The Hardest Part of the MCAT
In my mind, one of the most difficult aspects of the MCAT is that it covers more material than any exam you have ever taken in your life. Think about it, some of the hardest college classes out there are organic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. Take these classes, plus 6 or 7 more of the rigorous pre-med classes, put them together, and you have the...
The Best MCAT Prep Books
Which MCAT prep books are the best? After analyzing the experiences of over 50 students that scored between the 95th and 100th percentile, we came to the conclusion that there isn’t a “best” MCAT prep book. We came to the conclusion that the students that score well on the MCAT tend to use a variety of content review books instead of relying on a single...
4 Things to do to Conquer Behavioral Sciences
When the AAMC remade the MCAT in 2015, they added a new section, the Behavioral Science section. The section covers both sociology and psychology. Because there is no resource out there that covers every single term you might expect to see in this section, make sure to get as much exposure to these topics as you can. By the time you take the MCAT, you...
How is the MCAT Scored?
How is the MCAT scored? The MCAT is scored in a fairly straightforward manner. Typically, each section is composed of 50-60 questions and your score is based on what percent of those questions you get correct. With the COVID-abbreviated MCAT (May 29th – September 28th), each multiple-choice section will contain only 48 questions. Your percent correct for...
3 Essential Classes to Take For the MCAT
Although medical schools vary by what pre-med classes they require and which classes they simply recommend, it is important to understand how your pre-med classes will help you attain pre-med success. The MCAT doesn’t just test you on your ability to memorize countless scientific facts. It expects you to be able to use your science background to answer...
The Most High-Yield MCAT Topics
Are some concepts more important than others? Learning every single MCAT concept perfectly would take someone hundreds of years. Think about it, people spend entire Ph.D. programs studying a single enzyme! Since you don’t have hundreds of years to prepare for the MCAT, you are going to need to prioritize your studying of certain concepts over others....
Overview of the MCAT
What is the MCAT like? Imagine a 7.5-hour multiple-choice exam that tests essentially every piece of content covered in all your basic science pre-med classes. It’s a comprehensive final for your pre-med experience. The official study guide is 200 pages long. That’s the MCAT. The exam contains four sections of 50-60 questions each, including a section...
How to Study on Your Own for the MCAT
Can I study on my own for the MCAT? According to the AAMC, almost half of the students that take the MCAT study for it on their own. While most test prep companies will try to sell you on the idea that you need their $4,000 program to succeed, this just isn’t the case. Our analysis of over 50 students that scored between the 95th and 100th percentile...
Is the MCAT Stressing You Out? Fight Back with these 5 Key Habits!
Studying for the MCAT can be one of the most stressful endeavors you have ever undertaken in your life. It can be especially stressful considering that you also need to juggle research, volunteering, shadowing, and several other essential checklist items for your medical school application. In studying for the Behavioral Sciences section of the MCAT (try...
3 Steps to Preparing your Med School Application while Studying for the MCAT
Because most students take the MCAT around the same time that they are applying to medical school, it is crucial that you find a careful balance between the time you spend on your application and MCAT prep. Here's how it's done: (1) Set a goal for when you will get your primary application completed. When it comes to the AMCAS application, I'd recommend...
