MCAT Test Preparation
It all comes down to the standardized tests.
Sometimes we simply don’t know what resources to pick with all that’s out there. Some are expensive. Some are terrible. Where do you begin?
What is the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)?
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and is necessary for admission to medical school. The MCAT consists of 4 sections:
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
(59 Questions, 95 Minutes)Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills
(53 Questions, 90 Minutes)Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
(59 Questions, 95 Minutes)Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
(59 Questions, 95 Minutes)
Studying for the MCAT
Being consistent with your study plan may be the biggest challenge when studying for the MCAT. On Youtube, we see a lot of videos with titles such as “I studied for the MCAT in 14 days” or “I studied for the MCAT in 2 months.” This is a gentle reminder that those study plans may work for some people, but not for others. Everyone starts at a different place when studying for the MCAT. Please try not to compare yourself with other people’s timeline because we all juggle different things in our lives - class load, part-time/full-time jobs, extracurriculars, personal obligations, etc.
Study plans can range from two weeks to two years. Find what works best for your schedule. We recommend that the structure of your study plan to be:
Content Review
Third Party Practice Tests and Problems
AAMC Materials (4-6 weeks from your test date, depending on how fast you can get through the material)
Studying for this test will be challenging. There are going to be times when you feel like you are going through a slump or want to push your test date back - that’s okay! Try to stay as consistent as you can, but remember to take breaks to recharge.
A great way to keep yourself accountable is to find a study buddy that you can meet with via Zoom at specified dates/times. Having friends going through the same process as you are can help give you the motivation to keep going with this journey.
From the plethora of MCAT Resources available to us, CSUEB APAMSA has compiled a list of recommended MCAT Resources. If you are interested in learning more about different MCAT study materials or finding an APAMSA study buddy, please fill out the form below to receive additional information.
Happy Studying!
MCAT Resources Interest Form
We have compiled a list of MCAT Resources that include descriptions about different resources you can use while studying. Please fill out the form below to receive additional information.