How To Study For The MCAT In 2 Months

June 25, 2024

minute read

Making an MCAT study regimen is crucial to ensuring your success on test day. Your MCAT score is a significant aspect of your medical school application and one of the first things admissions committees look at when deciding whether or not to accept you. Needless it is to say, having the proper preparation is the key. 

If you are taking the MCAT and are wondering how to study for the MCAT in 2 months, you have come across the right post. Please continue reading. 

What Do You Need to Know Before Studying for the MCAT?

Preparing for the MCAT does not only mean studying for the four test sections. As part of your MCAT preparation, it is also a must that you take into consideration other factors that are just as important as the content of the MCAT.

Below are some of them.

  • All medical schools, even those that are easy to get into, have GPA and MCAT requirements that must be completed. The admission committee members will judge you based on your GPA and MCAT score before even looking at your AMCAS job and activities section or medical school personal statement.
  • Some medical schools will not continue to examine your application if you do not meet their MCAT requirements.
  • When you read about someone raising their MCAT score by 10-15 points between their first and second attempts, it is because they did not get any smarter. When preparing for the MCAT, they just mapped out the test, which is your job.
  • To understand testing logistics and other critical facts, start by reading The MCAT Essentials, which is mandatory reading by the AAMC.
  • Before you start planning your study schedule, learn about the MCAT format, how much time you have for each section, the core ideas covered, and essential skills examined on the MCAT.
  • Go over the proven MCAT CARS strategy to see what to expect in the MCAT CARS section, which is arguably the most challenging component of the exam.
  • While it is possible to gain admission to medical school with a low MCAT score, it is preferable to aim for a high score on your first attempt. You do not need the added burden of figuring out how to make up for your low MCAT with other application components.
  • The higher your MCAT score, the more medical schools you will be able to apply to.

When Should You Start Studying for the MCAT?

You may be wondering when to begin studying for the MCAT now that you understand the foundations of the exam. The good news is that you began studying when you entered university (or even high school) years ago! 

The length of time you need to prepare for the MCAT will be determined in part by whether you have already taken introductory-level college courses in biology, psychology, sociology, or other relevant subjects, as well as your grasp of the content covered in these courses.

When Should You Plan to Take the MCAT? 

The big question now is when should you plan to take the exam.

The MCAT is given several times a year, giving you the option of taking it whenever you choose. Ensure that you meet the MCAT submission dates for your desired programs. 

Once you have decided on an MCAT test day, register as soon as possible because test dates are limited. If your MCAT test date is in six months, you should have plenty of time to prepare.

When Should You Start Studying for the MCAT? 

When do you have to begin studying if you have a test date? Keep your expectations in check! 

Calculate the time you have to study for the MCAT and be honest with yourself. The number of hours and months spent studying for the exam varies from student to student. It is suggested that you invest 200-300 hours of concentrated study time. If you can only devote 10 hours a week to studying, it might take you six months to thoroughly prepare.

For How Long Should I Study for the MCAT? 

If you can devote more hours each week to MCAT prep, you could be ready in as little as three months. Make it a point to leave some wiggle room in your schedule. 

When deciding how long you need to prepare for the MCAT and when you need to start studying, consider the amount of time you have available each week, including breaks and holidays.

Should I Have an MCAT Study Plan? 

Finally, create an MCAT study plan; do not be scared to change it if a need arises. Keep track of how many hours you spend studying each day and the topics you cover as you prepare for the test. 

Note how focused you are at different times of the day, and look for patterns in your learning. It is OK to change your study schedule if something is not working. Make adjustments to fit your learning style and spend additional time reviewing a specific material area if necessary.

How Much Time Should You Give Yourself to Study for the MCAT?

When should you begin preparing for the MCAT, and how long should you study? This is a significant issue that must be addressed because if you do not plan ahead of time and allow yourself appropriate study time, you may find yourself repeating the procedure for years.

So, here is how to figure out how much time you should spend studying, and it all boils down to these five questions:

Have you accomplished all of your credentials, and are you confident you comprehend them?

Students become involved in studying for the MCAT's content regularly. The MCAT, on the other hand, is mainly focused on reasoning and reading abilities. 

The MCAT begins with content and then asks you to apply what you have studied in situations that require systematic thought and analysis in a foreign setting.

Do you have test anxiety or poor time management?

he most prevalent reasons students fail the MCAT are mental and emotional factors. This is in addition to not understanding your topic or possessing superior critical reasoning and reading abilities. 

If you are concerned about these issues, you may need to adopt a different approach and take twice as long as others to attain your objectives. It is challenging to overcome MCAT anxiety, but it is possible. However, you may need one-on-one coaching and tutoring to overcome this stumbling block.

Do you have any other obligations?

Your commitments are crucial. Taking a full-time course load and taking the MCAT simultaneously can be challenging. Those who succeed frequently carve out time in their schedule to concentrate entirely on the MCAT. 

Similarly, working full-time will take longer because you will only get a few hours of study, which will be of low intensity and quality.

What is your target score, and do you want to be an MD, DO, or a combination of the two?

A person attempting a 505 has a very different timetable than someone trying a 515. While this is not an exact approximation, you can expect your score to increase by one point each week

You will need more time to build a strong foundation if your starting score is lower and vice versa if your starting score is higher.

What is your starting score?

The sequence in which you start determines how long it will take you. Subtle aspects such as the company you choose for your first practice test, which subsections are low/high, and how anxious you are about taking the first test all play a difference. 

People who perform poorly across the board will take far longer than those who perform well in the sciences but terribly in CARS.

How to Study for the MCAT in 2 Months: MCAT 60-Day Study Plan

Creating your MCAT study guide is one of MCAT preparation's most important but challenging components. 

According to the AAMC, if your MCAT date is in 3 months, pre-med students must spend roughly 240 hours preparing in order to achieve an average score. We strongly suggest you study for 300-350 hours to achieve an above-average score.

If you plan to take the MCAT in two months, you will need to set up a substantial amount of study and prep time each week to achieve a competitive score. 

Below is a suggested MCAT Study Plan for 2 Months.

Mcat-Study-Plan

MCAT Preparation Resources

One of the first questions many students have when preparing and studying for the MCAT is which MCAT resources to use. When there are so many free MCAT resources and different resources available for purchase, it might be challenging to narrow down choices.

We are here to guide and help you prepare and study for the MCAT, so we have looked into the top MCAT prep tools (free and paid) you may use.

Additional FAQs – How to Study for the MCAT in 2 Months

Are 60 Days Enough to Study for the MCAT?

According to the AAMC, an average pre-med student should spend roughly 240 hours studying for the MCAT for three months (approximately 90 days). That means that 60 days might not be enough. 

However, if you exert extra effort and devote your full attention to the MCAT prep in 60 days, you have a high chance of getting an above-average MCAT score.

What is the Best Month to Take the MCAT?

Take the MCAT preferably by mid-May, before AMCAS application submissions begin in early June. The quicker you finish the exam, the sooner you may end your AMCAS application, and the earlier you submit your application, the better.

Can I Study for the MCAT While Working?

It is possible to manage a job and have adequate MCAT preparation. 

Juggling work while studying for the MCAT could be challenging, so it has to be done with careful planning and a realistic timeline. You may want to create a practical study timetable and stick with it to achieve your desired score.

Are MCAT Study Plans Effective?   

Yes, MCAT study plans and timetables are effective if you follow and stick with them. MCAT study plans guide you on what to study for in a specific week.

It also helps you keep track of whether you are on schedule or might be behind your target. Thus, you can make the necessary adjustments needed.

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