC Material
○ The AAMC materials will be the closest to the actual test! Spend the most time in this phase to refine
your test taking strategies. Take multiple of the AAMC Full-length Practice Exams
 Example
2 Months
Study Schedule 3 Months

6 Months
So you’ve got your test date, your material, your study plan
and your schedule…. how do you maintain your stamina?
Advice on how to prevent procrastination
Set your goals appropriately
● Chances are you will still have things
going on in your life (coursework, work,
family life, etc)
● If you set your goals too high you can feel
disappointed and burnout quick
● Be flexible/adaptable your first month
● Set realistic weekly and monthly goals
Build in rest days
● Depending on how much time you have
you can plan to only study 6/5 days a
week or choose every other weekend
● Make sure that you have time for your
mental health
● These should NOT be used as extra days
if you didn’t meet your goal for the week
(not healthy to sacrifice break time)
Advice on how to prevent procrastination
Reflect on your best study strategies
● When you have done your best studying,
what did you use? Where were you? How
can you replicate this?
● Who are you as a studier?
● If you don’t have an answer, try something
new!
● If you feel like you are not retaining
anything, switch it up!
Don’t worry that you don’t know everything
● You are not supposed to nor will you after
fully studying and completing practice
exams
● Don’t dwell on the books trying to memorize
everything because you will waste your time
● Instead, try to get practice questions started
ASAP to get familiar with how the AAMC ask
questions and the thought processes
What we did vs. What we wish we had done!
Kiara
Duration: 3 Months (March, April, May)
Material: Kaplan Book Set, AAMC Bundle, Uworld, 6
Practice tests, Khan Academy
What I wouldn’t change: Liked flexibility of my
schedule and the feedback I got when I got things
wrong
What I would change: I would have liked to take
classes so the stress of planning my week was
decreased. I would have added another month so I
could spread out my work (I was taking classes)
Courtney
Duration: 5 months (January-May)
Material: Kaplan Book Set, Khan Academy, Uworld,
Quizlet/ANKI, AAMC Bundle, 6 Practice tests
What I wouldn’t change: The amount of time and effort I put
into practice questions using Uworld and the AAMC
materials (this is where I saw my greatest improvements
week after week)
What I would change: How much time I spent doing content
review; not trusting myself as far as what worked for me
and doing what everyone else said worked for them (i.e.
Anki vs. Quizlet)
Questions?