It’s not ideal for anybody to begin studying during their freshman year of college. The earliest we recommend taking the MCAT is the end of the summer between your sophomore and junior year of college. In that case, we recommend beginning to study no earlier than the spring of your sophomore year.
How long before the MCAT should I start studying?
3 to 6 months
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 2 Months enough to study for MCAT?
According to the AAMC, the average pre-med student should spend about 240 hours preparing for the MCAT over three months. As the official MCAT prep of the AMSA, Kaplan recommends that you spend 300-350 hours studying so you can be above average.
When should I start worrying about the MCAT?
Based on the reasons outlined above, we’d recommend taking the MCAT no later than April 2024. Setting a foolproof earliest test date is more complicated; nevertheless, summer 2022—between sophomore and junior year—would likely be the earliest date you’d want to consider.
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. This can be compressed or extended based on your schedule.
Is a 520 A good MCAT score?
Attaining a score of 520 on the MCAT means you performed in the 98% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
Is a 500 MCAT score good?
The highest MCAT score possible is a 528. The MCAT scale is centered so that a 500 represents the mean score. AAMC recommends that med school admission committees consider applicants near the center of the range, rather than placing the most emphasis on the higher end of the scale.
Is 8 Weeks enough for MCAT?
Top tips for preparation
Give yourself enough time to study, at least 4-5 weeks full time. Believe that the test can be conquered and have a good attitude while you’re studying. Don’t just take full-length tests. If you spend 8 hours taking a full-length test, spend multiple hours reviewing that test.
Is Khan Academy good for MCAT?
It also covers most topics you’ll encounter on the MCAT. Khan Academy excels in a couple of critical subjects. The platform is one of the best for psychology and social sciences. The MCAT resources don’t gloss over those topics, which sometimes occurs with other test prep courses and resources.
Can you do well on the MCAT without studying?
Scoring well on the MCAT is hard if you do not study properly. Conversely, if you master high-yield content, take lots of test-like practice problems in test-like conditions, and study exactly what you miss, you can score very well on the MCAT and increase your chances of getting into your dream medical school.
How fast do MCAT seats fill up?
Historically, testing seats fill up very quickly—some in less than 24 hours— and we expect the same to occur this year. You might say that MCAT seats were just as popular as the hottest music events!
Should I start studying for the MCAT in high school?
Ideally, students should give themselves at least six months to prepare for the MCAT. They can begin their preparation by taking a practice exam to familiarize themselves with the test, and to get a good idea of their strong and weak areas.
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?
If you’re a proud average student, be sure to give yourself ample time for MCAT Phase 1. This can range from 2 months of full-time MCAT study to 4 months of part-time MCAT study just for content review. You’ll then have to focus on passages/practice questions (phase 2) and, of course, full lengths (phase 3).
How do you self study for the MCAT?
Learn the top ten MCAT study habits that will actually boost your score.
- Find Your Baseline.
- Don’t Sacrifice Practice for Content Review.
- Focus on Accuracy.
- Build Stamina.
- Take as Many Full-length Practice Tests as Possible.
- Simulate REAL MCAT Conditions.
- Practice Dealing With Distractions.
- Manage Your Stress.
Should I retake a 512 MCAT?
If you were averaging 510-512s on your practice AAMC exam but scored much lower on test day, this is a good reason to retake the MCAT. The lower score is more likely due to nerves, pressure, lack of sleep, or sickness than lack of knowledge and ability.
Should I retake a 508 MCAT?
508-510 are all fine, and if you don’t get accepted with a score in that range, it’s not because of your MCAT score. Anything that’s 510 and above will help you. This is going to discourage a lot of people because they may only be getting a 504 or 505.
What’s the lowest MCAT score accepted?
Your correct answers in each section are converted to a scaled score ranging from 118 (lowest possible score) to 132 (highest possible score). The scores for all four sections are added together. This means that the lowest possible MCAT score you can get is 472 and the highest is 528.
Is MCAT or GPA more important?
But, the easy answer is: MCAT. Some med schools believe that GPA is a better indicator of future success because it measures your work ethic and determination. However, your MCAT score is the only factor that is completely objective. It is the only factor that can compare all students evenly.
Is 504 a good MCAT score?
Is 504 a bad MCAT score? in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 504 on the MCAT means you performed in the 67% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.
What MCAT score do I need for Harvard?
Average MCAT Scores for the Top 30 Medical Schools
| Rank | Medical School | Average MCAT Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | 520 |
| 2 | New York University | 522 |
| 3 | Duke University | 519 |
| 4 | Columbia University | 521 |
