My 30+ MCAT Recomendations
I promised that I was going to do this after I got my score back, and now I am following through. I did not take a class, mostly because I didn’t have the money, but also because I don’t study well in groups. I think most motivated pre-meds can get a 30+ on the MCAT through self-study, although that is definitely a sweeping generalization.
I used both ExamKrackers (EK) and Kaplan books for my study purposes. Personally, I liked EK the most. I got the study books, and they were easy to follow. However, I found that the physics review book was lacking, so I purchased a Kaplan review book as well (came with 4 practice tests too!). Physics was my weakest section going in, so I also got EK’s 1,001 Physics Questions, which I completed in its entirety. My favorite book was EK’s 101 Verbal Reasoning Passages, it was great practice, and the passages were actually interesting for the most part. VR is a tough section to raise scores in, but I think it really helped me get a 13. I list all my study purchases at the end of this post, so check that out.
I took about 4 months to study, averaging 2-3 hours per day, until the last month where it was probably closer to 4-5 hours a day. My study plan was simple. For the first two months I did all content review. I read everything once through without taking notes or highlighting. The next time through I took notes, in-depth notes, especially on biology (ended up typing over 34 pages of bullet-point facts). I wanted all my notes in a binder, so that I didn’t have to lug around tons of books everywhere. I also made my own “equation-memorization” sheet, with all of the relevant and important equations I would need to have down pat. By the end of the content review, I had a binder worth of my own notes, which I would try and read through once every other day. This binder was constantly being updated with more random facts, or missed practice test questions, etc.
After content review, it was time to take practice tests, and do problems in physics as well as the VR passages. It is important to be completely comfortable with the way the MCAT asks questions. I took practice tests from Kaplan, ExamKrackers, Gold Standard, and of course the AAMC. Do a ton of practice passages, they will point out your weak areas. The most important purchases are the AAMC practice tests. My average on them was almost exactly my real score. They will indicate how ready you are. In my opinion, AAMC > Gold Standard > Kaplan > EK. The Gold Standard tests are hard (and sometimes frustrating) but they really show you what you don’t know. I didn’t care for Kaplan or EK practice tests at all. Take the last few AAMC’s under real test conditions. Do them somewhere without distractions, and don’t take more than the allotted time for each section and breaks. Also, take the time after the test to review every single question and answer.
My overall recommendations are simple. Don’t take practice tests (especially the AAMC’s) until you are done with content review. Work your butt off, but don’t get burned out, you shouldn’t take this test more than once. Use any and all resources. I thought the Student-Doctor network was helpful, as well as Wikipedia for clearing up any misconceptions. It is more important to understand concepts and how they interrelate rather than memorizing everything. The MCAT is a beast, but it feels so good when it is over; don’t leave anything in the tank. You should have no regrets about your studying after taking it. I would be happy to answer any questions in the comment section, I hope I didn’t leave anything out.
My MCAT Study Budget:
- Examkrackers Complete MCAT Study Pkg: 5 Book Package
- Examkrackers 101 Passages in MCAT Verbal Reasoning
- Kaplan MCAT Premier 2011-2012 (Kaplan Mcat Premier Program)
- Kaplan MCAT in a Box
- AAMC Practice Tests #3-11
- Gold Standard CBTs #1-10
- MCAT Registration ($235)
total estimated price for my preparation and the test: $791.39
Can you tell me what your daily schedule was?
Also, how did you review your past mistakes on AAMC exams and EK practice problems?
Sure, I took Tuesdays completely off because I had lab and other commitments and it was always a day of rest. During my content review, I would literally go to library (sometimes without my computer to eliminate temptation) and sit and read or take notes for 2-3 hours. On weekends, I would do the same but stay for 5-6 hours. I think a day off every once in awhile is a good idea, and on practice test days it is pointless to try and do more studying after you are finished, at least for me, because I was so burnt out.
The AAMC has all the answers to the practice test questions under the review answers option. I had a section in my study binder where I would write out things I got wrong or guessed on. For me, writing things out is a good way to memorize. I read my “wrong answer” section minutes before taking the test, and it actually helped me on a BS question.
I was wondering if you could tell me how you studied for the verbal reasoning section?
Sure Richa,
So basically my “bible” was ExamKracker’s 101 VR Passages. I took each of the 14 practice tests under real conditions (so only give yourself an hour). After time is up, check every single one of your answers, even if you got it right. This allows you to get a feel for MCAT VR style questions and see which kinds of questions are your downfall. Its hardest to “study” for this section but its just a lot of practice. In my experience, Kaplan’s VR was no good. I would stick with the EK, and then use every single one of the practice AAMC’s.
does that help?
-A
Yupp that does!! But i actually got the Princeton Passages for Verbal – do you know if they are any good or if EK are better? I find my score for verbal really varies a lot and time issues makes me miss a lot of the easy questions. Any suggestions?
I am not familiar with the Princeton Review, I would maybe look to the Student-Doctor Network for an answer to that. I know that the EK book is not terribly expensive. It is like $20 on amazon.com, and it is well worth it. I really would suggest you buy EK verbal (and I am not affiliated with them in anyway).
As far as variance goes, I was ranging anywhere from 11-15, so that is to be expected. Sometimes during practice exams it is hard to concentrate on a passage or two about something you don’t care about in the least. Try to read like you are interested, even if you have to fake it at first.
The timing issue is just about practice. Every time you do a practice exam, take note about how much time you have at the half way point. This will help you get a feel for the pace, and also will help you on the real deal. I knew that if I was in good shape, I was finished with question 20 with about 35 minutes left on the clock.
Finally, I don’t know if you are skipping around or not, but I do not suggest it. Read each passage in order and try your best to answer everything. If you are unsure, still put an answer down but “mark” it. Hopefully you can come back to it at the end. If not, at least you have an answer down already!
Feel free to ask more questions about this or anything, I am trying to help but if I am not being clear enough just let me know.
Thanks a ton for the tips!! That was a huge help!
I will follow these and let you know how it goes! Verbal is holding my score back a lot and got less than 3 weeks till my MCAT!!
Btw congrats on your awesome score
Good luck, I am sure you will do great. If your AAMC practice-test scores are not in the range you are hoping for, I recommend just delaying a few weeks. They really are the best indication of where your actual score will end up. Let me know how you do, and come back around here.
so i gave a practice test today and got a 28 (horrible i knooww!) 11 in physical science, 10 in bio and 7 in verbal!
after reviewing i found my mistakes for physical and bio to be just silly mistakes…but I dont know what to do for verbal..I found my starting passages went okay and well i ran out of time for the last..so had to completely guess and that made me rush through my 2nd last as well…
i did order the exam cracker book you told me about! cant wait till it gets here and i can start improving!
but i even tend to get some of the simple retrieval questions wrong! I know if i improve my accuracy with those questions my score will improve a lot…
any ideas about that?
A few things, do you read the questions before reading the section? Are you able to have an idea about where in the passage events happen? How do you highlight? Answer these and I will try and help tomorrow, I am swamped with some work stuff tonight.
Umm…i do browse the questions really quickly…mainly to check if they are asking for any specific phrases or words that I need to highlight so i dont waste time looking for them after. I dont read in much detail so i can get an idea of where the passage is going from the question though. For highlighting, i didnt used to highlight a lot but mainly words/phrases that seemed important…but I found that i couldnt find the events that easily – so i started highlighting a lot more and that helped me a bit.
I sort of do get an idea of how its flowing – i always narrow it down to 2…and then mostly end up picking the wrong one!!
Thanks a ton for your help though!!!
Sorry for the delay, but I think looking at questions before hand is mostly a waste of time. The important thing is to develop a “map” of the passage in your head. That way if you have to look back, you know about where to look. I would say that I looked back on just about half of the questions, but I always remembered where that relevant part was. If you are narrowing it down to two, you are doing great! The MCAT is sometimes luck, and probably 5-6 questions on VR will be educated guesses. Good luck, and let me know how it is going.
Hi, just found your blog – it’s great! Would you mind sharing how you did on practice questions when you started studying? I just started my MCAT prep using EK books and I’m disappointed at how many practice questions I get wrong. I understand the concepts and think I know how to apply them, but when I do the questions I frequently get confused by the passage or find I missed one word that apparently was key. Is this to be expected? I’m getting kind of worried because of such high incidence of error. Is my score going to improve/am I going to get better at it with practice? How was it for you? Thanks in advance.
Hey Ivy,
Thanks for stopping by, sorry for the delay in reply, I have been super busy with interviews and school. The EK books are hard, and I missed quite a few practice questions as well. Don’t let that get you down. I have always thought that you learn better from mistakes anyways.
The MCAT is formatted purposely. That is, it is not enough to just understand the concept but you must actively apply your knowledge. The more you practice and drill yourself, the more you will start getting used to doing these things. Your mind will start seeing the problems differently.
My advice is to keep keeping on. Do more and more practice problems, and write out any commonly missed trouble areas. I had an entire notebook full of things that I missed on a regular basis, and it was the last thing I read over before the actual MCAT. Good luck, and feel free to ask anything else!
-A
Did you approach the physics section in the same way (with the reading through once then going back and taking notes)?
You mean while learning the physics material from EK? Yes, I read through it once, then went back and read it slowly and took notes.
I thought you were going to feature 30+ different tips. funny.
thanks though.
I guess the title of my blog post was probably not the best haha. Hope you found it helpful though!
Hi there,
Your blog is very informative. I’m glad I landed here. Question I have for you is: how much time would you say should one give themselves for practice tests (AAMC’s)? One month, two.. before taking the MCAT?
I would start your practice tests around 1 month before your real MCAT. I liked taking a practice test just about every other day (sometimes everyday). It all depends on your personal preference.
Hey,
I love your posts! They are amazing. One question about verbal. While reading the verbal passages, do you find it helpful to write down one or two words that summarizes each paragraph? — or is that a waste of time? I’m just worried that some passages may contain many small paragraphs, and I would end up skimming through much of the passage to look for the correct detail to answer a question.
Thoughts?
Thank you in advance!
Yvan
I personally think it is a waste. Trust your brain! You should be able to recall whereabouts topics and ideas in the passage were discussed, even if you can’t remember the details. Skimming is not a bad thing, as long as it isn’t for every single question. Does this help at all?
Thanks for the kind words!
-A
Any extra comments for a person that has been out of school for the last 7 years. I am a clinical lab scientist (Med Tech) so I have experience and all the pre reqs, but gearing up for the MCAT after not sitting in a class room for 7 years is scary.
I would prepare the same way as if you were in college. Set aside 3 or 4 hours a day, and go to a library. I would give yourself 3 months or so of prep time, and follow my recommendations on here. It may take you awhile to get used to sitting still, studying, taking tests for 3-4 hours at a time. However you will definitely get used to it (and will have to for medical school anyways).
The MCAT is really not that bad. The worst part is getting started and that first practice test.
Hey! I’m taking the MCAT in May and I’m totally freaking out
cause I feel so unprepared. I am very lazy about taking notes. I mean there’s a TON
of information in the MCAT prep books. How do you know what’s
important to jot down? I really am looking for a plan to get a 35 on the MCAT.
Thanks in advance!
- Omar
The prep books do a good job of highlighting the important points, and after you take a few practice tests you will know what you need to know and what you don’t. As far as a plan for over a 35, follow my steps above and take a look at my other posts on this blog about the MCAT. It is doable.
Hello! First of all congrats on your MCAT score. My question is for you, were you taking undergraduate classes at the same time as you were studying for your MCAT? If so, how were you able to separate and organize time between the two? I’ve been debating whether or not to take the MCAT after I graduate, this way I primarily can just focus on the MCAT. But by doing this, I would end up applying way too late in the application cycle. So if you could give me some pointers and tricks that would be great! Thanks once again
I planned way ahead so that I was only taking 12 hours of undergrad courses during the semester I would be studying for the MCAT. I got all my school work done early during the week and would study every evening and all day on weekends. I was taking Cell Biology which was a good class to kind of review biology topics on the MCAT.
First I would like to say congrats. I also want to ask you if I should take the prep course at my school for EK or should I do the self study. I thought I should do the Princeton review prep course bc it’s cheap and do the self studied too. I wanna say I’m an average student in class but I tend to forget thing after learning something new. Can u help
Jason,
I think it really depends on your comfort level with self-studying weighed against the financial costs of a prep-course. In the end, you know yourself way better than I do. Go with your gut.
-A
This blog is awesome. I’m taking the MCAT on April and I’m scoring 9s on practice verbal tests pretty consistently. I’ve only started studying this week but even as I’m noticing mistakes and trying to overcome them the next day, I see the same score. Any advice on how I can see improvement or when I can at least expect improvement? Also, out of curiosity, what was your starting score and what did you end up with?
Ranveer,
My advice is to keep doing what you are doing. Only way to improve VR at this point is more practice questions and careful exam review. I think your scores will start improving after 5-10 EK practice tests (see the book I recommend above). I also have a whole set of blog posts about improving VR scores, so do a search on here. My practice MCAT, I scored a 29.
-A
Hello,
I’m having a very hard time in the physical sciences section. I keep getting 7-8. I keep bombing the physics part of physical sciences section. These passages scare me and I don’t know how to approach it at all. Really need help.
-Tulip
If you are bombing the physics portion than it sounds like you need more content review. Go back to the review books and be able to explain equations and know WHEN to use them. Just memorizing equations isn’t enough, need to know how they work. Concepts are more important.
Hi! Thank you for your tips!! I’m using EK for bio and their sections are quite lengthy. Did you aim for like half a chapter a day or did you just stop when your 2-3 hours were up? thanks!
I usually did at least one chapter in EK Bio a day. However, I don’t remember in much detail about the lengths of chapters.
Did you ever use Chad video’s, i plan on using him for phyiscs, chemistry, biology and ochem and in addition i have exam krackers for verbal, biology and chemistry. I also plan to start taking the AAMC test in april, i have my test in late May. Do you think those materials are good enough?
I have actually never heard of Chad’s videos, but EK is a great resource and doing tons of practice tests is the real key.
Chad’s videos follow the MCAT topics and explain what we need to know. Thank you for your help. Congrats!!!
Hello. I recently took the mcat and have no idea what to expect. I took all the aamc practice exams and my score really varied by a lot. I think I did not do well so I was wondering what you would recommend me do if I am going to take it over? I have all the same material you used but I am just disappointed because I would have no aamc practice exams to take since I took them all. Do you know any other full lengths that I could take besides 3-11 that are similar to the aamc exams?
I should also say that I am taking the exam for a medical program and not for medical school so I do not need as high of a score.
Thanks for any advice you can give
I would recommend the Gold Standard practice tests. I used them and they are hard, but really good preparation for the real MCAT. If you want more material I suggest my digital flashcards that I am offering, look for the link under the title of the blog. It will really help you with content review. I think those two thinks will help you, also pick up a copy of ExamKrackers 101 Verbal Reasoning Passages from Amazon.
Hi congrats on your score. I will be undertaking the MCAT exam in two months time. This will be my fourth run. I always struggle on the VR section and got a serious issue with the time management. How do you deal with the passages that hardly make any sense, with heaps of words that you have never heard before. Cheers
Muntasir,
I never really came across a passage that “didn’t make sense.” You may have never read about the subject before and perhaps it is uninteresting to you, but it makes sense. I wrote a bunch of posts about doing well on VR. Start here: http://www.theherocomplex.com/improving-mcat-verbal-reasoning/
I hope that helps and good luck on the MCAT, I hope you find the resources on this site useful!
-A
Hey. I just started reading your blog and am finding it extremely useful.
I already bought the EK verbal passages book.I do few passages each day and will do the last five under timed conditions. However, since my mcat date is months from now, I was wondering if there is another verbal book you would recommend in case I finish EK before my test?
Thanks,
Fati
Hi Fati,
I only used the EK book before my test (plus the multitude of passages found in my practice tests). However I have heard good thinks about the Princeton Review VR book. Remember that you should take all of these under timed conditions. It is not preparing you for the real MCAT to go through them leisurely.
good luck!
-A
Hey I love Your blog. It is very informative. I have some questions for you, so i am currently junior in college and I am thinking about taking Mcat in mid-july, but what i am concerne about is that I am taking 18 credit hours and I am unable to study for Mcat, so if I start studying in the bigging of May to the day of Mcat, will I be fine? I am extremely dedicated person when it comes to my studies. So i just wanted to know your opinion.
Hi Mary,
Depending on your comfort with the sciences tested on the MCAT, I would say that 2.5 months of dedicated study is enough time to do really well. I wouldn’t push your test date much later than late July though. Do the best you can on the 18 hours of course work (especially any science courses) and perhaps start some light reviewing/read through of test-prep material, flashcards, etc. so that you are ready to hit the ground running in May.
-A
Hello!
First of all congrats on your mcat score. I recently became really worried about MCAT scores and I saw this blog which I found really helpful. My biggest concern started a few days ago when people from Kaplan came to my university and offered a free MCAT test. I did not study at all and did not review anything for it. Long story short, i got a 10 on that test which i know it is pretty damn bad. I am done with all my calcs, physics and chemistry but I am currently taking bio I (first semester of bio). I am guessing i missed all my biology related questions since i have not taken any upper bio classes. On the VR I only got like 2 points mostly because i did not know there were going to be that many passages so i took all the time of the world in the first passages, by the time the guy said “5 minutes” left i still had like 4 more passages to go, how naive i was. English is also my second language and it is very hard to map things out in my head in a foreign language. What do you recommend ? I hear people get low scores on this first practice test, but i have never heard of such low score. Are my chances of going to med school screwed ? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
Manza,
Your chances are not affected by a practice Kaplan test. You haven’t even completed your pre-reqs for medical school yet. I would recommend the books I mention in the post above these comments for studying. Also perhaps read some English novels in your free time.
Learn more about the MCAT, and what exactly is on it. You can do that at the AAMC website. I also recommend a series of posts I wrote about improving your MCAT VR score: http://www.theherocomplex.com/improving-mcat-verbal-reasoning/
This is just the beginning, with lots of preparation and hard work there is no reason you can’t score a 30+ and go to medical school.
-A
Hi there – I’m currently signed up for an international test (Malaysia) and will take the beast on March 23. My current issue with the MCAT is that no matter how I attack a passage, I make a “duh” error at least a few times per (in all sections). My overall scores are sitting around 7′s and I have written my own Anki cards and am working on a verbal equation sheet, but don’t know what is missing.
Individual passages tend to go pretty well but when I string more than two together, inevitably one of them is a dud. I did three OChem passages, and got a perfect on #1, 1/5 on #2 and 6/7 on #3. Passage #2 was simple enough material but it didn’t register when I was reading.
Would you recommend passages & working on test-taking strategies supplemented with answers, or at this point do I need more material review?
BTW, where did you end up entering for Med School? I’ve snooped around on your site long enough but haven’t found it yet hehe
Best wishes
Doug,
With subscores of 7, you probably need more content review. Part of the reason you aren’t doing as well as hoped is probably test taking strategies, but a 7 tells me that you don’t have all the material down yet either. Keep doing passages for VR, but in the meantime go back to studying BS and PS.
I like being anonymous, but I am in medical school somewhere in the Carolinas.
-A
Hello,
Thanks for sharing all the great information. I was just wondering if you could tell us your daily schedule, in detail if possible, when you were studying for MCAT. For example, on Monday read biology lecture 1 and verbal test 1, Tuesday off, Wednesday chem lecture 1 etc. I’m taking my MCAT in May, so less than three months left to prepare for it! Please help. Thanks in advance!
Ginny,
During my content review I did 3-4 hours of studying a night during weekdays, because I was in school. I usually took Friday off. Then on the weekends, I would hardcore it for 8 hours or so. At the beginning of my studying I took Sundays off, however as it got closer I would try and study 6 days a week.
I don’t remember exactly what I covered and in what order. The important thing is to make a schedule that you can stick to and complete.
good luck to you,
A
A,
I am plan on taking the MCAT this summer. I wanted to take it in May since I heard med school is sometimes rolling admissions. I am applying in texas and have one school that I really want over all of the others. However I am working and taking 21 hours of college so I am not finding much time to study for the MCAT . Would it be okay to study hard in the summer and possibly take a prep course and take the MCAT at the end of July/ early August. Would it decrease my chance of admissions to my top school by taking the test so late?
Thanks for your help!
M
Hi Mauli,
I don’t know much about the medical schools in Texas. However you are right that some schools start offering interviews around the time you are taking the MCAT. Remember that once you take the MCAT, it is still another month until the schools receive your scores. However, it is more important to dominate the MCAT then take it early while unprepared. With your schedule, I don’t think it is reasonable to add MCAT studying on top of everything.
If you do well on it, all this won’t matter. So just concentrate on that, and good luck!
-A
Hello, thank you so much for your help with giving a nice study schedule. I was wondering if you could please help me a little bit with creating a schedule for me. I am scheduled to take the MCAT June 20th, 2013. I have all EK books & Kaplan books. I just started studying this week; so far only reading the chapters of the Kaplan books. I was wondering if it is at all useful to read the Kaplan books and the EK books at the same time (match the Kaplan chapters to the EK lectures)? Thank you so much.
-B.
B,
I think that is definitely a useful strategy.
Hey! I’m so sorry to bother you but I know you’ll be able to help me. I’ve recently started a princeton review course for the MCAT and I signed up for the test on May 18th. I feel so unprepared but I don’t want to postpone it to more than May 30th cause I found out that the sooner I apply the better chances. The course gives me so much homework and books that I fell extremely overwhelmed especially with school going on. I have a month and a half to two months to study for this thing. I decided to stop going to some of the course classes that I find useless and focus on the bigger book that has everything in it. What do you think I should plan out in terms of studying and taking practice tests to score around a 35? I really appreciate this. Thank you so much!
Hey A !
Your post is extremely helpful, and I needed some advice regarding my current study-plan. I am currently an accounting student with no university level science courses. However, I plan on taking 8 months off to study for the MCAT. I have purchased the kaplan 5 subject review books that cover bio, physics, organic chem and chem in-depth. and I was wondering what your opinion was on this. Is it possible to completely self study for the mcat, using kaplan review books, and all the resources you mentioned, within a span of 8 months? (study6-8 hours a day). Or do you feel it is completely necessary to have taken undergraduate courses before writing the MCAT?
Sukhy,
I have never met someone who has taken the MCAT without taking some science classes in college. I am sure it can be done, but a lot of medical schools require science pre-reqs anyways.
-A
i’m a little nervous about this exam. I’ve taken it once already- abysmal scores. Re-read all the kaplan books and bought EK and started again. Took notes but regret in hindsight because they are in the side of my books and not in one organized place as you did
and more questions= easily discouraged…
Practicing a lot now from EK and Kaplan. Exam in 2 months. Getting more questions wrong than right sometimes- even though i know the information; Applying conceptually especially in physical sciences is my biggest challenge- but not sure how to solve the problem
Suggestions?
Plus I work full time too so don’t have ‘full’ days off except weekends- which can be exhausting but like u said, MCAT is a beast
You just have to do hundreds of questions until applying your knowledge becomes second nature. While practicing have a short memory, that is forget the previous question and give 100% focus to the present. Reviewing each and every problem to see where you went wrong is also crucial.
Hi,
I found your information quite helpful. However, do you mind telling what you actually got and how you did in undergrad?
Thanks
Sunny,
I got a 37, and I did very well in undergrad.
thanks for reading,
A
Thank you so much for the response and you’re very welcome!!
Hi ,
I just wanted to ask how long you think I should spend on the physics section. I’ve already taken physics, but the class offered at my school was not very strong and to be honest I basically know nothing in that particular subject. I am taking my mcat at the end of August and I was curious as to how much time you think I should allow for learning and studying physics. I am going to start studying for the mcat for the first time in about a week, using the exam krackers complete study books.
Thanks
Sam,
I am not sure how long you need as I know nothing about you as a student. I thought physics was pretty hard but if you have a lot of time and are motivated you can definitely get through it in your timeline. Use the EK books, and get the 1,001 Physics practice problems to further complete your studies.
-A
Being an eager pre-med on my summer break, I’ve been looking into strategies for MCAT, medical school, research, etc basically the whole. I know I’m a little ahead of myself, but you probably heard that the 2015 MCAT test is going to be different (aka more material). I’m a little (or a lot) worried and anxious as to how I’m going to have enough time to fit everything in. Is there anyway you can make a rough outline of you college year? I know it’s a lot to do, but it would greatly beneficial to look at and just see when I should be doing things. Also for your MCAT did you start studying the summer of the test or a little before that? (stupid question I know but…Should I actively pay attention and try to learn the material really well when I take the actual classes so I have less to go over later on?) Also did you study everyday? Sorry I’m throwing a lot at you; my dream of being a doctor really gets to me sometimes. Anyways thanks
and you have become my new inspiration!