Becoming a doctor involves many challenges along your path. One of the biggest is the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
StraighterLine is here to help you understand the MCAT through study and preparation tips that can help you master this important exam.
What is the MCAT?
The MCAT is a standardized exam taken before applying to medical school in the United States and Canada. It evaluates knowledge in natural, behavioral, and social sciences alongside critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Although not every medical school requires the MCAT, it remains one of the most common prerequisites for admission.
How is the MCAT Scored?
The MCAT is scored on a scale from 472 to 528. Each of the four sections receives scores between 118 and 132. We’ll discuss each section in more detail later.
Generally, a score of 510 or above is considered competitive for most medical schools, while top-tier programs often require scores of 520 or higher.
Mastering the MCAT: Study & Preparation Tips
The MCAT is considered a very difficult test that requires participants to demonstrate a vast amount of in-depth knowledge of different sciences, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
However, with the MCAT study tips shared below, you can fully prepare yourself to show up on test day with confidence.
Start Early
The earlier you start studying, the better. There’s a lot of material to cover, so plan to begin studying at least four months before your test date.
Know the Exam’s Structure
Understanding the structure of the MCAT can help you study more effectively. The exam takes approximately 7.5 hours from start to finish and spans 230 questions. There are four sections, each designed to evaluate different skill sets and knowledge areas:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (Bio/Biochem): This section tests your understanding of biological and biochemical concepts, processes unique to living organisms, and scientific inquiry and reasoning skills.
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (Chem/Phys): This section assesses your knowledge of chemical and physical principles that underlie the mechanisms operating in the human body.
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc): This part evaluates your ability to apply concepts from psychology and sociology to understand the behavioral and socio-cultural determinants of health.
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS): This section measures your ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply information provided in text passages on a wide range of topics in the humanities and social sciences.
Make a Study Plan
Creating a study plan will help you optimize your preparation by eliminating wasted time or burning out. For example, if you know you need extra help with Psych/Soc, plan to spend more time studying that than the other sections.
A good study plan usually also includes taking several practice tests, which will be discussed in the next section.
Study plans should also include blocks of time set aside for rest and relaxation so that you’ll feel your best on test day. Studying all day and all night for months at a time won’t help you master the MCAT. Instead, try to have designated study days and rest days to avoid burnout.
Take Practice Tests
Learn your “baseline” MCAT score by taking a practice test before you start studying. This will give you an idea of where you need to focus most of your studying, as well as what to expect from the actual test.
There are plenty of free practice tests online. And, while you shouldn’t focus solely on practice tests, it’s a good idea to take several of them during your preparation period so you can keep track of your progress and familiarize yourself with the test as much as possible.
Build Stamina and Focus
You’ll be given 7.5 hours to complete the MCAT, making taking this exam as much about endurance as knowledge.
Without sacrificing your mental or physical health, you should practice building up your stamina and focus for the length of the MCAT so you don’t hit the wall on test day.
Simulate Test Conditions
As you build your stamina and focus, try simulating exam conditions for your practice tests. That means timing yourself, completing the test in a single sitting, taking short breaks between sections, eliminating (or learning to cope with) distractions, and avoiding eating or drinking during the test.
The more familiar you are with the actual test conditions, the less likely you’ll be to let discomfort distract you on test day.
Learn to Understand, Not Just Memorize
The MCAT doesn’t simply test factual knowledge; it emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills across its sections. However, the Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS) section particularly stands out. It solely focuses on reading comprehension. You’ll need to dive deep into the meaning of passages rather than just skimming for details.
During CARS, a thorough analysis is required to grasp key themes and arguments within each passage. This approach means you need a comprehensive understanding of concepts that go beyond mere memorization.
Take Care of Yourself
Although study and prep are absolutely necessary for mastering the MCAT, it’s just as important to take care of yourself. While the test itself is demanding and rigorous, one of the best things you can do is to arrive on test day well-rested and confident. That means eating well, getting plenty of exercise, and practicing healthy sleep hygiene.
MCAT Prep Resources
Effective study and prep require the use of quality resources. When choosing study materials, consider your learning style, such as videos for visual learners or textbooks for textual learners. You might prefer to study on your own, hire a tutor, or take a course.
There’s a diverse range of study materials available, so take advantage of comprehensive ones that cover everything on the test.
This is a list of helpful and reputable study materials and online practice tests:
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Free planning and study resources, including a free practice exam with questions from previous tests and a sample test that mimics the actual exam.
- The Princeton Review: Study and prep packages that include live online instruction, self-paced materials, and in-person tutoring, as well as practice tests.
- Blueprint: Customizable study plans that include self-paced and live online courses.
- Kaplan: On-demand and live online courses, as well as private tutoring and bootcamp options.
Start Your Med School Path With StraighterLine
While StraighterLine doesn’t offer degrees or test prep, we do provide a pre-med bundle that can introduce you to some of the science concepts you’ll encounter on the MCAT and help you earn credits toward your pre-med bachelor’s degree. This bundle is a fantastic way to get a head start on your med school path.
Learn more about StraighterLine’s 70+ courses and how to transfer credits today to save time and money on your path to becoming a doctor!
